Before the Dawn, Part I: The Bloodcove Disguise (Inactive)

Game Master TriShadow

Will DC 17: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Same day or new day? I am going with same day unless otherwise informed.

Facing the blockade, Ren narrows his eyes and readies himself for battle.

"Move out of our way or we will be forced to go through you and your men. Then we will see who falls in the river and who walks the dry path."

Will DC 17: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

”I am Sarathor this is Croaki she is not very well trained”

"Deary wes been hasen rough day.

Same day or new day? I am going with same day unless otherwise informed.

The scenario operates under the assumption that you depart Bloodcove as soon as possible, so this is indeed the same day.

Seeing the Pathfinders starting to take action, Xeanja casts a spell of her own. Sticky silken tendril rapidly filling the area surrounding the team. RED area. Reflex DC 15

Save vs DC 17: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Save vs DC 17: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

With a sigh, the Mwangian says, "Ahh, I had hoped to keep you talking longer so I could figure it who had it."

The guard next to her adds, "I only joined the Aspis cause I wet the bed until I was ten and I was tired of getting beat up. I just wanted to feel important."

Okay, there was a lot of posting today. As there is no surprise round, let's resolve this by initiative. Kaya and Sarathor can change their actions if they wish after seeing the outcome.

Ahmandé {Inspire Courage}
Ren {DELAY}
Durvak {Cast Zone of Truth}
Xeanja
Kaya {Planned to cast Shield from bonded Object. Can take a different action}
Guards
Sarathor

Definitely still casting shield.

Spellcraft DC 12: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

She yells out what the spell is as she dives to avoid the strands. (See GM spoiler for the link to it)

Reflex DC 15: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

After her shield spell slips into place she looks at the partial cover from the sticky strands and figures that sheltering in place is as good as sneaking into the brush. She draws her crossbow.

Kaya shouts a warning just as the clack of crossbows triggers fill the air.

ORANGE Xbow vs Sarathor(cover): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 191d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
GREEN Xbow vs Durvak(cover): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 71d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
PURPLE Xbow vs Kaya(cover): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 181d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
BLUE Xbow vs Croaki(cover): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 81d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Bolts fly toward their targets, but the webbing catches every shot before they can find their mark.

RUMBLE in the JUNGLE Round 1 (cont.)/Round 2 (bold may act)
Buffs: Inspire Courage

Sarathor Need reflex DC 15 {Planned to cast Shillelagh. Can take a different action}
***Round 2***
Ahmandé Need reflex DC 15
Ren {DELAY} Need reflex DC 15
Durvak Need reflex DC 15
Xeanja
Kaya
Guards
Sarathor

Reflex DC 15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Ahmande can't get out of the way in time, and finds himself struggling against the sticky fibers. "We've overcome worse than this silly web; you'll not take the key, not this day!"

He twists and pulls his body around in an attempt to free himself from the web, but his struggles are for naught.

Reflex, Spell: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 2 = 22

Shrugging off the spell, Durvak calls out "Eye-Row-Ree Blesses ya!" as a white cloud shoots out from the man. Trudging towards the woman, he presses her.

"An whatcha tinkin yas gunna do wit info-mator, eh? Ya tinken yas kin drops one witch watcha seekin an sca-daddly witchit? Wes gotcha numbered...whys not calls it and leafs uncorpsified?"

Cast Bless Reminder: the fear save bonus doesn't stack with IC, but the +1 attack does

Oops: needed another check to move through...

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

And....grappled by the web

Sarathorreflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Caught in the sticky stuff he tries to break free

combat 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Stuck in the web he pulls the feather from behind his ear as he commands Croaki to attack the spell caster

handle animal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

croaki reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

croaki escape artist: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Croaki tries to obey Sarathors commands but is firmly stuck in the web

use one round of liberation and 1 round of agile feet.

Ren is completely unaffected by the sticky strands of webbing, and he surges forward as if they were not even there. "Dena has shown me the path through your web sorceress! For your obstruction of our righteous journey, you will now face her wrath!"

Masterwork Morningstar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
blunt dmg: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Confirm?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
bonus damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Kaya silently cheers on the dynamic elf, how does he just slip right through the webbing! Blessed by Desna indeed!

She turns to eye the guards behind the group with a glare, you're next losers, you picked with the wrong halfling!

Most of the team struggles against the magical silk. However, Ren's faith allows him to slip through the bonds and strike a fierce blow agains the Aspis leader.

"Oh ho, a brave one I see. Well, I have just the thing for that." She takes a step back and thrusts her fists straight out at the Densan. She then makes a snapping motion, pulling her hands apart.

Ren, I need a DC 17 Will save or you suffer from a Misfortune Hex.

RUMBLE in the JUNGLE Round 2 (cont.) (bold may act)
Buffs: Inspire Courage, Bless

***Round 2***
Ahmandé
Ren
Durvak
Xeanja (-13/?? hp)
Kaya
Guards
Sarathor

Kaya eyes one of the guards with a vicious smile, "oh you made a major mistake and threatened me and my friends. You better say a prayer right now and hope for a nice afterlife because I'm not holding back anymore!"

Matching her words, she shifts her body into a stable stance and points a single finger at a guard behind them and says, "BIG PEW!"

A burning ray of scorching heat blazes towards the victim. Almost as an afterthought, she slips a bolt into her crossbow.

A blistering beam of orange briefly erupts from Kaya's finger. It easily burns through the strands of the web, causing small wisps of smoke to sputter along the spell's path. The aspis guard has only a moment to register how warm his chest is before he falls to the ground. No blood flows from the injury; partly due to the heat cauterizing the wound. The other reason is that there is nothing left to pump the blood as the man's heart is now little more than ash.

His partner is stunned for a moment before shouting to the heavens, "SHE KILLED KEVIK, YOU BASTARD!" He fires off a shot in response, the bolt landing harmlessly in the webbing. Meanwhile, the two guards move up to protect the witch. Ren dodges the first attack, but the second lands a gash across his thigh.

RUMBLE in the JUNGLE Round 2 (cont.)/Round 3 (bold may act)
Buffs: Inspire Courage, Bless

***Round 2***
Sarathor
***Round 3***
Ahmandé
Ren (13/17 hp) Need DC 17 Will save
Durvak
Xeanja (-13/?? hp)
Kaya
Guards
Sarathor

Will DC17: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
"I am a divine instrument, and Desna works through me." Ren says menacingly as he steps toward the caster, bringing his weapon around in a sweeping strike...
Masterwork Morningstar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
blunt: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Croaki tries to wriggle free of the webbing

escape artist: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

But is stuck

Sarathor too struggles to break the webbing wishing he had produce flame prepared

cmb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

He breaks free and moves forward

cmb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Without getting caught further he moves up to a guard wondering how ren moved through this stuff so easily

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Struggling against the webbing, Durvak prays he's released to help his friends. "Ya asked fer it. Wes warned ya an yous be attackten us." he advises the woman. "Yous be wanten dis outcomes."

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Struggling against the webbing, Durvak prays he's released to help his friends. "Ya asked fer it. Wes warned ya an yous be attackten us." he advises the woman. "Yous be wanten dis outcomes."

Ahmande continues to struggle against the webbing to no avail. Grateful for the others' success, he uses their example to continue to inspire his allies. "You can't hold us in, Aspis. Even caught in your webbing we'll pick up apart. You've just made us the spider to your flies!"

The witch pulls a wand as she targets Sarathor with her hex magic. Sarathor, DC 17 Will save to avoid Misfortune

RUMBLE in the JUNGLE Round 3 (cont.) (bold may act)
Buffs: Inspire Courage, Bless

***Round 3***
Ahmandé
Ren (13/17 hp)
Durvak
Xeanja (-17/?? hp)
Kaya
Guards
Sarathor Need Will save

Sarathor will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Kaya levels her crossbow at the other guard, "oh that's too bad, you almost got me! I guess if you had friends that inspired you and goddesses that blessed you, you might have had a chance. Now, your only chance is to flee... if this doesn't kill you."

TWANG!

She reloads her crossbow again.

While Kaya's arrow runs afoul of the sticky stands, Sarathor feels a malaise settle over him. Despite their best efforts, the guards cannot land a blow against the Pathfinders.

RUMBLE in the JUNGLE Round 3 (cont.)/Round 4 (bold may act)
Buffs: Inspire Courage, Bless, MISFORTUNE HEX (Sarathor only)

Round 3
Sarathor Whenever you would roll a d20, roll twice and take the lower/worse result.
***Round 4***
Ahmandé
Ren (13/17 hp)
Durvak
Xeanja (-17/?? hp)
Kaya
Guards
Sarathor

Sarathor swing at the guard hoping to land a powerful blow

staff swing: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
staff swing: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Crit confirm??

staff swing: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
staff swing: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Oops should be +5 with inspire and bless and minus one for power attack

staff damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

If it decks the guard Sarathor will move I up to the caster

escape: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Free

escape: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

She moves through the stick stuff to his target taking a swipe at the caster

Talon: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

talon damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

After running a potentially two aoo she misses

Ren, his faith strong that this is the right path, moves around the caster to flank her with Croaki.

Mwk Morningstar+flank: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 2 = 18
blunt dmg: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Foolish I know, provoking, but Ren is faithful.

"See, we're starting to break free! We're coming for you, Aspis; you picked the wrong fight!" Though he's not under the effect of the zone of truth, Ahmande needs nothing more than the simple truth to inspire his allies!

He struggles against the webbing, and finally is able to break free! He takes quick advantage, moving swiftly through the fraying webs, drawing his longsword as he goes until he's free.

Frowning at the vines, Durvak pretends to step forward. Watching them quiver with anticipation, he sighs loudly. "Mes no likey dis! Yas viny tings is hard fer Durvak. Faiths be stwong buts...mes legs be short."

Tuggin a large crossbow from his waist, he aims the device backwards, bolt facing him. Eyeing it a moment, the man shakes his head. "No...no....it no right..." Turning it around, he smiles "Ah...rights. Durvak no use dis much..."

Squinting at the witch, he pulls the trigger.

One of the guards slashes the raptor as it races past. Ren continues to slide across the battlefield with impunity. Sarathor lands a solid blow against the guard, and had he not be Hexed the man would certainly been laid low. However, the Aspis bed-wetter has had enough, and tosses his blade to the ground. Once again, his faith and weapon strike true. He brings his morning star down in an overhand chop, and hears a gruesome crunch as the witch's collarbone shatters. Her scream silences the forest and sends panicked birds flying away from the treetops.

From her knees, "I yield Densnan. I plead to your goddess of dreams for mercy. I have not harmed a single one of your allies, spilled not one drop of their blood. I merely sought the key to buy my passage away from the 'Cove. What say you?" On hearing the witch capitulate, the guards also offer their surrender.

***Round 4 (cont)*** bold may post
Ahmandé
Ren (13/17 hp)
Durvak
Xeanja (-25/?? hp)
Kaya
Guards
Sarathor {Croaki 20/25 hp}

The fight is essentially over, but I will wait to see what your decision is.

Kaya eyes the witch to see if this is a trick.

Sense Motive “Hunch” DC 20: 1d20 ⇒ 14

She lowers her weapon, ”seems legit.”

Ren lowers his weapon and nods his head in assent.

"I hear you all and by the grace of Desna will grant you mercy. Allow this to be your first step on a new path."

He then secures the witch's magic, her weapons and any components she may have before repeating the same for her accomplices. He then asks for help from her guards to free those still stuck in the web.

Once done, he channels to heal everyone before he sends them on their way.

Channel Heal: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Channel Heal: 1d6 ⇒ 3

"May the Great Dreamer guide you on the path to a better life." he says as they carry their wounded and dead away.

Once we get some distance from the "'Cove", I hope we have a chance to rest to regain spells and abilities.

The witch smiles gently. “Travel safely, Pathfinders, but travel swiftly,” she says. “I’m far from the only Consortium vulture looking to pick your bones today.” She looks toward the road back to Bloodcove, where in the distance birds and chattering monkeys scatter from the canopy as if frightened by a large force moving in this direction and, at best, two hours away.

You are all weary and mere hours ahead of the Aspis Consortium’s own force
sent to overtake you on your way to the Azlant Ridge excavation. Combat against such odds all but guarantees death, and the only tentative safety available to the PCs lies inside the protective walls of the fortified expedition camp 2 days’ journey away.(see Part II, Rescue at Azlant Ridge).

Congratulations all, a well earned victory. I will get the chronicles out this weekend. I can run Part II if you are all still up for it, but probably not for a week or so. If you are all good waiting that long, let me know.

Fine to wait for whenever you are up to start again. Thanks for running this. Ren is officially lvl 3 now.

Excellent run! Thank you.

Happy to wait, a week or even a bit more is no issue. No rush.

Awesome! Thanks so much. I too am happy to wait a week or so on the next session.

Works for me GM. Just let me know when you're ready.

A whole week to level up my character. LUXURY!

Many thanks all for great game

I forgot to do make my check for a faction goal; do you mind if I retcon an action? This would have occurred inside the Sanguine Pit as the crowd was leaving after our fight.

Seeing the crowd start to disperse, Ahmande recognizes an opportunity. "Our cover is blown anyway... might as well give these people a piece of my mind."

He waves his arms, getting the attention of as many people as he can. "Hey! Bloodcove! Before you leave, think on this! Look at the ruin here. The evil that goes on in this place is spelling its own doom. You can choose how to live your lives... and what you see here is the wrong choice! Reject slavery! Reject oppression! Reject those that try to impose those on you! You can be better; you are better!!! Now go do it!"

Perform (oratory) DC 15 + 3 = 18: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28