GM Bauers PFS 5-08 The Confirmation (Inactive)

Game Master mbauers

So, the zombie on its turn moved into melee (check out the map). I'm going to assume that Inira backed up before throwing her alchemist fire at it. So Acel would delay until Inira and Eleanor back up and shoot, then she would close in melee. Hope everyone is ok with that. Otherwise Inira is provoking an AoO from the zombie, just for the privilige of point black throwing alchemist fire on it and splashing it on all of you. ;-) I do like your idea, though. Use those consumables!

Silas swings his sword upward and strikes the head off the "injured" zombie. Its eyes blink a few times in mid air. Meanwhile, Tsadok charges the other zombie threatening Silas. He bisects the creature vertically with his massive sword. The arms reach impotently toward him as the two pieces fall to the ground.

2 zombies down!

Inira, seeing the ineffectiveness of her arrows, backs up and draws an alchemical vial from Janira's backpack. She waits until her friends are clear and throws the weapon to great effect, setting the remaining undead alight. Arrow in its chest, wreathed in flame, but the creature still stands.

Acel and Eleanor, effective with Aroden's rituals, can't find much success against the undead horrors.

Next up: Waki, last zombie

Remaining zombie: -7 HP, on fire

Quoting this so it is still visible on the next page, but I forgot that Acel moving there provokes an AoO from the Zombie (can't move around corners diagonally).

After Inira's attack, Acel closes into melee to finish the fiend, and it swipes at her!

Zombie AoO on Acel!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Ruh roh...

Zombie AoO on Acel, crit confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Extra Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

The off-balance slam by the zombie smashes Acel's head into the wall and she crumples to the floor, unconscious.

Acel at -1, dying and unconscious.

Posting out of turn to speed this up, this should be interesting.
Wheeling about from the bisected corpse, Tsadok mentally takes stock of the situation as Acel falls to the ground. He knows he is the only one here capable of magical healing, but could also remedy the situation quickly. He charges back with all speed, attempting to sever the dead gillman's head. "Help me kill it, or get Acel a potion!" Tsadok bellows as he comes. "There were some in Janira's pack!"
Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 = 14
Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 6) + 6 = 18
Another double 6? Wow! Anyway, charge penalties now apply.

Eponine spends her move action to get to the pack, her standard action to retrieve said potion, and holds it out for anyone to grab. If no one does, she states loudly, "I will pour this down the gnome's throat! You finish off the beast!"

Waki moves up to slash at the last zombie.

"Very good work all. Undead destroy good to do. "

cold iron Rapier: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
for dmg,sneak: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
for dmg: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

That is actually a sneak attack because you successfully hid from the southern guy, so I'll add your 1d6 damage. It will be moot, but let's add it anyway. :-)

Sneak attack damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Waki slips in, silent as a mouse, and drives the point of his rapier through the corpse's brain, dropping it instantly.

The smell of charred, rotted gillman-flesh is all that remains.

Combat over!

Eleanor, feel free to roll the healing for the potion. I think you used the wrong alias, hehe.

Blast you crits! Bane of all level 1 characters.

Oof. What's-Her-Face always told me to be careful around undead. Should've ran away, right? No, that's wrong. I should've helped them right? I mean, that's what's friends do, I think.

Coughing haphazardly, Acel's eyes finally open. "Huh? What are you guys doing here? Surprised you didn't leave me here. Then again, we're supposed to cooperate, right?" After receiving confirmation (and picking up her throwing axe) she grins. "I guess I owe ya one."

Oops! damn posting from phones anyhow!

Eleanor pours one of the healing potions from Janira's pack down Acel's throat.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Thanks for moving me - I didn't have a chance to see the map before posting!

"The strange one, the leader of these undead think we would?" Waki points to the non-zombie as he checks the body for clues.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

If Acel is still down on HP, Tsadok whacks her with the wand of CLW.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
"So, what's next? We still have a bit more to map, and possibly help Janira with that Minotaur. Am I missing anything?"

"What's with this guy, then?" Acel moves over and pokes the male Dhampir with a stick.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Eleanor takes an opportunity to check over the freshly re-corpsified creatures and the room in general as well.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

"Of course we wouldn't leave you here," Silas says to Acel, sheathing his sword after wiping off the decayed flesh. "We're in this together. As for where to go from here, I say we keep moving and hope we meet up with Janira soon. She said to find her in here after she loses the minotaur."

"Lets keep moving then! We can't leave her to deal with that beast all alone. I don't even know how long her spells can keep her safe. . . "

Eleanor begins leading the way!

"Of course we wouldn't leave you here," Silas says to Acel, sheathing his sword after wiping off the decayed flesh. "We're in this together. As for where to go from here, I say we keep moving and hope we meet up with Janira soon. She said to find her in here after she loses the minotaur."

"Yeah, I guess so. Um, let's head up to Janira." Acel scurries off. We're in this together...

Should have the update ready in an hour or so. Sorry for the delay

So Acel should be fully healed. Silas is still at 4/12, though.

Waki and Acel rummage through the Dhampir's belongings and find a few things of importance: a note written by the dhampir that details plans to start an army of undead made from the “fish people” who have been frequenting this cave, a ring that radiates magic and an amulet that radiates magic.

Meanwhile, Eleanor wanders around the cave and finds something as well, a concealed passage to the north!

Anyone who casts Detect Magic on the items...

Tsadok, busy with Acel's plight, takes a while to notice Silas's less dire one. He pulls out Janira's wand again and hopes she won't be mad he's using it first.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
And again!
CLE: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Thatr reminds me. GM, what's your stance of averaging out-of-combat healing? Or is that an actual rule? I don't even know.
With that out of the way, Tsadok attempts to magically identify the items with Detect Magic.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Waki nods in agreement to the ladies' suggestion to keep moving.

"Dunno who should keep this amulet, th' people who're easy to hit or th' people who're hard to hit. Anyway, it toughens up your skin against blows. Any preferences, anyone?"

Eleanor asks as she continues to head for the exit, "Should we really spend time to work on these now? Janira is alone, facing a Minotaur for us. Treasure identification can wait. It takes a while to identify things."

If the party wants the items identified, I can take 10 for an 18, 19 if someone has Guidance, 21 will Aid Other from Acel If Acel rolls Aid Other actions, I will assume you want them identified. Otherwise, Eleanor wants to get to Janira.

I've never heard of that rule, Tsadok, so in PFS I would have to disallow it. However, Janira's wand is actually CL 3, so it heals 1d8 + 3. There were 8 charges left when she handed it to you. And you absolutely should use those first, since you can't keep it afterwards ;-)

Waki, note that the ladies suggested to return to the entrance before they knew there was a hidden passage. So I'll wait to see a consensus before I post the next scene.

I say we keep moving, rather than taking time to identify the items. Although it seems Tsadok was able to get one of them anyway.

He flexes the fingers of one hand as they continue on. "My scales can already turn a glancing blow. Someone else should take it."

Waki stops as the secret doorway is found.

"The doorway check we should. . "

I have Guidance and I can aid another. By the way, what time zones are everyone in? Looks to me as if we've hit a good time.
Also, I know the whole thing about consumables found in scenarios. That was just for fun.
"Well, there's only one left to identify. I can help with that, should be quick-ish, but we probably shouldn't. I say we go. Acel, what do you think?"

Central here. If I could open the pdf for the scenario on my phone I would've posted earlier, but it won't let me for some reason. 1 vote for the hidden passage so far. Majority rules.

"Ahhh. Um. Like you said, Silas, we stick together. I say we follow Janira- we don't leave anyone behind, right?"

Now look what you've done! You've infected Acel with MORALS!

Sweet! That was my faction mission lol.

Silas gives Acel a knowing smile. The words of Act 4, Line 37 drift into his thoughts. They may follow who hear you command. They will follow who watch you lead. "Absolutely."

Well if there's no other visible way to proceed, I vote for the hidden passage too.

"D'oh! Mission first. We must explore, cooperate, and report. Janira would be most put out if we failed to secure some essential knowledge. We must explore. She would be doubly cross if she has given her life that we might complete the mission and we fail." Eleanor feels strongly compelled to check the secret room.

That's always your faction mission.

Tsadok speaks up. "We probably wouldn't be in a good spot if our friend died on us during our Confirmation. Besides, it would be wiser to be there if Janira needs saving, given that we are at little shortage of time to explore and report. Let's cooperate first." The half-orc draws his sword and begins moving to the secret passage, as if daring anyone to argue. He's actually still listening to hear for the majority, though.

Eleanor nods, and enters the secret passage with haste. I am confused, they say get to Janira, but they follow the tunnels deeper rather than heading back to the exit. I think either way we are following the tenants. I just hope the secret tunnel also leads out.

Resolved, the group presses on, exploring the before-unseen passage.

This route is a maze of tight passages that include steep ascents and short climbs as they wind from west to east. As you travel, you begin to hear the faint sounds of combat and a familiar woman’s voice half shouting and half-reciting, As the legendary Gregaro Voth successfully battled the wild beasts in the deepest reaches of the Mwangi Expanse, so shall I defeat you, foul servant of Lamashtu!

Janira’s voice is growing in volume--you must be getting closer to her! Barring your path to the surface are two amorphous blobs, mindless carnivores drawn here by the recent traffic in the tunnels.

Knowledge (Dungeoneering) to identify

Next up: Everyone except Tsadok, Monsters, Tsadok (sorry man, you literally needed to roll a 2 and rolled a 1)

Janira’s words inspire you--you gain a +1 to attack rolls, weapon damage, and saves vs fear!

The tight tunnels here range from 2 to 5 feet in width and average about 9 feet in height. The slick floors and steady incline from west to east increase the DC of all Acrobatics checks by 4.

Realizing they must be close to Janira, and thankful for the shortcut, Eleanor uses the wand obtained from the gillman at Silas.

UMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Shield of Faith, CL 6

Waki will hide and ready to strike if it moves within reach

Stealth : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

readied...
cold iron Rapier: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9
for dmg,sneak: 1d6 + 2 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (6) + 1 = 13

nice dicebot.

Acel knows her small feet won't get her in the open, so she doubles back around the southern bend. She pulls out the wand of burning hands from Janira's backpack.

Inira takes the amulet no one claimed, and puts it on. She will also put on the ring for now, and add it to Janira's pack.

As the blobs appear, Inira will try an arrow to see if it has much effect. I am not holding much hope, so just firing once.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

After firing, Inira will grap the acid and toss the bag to Acel.

Wait, is that minotaur really a servant of Lamashtu? I made that up, it sounded like something Silas would believe lol. Yay for being accidentally right!

Hearing Janira's distant voice, Silas rips his sword from its sheath. "WE'RE COMING, JANIRA!" he yells, unsure whether she can even hear him. One tunnel blocked by a giant ooze, he stops. Janira might need our help... but I can't just abandon the others if these things attack. He holds his sword at the ready. "Out of the way, blob!"

Readying an action for if it closes in melee.

Eleanor, that 20 you rolled is good, but just so you know for the future--you are not allowed to take 10 on a UMD roll.

Silas, in the future, go ahead and roll your attack in advance when you ready action.

Acel swings around while Eleanor casts a protective spell on Silas, who advances on the blob.

Waki steps up and hides around a corner while Inira lets loose an arrow, ripping away a large mass of the ooze's form. full damage

The first oozes rolls forward towards Silas, somehow sensing his presence. The paladin slices with his sword, ready for the slow-moving ooze.

Silas ready action: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 = 25

damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11

The vicious slice sends goo everywhere and the blob is dispersed.

Perception vs Waki: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (1) - 5 = -4

A second ooze advances from the South, striking at Tsadok, though Waki lies in wait and strikes first.

He surprises the ooze and hits it, but can't find a vital spot to strike. No sneak attack on oozes, damage is only 7.

Ooze vs Tsadok!: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 plus Acid: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Even an unready Tsadok has too good of reflexes for the blob.

Next up: Tsadok, then everyone else in the party

Eastern ooze- dead
Southern ooze: -7 hp

Eleanor, you cast Shield of Faith on me, so my AC is now 19/14/18 for reference.
Tsadok dodges the clumsy blow of the gelatinous monster. "For the Crimson Hand and the Lord in Iron!" he bellows, taking a slice at the creature with his massive sword.
Attack on Jell-O: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 = 25
Woohoo!
The Confirmation: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 = 12
Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 4) + 6 + 1 = 16
Extra Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4) + 6 + 1 = 14
He then steps 5' back to the left, assuming a pincer formation with Waki.

Why do you say she used it on you instead of Silas? Could she not have reached him? Also, oozes are not subject to crits, but it's moot. Good job, guys!

Tsadok hits the ooze with devastating force. When he wrenches the blade away it sends a cascade of protoplasm on both Tsadok and Waki.

Combat over

Any spells or consumables before you reach the surface?

Eleanor uses the wand next on Tsadok, having previously used the wand on Silas.

UMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

DC 18 as I have used the wand in the past?

Once she makes a cursory glance at the blobs for anything of value, casting Detect Magic as she does so, Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 Eleanor immediately begins following the sounds of Janira's inspiring voice.

As far as I know, wands are always DC 20 and you cannot take ten, but you succeeded anyway.

Eleanor grants Gorum's blessing to Tsadok and looks around, finding nothing of value in the cavern.

Acel stows away the wand. "Well then. Let's see if Janira finished off that minotaur."

Eleanor starts using the wand on the remaining party members as they continue on until everyone is successfully shielded.

I will shield, in order, Acel, Inira, Waki, then myself. I am not sure how many rounds we have, but the shield will last 60 rounds from now. . .
UMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

UMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

UMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

UMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

UMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

UMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

UMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

UMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

UMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Will take 9 rounds. I will leave it to GM's discretion as to how long it takes before we are ambushed again as this will be done on the move.

I should add, after 9 rounds, Silas will have 49 rounds remaining, and Tsadok will have 50 rounds remaining.

Inira thanks Eleanor, and readies her bow as she scouts ahead to see the situation.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Despite Inira’s keen eye, there is still nothing of note in this cavern. As you reach the eastern end of this area, you notice a faint light at the end of the tunnel--reflected moonlight. Also, the sound of Janira’s oration is close and clear. Her words are still defiant, but her breathing is labored.

Sensing the urgency in her plight, the party presses on, with Eleanor frantically trying to get the wand to work.

Only time for one success, so Silas, Tsadok, and Acel have Shield of Faith, +3 deflection bonus to AC, for a long time.

Without too much more effort, you reach the surface. The light of the surface world above provides a welcome reprieve from the blue and green fungus of the caverns below, and light illuminates a stream whose water is hastened by runoff from a recent storm further up the mountains. A ledge to the west rises up to the nearby forest canopy.

You emerge from the caverns into a 40-foot clearing at the base of the Kortos Mounts. The full moon above casts dim light over the entire area, bright enough to illuminate even the shaded leaf litter beneath the trees. These patches of woodland are also filled with underbrush that behaves as light undergrowth(difficult terrain and concealment).

The trees are only a few decades old and do not completely occupy their respective squares. (A creature that shares a space with one or more trees benefits from partial cover.)

The stream is about 10 feet wide and 5 feet deep in this area, and the water moves downstream from east to west at a decent pace. Rough water, DC 15 Swim check to navigate.

A 3-foot-diameter tree truck spans the width of the river, creating an impromptu bridge. The trunk is slippery from the splashing water. (Crossing it at half speed requires a successful DC 7 Acrobatics check, during which time the creature is treated as flatfooted for moving on a narrow surface.

The slope to the west gradually rises to a height of 20 feet, and creatures standing at its highest point benefit from a commanding view of the battlefield.

Nearly 100 feet from the cave’s entrance, Janira Gavix is locked in combat with her relentless minotaur foe in a clearing on the southern bank of the stream. The creature’s greataxe is nowhere to be seen. Instead he wields a battleaxe that is chipped on the blade and splintered on the haft, but he presses the halfing viciously. She is severely wounded and tired from her efforts, but still Janira faces the towering foe. She shouts: You vile beast! I know not what drives your black heart, but I shall not fail in my duty. I shall see you driven from this forest, back to the hills from whence you came!

Whoa, not a great time for bad initiative rolls.

Next up: Inira, Minotaur, everyone else.

Guys, note that there is a LOT going on here with terrain. Those black marks in the green squares are small trees. There's going to be a lot of difficult terrain, cover, and concealment (it's only dim light outside as well). I linked most of the terrain things above to the SRD to help you. Let me know if you have any questions, and good luck!

Oh wow, that is "a lot going on" with the terrain. As for wands, they're always a DC 20 but having used it before gives you a +2 on the check. Same result, but you have to be careful not to apply it twice (e.g. you give yourself a +2, and the GM lowers the DC to 18)

Oh wow, that is "a lot going on" with the terrain. As for wands, they're always a DC 20 but having used it before gives you a +2 on the check. Same result, but you have to be careful not to apply it twice (e.g. you give yourself a +2, and the GM lowers the DC to 18)

Cool, thanks for letting me know. In that case, Inira also gets shield of faith.

Once he has a chance to move, Waki will make a bee-line (or as a crow walks line) to the log crossing the river.

He whispers
"The bull-man seen us has not. Surprise on our side yet is."

Posting ahead to avoid any delays. Waki will double move 60', hopefully making it halfway to the log this round