EM - [PFS] Baby It's Cold Outside (Inactive)

Game Master Evil Minion

As he approaches that door however, one of the floorboards under his feet suddenly shifts and there's an ominous click.

To his right, a few braces and supports holding up the nearest stack of decrepit barrels suddenly collapse and give way, and with no other warning, dozens of the things come crashing and rolling and tumbling down on top of him with a deafening cacophony of noise!

But even with no warning, Jones reflexes prove amazingly quick. With an extraordinary effort, he heaves himself to the side and rolls out of the way of the avalanche. (my trap rolled a 1....) The stairwell door is not so lucky, as it is ripped right off its supports and demolished amidst the rain of wood and rusty metal

Eventually their are no more barrels to collapse, and what remains of those that did come to a stop. Everyone looks around, a little stunned by the sudden chaos, but none the worse for wear when all is said and done.

Though chances are, if there is someone else nearby, they probably heard that...

"Well...that happened," Nella sighs after the last of the noise dies away. "Hopefully that's the last of the traps..."

Masym grunts in response, his voice a little shaky showing the fatigue he is feeling. "We had better keep moving. Those city guards are still looking for us and if they heard that racket, then they would quickly investigate."

The further away we are from the door, the easier it is to hide in case the guards start coming for us. Hopefully they won't be looking because of the weather.

Even though he is not in the path, Malusha jumps back in surprise when the barrels start falling. "Nella, I do hope that is the last of the traps but I'm not hopeful. I think we need to go down the stairs and see what is waiting for us."

In an unusual show of courage and bravery Malusha steps forward, over the barrels, towards the stairs and starts to descend.

onward and downward then? =)

I believe so

Jones chuckles to himself on the dumb luck of not being hit bhai the barrels, "If they didn't know we were here, they do now. Let's not keep 'em waiting."

Jones will head downstairs.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

"Well, I guess stealth is off the table.. let's go on down the stairs."

onward!

Concerned about the noise of the barrels collapsing, you quickly head towards the stairs and down.

And though it was certainly loud enough to possibly attract attention from behind you, it turns out it was the attention of those ahead that is of more immediate concern!

The air warms noticeably as you descend the stairs, and the door at the bottom stands open to a room at the bottom. Jones hears the distinct sound of glass breaking as you reach the bottom.

Most of you will still be on the stairway when this happens, so line yourselves up how you'd like. (Although Malusha started down first, I suspect one of the others might have moved in front by then ... so he gets first choice to be in the lead!) Just put everyone inside the yellow border up top of the map

The first to reach the door, finds themselves looking into a brick-walled room over fifty feet long and half that wide, with a ceiling almost twenty feet up. Abandoned metal braces, likely once used to hold up shelves for brewery supplies and other items, are studded along the north and south walls. A fresh, new-looking wooden door is closed on the south wall.

The entire room smells of unwashed flesh and possesses a faint, sickly sweet odor. The room is unbelievably hot, a sharp contrast to the cold brewery above. Makeshift shelves stand on east and west ends of the room, some of them sparsely filled with books. A large, round wooden table sits in the middle of the room, surrounded by chairs, one of which is tipped over.

Along the entire length of the north wall are stacked cages, jars, glass terrariums, buckets, bottles and various bits of masonry, all teaming with a wide variety of insects.

A slovenly, portly man in hide armor, is moving along this collection, smashing everything he can with a iron bar. Thousands of insects, bugs, and other skittering creatures spill out onto the floor as he goes.

He glances at you as you hit the doorway, an angry scowl on his face, as he shouts something in Skald as he ducks behind the farthest shelf, and starts chanting some sort of spell.

Only the persons at the front of the line will be able to see in the room. Everyone else will have to move to see things!

The shelves provide cover to those behind them

-- Round 1 -----------
Vermund (casting)
Jones, Phoebee, Wei Tchak, Masym <---- We are here!
Swarm
Malusha, Nella

Bold can go!

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 Perception

Is that as far away we are from the man?

Yes, all PC's need to be in the yellow area on the stairs there to start.
They heard you coming =)

Even though Malusha started down the stairs first, he happily lets some of the other stronger party members pass in front of him. He hears the breaking glass and asks the person in the front of the line, "What's that noise coming from? Can you see anything?"

Jones will move into the room and take a shot at the caster.

Comp Longbow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

The bard will move into the room and begin her last inspirations for the day.
There's a rat, there's a rat, and he is being a nd mean and toothy. she sings as she nods with her head in the direction she saw the rodent.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Masym moves into the room, thankful at least a little for the heat, his spear at the ready. "A rat? Where dammit!" Unable to see the rat he moves closer to the caster using the shelves to conceal himself, while fixing his enemy in his mind.

Round 1:
Move 30' to position on map.
Move: Use Studied Target on Vermund.
Since Masym did not notice the rat, I presume he provokes an AoO :(
.
STATUS: Studied Target => Vermund.

Despite the shelves and books and paraphernalia in the way, Jones still manages to thread an arrow through it all to strike the man hiding in the back. With a startled cry, the sudden pain causes him to lose his concentration on his spell. He curses loudly as its interrupted.

Phoebee ducks into the room, starting a song to inspire her allies and warn of the concealed rodent, but despite that, Masym can't quite spot it. As he moves past, it lashes out with sharp pointy teeth, taking a small chunk out of the man's shoulder. (crit! 4 damage to Masym)

Everyone can now see where it had concealed itself, and is indeed a large evil-looking rat, the size of a small dog, but it's eyes seem to glow an unnatural red color.

-- Round 1 -----------
Vermund (-11)
Jones (-1), Phoebee, Masym (-4), Wei Tchak <---- We are here!
Dire Rat, Swarm
Malusha, Nella

Party Buffs: Inspire Courage (+1 to hit/damage)

Waiting for Wei Tchak!

Ooops... made an error... forgot it was summon natures ally, not summon monster, so I don't get to apply the fiendish template to the rat... so it couldn't smite good! So the crit on Masym only does 2 points (not 4).

Mean rat!

perception re: rat: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Tchak double moves across the room to confront the caster, never spotting the rat. He draws his sword as he crosses the room.

Heh, you didn't need to spot the rat anymore, once it bit at Masym, it was obvious to all =)

Wei Tchak rushes across the room to confront the man in the back of the room, ignoring all the threats along the way.

Unfortunately, not all threats were immediately obvious, nor so willing to ignore him.

As he dodges past the rat, suddenly he is struck a glancing blow across the side, and another combatant, previously invisible hiding behind the bookshelf, suddenly appears. (4 damage to Wei Tchak) The man is holding a warhammer in one hand, and a smaller hammer in the other.

AoO from the invisible attacker

He doesn't chase after Tchak, instead calling out something in skald. He turns his attention back to the rest of you, as he pauses a moment, then ducks out from behind the bookcase, and then back in behind the next one, closing on Masym.

This provokes from Jones (he thought he'd be safe you holding a bow and all!)

He raises his hammer to strike, but before he does, another attacker suddenly appears on Masym's far side, striking from the flank with invisibility as well! He is armed and armored similarly to his friend with hammers and studded leather. But he rushes his swing, and the hammer only glances off of Masym's armor. The first attacker using his ally as a flank, swings as well, but his weapon catches on one of the shelves, and does little more then knock a few books flying! Both men curse their failed opportunity.

(hell... a 1 and a 2? I was invis and flanking and favored enemy! sigh)

The rat chases after Masym as well, having a taste for him now, leaping across to the nearby bookcase and running along the top shelf to bite at the man from above, though can't quite sink his teeth in.

The mass of insects on the floor, sensing the tengu nearby, swarm over Tchak biting and stinging (4 damage to Wei Tchak).

Need two Fortitude Saves from Tchak.
DC 11 Fort save vs Poison (or take 1d2 ⇒ 1 strength damage)
DC 11 Fort save vs Distraction (or are become Nauseated

"They are so hungry." The portly man says, sounding pleased, as the insects cover Wei Tchak. The bugs seem to ignore the man entirely.

-- Round 1 -----------
Vermund (-11)
Jones (-1), Phoebee, Masym (-2), Wei Tchak (-8)
Green Agent, Blue Agent, Dire Rat, Swarm
Malusha, Nella <---- We are here!

Party Buffs: Inspire Courage (+1 to hit/damage)

Clerics can go!

Need two fort saves from Tchak.
Need an OoO from Jones

AoO Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Phoebee's song will apply, so will add the extra point in =)

Malusha hears the battle in the other room break out suddenly. "Nella, we've got to get in there to help!" he says to the cleric standing behind him. He rushes the rest of the way down the stairs and through the doorway. Phoebee and Jones are just inside the doorway but the room is full of enemies. Malusha reaches out and touches Jones. A shimmering, magical field surrounds Jones as Malusha casts a Shield of Faith spell on him.

+2 deflection bonus to AC

Nella is only just able to get down to the bottom of the stairs before she finds herself blocked by most of the rest of the group. Unable to do much more, she flicks her wrist to drop her wand of blessings into her hand. She raises it high and waves it in an arc over the party.
____________

Nella moves and uses her wand of Bless, which should even get Tchak. We'd better get Masym some help and fast ;_;

Both Malusha and Nella finally get down to the doorway, once the way has cleared, to see what's going on. Malusha quickly says a prayer to Sarenrae and puts a defensive ward on Jones, while Nella uses her wand to bless everyone's actions.

The slovenly caster at the back of the room quickly takes a step back, as he fumbles around at his belt until he recovers a large brown feather. He intones a quick command, then tosses the feather into the air. Instantly, it starts to grow and reshape itself, until a huge leather whip is floating just over his head. It lashes out at Wei Tchak, where he is getting swarmed and just misses him, as the bookshelves offer him some cover as well.

-- Round 2 -----------
Vermund (-11), Whip
Jones (-1), Phoebee, Masym (-2), Wei Tchak (-8) <---- We are here!
Green Agent (-8), Blue Agent, Dire Rat, Swarm
Malusha, Nella

Party Buffs: Bless (+1 to hit), Inspire Courage (+1 to hit/damage)

Bold can go!

With a smile Jones uses a move action to gain Power Attack. He'll take a 5' step and strike at Green.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 10

Bless, Inspire, Flank, Power Attack

"Whoever has any Alchemist Fire's from the Goblins, throw them at the swarm!"

What square is the Rat in?

Heh. was expecting a double punch! I'll take a single! =)

The rat is in the square just below the green shadow lodge agent. He's just on the shelf too, so it looks a little tight

Knowing his situation is a precarious one Masym does not hesitate here, striking hard at the Skald warrior who cut off his retreat.

Round 2:
Attack the Green agent.
Shortspear, Bless, Inspire, Flank: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 27
damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5
.
STATUS: Studied Target => Vermund.

Masym would have taken another 2 flask of alchemist fire earlier.

Keeping up her song, the bard moves and attempts to cast a ghost sound near the rat to make it sounds like a huge number of cats are coming down the hall with her ghost sound
DC 13

Malusha has an alchemists fire too. Just need to get close enough to throw it. That's the plan for my next turn.

fort save dc 11: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

ah.. didn't see it was 2 saves... here goes my second one

fort save dc 11: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

dammit

actually, I'll use my folio reroll for that second save

fort save dc 11: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Tchak steps out of the swarm and takes a swing at the summoner...

"You are a very bad fellow and need to be stopped, I'm thinking."

He does his best to stop the summoner, swinging his blade at the fellow.

to hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

of course max dmg with a pathetic to hit roll... sigh

Jones steps in to box in the closest Shadow Lodge agent with Masym and throws a massive punch at the side of the man's head. The blow connects with a meaty thud, and sends him reeling. Masym takes advantage of it by stabbing him with his spear as well, drawing blood.

Phoebee tries to duck around the outside of the bookcases, but doesn't quite make it unscathed, as the other agent manages to take a swipe at her as she dodges by. The hammer hits her just above the right knee, and she comes around the far side limping noticeably from the blow. (AoO, 11 damage to Phoebee)

Undeterred she continues her rousing song, though her throat is starting to get hoarse and she doesn't think she can keep it going much longer. She mutters a few arcane words between bars, conjuring up a series of feline noises in an attempt to distract the dire rat on the shelf. Although its clear the creature hear's them, it does not seem to dissuade it from biting at Masym, though he is able to fend it off yet again.

On the other side of the shelf, the man seriously wounded by Masym and Jones seems to have had enough, as he throws up his hands, letting his weapons drop to the ground. "OK, enough!" He calls, in accented common. "I give! I give!"

His partner, looks on in shock and betrayal, shouting out at him in Skald, before trying to smash Masym's head in with renewed vigor and a pair of hammers. The first blow sends numbing pain through Masym's arm, nearly causing him to lose his grip on the spear, but he recovers in time to dodge the second hammer. (11 damage to Masym)

Meanwhile, on the far side of the room, Wei Tchack bats at the multitude of insects swarming over him and tries to get free of them as he chases after the man hiding behind the bookcase. The tengu manages to get clear for a moment and take a swing with his katana, but before he can do any serious damage, the mass of voracious vermin catches up to him and swarms over him once more, biting and stinging. (4 damage to Wei Tchak)

(once again, need two Fortitude Saves from Tchak.
DC 11 Fort save vs Poison (or take 1d2 ⇒ 2 strength damage)
DC 11 Fort save vs Distraction (or are become Nauseated)

-- Round 2 -----------
Vermund (-11), Whip
Jones (-1), Phoebee (-11), Masym (-13), Wei Tchak (-12, swarmed)
Green Agent (-23, surrendering?), Blue Agent, Dire Rat, Swarm
Malusha, Nella <---- We are here!

Party Buffs: Bless (+1 to hit), Inspire Courage (+1 to hit/damage)

Clerics are up!

Need two fort saves from Wei Tchak.

fort save dc 11: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
fort save dc 11: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

ouch... Tchak is nauseated and strength damaged

As the one surrenders, Jones hollers at Masym, "You've got alchemist's fires? Go help Wei Tchak. I can take care of this last guy."

As Nella reaches into her pouch and pulls out an alchemist's fire, she hears the call of surrender from an unseen foe and then another voice chastising the first angrily. "Jeg vil lytte til din ven! Stå ned og vi vil skåne jeres liv!" she calls out as she pushes past Malusha and Jones in an attempt to get further into the room and help Tchak.

Nella will draw an alchemist's fire and move into the room. Her path takes through Jones' current square so she'll provoke an AoO from Green (if he takes it) and possibly the rat.

Malusha follows behind Nella with the same plan in mind. He pulls out one of his alchemist fires. When he catches up with Nella, [b]"Wow, I didn't know you knew Skald. Somehow it sounds better coming out of your mouth than theirs."

green dropped his weapons, so is currently unarmed... the rat however...

Both Nella and Malusha rush past the closer combat, trying to get in range to help Wei Tchak with the swarm. The large rat on the shelf takes a bite at the priestess as she gets too close, but its attention seems more focused on Masym and she avoids it easily.

The man at the back of the room snarls, as one of his men seems to surrender, but continues to focus on Wei Tchak.

"They are little more then fodder. As will you all be, soon enough!" He cries.

The huge leather whip, floating over his head, lashes out yet again at Wei Tchak, this time with no shelves in the way. The rough leather hide strikes him deeply, before winding around his body, holding him fast! (7 non-lethal damage to Tchak, and you are now grappled and cannot move.

The man then steps back, the whip continuing to stay floating over his head one end still wrapped around the tengu, and he starts casting once more.

-- Round 3 -----------
Vermund (-11, casting), Whip
Jones (-1), Masym (-13), Phoebee (-11), Wei Tchak (-12, -7 non-lethal, poisoned, nauseated, grappled) <---- We are here!
Green Agent (-23, surrendering?), Blue Agent, Dire Rat, Swarm
Malusha, Nella

Party Buffs: Bless (+1 to hit)

Bold can go!

Phoebee is out of Performance rounds, so Inspire wears off on her turn (so only Jones and Masym benefit from it this round)

Wei Tchak can not do much, as he can only take a move action being nausiated, and it takes a standard to escape the grapple. Nor can he move, because of said grapple. So basically just a single (non-moving) move action.

Wei Tchak will also need another fortitude save vs the Poison (DC 11, or lose 1d2 ⇒ 2 more strength)

"Seems like yer boss must really like you guys!" Masym responds as he squeezes past several obstacles and, seeing Wei Tchak in serious trouble, flings his spear at the Skald spellcaster!

Round 3:
Move: Move 30' to position on map. He will go past Green Agent, Jones and Malusha, which provokes from Blue Agent and Dire rat.
Attack: Throw Spear at Vermund. Shortspear Ranged, Bless, Target, Inspire: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 5
.
STATUS: Studied Target => Vermund.

.
fort save dc 11: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Just blue, the rat took a swipe at Nella.
Perhaps not quite the explosive chaos of the last fight, but my guys are putting up a fight!

Tchak will shake the poison in time for the next round of it (grappled in a swarm is not optimal... but at least the DC won't go up =))
You still have a move action if you want to take it (Please say one way or the other).
Not much you can do admittedly, less you intend to pull out a potion or alchemical item or something

Masym pulls out of the melee with the remaining armed agent, but opens himself up to another blow as he does so. (6 damage to Masym)

He quickly ducks around the bookcase, and hurls his spear at the man casting in the back of the room. The spear just barely clears the shelves and strikes true... but he manages to maintain his concentration, and continues droning on.

Wei Tchak shakes off the poison coursing through his system, but flails helplessly in the grip of the magical whip with thousands of insects swarming over him.

-- Round 3 -----------
Vermund (-16, casting), Whip
Jones (-1), Masym (-19), Phoebee (-11), Wei Tchak (-12, -7 non-lethal, nauseated, grappled) <---- We are here!
Green Agent (-23, surrendering?), Blue Agent, Dire Rat, Swarm
Malusha, Nella

Party Buffs: Bless (+1 to hit), Inspire still up on Jones

Bold can go! (Tchak just a move action)

Jones lets Masym by and then picks up Green's Weapon and speaks to him in Skald.

Jones then drops the weapon in between Malusha and himself then looses an arrow at Blue.

With Green on the ground and not threatening he shouldn't provide cover, correct?

Comp Longbow: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 2 = 23
Damage: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 = 7

Tchak could pull out something to use, but what's the point, using the items would be a standard action he can't take.

If I leave the square I am at right now does the guy get an AoO?

Phoebee: No, you have cover from the shelves.

Ok

So is Phoebee going to do something? =)

Oh, and Jones: You rolled a d20 for damage!