Gob Master of Greed |
"That is unfortunate, I guess we'll have to try and speak to one on our own." Gob looks at the rest of the group, "I wouldn't mind resting here for the night and changing out a spell or two. That and do you really expect the guy in a two hundred gold suit to sleep in the jungle."
GM BPC |
One vote for rest overnight. Anyone else for staying the night or heading out immediately?
Hakime |
"Resting for the night is fine with me, but not necessary... I am good either way."
Wyeth Riceak |
"I'm fine either way as well. But you'd best get used to the idea of camping in the field, Mister 200GP Suit," he says to Gob with a grin. "I doubt there are many inns or wayhouses where we're going."
Turning to the Praetor -- and turning serious -- he observes, " 'Must have had,' you said. Words of speculation. I agree the timing's suspicious, but we don't really know this was Sharrowsmith's doing, now do we. It's probably wise to assume that's the case, but..." he casts a glance over his shoulder at the now-closed door. "I've had enough dealings with the Aspis Consortium to know they're not above twisting the truth. Or causing trouble and blaming it on others to achieve their ends."
"It'd only take one of them knowing the Venture-Captain was here, after all."
Shasta Lux |
"I can wait until morning to depart if it means our spell arsenal is the best it can be. We can plan our expedition and check our supplies."
She turns to Sylien and asks, "Where is Mt. Nakyuk with respect to this Gold Crown Mine? We have reason to believe he would be trying to get to that mountain to look for an ancient ruin."
I couldn't find anything to indicate any of us rolled knowledge rolls regarding the text of the rubbing we were given, which mentioned a place called Ashkurhall on Mt. Nakyuk. It would be nice if we could get some sense of what that's about. If none of us knows, we could ask the Praetor, but probably better we not mention it to anyone else since it might inspire Aspis mischief.
Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
GM BPC |
Looks like party waiting overnight! Feel free to change your spells Gob. More info later.
Wyeth Riceak |
Out of the blue, Wyeth smacks Marduk, then blinks.
"I have no idea why I just did that."
-Posted with Wayfinder
GM BPC |
"Mount Nakyuk is the highest point of the Bandu Hills; the Gold Crown mine is at the base of the formation.", the praetor answering Shasta's geographical question.
"Since you aren't native to this area, I would suggest traveling as light as possible; the fact that no one here wears heavy armor is already a fair sign. The evenings are bearable, but the daytime temperatures can be deadly to the unprepared."
Gob Master of Greed |
If we haven't slept yet.
"Wyeth makes an interesting point that I had not considered. If the Aspis are involved then it would be in our best interest to head out immediately, before they have a chance to further entrench themselves."
GM BPC |
You would have slept beforehand; perhaps a bit earlier than you would have preferred Mr. 300 GP suit, but rested enough.
GM BPC |
The praetor nods in agreement. "I must admit that some of the rumors about the Consortium are not appetizing, but they do hold to their contracts and have the resources in this area to protect my people. But if you can quell the violence in this area, then you'll be doing more than saving Fort Bandu its coin."
Shasta Lux |
By the way, after the Aspis consortium rep leaves, Shasta will make a gift of the bottle of mead she bought earlier and she invites the Praetor to hear her play at the tavern in the evening.
Shasta will use the evening as an opportunity to perform for the locals and after winning some good will with her performance, doing some gathering of information to see if she can identify any Aspis informants or operatives working in the area during the time Sharrowsmith was active in the area.
Perform(strings), MWK Violin: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 13 + 2 = 35
She's in very rare form, apparently.
Perform(comedy): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
Time required: 1d4 ⇒ 1 hours
GM BPC |
Gob wanted to change up his spells. Beyond that, it's up to the party (most are indifferent either way).
Last voting on this. Taking the majority vote and will push forward with the most popular, or with resting overnight if there is a tie.
Rest overnight: Gob
Leave immediately:
Indifferent: Hakime, Wyeth, Marduk, Shasta (mostly)
Not voted: Zadim
Gob Master of Greed |
Changing to moving out now after Wyeth brought up the possible Aspis involvement. I was only thinking of changing out a magic missle spell which is redundant given the staff I bought, but not really a big deal."
Hakime |
well then let's get on the road, we're burning daylight
Shasta Lux |
Shasta's fine with getting started right away. But you will all miss the concert of the decade.
GM BPC |
Bah, will do the full update tomorrow, however, I can provide this.
The party gathers their belongings and make way into the jungle, following the directions provided by Praetor Sylien. The heat is almost unbearable immediately and only gets worse as the party makes progress.
I'll need three Fort saves from each PC. I'll roll 'em for you if they aren't posted by tomorrow morning. The checks are due to heat exhaustion and any items/spells that grant a bonus or immunity to such effects can be applied before any checks are made.
Wyeth Riceak |
Wyeth has, and is wearing, a Hot Weather Outfit (purchased for Rescue at Azlant Ridge), so a +2 untyped Fortitude bonus).
Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6
Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 2 = 11
Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 2 = 15
Oh yeah, that extra +2 made all the difference! :op
Hakime |
Hakime uses her wand of endure elements on herself and on anyone else who needs it before venturing into the heat.. including on Wyeth. Let me know how many charges I need to mark off.
Shasta Lux |
Shasta will gladly accept the Endure Elements benefit. She'll also reimburse Hakime for the charges used.
Wyeth Riceak |
Ditto to all comments. Thank you!
-Posted with Wayfinder
GM BPC |
Gob, not wanting to stain his 457gp suit, casts a spell when the heat becomes nearly unbearable while Hakime covers herself and the rest of the party with her wand.
Success!
Gob Percep: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Hakime Percep: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Marduk: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Shasta: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Wyeth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Zadim: 1d20 ⇒ 2
The party makes their way through the troubling heat and by near nightfall, the party is almost at the location of the Gold Crown mining site.
Only Gob can smell the stench of death and decay that clings to the air in the gorge of hexagonal basalt columns. The floor of the gorge is a patchwork of scrub grass and leafless vegetation flattened by frequent traffic. Wooden scaffolding, mining equipment, and trampled tents lie abandoned across the camp. Corpses of laborers rent limb from limb lay amidst the camps wreckage, and dried blood darkens the rocks. Several banners depicting a golden crown adorn the scaffolding.
Before the party can inspect the bodies or investigate the damage, the sounds of two beasts snarling on a meal is heard. The party slowly approaches and sees a pair of human-like forms gorging the flanks of slain dwarf.
Sniffing, they sense the party's arrival and howl out.
F1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
F2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Gob: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Hakime: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Marduk: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Shasta: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Wyeth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Zadim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Init Order: Round 1 (bold = up)
Marduk
??? Red
Gob
Zadim
Wyeth
??? Blue
Hakime
[spoiler=DC 13 Kn: Religion]
These are festrogs, ghoul-like undead that are covered in pustules and attack with wicked claws and sharp teeth. They have a strange habit of attacking on all fours, much like a wolf, before mauling a creature. Piercing or cutting the pustules can cause sickening pus to spray everywhere.
These are exceptionally advanced festrogs. Besides the info described above, you recall that festrogs can trip like a wolf when they charge. Finally, they immediately support their forms when they eat flesh, including successful bite attacks.
Map updated!
Gob Master of Greed |
Know Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Gob can't quite figure out what these things are.
Perhaps I get a bonus as I was expecting to find these things out here from previous knowledge check?
GM BPC |
Bah, there are supposed to two levels of knowledge check and I botched it. And I'll give you the first one.
These are festrogs, ghoul-like undead that are covered in pustules and attack with wicked claws and sharp teeth. They have a strange habit of attacking on all fours, much like a wolf, before mauling a creature. Piercing or cutting the pustules can cause sickening pus to spray everywhere.
If you roll higher than 18; you can open both.
GM BPC |
Double bah: The initative order wasn't shown, either.
Init Order: Round 1 (bold = up)
Marduk
??? Red
Gob
Zadim
Wyeth
??? Blue
Hakime
GM BPC |
Marduk takes a defensive stance with his blade; then one of the creatures moves up and bites at Zadim.
Red bite @ FF Zadim: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage on hit: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
A large chunk of Zadim's leg is ripped out, the undead gulping it down.
Init Order: Round 1 (bold = up)
Marduk
??? Red (Feed HP 5)
Gob
Zadim (10 damage)
Wyeth
??? Blue
Hakime
Amidst the sounds of combat, some shouting is heard from a storage shed about 50 ft away. "HEEEELP! HEEEEELP!", can be heard, muffled from the closed door.
The shed is off map
Shasta Lux |
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Could Shasta say anything about what she knows about these things before the initiative order kicks in? If so, see the spoiler:
Also, where is Shasta in the initiative order?
GM BPC |
@Shasta: In this case, yes, since you got to observe the creatures for a few seconds before the attack. And darn it, you were supposed to be second. I triple botched it; you are second (before Red and after Marduk). Think I may be done with this thread for the day.
Init Order: Round 1 (bold = up)
Marduk
Shasta
??? Red (Feed HP 5)
Gob
Zadim (10 damage)
Wyeth
??? Blue
Hakime
Wyeth Riceak |
"What the devils!" exclaims Wyeth as one of the... things rushes the group. For whatever reason it chooses to attack Zadim instead of the adjacent half-elf. Wyeth cringes as the abomination tears into the slayer, and he immediately reaches out with a healing touch...
Cure Light Wounds=>Zadim: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 Hoo, perfection!
... before moving into a position from which he can better attack. (5' Step.)
Shasta Lux |
Just before the creatures begin their rush at the party, Shasta calls out, "Festrogs! Undead, like Ghouls. Hit them with blunt weapons."
Then as Marduk takes a defensive position, she says, "Buck-up boys. At least we're not looking at the ugly mugs of Aspis Consortium goons!"
Inspire courage using Perform (Comedy): An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
For her move action, she draws her wand of CLW from her wrist sheath and holds it in her off-hand.
Zadim Al-Shams |
Since we got time to observe them he'll use Studied Target on the thing that bit him. He'll take a 5' step.
He curses at the thing in Kelish as he slashes with his kukris and shifts to make room for others to attack. "I don't have any blunt weapons. These will just have to do!"
Kukri 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
K2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Damage K1: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Damage K2: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Shasta Lux |
"I hope you're wearing a lobster bib!"
GM BPC |
Wyeth heals Zadim's wounds as Shasta inspires the party with her rousing jab at the Consortium.
Zadim counter attacks, the first slice missing, but the second cutting the beast. Zadim, don't forget that your first kukri has a higher damage modifier; the second one is reduced due to the lack of the Double Slice feat
However, the slice cuts open one of the pustules and diseased fluids shoot all over the knifeman.
Zadim Fort vs DC 13: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
The slayer seems unfazed by the act, if not a little surprised.
Init Order: Round 1 (bold = up)
Marduk
Shasta
??? Red (1 damage)
Gob
Zadim (10 damage)
Wyeth
??? Blue
Hakime
Giving Gob until noon MST, then botting him and continuing.
Gob Master of Greed |
Gob senses a chance to use his new staff. He points it at the creature that bite Zadim and fires two snake like missiles, one black the other white, which seek out and slam into the target.
magic missle: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 2 = 5
GM BPC |
Gob's bolts blast into the festrog, causing moderate damage, but not felling the beast.
The other one darts forward on all fours with rapid speed, also trying to bite at Zadim's leg!
Blue charge @ Zadim: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13
Damage on hit: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Trip on hit: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 4 = 11
Luckily Zadim, prepared for another leg injury, dodges the strike.
Hakime fires a single shot at the closer festrog.
Hakime arrow @ Red: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
However, her arrow goes wide.
Init Order: Round 2 (bold = up)
Marduk
Shasta
Red Festrog (6 damage)
Gob
Zadim
Wyeth
Blue Festrog (charged)
Hakime
Marduk the Pale |
"Are you an animal person? They seem to like you."
Marduk flurries kicks.
Boot to the head: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7Bump: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Boot to the head #2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24Bump: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5