DM PatheticWretch presents The Confirmation (Inactive)

Game Master PatheticWretch

"Maybe pitons or other climbing equipment? Probably can't hurt to have flasks of alchemist's fire on hand, too," Ansha suggests, seemingly unfazed by Kame's antics.

She pauses, thinking for a moment, then glances at Janira. "Maybe a compass? Maps of the area?"

When the group seems prepared with equipment and introduced to each other, Janira says "Then if everyone is ready, let's go!" And she heads out the door, leading the group of Pathfinders out of the Pig's Paunch.

The first day is of travel proves uneventful. As the party travels through the City at the Center of the World and across the Cairnlands, Janira points out landmarks such as siege towers, distant mountains, or distinct flora and fauna along the journey. When she is not pointing out the landmarks, she is talking about them at length with great enthusiasm. They camp around a roaring fire, post watches, and the evening passes without incident.

The second day leads the pathfinders deep into the forest at the foot of the Kortos Mounts. The trees towering overhead begin to shield most of what remains of the day’s sun and the vegetation beneath grows denser. Janira pauses a moment and pulls out an intricate silver compass emblazoned with the Pathfinder Society logo: the Glyph of the Open Road.

“I received this wayfinder when I successfully completed my Confirmation. Should we be successful on our journey, you will get your own as well.”

She flips open the device and holds it in front of her; the initials J. L. are engraved into the inside of the device’s lid. After studying the compass inside for a moment, she remarks, “We’re on the right path. We need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead.”

A large rock outcropping to the east rises nearly 20 feet above the forest floor, and a small sinkhole to the northwest drops off sharply, descending to the ground 10 feet below. Then the party notices two large, brown, horse-like creature with a hawk's wings, talons, and hooked beak circling in from above, clearly looking for food.

Seeing the creatures circling the group, Janira says “And it was Selmius Foster’s race against a marid and efreeti on the isle of Jalmeray, which taught us that nothing is truly impossible and every situation can end in victory.” Each member of the group takes courage at her words. Inspire courage for +1 attack/+1 dmg.

Initiative - Round 1 (Bold may act!)
Inspire Courage, +1 atk/+1 dmg

Janira
Kame
Basayus
Theodric
Ansha
Hungry Enemies!
Stonetree
Jivan

NOTES: 1) Combat Map is in a link right next to my name or on your Campaign page. Let me know if you have a problem accessing it. 2) Anyone in the bolded block can act...it doesn't matter the order. Anyone above you is assumed to have delayed until after you if you post first.

Clicking the Combat Map link by your name takes me to a login prompt. The one in the header gets me to the map, though.

"They look hungry," Ansha remarks, a twinge of trepidation in her voice. "Any idea what those are, Janira?" she calls as she hustles in the opposite direction, placing Stonetree and Theodric between her and them. The elven enchantress then incants a short arcane phrase and weaves her hands in a short series of gestures. A faint shimmering appears in the air around her frame, fading away after a moment. Casting mage armor.

I can access the Combat Map on the campaign page, but not in the link next to your name, PW. Also, I can't move my own character icon (assuming I'm supposed to be able to). Is there a way to get a legend on that grid, like columns labeled A-Z and rows labeled with numbers? Would make it easier to declare where I'm moving toward.

Mage armor active, round 1. AC 14.

The link and movement should both be fixed.

"Wonder what chicken-horse taste like?" Stonetree muttered more to himself than anyone else, before loudly projecting "No worries Ol'Stonetree will give a shout and scare these pesky critters away, and if they still decide to pester us I have hog tied my fair share of horses... once a camel, long story that."

"Woo hoo!" Kame cried out dropping his backpack.

Kame moved toward the closest beast and attacked.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 251d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Confirm critical: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Theo raised high a flag bearing the Pathfinder Society's emblem.

Flagbearer: Everyone within 30ft of Theo gets +1 morale bonus to attacks, weapon damage, saves vs fear or charm effects

He stepped partially in front of Jivan. "These beasts are no match for the aether. Strike them down!"

Inspiring Command: Jivan gets a +2 insight bonus to attacks, AC, CMD and skill checks for 1 round

It all stacks, Jivan. Enjoy the +4!

Heh. Of course, now I'll roll a 1 to hit. BTW, DM PW, are they still airborne, and if so how high?

Heh. Of course, now I'll roll a 1 to hit. BTW, DM PW, are they still airborne, and if so how high?

Oops I guess I missed that they were flying

It just means that when one of them lands near you it's going to eat a katana.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Yes, still airborne. Let's say 30' up, but descending.

Basayus moves 5 feet towards the creatures and then takes aim with his heavy crossbow and fires.

hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
damage: 1d10 ⇒ 3

Stonetree takes a steps 5 feet toward the creatures while pulling free a javelin and lets out a overwhelming roar.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Patience, Stonetree. They act before you.

ETA: Also too, using Intimidate to demoralize has a 30' range.

Kame, I'll go ahead and have you move and ready that attack action.

Kame, sword drawn, moves closer to the circling predators. He raises his blade in defiance, daring them to attack.

Basayus, either somewhat surprised by the combat or poorly-trained in the use of his crossbow, fires off a shot, but the bolt doesn't come within ten feet of his target.

Theodric unfurls his banner and says some words to inspire Jivan, who looks to take courage at the inspired oratory.

Ansha prepares herself with a defensive spell.

The two creatures, screaming a high-pitched wail like eagles, suddenly descend onto Kame, who prepares ready for them. He strikes out with a deadly overhand chop, which digs deep into one of the creature's muscular torsos and leaves it severely wounded.

Both of the creatures tear at Kame with their beaks, with each of their attacks finding purchase, and the warrior is left with a small tear in each of his arms.

bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 171d3 ⇒ 1
bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 171d3 ⇒ 1

Initiative - Round 1 (Bold may act!)
Inspire Courage, +1 atk/+1 dmg

Janira
Kame
Basayus
Theodric
Ansha
Hungry Enemies! (Wounded hippogriff marked on map)
Stonetree
Jivan

Since I do initiative in blocks and we're at the bottom of Round 1, the top of Round 2 can also act. In effect, everyone is up!

Theo ran to catch up to Kame.

"Excellent positioning, Kame! Let them have it!"

Inspiring Command: Kame gets a +2 insight bonus to attacks, AC, CMD and skill checks for 1 round

As the first creature attacked Kame he attempted to knock it's beak out of the way.

Opportune Parry and Riposte: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Following through deflecting the beasts beak, he swung down with his sword

Opportune Parry and Riposte Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Jivan draws a copper piece from the pouch on his belt as he moves up, and tosses it into the air. A cascade of silvery threads appears around it, and before it can fall the coin flies towards an unwounded enemy with a sharp crack, trailing threads like a miniature comet.

Penny from heaven, incl. buffs: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 4 = 19
Damage, incl. buffs: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9

Baysayus pulls out another bolt and reloads his crossbow.

Ranged touch, firing into melee: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (13) - 4 = 9
1d3 ⇒ 2

Now that the two horse-birds are occupied on the ground, Ansha shrugs her backpack off her back and advances toward them. A short distance away, she murmurs the words to a cantrip and flicks a glob of viscous fluid at the nearer of the two. Casting acid splash.

Stonetree runs toward the creatures and shouts:

"Haha, look at Kame swing that pig sicker!"

"I WILL let them have it Theo!"

With inspiration from Theodric, Kame pierced the least damaged of the horse birds.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 221d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Kame, your Opportune Parry and Riposte says you have to indicate your intention to use it before an enemy attacks you. I'll go ahead and allow it this time, but next time it would probably be better to say something like "If the enemy attacks me, I'll use Opportune Parry and Risposte."

Inspired by Theodric, Kame, quick and fluid in his motions, nearly decapitates the creature he had previously wounded as it tries to attack him. Spinning on his heel, he is unable to connect with his next blow.

Jivan rains molten copper on the second creature, which screams in anguished protest.

Stonetree moves toward the melee while Ansa misses her attack and Basayus reloads. Janira pulls a wand from her belt and prepares to heal any injuries.

The wounded hippogriff summons its remaining strength to rip into Kame again, drawing a line of blood and a chunk of flesh from the swashbuckler's shoulder.

bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 211d3 ⇒ 3

Initiative - Round 2 (Bold may act!)
Inspire Courage, +1 atk/+1 dmg

Janira
Kame
Basayus
Theodric
Ansha
Hungry Enemies!
Stonetree
Jivan

Spinning on his heel, he is unable to connect with his next blow.

21 hits but 22 misses?

Theo joined the fray.

"Just in time, Stonetree, to finish it off!"

Inspiring Command: Stonetree gets a +2 insight bonus to attacks, AC, CMD and skill checks for 1 round

BTW, Kame, looking at the map positions--did you charge to get into range of the creatures the first round?

Kame, your Opportune Parry and Riposte says you have to indicate your intention to use it before an enemy attacks you. I'll go ahead and allow it this time, but next time it would probably be better to say something like "If the enemy attacks me, I'll use Opportune Parry and Risposte."

That's unfortunate since I'm unsure on monster positioning which panache to use. I understand that it will slow things down if you have to just list that they attack and wait for me to respond. Is it possible that the monster attacks are instead an "If Kame doesn't respond they deal 1d20+3 damage?" Otherwise I guess I just always mark every combat round with "If the enemy attacks me, I'll use Opportune Parry and Risposte.".

BTW, Kame, looking at the map positions--did you charge to get into range of the creatures the first round?

I just moved regularly to get into range the 1st round. No charge.

I thought you started more than 30' from the creatures; I might be misremembering where you started, though. I'd moved 30' to get to where I am now, and you're another 15' past me.

Reading comprehension for the win! I misread your second roll, Kame, and thought it was a 10.

Spinning on his heel, Kame finishes off the second creature, which lets out one last screech and then remains still.

"Well done, well done!" Janira claps. "I knew you would do well, though perhaps next time you can leave some of the enemies for the rest of the group!" the halfling winks at Kame.

She moves closer to the swashbuckler and uses a wand to heal the wounds he has sustained.

After the encounter, Janira is quick to congratulate the group on their first successful battle together, but encourages them to pack up and move on in order to reach the caves by dusk. "I think if we don't reach the caves tonight, the gillmen who are present may leave before we arrive. At least given the phases of the moon I have observed," she adds.

As the group continues to travel through the wilderness, they find trails blocked by fallen objects, shortcuts overgrown, and other minor delays that cost them time.

I need a survival check to see if you can stay on schedule through the obstacles. If unsuccessful, you may be delayed in reaching the caves.

Untrained Survival check, Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Jivan is, sadly, clueless regarding the great outdoors.

I thought you started more than 30' from the creatures; I might be misremembering where you started, though. I'd moved 30' to get to where I am now, and you're another 15' past me.

I moved 5 spaces to get where I am. I'm pretty sure I started closest to them.

Cool. All academic now.

Covered in horse-bird gore Kame gave Janira a big grin.

"I may have gotten a little over eager to test my skills."

"Well, that was exciting," the elf says to herself as she doubles back to reclaim her backpack. She hustles along after the rest of the group, doing her best not to scratch up her legs as the group enters thicker undergrowth--sadly, that's about all the woodlands lore she ever picked up.

Untrained survival, Aid Another: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

Don't forget, Kame, that every other diagonal space you move is 10', not 5':

Measuring Distance

As a general rule, distance is measured assuming that 1 square equals 5 feet.

Diagonals: When measuring distance, the first diagonal counts as 1 square, the second counts as 2 squares, the third counts as 1, the fourth as 2, and so on.

You can't move diagonally past a corner (even by taking a 5-foot step). You can move diagonally past a creature, even an opponent.

You can also move diagonally past other impassable obstacles, such as pits.

Don't forget, Kame, that every other diagonal space you move is 10', not 5':

Pathfinder Reference Document wrote:

Measuring Distance

As a general rule, distance is measured assuming that 1 square equals 5 feet.

Diagonals: When measuring distance, the first diagonal counts as 1 square, the second counts as 2 squares, the third counts as 1, the fourth as 2, and so on.

You can't move diagonally past a corner (even by taking a 5-foot step). You can move diagonally past a creature, even an opponent.

You can also move diagonally past other impassable obstacles, such as pits.

Ahh okay I wasn't aware of the diagonal rule.

It would have come to you, though, even if you were five or ten feet back. Now give us an untrained Survival check or we're going to be late getting to the cave. (No one in the party has Survival, btw. Good thing we can make untrained checks.)

Kame tried with all his might to remember the little he had learned about surviving in the wild getting some input from Ansha and Jivan.

Survival Check: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Uh-oh. Theodric, Baysus, and Stonetree had better roll well.

Kame sniffed the ground than quickly snapped upwards with his finger in the air declaring, "I... have no idea what I'm doing." He followed up with a sheepish grin.

Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

How much damage does Kame have?

Janira cured him already.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Whew!

-Posted with Wayfinder

The group has a difficult time finding a path that leads to the caves easily. More than once, they have to double-back, and even Janira seems unsure of the way, perhaps having been thrown off by the combat.

As evening falls, however, Stonetree is able to point out what appears to be a deer trail that follows along in the right direction, helping the group remain on schedule without becoming exhausted.

The group continues along the path into thick trees.

After some time, the dense forest opens to a wide clearing at the base of a sheer cliff. Thick vines cover the surface of the cliff stretching 30 feet overhead.

“Here! The cave entrance is behind those vines,” Janira says with a broad smile as she walks to the cliff’s face. She pulls back several layers of vegetation to reveal a narrow crack in the cliff’s surface.

“This is where I saw the gillmen enter.”

As she motions toward the aperture, the surrounding woods come alive with the sound of small animals fleeing some unseen danger and a large creature crashing through the undergrowth.

The halfling worriedly remarks, “Quick, take cover before whatever it is spots us!”

As if she’d summoned the creature with her words, a massive horned monstrosity emerges from the trees. Standing eight feet tall on a pair of cloven hooves and wielding a tremendous axe, the bull-headed creature roars with unbridled anger when it spots the group.

Janira screams, “A minotaur! There’s little chance we can stand against it. Take this bag,” she continues, pulling off her backpack, “and head deeper into the caves. Finish your mission. I’ll lead it away from the caves, lose it in the forest, and join you as soon as I can. Now go! GO!” She heaves her backpack into the cave, casts a spell, and darts off toward the minotaur before turning to lure it away.

"I said GO!"