GM BPC's Deepmarket Deception PbP (Inactive)

Game Master Black Powder Chocobo

"Thank you."

Little Nira begins to approach the bats and shadow dancing. The shadows quickly turn into a face of disgusted horror as the party seemingly does nothing to the doll. The bats begin to take into distinct groups and approach the party as a black tarp on a market stall takes to the skies above Bats are 10' above ground, so strikable from below with melee weapons; the 'tarp' is 20' in the air.

Init Order (bold = up)
Aspex
Benson
Bats (blue)
Bats (red)
'Tarp'
Marduk
Bats (yellow)
Gob
Wyeth
Hakime
Nira

Note to self, buy some flasks if i live through this...i lack means to combat swarms.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Benson draws his dueling sword as he moves to keep pace with Nira. "I don't think this is going to do much good if those bats swarm all over us, so I hope one of you arcane types can do something more effective."

He is ready to attack the first thing that comes into reach as well as make attacks of opportunity.

@Marduk: Your Pathfinder training will tell you that sources of fire can be used against swarms, and there are several large torches surrounding the market area; just a move action to dislodge one! See the CRB for fighting with a torch, but it's something. Also allows you to aid, too, besides doing some light damage. Lastly, I'd allow you to use your elemental fist damage against the swarms. While your wide punches won't hurt the bats, the fire/cold/etc. can cause some harm :) Still gotta make an attack roll against them, but I'd allow that!

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 No dungeoneering so I take it Wyeth sees the cloak thing but doesn't know what it is.
Kn: Nature: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Wyeth quickly shucks out of his pack and, after grabbing a flask for his own use, slings the bag to land near Benson. "I'm not an 'arcane type' but there's ammunition in my pack. Have at it, just don't throw the ale, alright?"

"'Ware the bats!" he calls out to everyone. "They make nasty bites that don't stop bleeding!"

Potentially useful munitions you'll find in Wyeth's pack:

5 Acid Flask
4 Alchemist's Fire (five, minus one kept by Wyeth)
5 Alchemist's Ice
2 Alkali Flask
5 Holy Water
5 Oil Flask
10 Vermin Repellent (if the bats count as "vermin"...)

I'll mark the pack on the map. Anyone who wants supplies can use it. It won't be there until after Wyeth's initiative, of course.

@Wyeth: That is correct!

@Wyeth: Technically they aren't... but in this case, I'll allow it :)

Huh, so one annoying thing... alchemical weapons will have limited use against the bats since you need something to smash against to have the weapon cause harm and you'd otherwise be throwing your vials through the swarm, unless there's a wall or some other object adjacent to the bats that isn't just on the ground. So stall or building is acceptable, but a rug would not :)

Wyeth is starting to drop his pack move action on your turn, while Benson draws his sword, ready to swing it as best he can against the pests. Aspex holds her ground, delaying as she calculate a plan.

The bats swarm over Benson and Nira while another approaches Hakime and Wyeth! Benson swings at the bats, but there are too many for his blade to make significant use against them!

Swarm damage @ Benson/Nira: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Nira seems unharmed, although Benson takes a few bites that start seeping blood down his shirt.

The 'tarp' then moves closer, making an unnerving moaning sound that rocks the party to their core!

Aspex Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Benson: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Gob: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Hakime: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27
Marduk: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Wyeth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Aspex, Benson, and Marduk are all unnerved by the moaning sound!

Unnerved effect: -2 to all attack and damage rolls!

Init Order Round 1 (bold = up)
Aspex (unnerved)
Benson (2 damage, bleed 1, unnerved)
Bats (blue)
Bats (red)
'Tarp'
Marduk (unnerved)
Bats (yellow)
Gob
Wyeth
Hakime
Nira

reminder that while diminutive swarms like this are immune to weapon damage, elemental damage is just fine; just that alchemical weapons may be harder to use against this kind of swarm :)

Is it safe to assume a flask can be smashed against the ground, the NW square of blue swarm?

If yes, Marduk retrieves a flask of fire from Wyeth's pack and tosses it.

Rt: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19Fire dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 3 4 if direct hit.

Any splash dmg to top the cake?

@Marduk: I'm ruling no; as I stated, you need an object standing upright and tall to damage the flying bats with an alchemical weapon, so throwing at the ground won't do anything to them. The SW of blue corner adjacent to the round tent or the eastern side against the corner of the guesthouse are fair game though. Because of people in the way, Blue will be harder to hit aiming for either of those objects. Otherwise, the red swarm to the south is fair game aiming for the SE corner of the bats against the stall tent. Your call on which one you want to target.

Tossing at red then, but not taking a 5ft step SW, just W, then throw it.

Gotcha, alright :)

Marduk narrowly missing hitting the vial against the corner of the stall... Darn unnerve effect and range!
Miss direction, 1 = S: 1d8 ⇒ 8
A couple of bats and Benson are hit with a splash of fire!

Stall Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 2
The canvas on the stall begins to burn...

Init Order Round 1 (bold = up)
Unnerved: -2 to attack and damage rolls
Benson (3 damage, bleed 1, unnerved)
Bats (blue)
Bats (red, 1 damage)
'Tarp'
Marduk (unnerved)
Bats (yellow)
Gob
Aspex (unnerved)
Wyeth
Hakime
Nira

I made the attack 1 too little, would my BaB of 3 made difference, opposed to mistakingly rolling with BaB of 2?

"Where did that thing come from." Gob says as he points out the tarp. "Well lets see if it likes lightning" He adds before stepping forward and sending a bolt of lightning through it and a swarm bats.

Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 3, 6, 5) = 18

Since this is a AoE line does it do the 1.5 damage to swarms?

Hakime fires a pair of arrows at the 'tarp'.

to hit: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 1 = 18
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

to hit: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 = 19
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 1 = 11

@Marduk: Actually, yes! Benson's 1 fire damage will be negated, although the -2 to bat damage still stands; I'll round it out to 2 overall instead of 1.

@Gob: Yup! Sounds fair to me :) Not even going to roll for the bats..

'tarp' reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Gob's lightning flashes the sky, nearly blinding the 'normal sighted' party members as the few bats that remain in that swarm disperse and the 'tarp' is electrified. Hakime fires a pair of arrows, but only the second one lands, a black blood dripping from the wound.

Init Order Round 1 (bold = up)
Unnerved: -2 to attack and damage rolls
Benson (2 damage, bleed 1, unnerved)
Bats (blue)
Bats (red, 2 damage)
'Tarp' (18 damage)
Marduk (unnerved)
Gob
Aspex (unnerved)
Wyeth
Hakime
Nira

"Let's add a little divine to the arcane!" Wyeth cries just before raising his arms and chanting.

Casting Bane, DC 13. -1 to attacks and saves for all enemies within a 50' radius for four minutes.

Delaying Aspex again.

Aspex is surprisingly quiet while Wyeth tries to bane villains. Unfortunately, since the swarms don't attack normally, it won't do much for them.

Tarp Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Bats Blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Bats Red: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

The bats seem to be afflicted, although the tarp shows no signs of being baned.

Little Nira then steps back and her hands then drop down, releasing a blistering shower of wooden needles at the bats!

Splinterspray damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 5) = 8
Bats red Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

The bats scatter after many of them are felled by the wooden shards!

Init Order Round 2 (bold = up)
Unnerved: -2 to attack and damage rolls
Benson (2 damage, bleed 1, unnerved)
Bats (blue)
'Tarp' (18 damage)
Marduk (unnerved)
Gob
Aspex (unnerved)
Wyeth
Hakime
Nira

Assuming the 'tarp' is close enough to the ground to attack it. If it isn't, consider the attack to be a readied attack to be used when it comes into range.

Benson nods gratefully at little 'Nira for dispersing the bats. He considers trying to bind up his bleeding wound but figures it won't kill him for a while and meanwhile he can try to contribute to the fight with his dueling sword.

He's using the sword one-handed, which means his buckler adds to his AC, which will make it AC 19.

+1 dueling sword (1-handed), unnerved: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 2 = 26
+1 dueling sword (1-handed), unnerved, confirm critical threat: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 - 2 = 24
damage, unnerved: 1d8 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 - 2 = 4
damage, unnerved, critical: 1d8 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 - 2 = 8

The years of katas and practice duels show as he executes perfect form when he reaches the flying 'tarp.' "Hey! Azathoth! The Shadow Plane sent a message. They miss you. There are shadow children who need something hiding under their beds to frighten them into being good little shadows."

Kn:Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 Is it fair to assume she doesn't need the Perception check to ID the 'tarp' now that it's attacking? If so, she'll share the spoilered Kn:Dungeoneering info above.

Aspex starts pulling out a scroll, moving to get around Hakime and take a shot at the swarm.

Pulls out Burning Hands scroll, moves.

@Benson: It's 15' above ground, so noting the readied action!

@Aspex: Yes!

More update later :)

The remaining bats move over Hakimne and Wyeth, both being bitten multiple times!

Hakime bat damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Hakime Will vs distraction: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Wyeth bat damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Wyeth Will vs distraction: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Both only take minimal damage and remain steadfast in defeating the flying rodents even as blood begins seeping from the bite wounds.

Benson continues to secrete blood from his bite marks.

The tarp, now called a cloaker by Aspex, flaps its form and takes to the sky, heading southwest.

Only the single bat swarm seems to remain in combat!

Init Order Round 2 (bold = up)
Unnerved: -2 to attack and damage rolls
Benson (3 damage, bleed 1, unnerved)
Bats (blue)
'Tarp' (18 damage, 30' in air)
Marduk (unnerved)
Gob
Aspex (unnerved)
Wyeth (1 damage, bleed 1)
Hakime (2 damage, bleed 1)
Nira

Gob moves back a few paces and fires another lightning bolt.

DC 18 reflex for half: 5d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 5, 1) = 12

Bat reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

And the remaining bats are fried!

Sheriff Molune heads to the party as Nira simply tugs on Marduk's gi. "Murder!", she says, pointing to the tarp that is flying away.

"What... what is that?", Molune surprised by Nira's presence, but then shaking his head. "Well, that can wait; right now. First, I need to get everyone calmed down and settled at home. I'll come by the guesthouse in half an hour." The some of the remaining townsfolk first murmur whispers about the party, but priestess Zuri can be heard talking them down and praising the party for defeating the vampire's attack.

Heading to the guesthouse or doing something else?

What would be the appropriate knowledge roll to see if this defoliant we took from the priestess may be a cure for the ailment Gir saw.

I'd say Craft: Alchemy or a Heal check actually :) Otherwise a straight Intelligence check would work, too.

Int check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Gob ponders something for a moment then shakes his head. That would be a very bad idea. "Well shall we try and follow it or hang around here some more?"

Nira tugging Marduk's outfit, he looks down.

2 shurikens are not worth mch...

"What is it little one?", he follows the sight of the fleeing tarp.
Marduk tosses two shurikens at the fleeing tarp...just because.

Shuriken flurry: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 241d2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Shuriken flurry: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 271d2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Marduk throws the pair of shurikens but it is too far away to be hit.

Darn 5 range increment limit!

Gob casts haste on the group. "Well lets go see where it's going." Gob says as he takes off after the cloaker.

2 for following, anyone else?

Hakime is all for following the cloaker...

At Gob's suggestion, Benson sheaths his dueling sword and draws his elven curve blade and stands ready to give chase once the haste is applied.

Sorry for going quiet, Easter threw me an unexpected curve-ball. Can we, in fact, follow the cloaker?" I thought it was headed skyward.

Cr:Alchemy DC 15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Wyeth chuckles as he moves to retrieve his pack. "I'm not built for speed," he says as he clangs the shaft of his fauchard against his metal leg. Looking at Nira he says, "I'm afraid I'm not built for comfort either, but I can stay with you, little one. Just in case. Or if you want to go with, I can carry you."

You can, but you'd be following it a good distance since its flying speed will be greater than even a hasted party can handle (mostly due to the fact is has a fair head start and haste just won't last long enough to make up its overall superior speed.

Looks like the party is unwilling to wait!

Not wanting to lose the cloaker while they have a sense of where it is heading, the party immediately moves out. Before Hakime can progress, though, little Nira tugs on her robe. "Murder!"

Got another Haste if we need it as it's my transmog slot.

"Come with us, dear one.. Perhaps you'd like Wyeth to carry you so you can keep up? If not, hop up on my pack and hang on, and I will carry you." 14 str and she's not carrying a lot of gear, and no armor, so unless Nira ways a LOT, Hakime should be fine

She takes a single parting shot at the cloaker while NIra makes her decision...

to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Then moves out at double speed (from haste?) 60' move. (or 30' move if no haste).

Sense Motive DC 13: 1d20 ⇒ 10

"Better go with Hakime, Nira; I'm slow."

Sigh. If everyone's going to chase after the thing I suppose Wyeth will too, but at 40' he's going to fall behind quickly! If anyone's hanging back, he'll stay with them.

ack... i"m going braindead... ways=weighs in my last post

"We do have horses, but perhaps we would be better served to wait for it to return another night? There are still many riddles to solve."

Sorry guys, I'll start the cloaker chase tomorrow; the Paizo downtime messed with my posting preparation. Biggest question is Gob: will you use both hastes? If you do that, you can get close enough to get a couple rounds of ranged attacks.

"You think that thing's a regular visitor here?" Wyeth asks Benson. "And how do the bats figure in, you suppose?"

Sounds good to me, double haste and some magic missles. Just let me know how many shots I get.

Sorry for the delay; busy day at work. Tomorrow!

Alright, I did the math and using both hastes, the party will get 3 rounds of visibility of the cloaker at about 100' away from it. I'll take 3 standard actions from each person; if you have to use a full round action that will reduce the number of action rounds you get by 1; ie 3 standard action, or 1 full round and 1 standard. And for the sake of balance, I'll include Wyeth in this, too (perhaps he grabbed a horse who was hasted or something else like that :)

Declaring perfect strike for first attack:

to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

darnit!

normal attacks:

to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

sigh... only one potential hit... at least it was max damage... hope someone else can hurt it too

A smile creeps onto Benson's ruggedly handsome face as he enjoys the thrill of the chase.

Composite (+2 Str) Longbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Composite (+2 Str) Longbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Composite (+2 Str) Longbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Shuriken: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 231d2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Shuriken: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 91d2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Shuriken: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 171d2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

@Marduk: Shurikens have a very poor range, so you'd have to use an extra turn just trying to catch up, but with your superior speed, I'd let you have 2 attacks; incidentally, only the first mattered anyway.

As the party gives chase, they harry the cloaker with arrows and steel; from all of Marduk's, Benson's, and Hakime's attacks, each one lands a hit.

Total of 34 damage to the cloaker so far!

GM, it's iroran enthusiasm......Marduk's got to work on that for two. ;)