DM Dr Evil's 00-01: Silent Tide (PFS) - First PFS PbP Gameday Event (Inactive)

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

That works for me.

2-pronged pincer movement. Or the diversion and the stilleto...works for me, too!

Crouching down reflexively when he sees the guard dog, the knife-fighter speaks in muted tones. "I recommend that the heavier folks take the head-on assault, perhaps providing a distraction for myself and any others that wish to come along to sneak around back. Any volunteers? Thoughts?"

With approval, regardless of whether people come with him or not (although he'd like to be accompanied), Elael will creep forward and to the north, stopping when he encounters an obstacle or sees an enemy.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Cressyk approaches stealthily from the south, hoping to keep the dog from alerting the enemy too early. He is holding his longspear and keeps an eye out for possible targets.

Stealth (ACP): 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 1 = 26

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Rhanloi goes north with Elael, his bow drawn with an arrow nocked, and stepping as silently as he could. But the frozen wastes where he grew up did not have as many brittle and noisy obstacles as this land, and he realizes with horror he must learn a new way to move in this environment...
Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Jiro waits for Cressyk to surprise the dog and bring an end to its petty existence. After that, he'll rush over towards the door.

Once the dog is taken care of OR alerted, Jiro will 4x move towards the door.

Cressyk will attempt to sneak up on the dog. When he gets close enough to do so, he will charge and try to kill it before it can react.

Attack (Longspear (2H), Charge): 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 = 14
Damage (Longspear (2H)): 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

As the party prepares for their two pincer attack on the Pyramid of the Dog, Archibald goes with the northern contingent. Eostre stayed back in Absalom with Yargos to watch for any other signals.

South Side Group
Almost immediately as you approach, the dog senses you. He stands at alert, an audible growl escaping his throat and his hackles raised. It paces at the end of it's chain, searching in vain to spot you. As Cressyk crouches in the grass, hoping the dog won't begin it's warning bark, he catches the movement and shadows of sentries in each of the leaning towers, at least one man each. There does not appear to be a guard for the still-standing central tower.

North Side Group
As you make your way creeping towards the Pyramid of the Dog, Rhanloi slips on a rock, and falls to a knee, his weapons rattling, his pack falling to the ground with a thump. Dreading the hail of arrows you expect to be headed your way, you are surprised to find no attacks aimed at you. Breathing again, you get close enough to make out the reason. The lone sentry facing this direction, just inside the doorway of the tower, has sat down leaning against the door jamb fast asleep. Near him, a crossbow lays near at hand.

I guess that's the difference between a 28 and a 1 on Perception checks...

Pyramid of the Dog - Surprise Round

23 Jiro (delaying until after Cressyk)
20 Blue WH (surprised)
19 Green WH (surprised)
13 Elael
12 Cressyk
9 Red WH (asleep)
7 Dog (aware!)
7 Archibald
5 Rhanloi

Based on the above, I am assuming Jiro is delaying his action until after Cressyk. The two awake WH are have readied actions to shoot (at) anyone they see, but they don't see you yet, and will be surprised in this round. The dog is not surprised. On the north side, Elael has the first move.

Thinking of the destruction the group can cause with that code book, Cressyk leaps up from the grass, and charges the dog, who begins barking furiously. The half-orc's spear finds the dogs, shoulder and penetrates deeply causing a mangled cry/growl, but the dog does not die instead it lunges at the throat of Cressyk, but it's length of chain is played out, and the taut leash snaps the dog back the teeth just missing the inquisitor.

Dog Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Remember, move or standard action only in surprise rounds. Need action from Elael who will hear the dog barking right after his action is complete. Then Jiro who can do move action only in surprise round, not move x4, and also which door you're running for.

I hope I can do this.

Elael puts a finger up to his mouth, looking around at his allies, before beginning to move forward.

Stealth?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Elael creeps forward towards the door, silently, his knife in hand. When he reaches the door, he'll reach through it and find the neck of the one, ever so unlucky, guard.

Coup de Grace, if allowed: 2d4 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 + (6) = 13

Or attack roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Unfortunately, you can't...In a surprise round, you can do either move or standard action (there is an exception for a short charge like Cressyk did.) You can move half-speed stealthily if you like, and be ready next round if the man is still asleep to CDG him, but he'll likely awaken with the dog barking. Sorry, bud, but have to try again...

Oh, everyone is in a surprise round! I'll just do the half-speed move.

Seeing the sleeping guard Rhanloi quickly aims and fires his arrow, enchanted with a bit of his arcane energy...
Ranged attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
damage: 1d6 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 + 1 = 2
I swear...why do I bother =/

I simply move 4 squares towards the door of the main tower/building. That will put me next to the dog. I took the liberty of moving my character on the map.

Pyramid of the Dog - Surprise Round - concluded

Elael creeps forward on little cat's feet, careful not to wake the sleeping sentry. Archibald also moves quietly, for an old fellow. Rhanloi holds his position, and instead fires at the still figure, but even with a still target, the arrow flies wide, striking the tumbled tower.

On the other side of the complex, Jiro moves up to aid his half-orc friend against the wounded dog.

End of Surprise Round

Now the bad guys will be aware of you, from the dog's barking if nothing else. Regular combat rounds from now on, in this fight.

Pyramid of the Dog - Round 1

20 Blue WH
19 Green WH
13 Elael
12 Cressyk
11 Jiro (delayed last round)
9 Red WH (asleep)
7 Dog (wounded)
7 Archibald
5 Rhanloi

The War Hounders at each of the southern side towers lean out and fire one bolt each at Cressyk and Jiro, but both the missiles fly harmlessly past our heroes.

The doorways give the men 50% cover against ranged attacks, so you may only hit them with ranged attacks, if you roll % dice and get a 50% or greater. Elael, Jiro, and Cressyk are up. Order doesn't really matter much.

Blue WH Xbow@Cressyk: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Green WH Xbow@Jiro: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Same thing as before?

Coup de Grace: 2d4 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 + (5) = 12 And a DC 22 Fort save.
Or attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Pyramid of the Dog - Round 1 - continued

As Elael tries to get close enough to take out the sleeping guard, the furious barking and yelping of the dog causes the man to stir. The elf's knife strike still hits the lucky fellow, but doesn't do him in as it might have otherwise.

Cressyk rips his spear out of the dog and plunges into the fierce dog again, silencing him. The half-orc then runs at the eastern door, trying to close with the shooting War Hounder there.

Cressyk Spear: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Cressyk Damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Back to Jiro for an action now.

Jiro moves up towards the door infront of him and assumes a defensive posture for now.

Move and Full Defense action -> AC21

Pyramid of the Dog - Round 1 - continued

Jiro rushes the central tower door, going to the defensive just in case anyone jumps him from inside.

Across the complex, Red WH tries to stand, casting aside his crossbow. As he makes it to his feet, he slashes at Elael with his claw-like gauntlets but he nimble elf easily avoids any injury.

Red WH Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Elael can offer an AoO against Red then it's the wizards, Archibald and Rhanloi, to close out the round.

Eager to kick a man while he's down, Elael sees an opportunity to strike the man as he rises.

Dagger AoO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Rhanloi moves towards the tower and goes back to the only thing that has worked for him all day!!! He speaks the arcane word and gestures toward the guard, casting another force missile at him!
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 (1 of 7 left today - had to go back and look at all of my posts to get the count right =/)

Pyramid of the Dog - Round 1 - concluded

Between the knife play of Elael and the force bolt from Rhanloi the Red WH is knocked off his feet, stunned unconscious and bleeding. His fall allows Archibald unimpeded access to rush around the edge of the building to aid the others.

End of Round 1

Silenced the Dog, and one of the targets, but not before alerting the others. We'll see what comes of that in Round 2.

Pyramid of the Dog - Round 2

20 Blue WH
19 Green WH
19 Purple WH
16 Nessian
13 Elael
12 Cressyk
11 Jiro
7 Archibald
5 Rhanloi
5 White WH

Not seeing any targets he can hit from his post, Blue WH leaves the safety of the tower, and leaning around the corner, shoots a bolt at Jiro, who knocks aside a sure hit with his defensive positioning.

At the other tower, Green WH drops his crossbow, and rakes at Cressyk with his stylized claw-gauntlets. The man's feeble attempts are dodged quite easily by the hulking half-orc.

From upstairs in the tower, Jiro hears orders being called out and footsteps coming to the circular stair case from above. Another War Hounder rounds the last stair firing a crossbow at the doorway which is also dodged by the defensive minded samurai.

Blue WH Xbow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Green WH Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Purple WH Xbow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Thank goodness for Jiro calling out total defense last round, or he'd have two bolt wounds. Ok, the count is down to Elael, followed closely by all the rest. Good guys are up!

Can I just enter the building?

If its locked: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Elael pulls open the door to the tower, taking care to pick the lock if there is one, and stepping over the corpse of the careless guard as he enters. He looks for doors farther in, and focuses on trying to hear sounds of combat from elsewhere in the complex.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Jiro had enough of this. He stepped forward while promising Asmodeus that he'd be receiving some new souls today. With a diagonal slash serving as a feint he opened up the thug's defenses, to then stab him in the gut. His fiery gaze was then fixed upon his next victim.

Move into the tower past the guy holding the crossbow, then attack. The idea is to use the stairway as cover, forcing them to come down.
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Archibald hobbles around the pyramid, finally finding himself in range to cast a daze spell. (Will DC 13 or green loses his action) "Confound and confusticate you, you bothersome bandits!"

Rhanloi will follow Elael into the tower, slinging his bow and drawing his rapier for the first time today...

So did we win? =)

Cressyk grins as the brigand's claws fail to pierce his armor, then drops his longspear, draws his greataxe, and swings it mightily.

Free action: Drop longspear.
Move action: Draw greataxe.
Standard action: Attack Green WH
Attack (Greataxe (2H)): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage (Greataxe (2H)): 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Sorry fellows, between budgets and business plans this has been a heckuva week. Should be back to normal posting now, so we can finish.

Pyramid of the Dog - Round 2 - concluded

Elael and Rhanloi enter the north tower only to find that it is empty inside. Much of the floors above has collapsed leaving only a guardhouse area inside.

As usual, Cressyk's mighty blow cleaves his enemy in twain as Green War Hounder falls to him.

Inside the central tower, Jiro also slices a War Hounder where they stand.

By the time the hobbling wizard gets within sight, Cressyk has already felled the War Hounder on this side, so the wizard double moves be next to the mighty half-orc.

White WH descends the spiral staircase, the wall protecting him from attack until he gets to the bottom, then he tosses his crossbow aside and lunges around the corner with his spiky gauntlets. It is an ill-timed attack and Jiro avoids it easily.

White Dog Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

End of round 2

You guys continue mowing down the bad guys, who, I must say, are a bit under-powered in this module...

Pyramid of the Dog - Round 3

19 Purple WH
16 Nessian
13 Elael
12 Cressyk
11 Jiro
7 Archibald
5 Rhanloi
5 White WH

The Purple WH runs to the door of the keep and fires inside at Jiro. Trying to avoid his comrade, the archer pulls his shot just missing both men.

Nessian (wherever he may be) readies an action.

Purple Xbow: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 1 - 4 = 14

Jiro would've been hit 3 times but those penalties for defense and melee saved him...Now up to Elael and all the heroes to go again. We should finish up soon!

Taking quick stock of his surroundings, Elael realizes his mistake and dashes back out of the guardhouse and to where he knew his friends went.

Double-moving.

Jiro focuses his will on ending the life of the other War Hounder. Deadly grace and skill are displayed in an artistic diagonal slash. He calmly recites Tian poetry as the stroke connects.

"With one stroke he cuts,
The petals of a flower,
In a burst of red."

Attack the white War Hounder. Then, I assume he is dead, move to the guy at the door.
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Damage: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Pyramid of the Dog - round 3 - continued

Elael rushes out of the ruined tower and around to catch his friends.

Inside the central keep, Jiro uses the grace and skill worthy of Haiku as he cuts up one more enemy thug and moves to threaten the last of them.

Nice poetic touch. That inspires me to a bard/samurai build...who goes around speaking in Haiku only...Still waiting on the rest of the good guys before proceeding.

Cressyk moves quickly to assist Jiro, watching as the samurai cuts down the War Hounder, and moves inside the tower.

Bard/Samurai...Battle Herald! Hey, a prestige class built for that!

Pyramid of the Dog - Round 3 - continued

As Cressyk runs around the corner of the fallen tower, the siege door on the second floor of the central tower opens and a lone bowman fires at the half-orc, but the shot leads him to far, the arrow nestling harmlessly in the turf.

Nessian Bow, above: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

The War Hounder at the door is still active, it was the one in the room killed by Jiro. The shot from above was a readied action when someone came into range of his second floor perch.

Now need actions the round from Rhanloi and Archie and we can move to next...

Rhanloi runs out after Elael, but goes left instead of right, running around the tower on the opposite side. Double move around to the left of the tower...moved icon on map =)

Pyramid of the Dog - round 3 - concluded

As Rhanloi runs around the side of the tower, Archibald creeps up conservatively, knowing the archer(s) from above have been firing this way. He casts Mage Armor on himself, gving more protection from the shots.

End of Round 3

Just the one War Hounder remains on the this level, and now someone shooting from above...

Pyramid of the Dog - Round 4

19 Purple WH
16 Nessian
13 Elael
12 Cressyk
11 Jiro
7 Archibald
5 Rhanloi

Finding himself flanked, Purple WH steps inside the tower doorway, discards his crossbow, and strikes at Jiro with his stylized gauntlet/claw which scrapes the fabric of the samurai's clothing but does no damage.

From above, another arrow flies down at Cressyk, but it misses him badly as the angle from straight above is not good.

Purple Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Nessian Bow, above: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7

Ok, the heroes are up. Take it to them.

Jiro slices and dices, letting the raw carnage speak for itself. Asmodeus must be licking his lips watching this scene unfold.

Attack the blue guy. If he dies, I move up onto the stairs (4 squares).
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Confirmation: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Damage: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
If it crits, 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 = 28

Elael continues to dash, making it farther around the building and towards his friends. Seeing Jiro engaged with a War Hounder, he bounds into the building and past the War Hounder.

Acrobatics to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

I'm looking to give Jiro that flanking bonus, maybe give him that confirmed crit ;)

Sorry for the delay, back to regular posting...

Assuming Jiro finished off Purple...

Cressyk moves into the tower and up the stairs as quickly as his legs can carry him. (12 squares. I'm not sure based on the map how many levels are in the tower, but if Cressyk has enough movement to move to Nessian's far side (to set up a flank) while he's still wielding the bow and unable to make AoOs, he will)

Pyramid of the Dog - Round 4 - continued

Elael avoids any attack from Purple WH and then gets a front row seat as Jiro uses his razor sharp blade to cut down the remaining enemy and launches himself up the stairs.

Cressyk also anticipates the death of the enemy and charges at surprising speed up the stairs, looking for the shooter above. As he -charge up the stairs, the half-orc sees various sized colored lanterns littering the floor, obviously cached here to signal the Silent Tide invasion force.

Near the opening of the siege tower, stands a Kelish man in dark robes. He wields a bow, a large shield on his back, and a flail at his belt. The man appears to go in and out of focus and his movements are blurry to Cressyk as he approaches.

Huffing and puffing, Archibald stops at the base of the stairs catching his breath.

Just need action from Rhanloi to end this round.

Rhanloi, always the last to act, finally reaches the door and climbs the stairs after the others.

Pyramid of the Dog - Round 4 - concluded

Rhanloi rushes into the central tower and to the stairs as the fight above commences.

End of Round 4

Just the final boss to go. He has the Blur effect in place, so any attacks that hit, have a 20% miss chance. Roll % die and any result 20 or less misses anyway.

Pyramid of the Dog - Round 5

16 Nessian (blurred)
13 Elael
12 Cressyk
11 Jiro
7 Archibald
5 Rhanloi

The leader of the War Hounders cries out "You may have defeated my War Hounders, but you will never stop my Black Echelon. They are my tool to rule all of Absalom. And rule I will!"

He throws his bow aside and steps around Cressyk swinging his mighty flail at the inquisitor. But the man trips over one of the many lanterns in the room instead, and his attack falters.

Nessian Flail: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Now all the heroes may act in any order, follow the initiative if you wish.

I'm not seeing how Nessian could have taken a 5' move from where he was and ended up where he is - he'd have to move through the wall to avoid going through Cressyk's square. He also didn't roll for Acrobatics to avoid an AoO. I realize this is likely just wishful thinking, but I'm rolling for an AoO. Feel free to retcon, as needed.
Attack (AoO) (Greataxe (2H), Justice Judgement): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 1 = 18
Damage (AoO) (Greataxe (2H)): 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Miss Chance (AoO): 1d100 ⇒ 59

Then, on his action...
Cressyk swings his axe at Nessian, hoping to bring him down quickly.

Attack (Greataxe (2H), Justice Judgement): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 = 19
Damage (Greataxe (2H)): 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 73

Perhaps you're right, I didn't look closely enough at the map. He will remain on the siege tower ramp instead so the AoO is unnecessary.

Pyramid of the Dog - Round 5 - continued

Trading blows with the underworld leader, Cressyk's attack is much more successful, wounding the man in his shield arm.