Core or Bust!

Game Master dien

Yargul watches as the half-orc gets pummeled exiting the hallway, and lashes out a foot while the ambusher is distracted.

Kick Blue, flank: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8 for Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Then he opens the space up for another combatant, moving next to the half orc.

Yargul takes a swing, but can't capitalize on the opening.

Grimacing, the two warriors strike at Klo, trying to bring down the big man who they are surrounding.

Blue vs Klo, bless and flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 26 Potential crit, oish
Confirm crit?: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 26 Yeah... that'd do it.
Critical sword on Klo - Damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 = 9

Green vs Klo, bless and flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 9

Fortunately for Klo, the second swing misses badly. The first was plenty painful!

Round 1 - bold may act
Bad guys B (red, purple)
Yargul
Jikan
Korum -7/13 HP
Bad guys A (blue, green)
Kul-Amon
Kara
Klo 4/13 (evil eyed (but no longer shaken); -2 to attacks for 5 rds)

"And where he saw an end, there was a beginning, and where he saw a beginning, an end. And this again and again until the doors of infinity bent before his gaze" chants Kul-Amon as he channels the healing aspects of Nethys.

Channel (big numbers!!!!!): 1d6 ⇒ 3

Not a big number.

Here's to hoping they don't have combat reflexes!

I'll be damned if I let these bushwackers take what's ours. C'mon, Pathfinders! Let's send them slinking away like the worms they are!

Standard Action, Inspire Courage: +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls

Kara ducks around to give Klo an opportune target.

Move to indicated area on the map.

Two mental assaults and a wicked blade stab into Klo before the big Shoanti can react. Instincts take over, though, and the huge man comes alive with a roar. Rage, Nethys's energy, and Kara's inspiration boil his blood as he rips the thick fish-cutting blade from within his bloodied leathers. Then, it crashes down on one of the attackers—where his neck meets his shoulder. It's not a pretty or practiced attack, but it is savage—the brute force driving it through the man's body like an icy, blizzard wind through the winter-weakened trees.

Move action to draw scimitar, and 2-handed strike on Green.
cold iron scimitar: 1d20 + 4 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 - 2 + 2 = 23 <– CRIT?
damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
— confirm: 1d20 + 4 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 4 - 2 + 2 = 24
— add'l damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

The crits are going crazy around here. Level 1 death everywhere!!!!

Klo strikes like the winter storm indeed! His fish cleavers hacks through the man's throat, who doesn't even have time to scream before dropping to the ground...

The half-orc curses. "The big man's a threat! Losza, we must drop him!"

She gestures and a black line shoots from her fingers at Klo.

Ranged touch vs Klo, bless, penalty for firing into combat: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 2 - 4 = -1

But the occult tendrils comes nowhere close to hitting Klo. Snarling, the half-orc backs away. The Asmodean answers in some hellish tongue, drawing a morning star and invoking her dread lord to further bolster herself.

Round 2 - bold may act
Bad guys B (red, purple)
Yargul
Jikan
Korum -4/13 HP, will fall unconscious at end of turn unless brought above 0 hp
Bad guys A (blue)
Kul-Amon
Kara
Klo 7/13 (evil eyed, -2 to attacks for 4 rds)

Party buffs: inspire courage

"Keep at it Klo!"

Beginning of Turn
Jikan's casting of Enlarge Person finishes, and Klo grows to enormous size.

Non Action
Jikan steps to a spot with more clarity.

"Eh, what the heck? Might as well."

Full Round Action
Jikan begins casting Enlarge Person again, going for a different target next time.

Yah ... that was fun. Now to see if the big guy stays on his feet another turn. :/

Yargul moves behind the injured half-orc, and lays a hand upon his shoulder.

"I shall try to provide more than shelter against the rain."

Five foot step, drop enlarge person, cast CLW on Korum.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Or not.

Seeing his blood leaking all over the floor, the half-orc realizes his next moment will be his last. A fierce howl erupts from his lungs as he swings with all of his strength.

Desperate last swing at Blue: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 2 = 24 for I'm taking you with me: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 and Yeah, I'm a rogue too!: 1d6 ⇒ 4

His axe clatters to the ground as Korum falls.

Hey, where did that wolf come from. It's eyes, so beautiful. What...where is it goin'? I should follow it!

"Where there was sweetgrass and clear water, there was ash and rivers of blood. Where there was dust and ragweed, there was honeyed water and game aplenty. The impious asks "how can this happen" but the faithful knows the question is "when will it happen"" chants Kul-Amon as he steps on to Korum, his hands glowing with bright energy.

Cure Light Wounds!: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

"There are no miracles, just the power of magic. There are no obstacles, just the power of will. Rise, brother Korum, the All-Seeing Eye has seen that your enemies' remaining existence is measured in seconds." cackles Kul-Amon in an altogether disturbing way.

The orc's eyes flutter open. Oblivious to the ongoing combat, Korum seems to be focused on something more important. "NO! Where is the wolf? I was supposed to follow it. Where did it go? "

-Posted with Wayfinder

Kul isn't up yet. You're up if your name is bolded. The nearer bad guy is going to get a chance to go before he can heal, or move. (Meaning it'll be a reset of their AOO too, so if you still want to spend this turn doing that, it'll provoke.) I moved Kul back to where he was. Korum is at 0 HP after Yargul's heal, but since the ferocity text specifically calls out you must be brought ABOVE 0, he falls unconscious (and also as per ferocity, begins dying).

A stabilize check for Korum, DC 10: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 Okay, stable and... unconscious at zero, I suppose. Which normally being at 0 would be conscious, but the specific text of ferocity overrules that.

Looking wild-eyed at the sudden enlarging of Klo and the death of his comrade, the remaining warrior nevertheless hacks defensively at Klo's big form.

Longsword, bless: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Though the blade bites deep, Klo continues to stand! Barely.

Round 2 - bold may act
Bad guys B (red, purple)
Yargul
Jikan
Korum 0/13 HP, unconscious but stable
Bad guys A (blue)
Kul-Amon
Kara
Klo 1/13 (evil eyed, -2 to attacks for 4 rds)

Party buffs: inspire courage

Kara shudders when Klo is struck again but, seeing that he still stands and Kul and Yargul can keep their comrades in the fight, she eyes the unprotected caster.

Move 30 ft

Grapple the half-orc, IC: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 1 = 23

Kara advances upon the half-orc, grabbing her arm and twisting it behind her back.

You like to hang back and bark orders, huh? Let's see how strong your magic is when I rip your arm outta your socket!

Ha, nice.

Kara strides intently towards the half-orc, who wasn't expecting that, and without ceremony simply grabs her arm, to the half-orc's startlement. Something to remember is that if you don't have two free hands, you take -4 on attempts to grapple, but, obviously, you're going to succeed anyway.

"Let go!" the half-orc snarls, eyes wide at the threat.

Kul-Amon and Klo up.

Klo rounds on the other attacker. His second attack is weakened by his own blood loss, but he tries to fight on.

Attack blue.
cold iron scimitar: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 - 2 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 = 9

Yep, I assumed I had both hands free because I never stated that I drew a weapon. I can't even draw one as I move, still have +0 BAB.

So I have a question just to clarify. Orc Ferocity allows me to act as if disabled with either an attack or move action. Was I unable to attack BLUE, or did my attack miss? If I hit, I do not think there would have been an AoO (as I did a lot of damage).

Korum: I ruled that you were unable to attack blue, because you took the attacks that would have brought you below zero HP during your movement, on your way to get into the square from which you attacked. So you were at full-- moved between the two enemies-- got attacked for a total of 20 damage-- and at that point would fall unconscious, except for having ferocity, which put you at 'disabled' instead. But at that point I was just letting you complete your move to reach your target square (you weren't actually there yet, since you got attacked mid-move), and that means I ruled you got no standard to attack blue.

Kara: Gotcha. Man I always forget how BAB 0 sucks.

Klo's swing is powerful, but misses by a hair.

Kul-Amon still up. If you want to do the action you posted earlier, you can, but you'll be taking at least one AOO.

Absolutely! I just posted ahead because of how I interpreted Korum's orc ferocity. That said, I'll still take those actions.

AOO on Kul, bless: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 = 19 The dice are doing their best for me anyway...
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Kul-Amon strides forward to bring the POWER OF NETHYS to bear on Korum and bring him back to the world of the living... the enemy takes a swing at him as he passes, but fortunately doesn't do very much damage to the half-orc. Once past the enemy, Kul-Amon heals some of Korum's injuries!

The grappled caster snarls at Kara's firm grip and snatches a stout cudgel from her belt, trying feebly to strike Kara with it.

Vs Kara, Bless, grappled: 1d20 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 - 2 = 5

No luck, however. The Asmodean woman says something in a foul-sounding tongue to the blue-clad warrior, gesturing at Kul-Amon, and steps forward to attack him with a wicked-looking morningstar!

Vs Kul-Amon, bless: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 = 10

But Nethys protects his servant.

Round 3 - bold may act
Bad guys B (red, purple (grappled) )
Yargul
Jikan
Korum 9/13 HP, starting turn prone
Bad guys A (blue)
Kul-Amon 7/10 HP
Kara
Klo 1/13 (evil eyed, -2 to attacks for 3 rds)

Party buffs: inspire courage

Beginning of Turn
No good target within range for an Enlarge Person, so...
Jikan shrugs and becomes a medium sized gnome for a little bit.

Non Action
He steps up to Klo...

Standard Action
...and gives him a Touch of Destiny.

Klo: +1 on attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws for 1 round.

So, now this happens...

The orc's eyes flutter open. Oblivious to the ongoing combat, Korum seems to be focused on something more important. "NO! Where is the wolf? I was supposed to follow it. Where did it go?"

The rogue grabs his axe and rises to get back in the fight.

Yargul watches as Kul-Amon brings Korum to his feet. Using the opportunity to dash past the distracted assailant, to bring himself within reach of Klo.

Move 10ft, would provoke from red who I believe has already had two opportunities..., drop Shield of Faith for CLW.

"Continue on, large one."
CLW, Klo: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Nah actually, you are the first provoker for red, Yargul!

As Yargul passes the Asmodean, she strikes out with her morningstar...

WhammAaooo? with bless: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8

...but Yargul dances lightly past despite his tower shield, and heals Klo nicely.

Giving up on trying to bring down the just-healed Klo, the mercenary swordsman grimly steps forward to tag-team Kul-Amon!

Blue vs Kul, flank, bless: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The servant of Nethys is struck, but not dropped...

Round 3 - bold may act
Bad guys B (red, purple (grappled) )
Yargul
Jikan
Korum 9/13 HP
Bad guys A (blue)
Kul-Amon 3/10 HP
Kara (grappling)
Klo 8/13 (evil eyed, -2 to attacks for 3 rds)

Party buffs: inspire courage

With renewed vigor, the now-double-massive Klo takes a moment to line up his next chop. He grunts out another wordless battle-cry as the enlarged blade comes crashing down with dangerous accuracy.

Attack Blue. (Enlarge, Inspire, Luck, Flank, Evil Eye)
Large scimitar: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 19
damage: 1d8 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 13

Kara slaps the cudgel aside and kicks the half-orc in the kneecap, throwing her to the ground face-first. She leans her forearm into the back of her foe's neck, driving her into the ground.

All that time learnin' magic and you can't even win a fist fight. I almost feel bad for you. Almost.

grapple to pin, IC, maintain bonus: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 1 + 5 = 20

Klo's strike hews down another of the attackers, the mercenary gurgling as he drops!

Kara keeps a stranglehold on the enemy caster...

Kul-Amon up

Kul-Amon cackles. "They are weak, and thus their magic is weak. The Eye has seen their demise as the land sees the sun rise each day."

Channel, excluding those who are still obviously alive.

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 1

The half-orc snarls impotently as Kara inexorably locks her arms to her sides. "Damn you people! I yield!" The club drops from her fingers, not that she could have used it anyway.

The Asmodean seems not to hear her comrade's words, or not to care. She shrieks in that same foreign tongue as she tries to brain Kul-Amon again with her morningstar, stepping forward to do so.

Morningstar, bless, vs Kul: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Outnumbered though she may be, she manages to strike a very solid blow-- dropping the Nethyn to the floor. Maybe she was pissed off at being called weak? Or maybe she just saw he was healing people.

Round 4 - bold may act! which is everyone.
Bad guys B (red, purple (pinned) )
Yargul
Jikan
Korum 10/13 HP
Kul-Amon -4/10 HP, make a stabilize check
Kara (grappling)
Klo 9/13 (evil eyed, -2 to attacks for 2 rds)

Party buffs: inspire courage

Sure, just call off your friend, Kara says simply, punching the half-orc in the kidney for good measure.

maintain grapple for unarmed damage, IC, bonus: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 1 + 5 = 17

nonlethal damage, IC: 1d3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

"You really should give up."

Last verse, same as the first (err, third).

Standard Action
Jikan again gives Klo a Touch of Destiny.

Klo: +1 on attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws for 1 round.

Klo is wild with violence, now. His bloody cleaver falls again, this time at the Chelaxian. And with even more abandon.

Attack the woman adjacent to him.
Mods: Enlarge Person, Inspire Courage, luck bonus, Evil Eye
large scimitar: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 7
damage: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 = 10

"Don't worry Cap'n, I'll 'call 'er off."The rogue slides to his left and swings at the Asomdean zealot, "Better yet, maybe you should go meet yer boss!"

Great axe: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 14 for damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 and Sneak Attack (flanking): 1d6 ⇒ 5

***FOLIO REROLL***
Great axe: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 18 for damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 and Sneak Attack (flanking): 1d6 ⇒ 4

Gonna use Orc Ferocity.

Casting defensively, DC 17: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Cure Light Wounds on Self: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"Weak. As is your god. Lies and deceit, pah. Asmodeus wouldn't know true power if it ripped his spine out. Behold True Power."

Seeing the other half-orc heal himself, Yargul lashes out a side kick at the threat.

Unarmed Strike vs Red, flank: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 2 = 21 for Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"Ha," the half-orc said darkly. "I could tell her; it wouldn't do any good when she's in the fight like that. You'll have to--"

Korum's axe hacked into the base of the Asmodean's spine at the same time Yargul's fist struck, and she dropped hard, curses in the insane tongue still gibbering off her tongue.

"--drop her," the half-orc grunted. "...yeah. Like that. Well, damn; bye, Lisandra."

Combat over, as the half-orc has surrendered. At this point, you may safely return to the lodge with your discoveries, or interrogate the half-orc, or anything else you think of doing. Essentially, the scenario has reached its conclusion; I'd write a longer post just now but had some big family stuff happen today. So I'll allow for RP reactions and get a bigger post up later tonight or early tomorrow.

Yargul drops to inspect the pulse of the combatants and stabilize (if possible) those who aren't dead.

Heal Check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 Or not.

"How did you come to be here?" he asks the captured warrior.

Kul-Amon channels the radiance of Nethys, looking intently at the remaining assailant.

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Well, Kara says when the Asmodean drops like a stone. That settles that.

She stands up slowly, drawing her spear and pointing it at the prone half-orc's throat.

Yeah, how'd you find us? Who sent you?

Jikan searches one of the unconscious ones for any sort of identification. He is currently enjoying being medium size, but the ground is so much lower now...

The Asmodean and one of the two swordsmen are, as inspection reveals, outright dead. The second swordsman could be saved if an attempt were made... and of course, the half-orc is alive. She grudgingly yields to having her remaining equipment taken from her, including an insignia of the Chelish cross gripped in a devil's claw.

"We're soldiers of the Devil's Claw. Chelish mercenaries. An employer of ours has eyes in the Wisp... and in the air... heard you were on the trail of some big find... dispatched us to intercept you and take it off you." The half-orc spits onto the ground. "Guess they should have paid for more troops, heh. But I'm not keen to die for them: I'll give the name, alright. The de Traan family."

The Society perhaps has further business to settle with the de Traans, in the future.... for now, the equipment of your would-be ambushers makes a good enough prize. To say nothing of your discovery!

Drandle Dreng is ensconced in the lodge looking, for once, like something other than the ragged hobo he often poses as. Well-dressed in a comfortable smoking jacket, he lounges near the lodge's common room's fireplace, sipping a brandy, and looks delighted when you enter.

"Ah, very good! Very good, to see you all alive! And by the looks on your faces, I'd say you have interesting news to share...?" he says with a sly wink.

When the trove of documents is displayed, Dreng rubs his hands together before riffling through it. "Quite impressive, junior agents! Most of these are going to go to Kreighton Shaine for further examination, but you did your part. I think you're going to be a credit to the Society, all of you. I suggest you get some sleep... you never know when the Society will have your next mission, after all. Anyone care to toast to you futures, with me? Perhaps.. even at the Wisp? After all, there's a lot of that wine cellar we've yet to touch."

Thus concludes The Wounded Wisp! I'll get Chronicles done tonight and the game logged, etc.

Kara smiles as the half-orc spills the beans, then takes her aside as the others rifle through her belongings.

She stows her spear and speaks quietly to the cooperative foe.

Listen, you have a lot more sense than your compatriots. And well, like you said, your current employers aren't paying you enough. There are factions within the Pathfinder Society and my boss, she appreciates people with skills like yours. You're not afraid to get your hands dirty, and you don't mind recovering artifacts. Let me tell you a bit about the Dark Archive...

Not sure if this applies, but this is what I'm going for: Recruit a named NPC scholar, knowledgeable spellcaster, or similar figure to the Dark Archive. Recruitment requires a Diplomacy or Knowledge (arcana) check with a DC equal to 15 plus your character level.

Knowledge Arcana DC 16: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Then, with Dreng...

Why not? The night is still young. Let's go crack open a bottle. Whaddya' say, boys?

Klo had been quiet after the fight and throughout the walk back. He's wiped some (but not all) of the blood from his clothes and skin, but still looks a grizzly mess. He's quietly helpful, carrying the lion's share of the group's haul back to the Lodge without comment.

As the Kara (and whomever goes with her) begin to head out the door with Drang, the big man quietly lingers behind, not meeting anyone's eyes or seeming to want to follow to a night of drinking.

Before heading out, Kara approaches Klo, talking quietly.

You did nothing wrong. They attacked us, remember that. Any blood that was shed is on their hands, not ours.

Klo pauses, a slow, confused frown growing on his face. "No. I know." He looks at Drang, leading the team out for drinks, and the big man wrings his hands. Everything about his expression and body language exudes discomfort. "Everyone ... is going?" He takes a big step forward, looming over the smaller woman, but painfully genuine in his question. "Can I come?"

"Sure, come with us." Jikan assumes he is invited. "Get a load off before we get another mission."

Klo gives Jikan, then Kara, then the group a comically-disbelieving group. Finally, a slow, ugly smile spreads across his face. "Can do, yuh!"

Its like watching your little brother get to come hang out with your friends.

The team sits down and enjoys a well deserved round of drinks, Klo included. However, just as Drandle Dreng stands to offer a toast to your success, the door slams open. a wide-eyed messenger enters and looks about the room. She hurries over to Dreng and hands him a note before running back out into the pre-dawn morning. ”Well, sorry to cut this short, but we have a small problem. It seems that the whole ‘Devil’s Claw’ network is on the lookout for you all. Don’t worry your pretty little heads my junior agents, The Society takes care of its own, well usually. Until things cool down some, we are going to dispatch you our lodge in Magnimar. We try to rotate a team in every month or so just in case any leads in Varisia need to be follow up upon, so this should not draw any undue attention.”

He hands a rolled up note to Kara, ”Here is your paperwork. Meet with Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch once you get to ‘The City of Monuments’. Have you ever been there? Oh, you'll love it. Beautiful city. Now then, Sheila will show you the lodge and explain the expectations during your stay. But, and this is important, tell no one of what happened here tonight. We want your trail to go cold. Now grab your packs and stop by the Lodge and requisition whatever you think you might need from the quartermaster. Once your all set, head down to the docks and board the Kaava Cutter. The ship is set to sail just after the sun rises, so you don’t have much time.”

As you all rise and begin to gather your things, Dreng pulls Korum aside. ”Not so fast son. It seems that the ‘Claw is on the look out for you in particular. Word is that one of the mercenaries was a cousin of the de Traan family. Seems he was killed by a half orc, with a big axe. So, we are going to keep you here, in the Grand Lodge, just to keep you safe.”