DM Khel's Scions of the Sky Key Series

Game Master Khelreddin

Torriki goes right behind Bastion, whispering in his ear, "I'll be right behind you. I'll close with any foe you choose. We'll get them together!"

I've made an executive decision. Assuming there's a 10x10 path ahead of us we use the marching order on the map now.

Thanks, Bastion. It's more the 5x5 part of the path I'm focused on, but your lineup answers that question too.

As the Pathfinder line up to cross the bridge, something darts out of the jungle at the last of them in line! A beast like a panther – but with no ears and displaying a frightening, furless face, covered in bold pink skin – runs at the Instrument and bites him hard!

Bite, Charge: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 2 = 23
Bite damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Initiative:
Instrument (-4 hp)
Torriki
Blayne
Bastion
Thing (-2 AC from charge)
Wayne

Bold are up! Remember that everyone except the mighty Bastion is fatigued.

Knowledge (arcana) for anyone who wants to figure out what it is.

Did you mean everyone minus Bastion? I thought you said earlier that Bastion's endurance would help with the all night march.

Hearing the trouble in the rear rank, Bastion does an about-face and comes to his companion's aid. Rearing back with his axe, he chops at the cat.

Chop: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2) + 3 = 8

Subtract 1 from attack and damage if Bastion is fatigued.

Yes, fixed that.

Bastion, his strength undiminished by the many miles of hiking through heat and humidity, cuts at the hunting cat!

Now the fatigued people are up! (except Wayne)

"That's a right ugly face!" The rogue tumbles forward, twisting and turning on the way by.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 9 - 1 = 25
Once in position, he thrusts with his rapier, looking for a nice spot between the ribs. Sneak Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 - 1 = 19 for DMG: 1d6 + 1d6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (5) + (1) + 1 - 1 = 6

Torriki rolls nimbly past the ugly beast, springing to his feet and slipping his rapier between its ribs! The creature twists toward the fox-man, but before it can bite him, it falls to the ground, dead.

I figured that would be quick...will get up a continuation post in a bit.

The flourish of chiburi is mildly ostentatious, but only mildly.

Blayne draws his rapier and steps up preparing to fight...

-Posted with Wayfinder

Moving us along, let me know if there’s anything you wanted to do after the krenshar attack and before this next scene (within reason, no vacations to Tien Xia or anything).

As his companions deal with the carnivore that’s just tried to make a meal of him, the Instrument glances up and notices something about the closest statue – it holds a beautiful hammer! In fact, looking around, he sees that two of the statues, the southwest and northeast ones, hold weapons that are actually serviceable, having weathered the centuries and tropical clime reasonably well. Taking a moment to study them, he sees that one holds a masterwork longspear and the other a masterwork light hammer bearing a cut onyx on its pommel.

Once these items are recovered, and the Instrument has carefully sketched them in his journal, the party continues on their way toward the building they’ve spotted in the distance. It appears that they’re walking through the remains of a city, nearly completely destroyed and overtaken by the jungle, and that the building ahead must sit at its center. The structure now lies in ruin, a crumbling series of ancient stone walls, shattered monuments, and weathered statues overgrown with massive jungle trees. It seems the kobolds have claimed this place entirely and defaced many of the dwarven monuments and statues, decorating them with bone and feather fetishes or covering faded frescos with rudimentary kobold pictographs. Much of this kobold art depicts a ferocious golden dragon with wings outspread.

In fact, as the Pathfinders move away from the ravine, they become increasingly aware of the kobolds’ influence and presence, from the repurposed art to sprung traps to occasional glimpses of patrols far off through the trees. While the kobolds have done their best to deface the ruins, there are still many visible carvings and inscriptions that match the style of the rubbing seen in Venture-Captain Sharrowsmith’s office.

What remains of the ruins’ heart may have once been a shrine. Demolished walls encircle an ancient dais, atop which a shattered anvil-shaped altar lies defaced with dried blood, chalk markings, and other detritus. The bones of dozens of humanoid creatures are scattered about the building, along with the larger skeletal remains of what may be wyverns or drakes that are marred with deep claw marks. Behind the altar, a large stairwell stained with the blood of countless creatures descends into some dark vault below.

Near the altar is a strange gathering of figures, some of which must surely be the captured miners! A pair of kobolds can be seen near the altar, painting the frightened captives with red and white patterns, with a single yellow wing upon each human’s forehead. Other kobolds are nearby, singing and chanting Draconic paeans to an unknown god. Perhaps a half dozen captives stand miserably in and around the stairwell with their wrists bound.

Initiative:
Blayne
Bastion
Instrument (-4 hp)
Wayne
Kobolds
Torriki

New map linked, for simplicity's sake I didn't put a bunch of miners on the map. Bold are up. Everyone but Bastion is fatigued.

"Remember", Bastion warns. "We're here to recover the miners and mend fences with the kobolds. We can't just butcher them all."

"OW!!!" the Taldan exclaimed, clutching his wound. He gave little acknowledgement to his companions killing the beast and produced a wand to heal himself instead. CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

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

"Indeed. Let us hope the know the wisdom of Aroden. You know the wisdom of Aroden, right Bastion? You do the talking." The Taldan holds his hands to the heavens and begins speaking in an unknown tongue. Starting a spell.

"You got that right, but I ain't gunna let 'em skewer me either. Just do the talkin' so it doesn't come to that."

A clue for y'all: having noticed you, these kobolds are pretty clearly not in the mood for talking.

Wayne draws his gun.

I figured as much but I don't want us to be the ones that fired the first shot. Literally.

"We are not here to make war", Bastion calls out. "But we will defend ourselves if you force us to."

Blayne moves 5 feet up to the right to get cover from the wall and casts bless on the Pathfinders before getting his crossbow ready to shoot.

-Posted with Wayfinder

I figured as much but I don't want us to be the ones that fired the first shot. Literally.

Har har har..

"I think our solution to these kobolds may need to be terminal."

-Posted with Wayfinder

On seeing the armed Pathfinders standing at the entrance to this, their sacred shrine, the kobolds shove the miners aside and draw weapons! At the same time they begin calling out loudly in their own language!

Spreading out, all of the kobolds draw and load slings, setting them spinning and ready to launch! The miners, clustered by the stairwell, look on with a mixture of fear and hope in their faces.

With a move action to load the things, that’s it for this round.

Initiative:
Blayne
Bastion
Instrument
Wayne
Kobolds
Torriki

Everyone is up, all but Bastion are fatigued. Bless is up (+1 attack & damage & saves vs fear).

The fox dashes forward to close with one of the kobolds, "Have at thee!"

If the kobold does something to warrant an AoO:

Blayne moves up 5 feet and fires his crossbow at the green bordered kobold.. Crossbow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 1

-Posted with Wayfinder

Please try to include being fatigued in your actions. In this case, both Blayne and Torriki would take a -1 to their attacks, and Torriki would also take a -1 to damage. For reference: "A fatigued character can neither run nor charge and takes a -2 penalty to Strength and Dexterity."

Oops, edited and corrected.

The Taldan glows with light and he points at Bastion. "Aroden grant him might!" Concluding my spell, actual round's action when I get home

Bastion balloons into a giant. Enlarge person.

Wayne moves up and fires a shot at yellow.

Point Blank, Fatigued vs Touch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The fox moves in for close combat as Blayne manages to wing one of the kobolds with a bolt! Wayne's shot, while plenty loud, is lacking in accuracy and misses. Bastion, to his surprise, grows very large indeed.

Bastion and the Instrument up!

Bastion sighs as his companions go full murder-hobo. "This does not count as peaceful negotiations. They haven't even attacked us!"

The, literally, giant orc hunkers down behind his shield and ponders how he can possibly spin this encounter on the following Pathfinder chronicle. Total defense.

khel - the fatigue state was taken into account for me. I'm using hero labs to track conditions. Sorry it wasn't visible in the roll.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Okay, good to know. Result is the same either way in this case.

As soon as Blayne is up he's going to draw his rapier and move up to attack the closest kobold he can reach. Rapier: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

-Posted with Wayfinder

The Taldan steps confidently into the shrine and looks at the nearest kobold. "Do you not know the wish of your god is to be peaceable and let these poor people go?!"

Doubt creeps into the Yellow kobold's mind, manifesting in a -2 penalty to attack rolls for seven rounds. A DC 15 Will save reduces that to one round.

Yellow Will: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

One of the kobolds by the altar hesitates, struck by the power of the Instrument’s words. In spite of his uncertainty, he attacks!

The kobolds all release their sling stones, aiming at those nearby! At the same time, more kobolds come pouring in from the north and south entrances, hustling to attack!

Red Sling: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 vs Instrument
Sling damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Orange Sling: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 vs Torriki
Sling damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Grey Spear, Flank: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 = 7 vs Torriki
Spear damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Purple Spear: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17 vs Torriki
Spear damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

Light Blue Spear, Flank: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 1 + 2 = 17 vs Torriki
Spear damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Yellow Sling, Evil Eye: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 - 2 = 8 vs Instrument
Sling damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Green Sling: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 vs Instrument
Sling damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Black Spear: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 vs Wayne
Spear damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

Pink Spear: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17 vs Wayne
Spear damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

Dark Blue Spear: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 vs Wayne
Spear damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Black Spear, Crit confirm: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 vs Wayne
Spear damage: 2d6 - 2 ⇒ (5, 4) - 2 = 7

Round 2 Initiative:
Blayne
Bastion
Instrument
Wayne
Kobolds (G: -1;
Torriki

Everyone is up, all but Bastion are fatigued. Bless is up (+1 attack & damage & saves vs fear).

"OW!!" the Taldan shouts again, two stones cracking his ribs.

"That's it! FACE ARODEN'S WRATH!!!" Intoning to himself, the Taldan's hands are wreathed in glowing runes written in fiery script.

He strides forward and thrusts his hands at the kobolds. "Burn!"

Fire Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2 affects Red/Purple/Grey, see map, DC 15 for half

WORST POSSIBLE ROLL.

Red Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Purple Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Grey Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Two of the kobolds are nimble enough to avoid some of the scorching flames of Aroden's wrath!

Using Blayne's post about his next action:

Blayne strides forward and stabs at a kobold, but misses!

Faced with few options at this point, Mega-Bastion moves around to flank the little reptilians swarming his companions.

Double moving around.

Current AC is 17 if any of the little buggers attack me.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Wayne is struck with three small spears. He puts his gun down as he lets loose a pair of jabs at blck.

Fatigued, Bless, Flurry: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Fatigued, Bless, Flurry: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

One of Wayne's strikes connects, knocking a couple of teeth out of the kobold's long, toothy snout!

Torriki to finish the round!

"That's it! FACE ARODEN'S WRATH!!!" Intoning to himself, the Taldan's hands are wreathed in glowing runes written in fiery script.

By the way, did you cast this defensively? 'Cuz you're standing right next to a kobold with a spear. In case you didn't:

AoO, Light Blue Spear: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14 vs Instrument
Spear damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

"oh you boys mad the Instrument mad!"

Torriki's bravado is cracking a bit at the odds. He jabs his rapier at the kobold with the cyan in his scales, Atk: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 - 1 + 1 = 21 for DMG: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3.

Move action dependent on result

-Posted with Wayfinder

Actually, even if it does drop him, the fox will tumble away (can't move from phone, but looking to end in the space just south of the Intrument). Acrobatics: 1d20 - 1 + 9 ⇒ (11) - 1 + 9 = 19

-Posted with Wayfinder

I intended to cast, hold the charge, then move, but I am reminded that that's only for touch spells. I'd have cast defensively otherwise.

Concentration: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 The spell fizzles in the Taldan's hands.

Instrument – bummer, sorry about that.

Torriki stabs a nearby kobold and dodges away! As he moves, yet another figure enters the scene, as a kobold wearing a beautiful breastplate and carrying a rapier appears in the northern doorway! He reaches into a pouch on his belt and draws out a small vial, which he drinks down, smacking his lips in satisfaction!

Amidst the chaos in the temple, the Pathfinders notice that the miners are all looking about, as if wondering if there’s something they can do to affect their fates, but wavering on the brink of action. One of them is struggling to help free another from the rope tied around his wrists, but none are quite leaping into the fray. A little Diplomacy or Intimidate might make a difference with them.

A flurry of attacks from the kobolds proves largely ineffective, with only a single sling stone striking the Instrument of Aroden.

Red Sling, in melee: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 3 - 4 = 11 vs Blayne
Sling damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Orange Sling, in melee: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 3 - 4 = 16 vs Instrument
Sling damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Grey Spear: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 vs Torriki
Spear damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Purple Spear: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 vs Instrument
Spear damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Light Blue Spear, Flank: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 2 = 8 vs Torriki
Spear damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Yellow Spear, Evil Eye: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 - 2 = 2 vs Torriki - drops sling, draws spear and attacks
Spear damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Green Sling, melee cover: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 vs Wayne
Sling damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Black Spear: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 vs Wayne
Spear damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Pink Spear: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 vs Wayne
Spear damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Dark Blue Spear: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 vs Wayne
Spear damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Round 3 Initiative:
Blayne
Bastion
Instrument (-5 hp)
Wayne (-17 hp)
Kobolds
Torriki (-6 hp)

Everyone is up. Remember fatigue and bless!

"HA! Join us! We can take them if we work together! Freedom is at HAND!"Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6... The fox's voice cracks mid speech.

Inspiration with words may have failed, but the fox opts to thin the enemy and lead by example, stepping towards the kobold in front of Wayne, looking for a quick kill: Rapier: 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 - 1 + 1 = 25 THREAT. Confirmation: 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 - 1 + 1 = 12 for DMG: 1d6 - 1 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 + (4) + 1 = 10

The fox goes all out: Bite: 1d20 - 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 - 1 + 1 = 15 for DMG if hit: 1d4 - 1 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 + (6) + 1 = 9

Wayne fights in tandem with the Cunning Fox!

Flank on Black, Bless, Fatigued: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 2 = 22
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Flank on Black, Bless, Fatigued: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 2 = 25
Confirming: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

You may want to designate a back up target if black falls to Torriki.

Pink would be the next target then. If so, subtract 2 from those attack rolls since there's no flank on that one.

Torriki - the scenario calls out rousing the miners as a full-round action (sorry not to indicate this in my previous post). Which would you have done if given the choice, attack or rally miners?