GM Batpony's PBP [Special] Race for the Runecarved Key (Inactive)

Game Master Batpony

The wolf runs into the room, going after the nearest rat:

Bite: 1d20 + 19 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 19 + 1 + 1 = 24 for DMG: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (3, 4) + 11 = 18
Trip if hit but not killed: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21

All right, I've moved my token and the attack will target the rat below me.

AC is currently 40/26/25.

Acrobatics, Daredevil Boots: 1d20 + 20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 20 + 5 = 32

Ursus barrels through the stacks of crates and lunges for the nearest wererat.

Not sure what kind of checks I need to move through those spaces. I provoke from the rats.

Grapple: 1d20 + 38 ⇒ (17) + 38 = 55

Ursus, I'll accept a bull rush or acrobatics check to barrel through the crates..

Upon sight of the infestation, Daxter and Dove bring their blessings on to the Pahtfinders to enable them to deliver swift punishment to the foul crime being committed!

Bishop, Timber, and Valrar start to clear the way, attempting to remove as many rats as possible. Rats drop like flies in the heat, but there are still so many!

All attacks hit.

Ursus is a little bit more daring, and forces himself all the way through to meet the were-rats. Nothing seems to be able to stop in his path as he choke holds on to the enemy.

AoO Rat: 1d20 ⇒ 5

~~~
Combat Round 1
Status: Bless, Haste

Rathen, Ursus(Grapper) Dove
Daxter, Valrar, Bishop
Rats, Wererats G -43 R(Grappled)

Rathen sprints forward, dodging around the rats to face one of the werewats.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (9) + 27 = 36

Once positioned, he stabs at it with Slasher
Attack w/+2 Adamantine Gladius vs Wererat (Blue): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (11) + 22 = 33
Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Sneak Attack: 6d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 1, 2, 2) = 14

With space opening up, Rathen is able to move in and around fluidly, doing a triple backflip, to meet one of the Vaor sisters with his blade the Slasher! Shocked in awe, the wererat is unable to dodge the blade and is wounded with a clean cut across the chest. However, the damage doesn't do as much as Rathen would hope. DR10/???

Rats from all over the corner of the warehouse come falling to meet the intruders. They attempt to swarm the Pathfinder with numbers, but they are unable to break the well armoured teamed.

Rats vs Valrar: 3d20 ⇒ (12, 10, 4) = 26
Rats vs Timber: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Rats vs Rathen: 4d20 ⇒ (6, 14, 19, 14) = 53
Rats vs Ursus: 3d20 ⇒ (7, 15, 7) = 29

The wererat under Ursus's hold attempts to break herself free. However realises then that the hold is far too strong for her to overcome.
Escape Artist: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

The wererat with the red eyes calls out to her helpless sister, and attempts to help her out. Soon a flaming sphere appears right on top of Ursus.

Fire damage?: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 2) = 9 DC17 to negate

Eyeing the very large wolf, the wererat with the green hood attempts to use this to her advantage! "You will obey!" She screams as her eyes glow a deep green attempting to control the creature before going into hiding after taking a heavy injury.
Dominate animal DC18 to negate

No where left to turn, the blue hair wererat forces herself into melee combat drawing on her scimitar. But is clearly no matched in the art of combat compared to Rathen as he easily deflects every attack that comes in his direction.

+1 Scimitar: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21S/P: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
bite: 1d20 ⇒ 1B/P/S: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

~~~
Combat Round 2
Status: Bless, Haste

Rathen, Ursus(Grappler) Dove
Daxter, Valrar, Bishop
Rats, Wererats G -43 R(Grappled) B-17

I'll delay. No need to spend anymore spell slots here.

Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 Timber's eyes gloss over as he loses control...

Bishop grows furious at the intrusion. He rushes into the room and quickly starts shooting his way to the wererats

Attack regular rat: 1d20 + 27 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 27 + 1 + 1 = 42 for DMG: 1d8 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 17 = 19

I'm done helping with this massacre The Dove says.

Delay for rest of combat unless stuff is really going bad

"Hey! Hey! All the rats I'm mowing down will wake up in a few hours with wicked aches and nothing more."

Marked the rats with arrows corresponding to my attacks. If any rats fall (but preferably 2 if it does), I'll step into their square for attack number 4.

Also, my minimum damage is 27. In the future, should I even bother rolling damage against the normal rats?

Attack, Bless, Haste, Nonlethal: 1d20 + 26 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 26 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 44
Confirmation: 1d20 + 30 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 30 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 30
Damage, Precision (Nonlethal): 1d4 + 13 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 13 = 27
Extra Damage: 1d4 + 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (4) + (2) + 13 = 19 + 2 cha + stagger

Iterative: 1d20 + 21 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 21 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 27
Damage (Nonlethal): 1d4 + 13 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 + 13 = 30

Iterative: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 16 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 25
Damage (Nonlethal): 1d4 + 13 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 13 = 27

Haste Iterative: 1d20 + 26 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 26 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 28
Damage (Nonlethal): 1d4 + 13 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 + 13 = 30

They are regular dire rats with 5hp, so unless you roll a 1 for attack, they will have died.

More rats continue to die in what could be seen as a massacre of rats. Although Valrar attempts to control his strength, they are still dead at the end of the day.

~~~
Combat Round 2
Status: Bless, Haste

Rathen, Ursus(Grappler) Dove (Delay)
Daxter (Delay), Valrar, Bishop
Rats, Wererats G -43 R(Grappled) B-17

I'll give it another 12 hours then i'll delay Rathen and Ursus as well..

Ursus squeezes the wererat in his grasp.

Grapple to pin: 1d20 + 38 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 38 + 5 = 60

Grapple for damage: 1d20 + 38 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 38 + 5 = 51
Damage: 1d8 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21

Rathen continues to put his blades to work, but with an undistracted foe knows he's not going to have much impact.

"We really didn't want to fight. I know it doesn't seem that way, but it's true," he says mid-swing.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26
Damage 1: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Attack 2: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
Damage 2: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Attack 3: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 37
Damage 3: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Attack 4: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22
Damage 4: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Attack (Haste): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22
Damage (Haste): 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Attack 3 Crit Threat: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 37
Damage 3 Crit Threat: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

I'm uncertain of this, but I don't think having the grappled status denies reflex saves, if only just the dex penalty.

Ursus Reflex, Grappler: 1d20 + 18 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 18 - 2 = 30

Oddly, Ursus is able to avoid the fire nearby him while maintaining a strong hold on the wererat. To a point that he further his hold by pinning her down to the ground.

Rathen, I assume you are still using Slasher which doesn't bypass the DR?

Rathen continues his assault on the inhabitant. Although every attack expertly connects to the creature, he finds his weapon doing very little in terms of hurting the were-rat.

The swarm of rats attempt to further hinder pathfinders, but their waning numbers speak for themselves. The Pathfinders brush them off like flies as they are unable to make any sort of impact or threat to the group. If anything, all they are are nuisance.

Rats vs Valrar: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Rats vs Bishop: 2d20 ⇒ (14, 6) = 20
Rats vs Ursus: 3d20 ⇒ (2, 1, 14) = 17
Rats vs Rathen: 5d20 ⇒ (16, 16, 16, 14, 15) = 77

Realising her losing prospects, in a last ditch for survival, the were-rat attempts to focus her energies into casting a spell in hopes it would save her. However the pain of the hold comes over her and nothing materializes from her false hope.
Impossible to pass concentration check...

The flaming sphere still continues to burn brightly above Ursus in attempt to hurt the strong handsome being.
Again, reflex DC17 or 3d6 fire dmg

Realising she has control over the wolf! The green eyed were-rat commands it to attack the nearest pathfinder in hopes that it will protect the horde of rats. To an unfortunate coincide, Timber lashes out at her companion Bishop! Perhaps with mental determination, the wolf is able to somewhat struggle against the command and bites nearby, but into thin air.

Bite: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (4) + 19 = 23B/P/S: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (2, 5) + 11 = 18
Trip: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20

Then, both the backline were-rats look at each other with much concern that the fight isn't going in their direction and start chanting!

~~~
Combat Round 3
Status: Bless, Haste

Rathen, Ursus(Grappler) Dove
Daxter , Valrar, Bishop , Timber (Dominated x6)
Rats, Wererats G -43(casting) R -26 (Pinned) B-28 R(casting)

Bishop has the snapshot feat, so he'd take an AoO against the rat with the red dot. Per DM, not rolling damage (min is 18) AoO: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (14) + 27 = 41

The ranger then tears through the remaining rats which he can reach easily All marked with green dots. Rapid shot + Haste

ATKS: 5d20 ⇒ (13, 10, 13, 10, 2) = 48

In a fit of rage, Bishop drops dead more rats than anyone could count. It is sight so magnificent, but perhaps worrying to some.

I seemed to have forgotten Blue's attack roll.

The wererat engaged with Rathen continues to fight the good fight, but clearly lacks the fighting skills needed to match Rathen's capability.

+1 Scimitar: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 S/P: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
bite: 1d20 ⇒ 16B/P/S: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Bad dog!
The Dove casts Dispel Magic on Wolfie.

dispel: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Also forgot that the grapple damage is subjected to DR, adjusted below.

The Dove intervenes in a timely manner, releasing Timber from the domination of the wererat!

That was the exact DC needed!

Combat Round 3
Status: Bless, Haste

Rathen, Ursus(Grappler), Dove
Daxter , Valrar, Bishop , Timber
Rats, Wererats G -43(casting) R -16 (Pinned) B-28 R(casting)

Yes, only +2 and adamantine so DR applies.

Rathen switches tactics, instead tumbling away to strike at a spell casting wererat. He makes it count by activating some magic within the weapon Activate Sneaky property on the weapon
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (10) + 25 = 35

Attack w/Slasher vs Green: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 = 38
Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Sneak Attack: 6d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 1, 4, 3, 6) = 21

Noting his talents could be better used on an enemy capable of affecting the party, Valrar dives over the few rats he has left alive and sets his sights on the big ones. But one of the weaklings remains in his way, so he dispatches it.

Acrobatics to avoid AoOs: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (2) + 20 = 22

Valrar ends a rat?: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Yes, yes he does. Removed the one formerly to Red's left.

Thanks to the Dove, Timber is free to continue attacking. His wolf mind immediately opts for the closest enemy. Blue Wererat

Bite: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 19 + 1 = 30 for DMG: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (6, 2) + 11 = 19.
The wolf thrashes, trying to pull the wererat down Trip: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33.

Timber's attacks are magical, but not silvered.

I believe we've reach the tipping point that can be called overwhelm.. so let's end combat.

Rathen moves quickly to engage the caster with a strike that hits one of her vital nerves. The pain is unbearable that it causes her to scream and fall into unconsciousness.

Valrar realises how his time is wasted chopping vermin and move to engage the big rat.

Timber, now free, is back with a vengeance. Turning his fury on the closest wererat, he pulls the wererat down, keeping a close eye.

With three out of four sisters in states that they are unable to make a difference, the last of the Vaor sisters raises her hand up in surrender! "We yield! we yield! Don't hurt us no more!"

"Okay, then," Valrar grins. An instant later, his blade is a hair's breadth from the wererats's throat. "So, you're trying for the Runecarved Key. You have a good operation, but it isn't that big. Who's backing you?" He then pulls the sword back, reasoning that it's hard to breath and speak otherwise.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27

She answers nervously, clearly from fear of death. "Wait, is that why you're here? Listen, We have no interest in the key. We're just looking to earn a little side money. We never met her, we were just told to deposit the money."

"The devil's in the details. You haven't met this person. But who gave you the money on her behalf? Can it be traced back to them or her? Give us the details, we'll handle the devil. Keep 'em, and you can deal with the devil yourself...because you'll...be dead?"

"Okay, that idiom dropped off pretty quick. Sorry. Just...tell us everything you know about this or else."

Further Intimidate?: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (18) + 21 = 39

If she doesn't know anything more, Valrar will believe that and shut up.

Can I get perception checks in anticipation? Am on the way to work but should be able to get an update in 6 hours.

Daxter Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
Galio: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31

Perception: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (19) + 27 = 46

Bishop stares intently Perception: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (15) + 25 = 40

Ha Ha, Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Perception: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (6) + 30 = 36

She points, in a frighten manner, to her office. "We don't know her, I mean.. we did see her.. once. She was wearing this hooded cloak. She dropped us a letter. All we were to do is to follow the instructions... the letter is in there somewhere!"

Her office, is in a state so messy, finding a needle in a haystack may prove to be an easier task. The group scours up and down for this mysterious note. Eventually Ursus and Bishop are able to pick it up, oddly simultaneous on different ends of the note.

Updated in handouts.

There's nothing else here, so you may return back to the manor to report your findings. Once done, we'll move to the next task!

Rathen glances at the note, unable to make heads or tails. He looks over to Daxter. "Think you can make sense of the note? Either way, I don't want to hang around here."

Linguistics: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34
Local: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32

"The writer of this note is rather well educated, likely from Varisia. The symbol possibly belongs to some obscure cult. Intriguing."

You return back to the manor and relay your findings to the Venture Captain. She listens intently and updates the notes in her case files. "Hmm, very peculiar, however this has proven one thing, Vraor indeed isn't a threat to the key. So with that said, we best turn our attention to the remainder of the potential bidders." And she randomly draws another case file.

?: 1d2 ⇒ 1

The file reads 'Dymal Rinks'. “While we’re not sure how much of a threat Dymal Rinks poses to our winning the auction, we don’t want to take any chances. Our informants tell us that Rinks owes a considerable debt to the proprietor of the Matador, Master Basaale Minvandu. Short on the funds to cover his debts, Dymal Rinks hopes to cash in on the Runecarved Key as part of a wild investment scheme. Unfortunately for Rinks, Minvandu wants his debts paid immediately and has sent his collectors to track the halfling down. I suspect we can easily knock Rinks out of the auction by turning him over to Minvandu’s thugs. Still, I’m a little wary of this course of action as handing Rinks over to the bone-breakers may very well result in his death. Despite being a desperate little imp, Rinks is a decent arbitrator and if word gets back that we played a part in his death, it might make things difficult in the future. If you can avoid getting him killed it might help. Perhaps you can pretend to be thugs and scare him off or simply threaten to rat him out to Minvandu if he doesn’t back out of the auction. In any event, do whatever you need to do to drive him away. Oh, and he lied about his whereabouts. Our informants say he’s hiding out at the Galesford Inn in Dockway.” She points you in the direction of the homey looking inn by the dockwa, and immediately shoo you off.

You find out with ease from the informant's notes that he is held up in the corner room on the first floor of the inn. It has a single door entry from the Inn's hallway, and two windows on the north side, and one window on the west side of the room.

How do you approach the situation?

"Can't we just knock on the door and talk to him?" Bishop clearly is in a better mood after having just done something straight ward and reasonably upstanding.

"We can, but only after we're sure he's there. If there's a window, I think a quick peek would be enough. Though... Maybe you want to make sure if we're spotted that he can't run?"

If people are on board with a bit of scouting, Rathen will sneak up to a window and peek inside.
Stealth: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (10) + 22 = 32
Perception: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (10) + 30 = 40

The Dove asks "Does anyone have a pair of Gloves of Reconnaissance for snooping purposes?

Rathen chuckles. "Thanks for the reminder. I do."

He'll make use of the gloves as well during his scouting, instead of peeking through a window he uses them on a wall.

The Dove chuckles quietly to himself.

Surprisingly, the windows are boarded up with furniture. Chairs are leaned against the window so that no one can take peek.

Using the glove, it becomes clear that every piece of furniture in the door has been shuffled to door or window to hinder entry. The bed though lies in the far corner of the room away from the entrance, and a Halfling lies behind there waiting.

Rathen quietly confers with the others. "He's there, but he's clearly ready for someone to try and break in. Door and windows are boarded up something fierce. We can knock, but given how skittish he seems, I think it'll be hard to convince him to open the door. Thoughts?"

"Worth a try, at least," Valrar notes before knocking lightly. "Hey, Dymal! Dymal! Open the door, we've got a mutually beneficial proposition for you. Come on, only way this gets violent is if you start something."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (11) + 21 = 32

Daxter looks to his raven who then flies off in search of any entryway, even a tiny one as the swashbuckler distracts the halfling. Galio Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32 Any vents or a chimney? Something a tiny raven could fit through?

The room is pretty sealed from outside without vents or chimneys.

"I'm listening! But you'll never take me in without a fight!" A voice shouts from the inside.

"Sounds like we need to fight him." Bishop speaks in a monotone voice, "What? I won't kill him."

In a whisper, "Timber, don't kill him."

"Boof"

"Fine, then," Valrar mutters. "If we wanted to do that, we would, you know. I have notoriously bad self-control. You know who wouldn't have any qualms instantly taking this to a fight? Or killing you? Basaale Minvandu."

"But he doesn't know where you are. We'll keep it that way, maybe even spread some misinformation, if you drop your bid on the Runecarved Key. Otherwise...well, it'll take a little while to unblock those exits. We can have his people swing by before then."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (11) + 21 = 32