DM Rah's "The Confirmation" - Ollysta's Six (Inactive)

Game Master Kobash

Macarius draws his own sword.

”The caves won't be going anywhere”, Arumael nocks an arrow into the longbow,”Something that ugly must be Evil. How about a song Master Gibb.”.

Karina cautiously follows the group. I don't know... Most of my techniques are close-quarters... If you guys are doing this, then we should all help.

Looks like a fight then!

As the group prepares for battle, Janira looks at them with wide eyes. "Oh, I should have expected you lot to be a bunch of goody-goodies! It's not too late, and there is no shame in running!"

INITIATIVE
Janira <=casts expeditious retreat
Karina <=UP
Macarius <=UP
Reesa <=UP
Arumael <=UP
Minotaur
Garry
Phyton

MAP UPDATED ABOVE

Karina has a +4 Initiative, btw.

Karina will focus her inner strength as her muscles seem to ripple under her skin. SLA: Alter Self, 1 min., +2 Strength

Thanks for double-checking. Macarius was incorrect as well. I'll adjust them on my lists.

"Guess its my turn to sing finally"

When Gary is up he will start a bard song

Macarius draws his sling and fires it at the beast.
Sling: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Reesa moves forward and fires her first Heavenly Ray at the evil creature.

Ranged Touch Attack 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 1 = 18

Damage 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6

Arumael moves along the high ridge and shoots an arrow towards the beast.

longbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 &damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Looks like the map got bumped. I'm working today, so can someone fix it?

Karina alters her form for strength.

Macarius slings a stone, but the range makes causes it to lose sore an it bounces off the minotaur's tough hide.

Arumael fires an arrow, but his shot misses completely.

Reesa, it looks like the range on that ray is only 30 feet. Since you rolled as if affected by a bard song do you want to defer until after the minotaur goes, then move into range? If you want a different action, let me know an we retroactively take it into account. Moving on for now.

The Minotaur roars a challenge and stomps towards the stream. Stopping 10' from the edge.

Garry begins an inspiring performance.

"Hey, that's smooth!" Janira calls back, seeming less worried and more confidant.

INITIATIVE - Round 2 - All PCs are UP!
Garry <=Acted - Bardic courage (everyone gets +1 to hit/damage)
Phyton <=UP
Janira <=UP
Karina <=UP
Macarius <=UP
Reesa <=UP
Arumael <=UP
Minotaur

Yes, DM, I'll let Reesa move to get within 30' and have that as my action.

It doesn't appear as if it wants to fight enough to engage all seven of us. We should continue on with our journey. No need for meaningless harm when we haven't sustained any losses.

Karina holds action and assumes a defensive stance near Janira. Fluff

longbow: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13

Arumael shoots another arrow in front of the minotuar's feet as warning.

Phyton follows his brethern's actions and alter his form to to increase his muscle mass.

Alter Self, +2 Str

The paladin then moves forward, drawing his lucerne hammer.

It's not hesitating!" Janira shouts, moving up to the front of the group and preparing components to cast a spell. "It's getting ready to jump across!"

Waiting on Macarius. Will press on soon regardless.

Macarius fires another bullet.
Sling: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 = 22
Will: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

Karina follows Janira and readies a grapple if the Minotaur gets in range.

Phyton alters his form for strength.

Karina stands ready with Janira.

Macarius slings another stone, this one smacking the minotaur right in the head.

Arumael fires another arrow, but misses. Unfortunately higher ground only gives a bonus for melee.

The Minotaur takes two big steps and pushes off the far bank, landing in the shallow water on the near side. But Janira and Reesa are ready for it.

Reesa's magic burns across its shoulder and as Janira's magic greases the rocks and plants right under it. It's feet slip and it goes facedown into the dirt!

Jump: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 You guys are lucky!

Reesa, I think your damage was off by 1 point. At first level you only do 1d4 with that ability (there is no minimum +1 that I can see).

INITIATIVE - Round 3 - All PCs are UP!
EFFECTS - Bardic Courage (+1 hit/dam)
Garry <=UP
Phyton <=UP
Janira <=UP
Karina <=UP
Macarius <=UP
Reesa <=UP
Arumael <=UP
Minotaur (Prone @ 14 damage)

Using their sudden advantage Macarius slings another bullet at the creature.
Sling: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 = 22
Will: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

Karina steps forward and grapples the fallen beast, attempting to keep it firmly on the ground by grabbing its horns.

Grapple: 1d20 + 1 + 3 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 3 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 24 Monk Level+Strength+Prone+Imp. Grapple+Inspire

Yay, it worked! At least I hope 24 is good enough for a level 1 scenario...

Garry moves up drawing his light crossbow and continues to sing.

Arumael switches to his spear and heads to the melee.

either leap down or double move

-Posted with Wayfinder

Reesa moves forward to stay within 30' of the creature and readies an action to blast the Minotaur when it attempts to stand.

Ranged touch attack 1d20 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 1 - 4 = 13

Damage 1d4 ⇒ 2

Waiting on Phyton to resolve the round.

Sorry! Thought I was already posted for this round.

Phyton moves to within ten feet of the minotaur.

Double Move

I forgot that some of the area is considered difficult terrain. I've indicated it on the map now.

Garry, Phyton, and Arumael ready weapons and advance.

Janira unlimbers a whip at her side and lashes out with it, snatching away the Minotaur's axe.

Janira disarm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Karina then leaps on the creature and grapples it, holding it steady for Macarius to beam it with another stone and Reesa to continue barraging it with heavenly fire.

Injured and somewhat humiliated, the minotaur throws Karina off and pulls itself to its feet.

CMB to escape Grapple: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 4 = 17

Karina and Phyton both get an AoO on the minotaur!

INITIATIVE - Round 4 - All PCs are UP!
EFFECTS - Bardic Courage (+1 hit/dam)
Garry <=UP
Phyton <=UP
Janira <=UP
Karina <=UP
Macarius <=UP
Reesa <=UP
Arumael <=UP
Minotaur (@ 27 damage)

AoO: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 = 17 Did not add in Prone
Damage: 1d12 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 12

Phyton takes a swing at the minotaur as he stands, then calls on his god to aid him in smiting this foe!

Smiting Power Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 - 1 + 1 = 25
Damage: 1d12 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 20

Oops, forgot Inspire and Alter Self on the Damage.

Wow! Nice, Phyton!

If the Minotaur survives the barrage from the paladin, Reesa fires yet another bolt of heavenly flame.

Ranged touch attack 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Damage 1d4 ⇒ 4

Arumael makes his way through the growth, spear at the ready.

Mightily attacking, Phyton slays his foe!

COMBAT OVER

"...Wow!" Janira cheers. "This was like Selmius Foster’s race against a marid and efreeti on the isle of Jalmeray. Nothing is truly impossible and every situation can end in victory!"

"We weren't about to leave you out here all alone to fight against that thing, Janira! I'm so glad you are okay..."

Phyton rests against his hammer, breathing heavily, an astonished look on his face as he stares at the fallen minotaur. "Aye, we could not leave one of own to face this menace alone."

By Irori, that beast was strong.

AWESOME! I have been wanting to do that since I played this for the first time lol.

Macarius retrieves his sword from the floor smiling.

"Well, I don't think it can get much tougher than that!" Janira checks the minotaur and makes a tsk sound. "Nothing useful here. Must have been an outcast." Walking back up to the cave entrance to retrieve her pack, she regards the opening, then offers the pack to Garry. "Here, take this with you, just in case. This is your Confirmation, so I will wait out here for you. Good luck!"

Janira's pack carries all sorts of useful supplies. A potion of barkskin, 2 potions of cure light wounds, potion of feather step, potion of vanish, scroll of entangle, scroll of gust of wind, scroll of identify, scroll of mage armor (CL 6), scroll of obscuring mist, wand of burning hands (CL 3rd, 4 charges), wand of cure light wounds (CL 3rd, 8 charges), a vial of acid, an alchemist’s fire, holy water, smokestick, tanglefoot bags, thunderstone, antitoxin, and 2 sunrods. All are packed neatly and conveniently labeled.

Heading inside, you find yourselves in a damp narrow passage that snakes into the mountain, opening and closing in width from three to ten feet. Water drips from stalactites and the sound of a rushing underground stream can be heard somewhere in the distance. The cave walls are patterned with blue-green luminescent fungi that provide dim light.

Petroglyphs—most depicting marine animals or spiral shapes—periodically decorate the tunnels’ walls. The rough surface of the carvings provides a natural platform for the fungi, causing it to grow thicker and making the carvings glow slightly brighter than their surroundings.

1d6 ⇒ 2

The carvings continue along the narrow tunnel as it twists and turns. Several hundred feet in it opens to a wider passage. There, a large hole spans the cave’s width and stretches ten feet down the path. 20 feet below the edge a pool of water fills the pit. Floating on the surface is a small bundle of cloth.

No Map needed here.

Survival 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

"That pit's not natural. Artificial somehow. It's been here a good while, though, probably a year at least. Can anyone make out what that cloth is down there?"

Reesa takes the wand of burning hands, and a tanglefoot bag for further use.

"Oooo look at these carvings. Didn't they say take notes on everything we see here."

Garry takes out pin and paper and jots down detailed observations about the carvings.

Arumael takes the curing wand, then follows the others.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Using his rope and grappling hook Macarius tries to fish the cloth.

We all know this part, and since someone has a rope and grapple we will move on.

Macarius recovers the bundle from the pit, which turns out to be a fine cloak.

With a little care the group crosses the pit and continues.

The tunnels lead deeper beneath the Kortos Mounts until they eventually open into a large cavern. What must have once been beautifully carved reliefs and inscriptions have since weathered heavily, their features dulled and softened to the point that it is hard to distinguish what each once depicted. A wide tunnel exits the cavern on its far side, and blue-burning torches line the passageway’s walls. The carvings here are different in style from the petroglyphs found elsewhere in the caves.

Knowledge History or Religion available here. Also Linguistics (with a bonus if you know Aquan or Azlanti). Alternately, you can attempt Appraise or Perception.

Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Phyton studies the petroglyphs.

KN: religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

"Oh my! More wall art. I love this stuff."

Gary starts taking detaild notes about what he can make out singing quietly to himself as he does.song

knowledge religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
linguistics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
"Sheesh why cant this be writen in something like Elven or even Skald"

Hisroty: 1d20 ⇒ 18
Religion: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Linguistics: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Appraise: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

"Hmm yes, interest", Arumael says, mostly having no clue what the scribbles are about but certainly not going to look bad in front of the other aasimars.

I should have specified - only bother with a knowledge check here if you are trained in it. The DC is too high for untrained checks.

Hmmmm Macarius mumbles perplexed.

4d12 ⇒ (5, 12, 11, 9) = 37

Barry finds that the inscriptions tell stories and Arumael realizes that they are parables from the History and Future of Humanity, the principle holy text of Aroden that refers to "12 guises of Aroden" meant to illustrate his hopes for humanity: the artist, beggar, craftsman, farmer, fisherman, hunter, merchant, scholar, shepherd, soldier, tailor, and thief. Most of the carvings here are weathered beyond recognition, but you are able to decipher four of the parables, after which Barry realizes something more - the parables depicted here are slightly different than those that appear in the known version of the History and Future of Humanity, suggesting that these might represent an earlier version of the work.

The Fisherman is depicted hauling in an enormous catch of small fish to take back to Absalom, illustrating Aroden’s declaration that a great host of creatures could accomplish a great task, whether that be taming the wilds or feeding a nation.

The Shepherd is depicted herding animals out of a crowded city to the pastures beyond, just as Aroden blessed leaders with the foresight to direct people to the tasks and places that best suit them.

The Tailor is depicted sewing together a long cloth of featuring many patterns that wraps around a city like a moat, referencing Aroden’s proclamation that when the fate of all peoples is woven together, it shall be humanity’s greatest strength.

The Thief is depicted stealing a gem from a shop while whispering a prayer, an allusion to a passage saying that larceny—though illegal—is a form of praise, for anything worth stealing is also worthy of praise for its craftsmanship.

Since we just did this...

After studying the walls and taking notes, your group heads further into the cave.

The soft light of the surrounding fungus mixes with the flickering glow of the nearby torches to reveal a grand chamber. A large pool of water along the chamber’s southern edge reflects the blue and green radiance to illuminate the massive stalactites that cling to the ceiling overhead. Two other tunnels branch off from this area, leading to the east and west.

Rising up from the pool is a column of rock with steeply sloped sides and a flat top, as if someone had sawn off the top of a massive stalagmite. A miniature city carved from this same stone occupies nearly the entire surface. Tiny trinkets such as ancient coins, polished semiprecious stones, and ornately braided loops of string are scattered throughout the diorama, and pale cave frogs clamber atop it. The smooth cavern floor is covered in gravel and pebbles along the edge of the pool, and several foot-long centipedes prowl among the gravel in their search for prey.

Kneeling in the water is a lone gillman, his back to the party...

Garry causiously starts heading out to where the gillman is kneeling trying to make himself obvious.

"Excuse me"

Arumael cast Light upon his spear and takes a commanding stance.