DM Rah's "Tide of Morning" (Inactive)

Game Master Kobash

In Absalom, the Venture-Captains claimed it would be a nice walk in the woods, a pleasant change of pace from the bustle of the city. Obviously they forgot about the brambles, boulders, and biting insects of the Verduran Forest, which turned the jouney into an arduous three-day scramble of detours, torn clothes, and near falls. Fortunately, Venture-Captain Dennel Hamshanks made a firm impression before the expedition left Absalom.

The air grew still as Hamshanks rolled into a meeting room deep inside the Pathfinder Lodge in Absalom, his jowls flowing and his enormous axe clanking against his thigh. The man’s black eyes scanned the room. “You lot?” Hamshanks spat. “Well, maybe you’ll surprise me."

“Your boat leaves in an hour, so I’ll be brief. One of the Society’s contacts in Andoran sent us an interesting little nugget this morning. A druid named Hemzel swept into Augustana’s Civic Library last week, demanding his right of research. Our contact learned that Hemzel acquired a lorestone from somewhere in the Verduran Forest. Heard of such a thing?” Hamshanks paused expectantly and spat again. “Of course not. Heard of druids, at least? And their crazy stone circles? Well thank Gorum for that. Lorestones are somehow connected to them—supposedly they can bestow you with all of the knowledge of the druids. We’d like to know how, so we want that stone and you’re going to get it for us."

“Unfortunately, the Society is not a friend to Hemzel. He’s the self-declared protector of the Verduran Forest inside Andoran’s borders and some of our more eager explorers have angered him and his little band of gnomes. He’s sworn a blood feud with the Pathfinders."

“Break out your skills of persuasion and get me that lorestone. Do what you need to—sweep the floors or plant some trees for the old man. Something nice—let him know we’re there to study and not to slash and burn.”

At the end of a third day of travel in the Verduran Forest, with the sun just having set, and the thick forest quickly becoming shrouded in shadowy illumination, the welcome sight of a puffing chimney reveals a hut atop a hill. According to the map this is Hemzel's home.

The usually-withdrawn Andoren fighter has been far more animated than usual on the trip, seemingly rather well-known in parts of the democratic nation. "So, anyone good at talking? Sounds like we'll have an uphill battle trying to get on this fellow's good side."

"Uh, diplomacy isn't really my thing," the dwarf nods, fingering his great sword. "Im more direct in my negotiating, which might not need to be the first avenue we explore."

Knowledge Nature for anything strange about the scene 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Since it looks like we will be a healing lite group, is it ok if I burn two pp and pick up a wand of CLW, DM?

"Eh. Nothing for it, then. Let's go talk to the druid." Kilian starts up the hill towards the hut.

"We heah to plrant old man - so rlets go", Mu moves up the hill, really really grumpy from three days through the woods; and as such, no one should expect him to utter any kind words.

The dashing young red headed man smiles throughout the journey,

"Well guys, I'm not much for talking. In nearly all my missions, I had the honor of being in the presence of the great Maximo, who does enough talking for a party of seven. I guess we will indeed be sweeping and cleaning. I call dibs on dusting."

During the trip to the Verduran forest, James attempts to get to know the other Pathfinders. He takes any opportunity he has to show off his pistol, and talk about his childhood.

Hagrym approaches the cottage. He keeps his weapon sheathed and moves to knock on the door.

James makes sure to follow Hagrym, his pistol loaded ready. He walks with his hand behind his back.

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

"Be aware Hagrym, druids are dirty an unpredicatable. My mother told me... bless her soul that they have been known to eat lost children in the woods."

"Ah, I'm nothing but fat and gristle. He'll not eat much of me, I'd wager, before getting an ache in his belly."

Smoke rises lazily from a chimney set atop a small, round wooden hut just over a steep hillside covered in thick vines and brambles.

“Too late, too late for Hemzel!” a high voice cackles from behind the hut. “Gire, finish them!”

Suddenly a nearby half-rotted log bursts open and a swarm of angry spiders pours out!

Nearby, from the direction of the voice, a creature resembling a short and slight elf shimmers into sight. It wears drab clothes and a wicked grin, and in a blink, the thing darts from sight.

INITIATIVE
??? 19 (acted)
James 15 <=Up
Spider Swarm 15
Mu 12
Hagrym 2
Kilian 5

Map linked above. Please move your characters about 10 feet closer for more accurate starting positions.

James has a +4 to initiative which may have given him a surprise action

Initiative 19 represents something not yet visible, and it has a higher bonus than 4 regardless.

Moved Kilian up.

James readies for anything strange, like non swarm baddies to make themselves evident.

”I hate smelry xipishi's”, Mu scowls and looks around for signs of Long Haired Freaky People, when he's surprised by the swarm ”!”

xipishi's.

I moved Hagrym to the front, since that was what I was going for by volunteering to go knock on the door.

The swarm of spiders spills forth from the tree and flows quickly down over Hagrym and Kilian. They suffer dozens of tiny stinging bites.
3 damage to Kilian
5 damage to Hagrym

From somewhere above a tiny female voice calls out. "Y-you heard him! Hemzel... he should have listened! But it's not too late for you! Flee now and avoid his terrible fate!"

INITIATIVE - Round 1-2
Female Voice 19 Making threats
James 15 Ready action to shoot non-swarm enemies. (You can re-declare now if desired)
Spider Swarm 15
Mu 12 <=Up
Hagrym 2 <=Up
Kilian 5 <=Up

Working from mobile. Can someone move the swarm down over Hagrym and Kilian?

James will keep as far away from the swarm as possible and will yell to the voice

"I hear the fear in your voice! Show yourself, and we can come to a compromise lady..."

James awaits a response

Mu pounces off behind the cottage, and unfurls a scroll.

UMD Mage Armor: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

...and wipes his nose with it.

Kilian retreats out of the swarm and, unperturbed by the sensation of many small feet on his skin, draws a flask of alchemist's fire and prepares to throw it.

Fort save to avoid distraction: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Mu, you might want to reconsider. In order to UMD that scroll you will need 2 skill checks. One DC 16 to emulate the ability score needed to cast the spell (Int 11), and another DC 21 to actually cast the spell from the scroll.

Clueless newb reconsiders and double move instead.

A note on the map. All green areas are considered difficult terrain. I modified both Mu and Kilian's movement to take that into account. Kilian, I moved you back down the path near James. If you want to move off the path, go ahead, just account for increased movement costs.

Just wanting on Hagrym before we continue.

Hagrym takes a double move to the west trying to get out of the attention of the swarm.

"W-what?" The little voice retorts. "I'm not afraid of you! Y-you should leave! Go, before it's too late!"

The swarm pursues Hagrym, flowing more easily over the rough terrain then the dwarf. 5 damage to Hagrym

Hagrym Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
James Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Swarm Damage on Hagrym: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Hagrym Fort Save vs Poison: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 Success
Hagrym Fort Save vs Distraction: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 Success

INITIATIVE - Round 2-3 - Everyone can go again!

"Get out of there, Hagrym!" Once the dwarf is clear of the swarm, Kilian moves back towards the swarm and throws the flask.

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Direct damage, if applicable: 1d6 ⇒ 4 x150% = 6 points

Mu continues double move to the back of the building. please move icon.

Seems like Kilian is the only character with a splash weapon? This will be interesting.

Luckily, I picked up a few before we left.

Pathfinder 101. Always have a splash weapon or two handy.

Hagrym takes a move to the north as far as possible and casts a CLW spell on himself.

"Call off your swarm. We are just here to talk!"

CLW 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Current HP 5/11

Any impediment against Mu's double move will be met with a fist.

Since James has no weapon to deal with the swarm, I'll assume he's continuing dialogue with the invisible female. I'll need diplomacy checks at some point, and since this group is not exactly the UN, you might want to consider aiding a key speaker.

Mu and Hagrym play ring around the rosie with the swarm. Mu makes nearly full circle around the hut and has not seen any additional threats outside.

The swarm follows Hagrym, who is too slow to escape.

Meanwhile, the voice continues the strange conversation. "I can't stop it! I... I don't control them! Run!"

Damage on Hagrym: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Hagrym Fort save vs Poison: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Success
Hagrym Fort save vs Distraction: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 Success

That leaves Hagrym staggered at 0 HP.

INITIATIVE - Round 3-4 - Everyone can go again!

Forgot to mention Killian's alchemist fire. It missed a direct hit, but did some splash damage.

I think the swarm takes another point on the second round.

Kilian chases after the swarm chasing Hagrym, drawing out a second flask and hurling it at the spiders. His second shot is much more accurate than the first.

Second alchemist's fire: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5 x150% = 7 points

lets scare the voice instead
intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

or not

I need to know Hagrym's action before I can resolve Kilian's attack.

James gives the sky his best scowl, but suspects the invisible creature might not have noticed it among all the action.

Mu could sweare he heard voices behind the hut, but it could have been the wax in his ears. Seeing no one, he lays into the backdoor. "Heeeeyah!!"

Flurry punch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Flurry kick: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Uh, Mu. That's a brick chimney, not a door. With your movement you are just about back to the front when Kilian throws his second flask of alchemist fire.

Isn't Mu standing next to a door or window? Looks like at something there on the map. If there's an open window, he'll climb in, otherwise move fully around to the front door.

Actually there are a couple small windows in the back. Both are grimy and made with poor quality glass meant to let light in, not really afford a view for inhabitants. There is a warm glow coming from inside. Does Mu want to try and look through them or just break one open?

"Heeeeyah!!"

Heh. Ok, I'll get back to what you see inside next round.

Hagen takes another move action to leave the swarm.

On my phone with no map access, so if I can get out, I'll do that.

Hagrym moves from the swarm and Kilian throws his flask of alchemist fire with perfect aim, burning away enough of the spiders that the remaining few scatter.

Behind the hut, Mu breaks a window and looks inside.

1d100 ⇒ 98

Suddenly a growl comes from behind Mu. Turning he finds a dog with hackles raised, baring it's teeth at him.

"Go away or it will bite you!" The voice calls from above. James sees a small winged female fey shimmer into view over the hut.

Everyone can act again.

James double moves towards the stump on the west side of the hut.

Hagrym pulls his wand of cure light wounds and burns up a couple charges.

CLW 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

First 3 charges used. 47 charges left.

Hagrym, we're still moving in rounds for the moment. Apply 1 CLW for now.

Thats cool, DM. Wasn't sure how we would proceed. If nothing threatens e dwarf, those will be his next two rounds.