DM Maslen's Second Darkness PF Conversion (Inactive)

Game Master Pathfinder Maslen

Saul doesn't have an armory so no chance of heading out tonight equipped. Also, it requires a knowledge check either nature or dungeoneering to even determine the vulnerabilities of a creature. If you wish to know such info, make the check. You head out to see the caretaker at 11 at night with standard gear equipped.

1d100 ⇒ 56

Argh, the meta-game strikes again. Sorry, Waife.

Ethaniel is quiet during the trek to the Boneyard. He frequently looks over his shoulder; if he is attempting to disguise the fact that he is unnerved, he has little success.

Perception - 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

Knowledge:nature, to know vulnerability of were creatures1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Knowledge:Dungeoneering, to know vulnerability of were creatures1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

We only need speak to the caretaker tonight. We get what information we can about whatever is in there and return to the Goblin to prepare. At the very least a good sleep will refresh us and allow our casters to ready any particular spells they need

Marcus grabs Samsons lead, and heads out the door to The Boneyard Cut

You make your way to the steep pass up to the Boneyard Cut. You get to the base of the incline with out any hassles, anything up to no good this night on the streets hasn't run into you as yet so your attention continues to be directed ahead. The pass ascends nearly 200ft at an angle of almost 45degrees. The smell of refuse and donkey crap fills the area and you start to breath it in deeply as you climb. There are ruts worn into the ground from the carts that have traveled the path a countless number of times. Around the half-way point you begin to get accustomed to the stink and you push on. Your legs burn at the top and you may feel lite headed as you work through the oxygen debt your body was now trying to recoup. The path descends at a slightly more forgiving angle and leads to a 40ft ledge looking over the saltmarsh that is the Boneyard. Catching your eye to your right further along the path overlooking the cliff is a large bonfire which throws wavering shadows over a hut which you assume to be the caretakers hut.

Riddleport Map

Boneyard Cut 30 overlooking the Boneyard 31

As you round the bonfire and catch a better view of the hut, you see a very bulky cloaked figure with its back to you, standing on the crude balcony before the front door. You hear a deep warning growl come from the balcony also to which the figure reacts by turning around and giving a command to whatever beast stood guard. The figure speaks from within the shadows of his cowl.

A beastial deep voice full of warning issues from the figure."Crooge really not like visitors to the Cut. Everybody knows to leave Crooge alone to do his job, burning, throwing, chopping, burning. Tell me why you disturb my place or Crooge tell Axe to, no more stay!"

@Marcus

We were hoping Crooge would tell us about monsters in the boneyard. What kinds there are, where to find them, how best to kill them if he knows. Might make Crooge's job a bit easier if fewer in his boneyard, yes?

Knowledge:Nature1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Perception1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

@Marcus

Diplomacy or Intimidate check if you are doing the talking here please Marcus.

Wasn't trying to 'Face' with him. -2Cha and all. But I'll roll intimidate.1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

As his initial attitude is Unfriendly you are required to convey your method of interaction, hence the check request.

Crooge replies "Haha, you think you so tough with your friends little man with little doggy. Maybe you change your manners when you meet Axe. You try ask nicely if you want Crooge help or you and your friends not leave here."

He looks down and gives a command over his shoulder and Axe moves into view. The fire light illuminates Crooge's pet as it comes to stand near its master. Axe is an immense black wolf, the size of a horse, its fangs as large and sharp as knives. It gets to Crooges heel, lowers to the ground and begins growling continuously while its eyes take in every move the trespassers make.

Hard as the climb, it's easier to do without Henri. Ethaniel unconsciously lets out a short laugh, but steps back in surprise at the growl coming from the hut. No such sound came from that building a week ago. Was it not attended? Or...were they watching me? I thought it was abandoned...He takes a deliberate step backwards, further into the shadows.

At the sight of the huge wolf, Ethaniel takes another.

"Easy now, friend. We'll get our manners in line, but there's no need to toss around threats. You have enough trouble, and we don't aim to add to it. I think we can help each other."

Diplomacy - 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19
Sense Motive - 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

This not being exactly what Tippy thought he was signing up for, he does his best to blend into as many shadows as possible.

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

He keeps his fingers poised over the triggers of his wrist sheathes, just in case.

@Ethaniel

Crooge's silhouette shifts slightly to address the new speaker.

"You need to go now. Crooge not need your help, Crooge and Axe just fine. Go find your monsters in Boneyard but don't come back to Crooge's house. Maybe I find your bodies in town soon if you keep talking tougher than you are."

.

Looking at the size and power of the beast the caretaker commands, Marcus realises the caretaker is far more powerful than he would have expected for one in his position. The man's tone showed he was not the least bit cowed by Marcus' words and barely swayed by Ethaniel. Hoping his temper had not cost him their hunt, he decided try see if this man had an affinity for beasts.

Apologies. My manner often sees me missing out on making a good impression. Anyone who can befriend animal such as yours deserves respect. If you wish us to leave we shall, I would beg a final moment. We're here because we have become aware of a pit in town where animals are fought and slaughtered for the enjoyment of drunks. Needless killing of animals doesn't sit well with me. I was taught a wise hunter only kills for food or defence. I would see the pit closed, but the owner demands alternative sport. We have come for information on any monsters you may know of in the Boneyard, so that we may have them destroyed there instead. If they are an annoyance for you, perhaps thinning their numbers and a price for the taking of such creatures would make your job easier AND fill your purse a bit

Diplomacy+any bonus at the mention of money for the monsters1d20 - 2 ⇒ (11) - 2 = 9

Crap. Time to leave

"Think it's best we leave him be, Marcus, right this moment. He's given us permission to seek our quarry. That's enough." Ethaniel bows awkwardly towards Crooge and turns, trying to decide where best to start the search.

Perception - 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

@All at Crooge's Cut

Crooge replies running out of what little patience he can muster."Seeing as you stupid and not listen very clever, I make you a deal. You make the little 'tough' friend there jump into Boneyard now and Crooge let rest of you go home. Me laugh for you lives. Good deal yes."

He looks down and issues a command to Axe who springs to his feet, bares his daggered maw and starts moving slowly yet purposefully toward you, growling deeply as he does so.

I will do up a map sometime tonight depending on Marcus's reply. A TPK this early, surely not.

Seeing the situation go from bad to dire. Marcus makes a decision. It was his damn temper that did this.

Everybody get out of here now. Crooge, I said we'd leave and I meant it. If this needs to get bloody then let them go. It was me who disrespected you.

Marcus will wait on the others and then slowly move back, keeping his hands out to the sides non threateningly. He issues a heel command to keep Samson by his side. He readies an action to draw his Scimitar and impale either Crooge or Axe if they charge.

As the wolf advances, Ethaniel's awkward complaisance is replaced by boiling anger. He tried to apologize...

This Crooge is just another idiot bully used to dominating his 'lessers.' I'll see him sink into the mud below before I let him toss Marcus down there. The half-elf does not voice his thoughts, but will stay by the ranger's side, walking backwards slowly.

Ethaniel will ready an action to draw his dagger if Crooge and/or Axe attack, but he is currently attempting to retreat in a similar manner to Marcus.

I know that Tippy is here as well, but who else is? I think Ascaria is back at the Golden Goblin. What about Iscarel? Valius?

Map As Promised even if late

Crooges Cut

I added in Valius and Iscarel into the scenario, currently keeping watch back at the fork

@All

Initiatives please

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Keen to finally break this long silence. Will post properly tommorow.

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Initiative - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Initiative1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Initiative Rolls

Axe 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Hyram Crooge 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Valius 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Initiative Order

• Axe 22
• Ethaniel 21
• Marcus 17
• Hyram 13
• Iscarel 12
• Tippy 11
• Valius 6

And you wouldn't believe it but i left the grid off the map. Let me fix that now.

Crooge's Cut

Axe continues to move forward at a slow pace. He is now 5 squares closer to your front line in the AF row. Its eyes flicking between each of you.

Perception vs Tippy Stealth DC31 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Marcus speaks quietly to Ethaniel.
Match his moves back step for step, step to the opposite flank if he closes, so Valius has a shot

Ethaniel lifts his buckler from his belt and secures it on his arm. Move Action
He then draws his dagger. Move Action

Ethaniel nods at Marcus and takes a five-foot step to Y30.

Marus' Initiative

i meant we should both full move towards our allies. ;) ah well

Marcus, silently cursing that his friend, apparently did not get the idea, takes a back step to Y33 and Samson stays at his masters heel at Y 34. He draws his scimitar.

Ready yourself, Valius.

Yeah, sorry. I went back and forth on it a few times; what I wish I'd done is taken a move to go back 4 squares and drawn the dagger with my other move. I stand by Ethaniel going for his weapon after basically being told "abandon your friend and you get to live." He's rather upset about that, even though he doesn't know Marcus very well.

And yet, what I finally decided was that I wanted the buckler out as well, though it could probably have waited a turn, depending on Axe's action. But I made a decision, and I will stand by it...I'll keep my finger on the Withdraw button, though. :)

Crooge's Initiative

Seeing the half elf ready a buckler and noticing a glint of metal in his other hand, the caretaker vanishes from sight. He heads toward the house and out of line of sight of the intruding party.

Note that it is approx midnight so I am applying sight penalties to perception rolls and using my map program to determine your areas of visibility. Try if you can to factor this in to your initiatives being aware of your limitations. I have added radius templates to the bonfire to show the 30ft of normal light, then 30ft of low light. Outside that, its darkness. If you are facing the bonfire, I will give you a +2 to Perception for silhouetting against the back-light.

Iscarel's Initiative

We clearly see him go into the house?

Negative, you see him move toward the house but out of line of sight before you can determine where he went after leaving your vision.

I'm halfway tempted to snatch Valius' crossbow off of him to make my entrance. but I sense that might be something of a dick move.

Before I make my action, I have to ask. What do my elf eyes see?

You can see the silhouettes of Marcus, Ethaniel and Samson, as they are out of the dim light range even with your l/l vision doubling the dim light radius. You can however, clearly see a large wolf creature, moving slowly and cautiously toward your companions. You also see the figure that was standing in the normal light near the bonfire, move out of sight hastily.

I should ask if any of you were traveling with a light source at all? Further to that, let me no your default action in this situation. Traveling in darkness i shall always ......... unless specified otherwise.

Map Update

Unless he has good reason not to, Ethaniel always prepares the light orison for traveling in darkness. I imagine he'd cast it on his breastplate unless he's trying to maintain stealth, but I didn't specify that beforehand, so if you'd like me to take an action to do so next round, I can.

Three cheers for low light vision then. Uh...

I believe Iscarel will begin casting sleep, seeing as its my onlu option at such long range.

"Tell me why we were sent after them again, boy?" He says to Valius,sighing heavily. [B]"No. Don't answer that." he cuts, muttering a short incantation in elvish.

@Ethaniel

Nope, we will play as though you had done so as preparation as you entered the climb up the ridge line. I shall update the map accordingly.I may even have to post individual maps for individual players view.

Tippy's Initiative

Tippy's Map View

Tippy delays to see if the others are planning on withdrawing any time soon, or at least falling back to join the others.

tippy. You will be revealed if ethaniels radiant light reaches you. Just a heads up.

I assume I don't know where Tippy is?

Unless you beat a perception vs 31 you are correct

@Ethaniel

Forgive me, I have read further into your low light vision and I believe it doubles the visible range of all light sources. So yes, you can see Tippy. You can affectively see twice as far as all normal vision characters.

Valius equips and loads his crossbow, training on the target that only just now came into his vision.

Axe dashes forward, seeing weapons produced, the creature senses urgency and seeks to tear it's enemy down.

Bite vs Marcus AC16 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 191d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 + Trip vs CMD 171d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Ethaniel's Initiative

Ethaniel's Map View

You see the large wolf dash at Marcus, making a vicious bite and tripping him in the process.