Down the Verdant Path...new PbP GM (Inactive)

Game Master R. Sweet

I'll most certainly try but I make no promises.

Narissiel nods at Jamila. "Of course, Jamila. I understand."

As they head off on their journey, Narissiel is serious and looks quite worried. She holds her bow ready in her hands, and eyes her surroundings warily...

But as they travel, the sights and sounds of the forest seem to calm her. After a few miles the serene smile has returned to her lips, and she seems at peace. Comforted.

As Fabin and Jamila renew their discussion, Narissiel's smile fades. She listens for a while, clearly on edge, but manages to force herself to relax--at least on the surface.

"I'm afraid I haven't fifty gold to spare, Fabin." she replies absently. "Though I'd put up my last two gold against that tangleburn bag."

The corners of her lips turn up slightly, clearly considering her offer so poor it's practically a joke.

"Eh sure, I'll play," Minna remarks with a devil-may-care shrug of her shoulders. "Probably do me good to lighten the load a little bit anyway," she chuckles as she fishes out 50 gp and passes the coins to Jabin.
________

Marking off 50gp...and thus began Minna's gambling habit...

Fabin accepts Minna's wager. How about wagering against Jamila?.

If I must. I will wager this one scroll of Elemental Speech. she replies.

Koani replies, "I don't gamble," a smile keeping any sting out of her words.

Koani has no sense of (monetary) adventure. Sure, she risks life and limb, but a little side action? Noooo!

Players, just because I'm at work, doesn't mean game play has to stop. Feel free to continue (sometimes I need one or more of you to do something) I'll post when I can while at work, most definitely post when I get home.

"I will also put up some gold on this wager" Herbert pulls out a little gold from overr off his many pouches.

Survival 1ake 10: 10 + 8 = 18

Looking about the little leshy noticed something peculiar "I think we're getting closer to the Prinordial Ones location there are large humanoid footprints in the mud. See?" he points at the tracks in the mud.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Narissiel nods at the little leshy, then crouches down over the footprints. "Agreed."

After examining them for a moment, she mutters, "Interesting...."

Hands have been shaken to seal the wagers.

kn. nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

so sorry Koani, so close but so far. Anyone else?

At mention of the humanoid tracks, Jamila looks at Fabin and says Clearly these tracks were not made by the Briar Henge Druids.This is a point in my favour.

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Ouch! Haha.

Narissiel:

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Herbert shakes about some might take it as a shiver. "Look there! I see cloud formations spiraling unnaturally to the South. That just ain't natural for this area." the leshy shakes q not more and continues along.

Jabin speaks up. Clearly only the druids could pull that off. Point to me!

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

"Huh...I think you're right Herbie," Minna agrees, squinting up at the sky to the south. When Fabin pipes up and claims a point for himself, she gives him a bemused look. "You're really into this whole contest thing, eh? Do you normally make a habit of making wagers like this?"
________

Apologies for the slowness to poost; I'm working tonight and so was asleep most of the day today :)

First, my bad. Both the footprints AND the swirling storms count for Jabin.

When get about 2 miles south of Bellis—1 mile closer than Falbin anticipated—the landscape changes. Chilly fall winds become balmy zephyrs, and bare trees yield to junglelike growth.

Falbin points out Fourishing plants have no business growing in this climate. I've said it all along. It's the druids.

Although the undergrowth sometimes covers the path, it has not progressed enough to create difficult terrain.

With a second

As the group reaches the area of unnatural weather, Narissiel no longer even tries to hide her anger. She holds her bow tightly in her hand and purses her lips into a tight line.

"We need to find the source of this." she remarks seriously. "As soon as possible."

You hear the voice of Emporor Palpatine in your head. Yes. Use your anger. Feel it coursing thru you.

Koani keeps her little dino very close, because she wants to keep him safe from whatever might be causing this.

Kn. Arcana (DC 18): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Kn. Arcana (DC 18): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

"Ah...Jamila? Hate to tell you this, but these vines kinda reminds me of what I've seen some of those druid Pathfinders do - you know, making vines go all twitchy and grabby," Minna points out, staring down at the vines.

I suppose you're right Minna. replies a concerned Jamilla. I still think is bears further investigation before we blame an entire group. Let us not let one bad apple spoil the bunch.

I'm still at work for another 4 hrs. I am posting from phone, have tablet w/ scenarios but thumb typing gets tedious.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

"I have to agree with Minna. And also with Jamilla that we need to find out if it is one spellcasting druid or a group"

Shortly aſter you enter the verdant zone, you reach a clearing where shaggy mushrooms sprout up to 5 feet tall. The soil here is gray, a stark contrast to the normal brown soil in the surrounding area. A few pools of water dot the landscape, each roughly 6 feet deep. Squares with mushrooms in them are difficult terrain.

Two enormous frogs, one larger than the other, hunt for prey among the overgrown mushrooms. They have bright, corkscrew-shaped tongues and skin that changes color constantly.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Narissiel approaches the strange frogs cautiously, creeping quietly through the mushroom growths to get a better look.
Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Rolls to figure out what's up with these frogs:
Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Stealth (incl camouflage): 1d20 + 12 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 4 = 26

"Wait for me Narissiel, I will cover you" Quon follows Narrisiel through the mushrooms.

If possible climbing up and moving at height.Does my swamp stride help here?

Narissiel, the two frogs seem to have similar markings. (I'd add build, but frogs...) Almost as if they hopped out of the Sam gene pool. Parent/child maybe?

sense motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Earlier!

Ayla pulls a few coins out of her Belt pouch, and offers her hand to Fabin. "Ayla win shiny stone!" She'll wager 50g!

"Ayla not know about funny tree. Ayla Tough! Ayla Fight!"

Feeling a little bit protective of Quon, she follows close, stealthily and Gracefully.
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Quon, yes to the first, no to the second.

Dad frog perception vs stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Son frog perception vs stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Ok, that is oddly appropriate.

Herbert init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Ayla init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Minna, your fox goes on your init.init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Herbert init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Quon init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Narissiel init: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Frogs init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Init Order:

Narissiel
Herbert
Minna and her fox
Ayla
Herbert
Quon
Frogs

Marissiel, you're up.

Had she determined if these were 'natural' frogs, or from another plane or something? Or if they were aggressive and violent? Otherwise Narissiel has no intention of fighting them.

Narissiel, Fey are definitely not from these parts.

Jamilla volunteers It seems the older, slightly larger, one is father to the younger, smaller one. Dad is teaching/trying to convince the tadpole that he (tadpole) needs to eat a healthy meal.

That has just presented itself in you, dear players walking into view. Larder on the hoof!

Fair players. It seems I forgot to include Koani. Let us now include her.
Koani: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Updated init

Narissiel
Herbert
Koani
Minna & fox
Ayla
Quon
Frogs

Evidently I listed Herbert twice. As my init is still last, did I forget anything else?

Earlier at the vines
Spellcraft #1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Spellcraft #2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Looking to take advatange of this wonderful opportunity Herbie rushes forward to the vines and lays a foliage laced hand on the vines and begins grunting and swaying Grown, Shake Shake, Herbert moan."

Will post combat later today. Sorry for split posting but my break is over.

OMG! love it Herbie!

As the frogs become aware of the group's presence, Blanca bounces in a circle around Minna before giving her leg a gentle bump with a cold, wet nose.

"Yip-yip!"
________

Blanca will cast Guidance on Minna, something she can do at-will as an Emissary familiar.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"Eat a healthy meal? Think frog legs are healthy?" Minna asks as she hefts her lucerne hammer. "Time to find out!"

With a rather bestial, insane-looking smile, Minna hustles towards the larger of the two frogs. "It's hammer time!" she cries as she takes a swing...

Attack vs. Big Daddy (Bloodrage, Guidance): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 = 27
Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Crit!?: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16
Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

...and what a swing it is!
________

Minna enters Bloodrage as a free action, moves to her current map position, and swings with her hammer which is a reach weapon. Minna's current AC is 11 due to raging.

Koani shoots at the closer frog
attack: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 4 = 20 penalty for into melee taken
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Then she asks Blarg to go attack it.
HA: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 4 = 14

The little dino rushes forward to get to the bad frog. It must be a bad frog, since his Koani told him to get it. Then he tries to swipe at it with his talon.

attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Quon looks back at Ayla as she tries to follow him. Although it is hard to make out his expression it might be a smile of amusement. He casts shocking grasp and sneaks closer towards the big frog. Quon suddenly appears from behind a mushroom, and touches the frog when it did not expect it!

Touch, Vessel Between: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 = 21
Electricity: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8
Sneak: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Realizing the frogs are fey, Narissiel heads deeper into the clearing and tries to speak with them.

Narissiel then readies her bow, preparing to fire a shot at either of the frogs if they attempt to harm any of her companions.

At the Vines
Herbie continues to comune with the vines for a few more moments "Groan, Shakes, weeerrrnnn."few[spoiler=Plant Speech]"Yes I will help tend to you. Though I must complete my mission for the time being but I do not worry for I will return." He begins prunging a few of the vines and then gives a final fairwell and follows along after the party.

Now to get Toad-aly into combat
Herbert moves about the mushrooms with ease and gets into a perfect location to toss a few Seedpods at the small toad Red. Plucking what looks like a large walnut from the many vines that make up his body he throws it.
Seedpod+PBS: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6
As he throws the pod it fly's wildly off target smashing into the ground away from his target.

Verifying hits
Minna, hit but no crit. 8 pts of dmg.
Koani hit 9 pts of dmg
Blarg hit 2 pts dmg
Quon hits big daddy for 9 pts total.
28 pts total dmg to Big Daddy

Herbert-NUTS to you!

Tadpole approaches Herbert. Plants are salad. Salad healthy. Wonder how this one tastes.

attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

A tongue snaps out of the wide mouth and is unable to get a grip on the moving bush.

Ignoring Quon, as he is another amphibian, Big Daddy lances out his tongue at Minna…attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Tongue wrapped around Minna, Big Daddy has grabbed Minna and attempts to pull her in.

attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

Welcome to the belly of the beast Mina.

Narissel, your readied action triggers, but misses due to firing into melee.

Squares with Shrooms are difficult Terrain

Back to the top of the order. Bolded is next

Narissiel
Herbert
Koani
Minna & fox
Ayla
Quon
Frogs

With a sigh, Narissiel draws her rapier, steps forward, and thrusts at the orange frog with her blade.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

'tis just a flesh wound

Herbert, you're up!

Also...feel free to keep posting. I'm going to bed.

So is Minna actually inside the frog's stomach now?

If the numbers on your page are correct, then yes. Otherwise, use the numbers posted and adjust. Shall I call you Noah.