GM Bold Strider's PFS 03-16 The Midnight Mauler (Group 1 - High Tier)

[Beleg the Galtan]

@Quarr: Total defense. It would at least offset the prone AC penalty.

[Quarr]

True. Then move action to draw the extract and standard action to go full-defense is what Quarr will do then

[Aod the Witchchild]

Just FYI, extracts aren't the same as potions. You don't need to spend a move action to retrieve them. It's a standard to retrieve and drink.

[Aod the Witchchild]

Does Beleg have a reroll? Doesn't look like he's used one in this scenario.

[Quarr]

Yes I was just looking to avoid the AoO from drinking it

[Haris Hawkson]

Haris cheering from the ground.

[GM Bold Strider]

Seeing that the gnome is not a threat, the Mauler issues a slightly lower pitched whistle. The wolfhound claws Quarr before shifting to attack Beleg with a bite/claw combo.

Bite @ Beleg-16 AC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Near Miss - 2 Images

The Mauler's pet's bite savages Beleg's leg, but Beleg's Mirror Image pops allowing him to thank Erastil for the third time.

Claw @ Beleg-16 AC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Mirror Images - Low Hits: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Image Pop - 1 Image

The wolf's claw tears through another Mirror Image leaving Beleg with a single Image and his Blur spell.

Claw @ Quarr-17 AC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

The last claw attack slams into Quarr's face, knocking him unconscious. Stabilize for Quarr DC 16: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

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

The Mauler, wishing that Beleg had fallen so he could just go handle the Barbarian, full attacks the Magus. Won't you just die already!!!

Short Sword @ Beleg-16 AC: 1d20 + 12 - 3 ⇒ (11) + 12 - 3 = 20
Mirror Images - Max Hits: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Blur - High Hits: 1d100 ⇒ 30
Damage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Short Sword @ Beleg-16 AC: 1d20 + 7 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 3 = 5
Miss

Bite @ Beleg-16 AC: 1d20 + 7 - 3 ⇒ (8) + 7 - 3 = 12
Near Miss - 0 Images Left

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

Fredrik and Takahiro boldly stride into the battle!

Initiative:
1st: Beleg @ 3hp
2nd: Mauler @ 53 damage w/ 3 bleed | Wolfhound @ 0 damage
3rd: Takahiro, Aod @ 21hp, Quarr @ -6hp, Haris @ -10hp, Fredrick

[GM Bold Strider]

Actually, I have been rolling Stabilizes a lot for other PbPs. If you want to roll your own, feel free Quarr.

[Beleg the Galtan]

"All right, I've had enough of you!"

Black Blade Spell Combat Power Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 - 2 - 2 = 6
damage: 1d6 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 4 = 12
electrical damage: 6d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 1, 4, 6, 1) = 18

You've got to be kidding! Ok. Reroll time (4 GM stars):

Black Blade Spell Combat Power Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 2 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 9 - 2 - 2 + 4 = 14

Le f*++.

Swift action spell recall Mirror Images.

Beleg will then 5' step away and cast, casting defensively if the Mauler steps up.

images: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Cant edit map over phone, step me away if I can.

[Quarr]

the Dc doesn't increase for each HP lost does it? The way I understood it was that the DC was always 10 and that you roll as normal and just add in a negative modifier equal to your negative HP.

On the character's next turn, after being reduced to negative hit points (but not dead), and on all subsequent turns, the character must make a DC 10 Constitution check to become stable. The character takes a penalty on this roll equal to his negative hit point total. A character that is stable does not need to make this check. A natural 20 on this check is an automatic success. If the character fails this check, he loses 1 hit point. An unconscious or dying character cannot use any special action that changes the initiative count on which his action occurs.

[Takahiro]

Takahiro arrives at the scene with his ally and takes in the carnage laid out before him, a bloodied welcome mat at the door of a slaughterhouse. He sees the dead and dying forms of his fallen comrades and the bleeding lupine assailants. A tear wells in his eye at the tragedy of the situation he was hoping would end peacefully, yet his face and demeanour remains otherwise stoic and as calm as the mountains.

Takahiro holds his blade before him in a defensive posture, sword pointed forward as a warning, but not as an aggressive threat… the silver blade catching the moonlight.

Chudan no kamae

”Enough of this, Vilk, let it end. I have not come to hunt, I have come to help. I was not summoned to slay by those with vengeance and hatred in their hearts, I was called by those who remember a great man of great heart who rose each day like the sun to give warmth and hope to many and they bid him live and return to peace. This battle must stop, my fellows need aid – and I count you as a fellow Vilk, for do we not share the same bonds? We have a common fellowship. Let us live as brothers, let us not die as foes. I beg you to be true to the man you are, and I humbly call you to truce.”

Swift Action – Smite Evil

Move action - move forward to shield any fallen if possible

Standard Action – Talking 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Bluff/Dip/Intim are all +9, insert relevant skill
At this point I’m not sure if it is bluff or Diplomacy – the intent is to draw a truce and cease hostility so reason and rationality can take back over and we can salvage the situation – Takahiro isn’t looking for a lethal solution and earnestly seeks a way forward that offers the most compassion and ‘humanity’ – bless his Paladin socks

[GM Bold Strider]

@Quarr: I just add the negative modifier to the DC instead of penalizing the Con bonus to the roll. Comes out the same.

@Beleg: Too perfect.

@Takahiro: You just declared holy judgment against Vilk (Smite Evil) and are trying to talk him off his murderous rampage?

[Takahiro]

Yep. Whilst Tak is praying for peace, he is preparing for war. Its a display of strength that makes it clear to Vilk that whilst Takahiro is asking for a way out that avoids further deaths, if Vilk refuses and engages the party he will find a resolute opponent that will fight to the bitter end without hesitation, and the charging up with his holiness is part of his display of strength. Up to Vilk now, whats it to be wolf man?

Also, smite comes with a nice AC bump, which by the looks of it I'd be needing

GEN Mattis wrote:

I come in peace. I didn’t bring artillery. But I’m pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you f%+% with me, I’ll kill you all.

[Aod the Witchchild]

Thank Gorum! Aod thinks as Takahiro arrives on the scene. What?!! The paladin's words, however, are far from what he hoped for.

"Tak, he's beyond fancy words! Take him down!"

Dropping his healing wand, Aod springs a second wand from the sheath on his left arm, activates it, and in a dash that momentarily leaves a multi-hued cascade of images behind him, is suddenly on the Mauler with his sword slashing in powerful strokes.

Swift to retrieve wand, spell combat for bladed dash, then regular attack. Putting myself next to both Mauler and Wolf for Crowd Control bonus to hit and AC.
Power Attack: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 13 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 29
Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 13 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 18 Note: fatigue drops the Mauler's Str and Dex by 2, if that matters for his AC.
Damage: 1d10 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Crit Damage: 1d10 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Second Power Attack: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 24
Damage: 1d10 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

[Fredrik Greymantle]

Fredrik steps forward and channels positive energy to stop his companions from dying.
Move forward and channel with selective channel to exclude Vilk and the wolfhound.
Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Something very strange happened, I was trying to move my icon into the grid but every time I moved it inside the town's map it disappeared.

[Takahiro]

Well lets see how this one unfolds. On a big picture level, if it ends in tragedy then so be it, but the brief was to try do our bit first, so Tak is honour bound to do the right thing... happy that Freddy chucked the heal bomb out, maybe it gives this even more weight :)

[GM Bold Strider]

Sorry, I forgot to move the wolfhound. He would have been standing where you placed yourself in order to hit both Quarr and Beleg. I moved you to the other side and we can ignore the fence. You lose the +1, however. :(

Aod steps forward and deals two blows to the Mauler. The Mauler falls. I just wanted the brieeeee...

This is essentially how I picture it. LINK.

The wolfhound, seeing Vilk fall, will withdraw out of the fight.

Vilk is on the ground, bleeding out. WHAT DO YOU DO?

[Aod the Witchchild]

Dripping blood from wound and weapon and wearing a crazed grin, Aod looks nearly as mad as the Mauler and just as ready to finish him off.

"Well fought Master of Blades. Almost had us. Almost."

He raises his sword...

[Haris Hawkson]

Haris still dirt napping.

[Takahiro]

"You did what you had to do Aod my honourable friend, now allow me to do what must be done"

Take 10 Heal = 17.

Takahiro binds the mans wounds, and the man himself.

Is there an immediate need to resolve general group heals? Tak has a wand, Lay Hands, a couple of spells and a channel left

[GM Bold Strider]

No need to resolve group heals. You just need to figure out what to do with Vilk.

[Fredrik Greymantle]

I saw a river back there, the fish could use some food...

He had a long and accomplished life, now maybe it's time to let Pharasma judge his soul. Whatever we do nobody can find his body, we can't leave traces that connect the mauler to the Society. Fredrik says darkly.

[Haris Hawkson]

"Wait...", Haris comes to and suggests, "Shouldn't we force feed him the wolfsbane?."

[Takahiro]

Haris Hawkson wrote:

"Wait...", Haris comes to and suggests, "Shouldn't we force feed him the wolfsbane?."

"You are right Haris, he should be administered the curative. Pharasma can wait a little while, no doubt there's already a queue up there so it shouldn't matter if a small delay" Takahiro offers hopefully to his less than happy companions.

[George Demonspawn]

You lifted two doses from the now deceased messenger.

Takahiro and Haris force a dose of wolfsbane down the throat of the Mauler.

Vilk starts to shake and contort violently

Lycanthropy Save, DC 15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Vilk's face starts to return to the shape and size of a normal human's, however his body starts to wither and blood starts to seep from his pores.

Wolfsbane Poison, DC 16, Rd 1 of 6: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2 Constitution Damage

Wolfsbane Poison, DC 16, Rd 2 of 6: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2 Constitution Damage

Wolfsbane Poison, DC 16, Rd 3 of 6: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1 Constitution Damage

Wolfsbane Poison, DC 16, Rd 4 of 6: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2 Constitution Damage

Wolfsbane Poison, DC 16, Rd 5 of 6: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2 Constitution Damage

Wolfsbane Poison, DC 16, Rd 6 of 6: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1 Constitution Damage

Vilk will perish on Round 5 from Constitution damage. You need to cure 2 points of Constitution damage within four rounds or he dies.

[Fredrik Greymantle]

Takahiro wrote:

"...Pharasma can wait a little while, no doubt there's already a queue up there so it shouldn't matter if a small delay" Takahiro offers hopefully to his less than happy companions.

Fredrik can't avoid smiling at Takahiro's comment. He nods to the paladin.

Alright, She can wait, Her patience is unending.

[Fredrik Greymantle]

Crap, I dont have lesser restoration memorized.

[Aod the Witchchild]

Wow. After all those rounds with Crit after Crit after Crit, he rolls three natural 1's. I'm thinking this might be fate. Would an antitoxin help here? Maybe a cloak of resistance too?

Aod lowers his sword at his companion's words, though he doesn't put it away.

[GM Bold Strider]

Aod sees some wicked shit go down as this old man starts bleeding from the eyes. He rustles through his pack and pulls out some anti-toxin, hoping it will do something, and shoves it down his throat.

Vilk starts to calm from his violent episode and doesn't die from the poison.

[GM Bold Strider]

By ending the Midnight Mauler’s reign of terror before the city guard tracks Vilk down, the PCs spare the Pathfinder Society from an awkward situation that may have eventually led to the entire Society’s expulsion from Ustalav, barring heroic deeds or extraordinary blackmail.

Since the PCs manage to save his life, Vilk recovers consciousness around sunrise. He thanks them, but otherwise remains silent and withdrawn, ashamed of his actions. Within a week, he leaves Ustalav for Varisia, where he eventually settles into the hustle and bustle of Korvosa to live out his final years. Parties that save Vilk earn the Master of Blades Saved boon on their Chronicle sheets.

[Takahiro]

Woo woo! Now he better not prove Takahiro wrong and return to carrying out dick moves!

Great work guys, what a ripping tale of carnage!

[Fredrik Greymantle]

This one went by pretty fast! Thanks for the game guys, it was fun :D

[Haris Hawkson]

Once safely back home, Haris sends a Get-Well box of fruits and cheeses to Vilk, signed The Hawk of Absalom.

-Posted with Wayfinder

[GM Bold Strider]

Hilarious.

[Aod the Witchchild]

"Best 50 gold I ever spent." Aod mutters when Vilk pulls through. Or maybe the worst, if he finds out the brie boy's death was greatly exaggerated.

This was rough, but exciting and very memorable. Thanks everyone. Quarr, apologies for jumping on your case about the stinkbomb.

[GM Bold Strider]

GM Bold Strider only does exciting and memorable. /flex

[Beleg the Galtan]

Haris Hawkson wrote:

Once safely back home, Haris sends a Get-Well box of fruits and cheeses to Vilk, signed The Hawk of Absalom.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Beleg sends his own basket of rotten fruit and stinky cheese to the retired Master of Blades. The note reads:

Dear Bastard:

Glad you're not f~#&ing killing us anymore, you son of a b%$+~.

F+%$ you,

Beleg

---

Haha, great game and very exciting! Beleg just has the worst luck of any of my characters, which is very fitting as it feeds into his personality type. He's been through a lot and I think he's justified in his gruffness.

[Takahiro]

Takahiro sees the look on his friends faces, he silently offers them all a few soothing cups of green tea.

[Quarr]

It is alright, I am still learning for the most part. This is my first RPG system that I have really dug in depth on and it is a constant state of learning what works and what doesn't. Stink bomb is definitely better after all melee are in it already.

Quarr looks at all of his companions the following day as images of the night before flash before him. This is definitely a night that I will not be soon to forget. That was the closest to deth I have ever been and I will not allow that to happen ever again, even if it was an....experience. The gnome looks around the room with a deep respect as he begins to jot down his notes in the journal for the Society before he remembers that he should probably visit the strange alchemist in the market and exchange some notes before he leaves.

[Haris Hawkson]

That was toooo close, but lots of fun! And I had no idea EF was a 4 star general until the reroll! :) Curious - had Aod decap Vilk, would we have failed the mission?

"Drinks at Maximos!"

[Beleg the Galtan]

I think i've actually got something like 180+ games but you need to have GM'd 10 specials for 5 stars and I've only GM'd 2 specials (with one more coming at GenCon). I'll get there eventually, but I've never been too concerned with GM stars.

[Haris Hawkson]

Well it's still pretty f-ing impressive.

[GM Bold Strider]

You would have gotten one prestige point instead of two with the new system. The new secondary success is to save Vilk from his affliction.

[Aod the Witchchild]

This was a great game with many great moments. Some highlights from my perspective:
-Everyone's introduction
-Sir Bentham's messenger
-Rutowksi and his cheese
-Haris and Rutowski's cheese
-The Mauler and Rutowski's cheese
-Fredrik and Junior life-guard Roy
-Beleg and his f!%#ing Pesh
-Quarr and his stinkbombs
-Takahiro giving the Mauler one last chance (now that's a Paladin)
-Aod getting to go all superhero against a Master of Blades
-Surviving to tell the tale!

[Takahiro]

Indeed it was full of classic moments :p And always interesting to play a paladin and try stick to what Paladins should be about whilst not wet blanketing the party and stopping them doing what they have to do; Takahiro might offer Vilk a way out, but Aod was also in the right not to offer such terms - Tak was also not obligated to prevent Aod striking either, as Vilk hadn't surrendered into his protection... no Lawful Stupid here :p

[Fredrik Greymantle]

GM Bold could you move this game to inactive status please. Thx.