GM Bauers PFS 6-08 The Segang Expedition (Inactive)

Game Master mbauers

Faellyn follows the group with the porters, keeping her bow at the ready and looking out for game or otherwise dangerous creatures.

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

After resting in camp the previous day, she feels much better and well rested.

I read it as an autocorrect fail on a phone. No worries, Faellyn--i cant actually post the next scene until tonight anyway. If you can post by then, great. If not we'll bot you until you get access.

hey raman. Yep, autocorrect fail. No offence intended :-)

Status: Erevan 4 nonlethal and fatigued, everyone else clear.

As you continue on your journey, you notice too late a small nest of snakes on the side of the trail.

An enormous snake moves toward the direction of the nest, now dangerously close to the porters (who, for ease of play, are not supposed to be on the map--they are all near the big snake on the map)

Two small snakes leave the nest and, at the sight of them, the old elephant panics and begins stamping about wildly, threatening to shake the howdah off its back. The mahout falls from his seat in and takes cover in the jungle.

Matsanda and Bomande, holding on for dear life (same probably goes for you Sahba, unless you have a plan up your sleeve) both shout orders to you.

Calm the beast, it'll kill us all with this stamping about! Count Matsanda screams in a surprisingly loud voice.

No! Save the porters! Kill the big one quickly, the elephant is afraid of the snakes!

Next up: Faellyn, Matsanda (hangs on for dear life on his turn)
Big Snake
Sahba, Max, Raman, Bomande
Little Snakes
Erevan, Wilm

Just to clarify, the green squares and rectangles are just supposed to be ground. The two little things by the green squares at the bottom center of the map are the little snakes.

Faelynn narrows her vision and focuses on the enormous snake. "This one is a little upset..."

Move Action: Studied Target
Std Action: Ranged attack

Longbow: 1d20 + 1 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 25 +1BAB, +4Dex, +1PBS, +1Studied

Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

5' Step

Faellyn sinks an arrow into the enormous reptile, wounding it and harshly drawing its attention. Fortunately for the porters, it pursues her, and fortunately for Faellyn, the fangs deflect off of her armor.

Bomande hangs on the best he can, but cheers as Faellyn's arrow finds its mark.

Next up: Sahba and Max

Sahba, you can hold on for dear life as your turn, or you can do something else and roll a reflex save to avoid falling

Erevan: -4 Hp and fatigued, Big Snake: -5 HP

used to having max act on my init. anyways.

Max's combat training combines with the Wolf's natural instincts combine to see him leap into the fray. However either the heat, or wilm squirming on top puts him off and his bite misses.

bite: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
dam: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Moved Max for you. Note guys--the green squares alongside the trail are difficult terrain

Next up: Sahba

Sahba also holds onto the end of the howdah tightly, trying not to fall.

Next up: Raman

Sorry, I should've posted Raman was up yesterday, but I missed it.

Having no idea how one calms a stampeding elephant, Raman focuses on the problem she can do something about … the snake.

As it slithers past her to reach Faellyn, Raman spins and takes a quick, smooth step back as she draws and nocks an arrow. The chaos of the moment slows to a crawl as she sights down the wooden shaft. Then, in quick succession, a pair of arrows speed towards the massive snake.

As the arrows strike, she cuts her dark eyes over towards Faellyn, ”Big snake makes a big enough target, no?”

5’ step down/left, then full attack (rapid shot, point-blank shot)

longbow: 1d20 + 4 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 2 + 1 = 7
damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10

longbow: 1d20 + 4 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 2 + 1 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10

Raman follows Faellyn in driving an arrow deep into the snake. The impact nearly knocks the snake to the ground, but it still rises to face those near it.

Meanwhile, the baby snakes climb onto Max and try to bite him, behaving instinctually.

Max can make an attack of opportunity against the first snake, as it has to enter his square to attack him. If you can hit AC 16 for 3 or more damage, you're not hit. Otherwise Max takes 1 damage and needs to make a DC 9 Fort Save or suffer 1 Con damage

Big snake -15 hp, Erevan -4 hp and fatigued

Next Up: Erevan and Wilm

Sahba holds on for dear life, and attempts, in the space between nearly falling, to try and calm the upset animal.

Handle Animal is trained only.. how about a Charisma check?
Cha: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Well, that wasn't as spectacular as I'd hoped, especially with any negative circumstance bonuses for a) hanging on, and b) the big snake nearby.

EDIT: clarity

Sahba tries to get the animal under control, but it rears and trumpets loudly, clearly still panicked.

Yeah, Handle Animal can't be used untrained (not that that roll would've helped), but since you are in the howdah you can try a ride check, fyi. That still fails, this time.

Next up: Erevan, Wilm and Faellyn

max AoO: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
dam: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

As one of the smaller snakes tries to crawl up Max's leg he shifts his weight forward grabbing it by the tail and 'wolfs' it.

Meanwhile Wilm looks up at the snake. Now, that is a big'un. Harumph!
He takes a mighty swing at it with his axe.

axe: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
dam: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
using power attack. note power attack incl'd in max's roll's too, used it during his attack and assuming it's still live for his AoO if not he does 3 damagae not 6

original roll of 15, will adaptable luck to bring it up to 17

FYI, that after you roll adaptable luck only provides one, not two. So if you want to use it for the +2, you should put that in the dice roll (like, "axe with adaptable luck"). In this case it doesn't matter, because a 17 misses, but just so you know.

Max picks up one of the smaller snakes and shakes it in his jaws a bit before tossing it into the jungle.

First small snake dead

Wilm strikes a heavy blow that he feels will slay the snake, but it is just barely turned aside by the creature's thick skin.

Next up: Erevan

Erevan, not sure if you can tell but the remaining small snake is in Max's square, next to you.

Erevan, after dodging the rampaging elephant, springs into action.

"Ha-ha!" he shouts. "Finally some real action! En garde, slithering menace!"

Despite the draining heat and his fatigue, the half-elf smoothly draws his sword its scabbard with a ring, then slices the snake across the top of its head.

MW Dueling Sword (cold iron), fatigued: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 1 = 201d8 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

Not sure if this is possible in the terrain, but if possible I'll step to the side to get out of the way of the elephant!

Sure--it takes 10 ft of movement, but that's no big deal because the snake doesn't threaten into your square to AoO you.

Erevan steps into the undergrowth and slices his sword expertly, cutting the snake down without injuring Max.

Snake dead--only big one remains.

Next up: Faellyn

I've got fates favoured, hence plus 2. But like you say doesn't matter cos I miss anyway :-(

I've got fates favoured, hence plus 2. But like you say doesn't matter cos I miss anyway :-(

Oh, I got you. My bad!

5' step back

Longbow: 1d20 + 1 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 17

Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Faellyn's arrow glances off the snake's skin as well, doing no real damage. But its young dead, and itself sorely wounded, the snake slinks off into the jungle.

Withdraw to flee, Wilm gets an AoO if he wants. Either way--combat over.

With the snakes dead or fled, the elephant begins to calm down and Matsanda, Bomande, and Sahba get the beast back under control.

Well done! the baron exclaims, relieved that none of the porters suffered a grisly fate.

Feel free to respond IC to any of this, but I'm going to post the next scene because we all want to hit our deadline of July 29th! Let me know if pace is too fast or slow. You guys are doing very well so far!

A few hours after your encounter with the snake, you reach a place where a small stream crosses the trail. Baron Rudyahm explains that this is the stream he and his friends were following when the tiger ambushed them 5 years ago, and thus this is where they should break off from the trail to find the tiger’s territory.

Count Matsanda says: Good luck, Baron! Come home safely! And thank you all for making this expedition not only a success, but the most memorable experience of my life!

Whatever happens, I am proud to call you my son, the baron responds, turning away to avoid any further awkward dialogue.

Again, insert any RP you want here and I'll be happy to respond

Count Matsanda and the porters take the elephant half a day farther down the trail to a hunting lodge outpost, where they can wait in safety for the baron to finish his hunt.

Ready? the baron asks, hefting his gun.

After following the stream for an hour, the group reaches a small clearing. The jungle opens up into a wide grassy clearing bisected by a shallow, burbling stream. In the center of the clearing lies the partially eaten carcass of a gaur. Its throat has been torn open, and the grass all around the dead bison is covered in dried, sticky blood.

Baron Rudyahm proclaims: This is where we should setup our ambush. See? The kill is fresh--she'll be back tonight to finish her meal.

He points to the tracks on the ground near the kill, only hoofprints: Looks like antelope tracks. They must have fled this area during the hunt and covered the tiger's tracks. Come, let me show you how we will spring our trap!

Sahba first attempts to get the elephant under control.

Ride(untrained): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

When (if) that is accomplished, she then shoots fire from her hands.

Ride is usually a move action, but GM's call. If there is still time for a standard action, and if the ride check succeeds, then Elemental Ray. The upside, as it's a spell-like ability, not a spell, there is no concentration check.

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Fire: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

... and since GM said it was a Ref to attempt a standard action (is this only if the ride check fails?)

Ref: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

You successfully calm the elephant, but by then the big snake has fled into the jungle. I progressed things assuming you didn't want to pursue it (maybe other than Wilm's AoO), but if you guys want to follow the snake into the jungle let me know.

Continuing--The aging hunter instructs the PCs on how to set up machans—a type of portable hunter’s blind—in the trees around the clearing. The machans are mounted 20 feet up in the lower branches of the trees and camouflaged by branches and leaves. A machan can hold up to three medium creatures comfortably, though it is not sturdy enough to provide effective cover during combat. Once the machans are in place, the baron directs the party to climb into the machans and wait for the tiger to return.

He warns the group that they should avoid descending once night falls, lest they wish to come face to face with the angry tiger in the dark. Ascending the rope ladders to a machan requires a successful DC 10 Climb check, and climbing the tree without a ladder instead requires
a successful DC 15 Climb check.

As night falls, the jungle is completely dark. Only the clearing remains dimly lit thanks to the light of the moon. Rudyahm forbids the PCs from employing any other forms of light until they spot the beast, lest they give away their presence.

The map is updated with the current scene--the machans are the brown buildings, each one has 3 open spots and the Baron has already chosen his spot. Please put yourselves where you want to be in the ambush.

Ack. Got ninja'd by the GM, which is why I was still responding to combat, above.

Know(arcana): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
(Everybody read the Knowledge check.) I know nothing about leucrotta... What might Sahba know? She shares anything she knows with the group.

Sahba joins the Baron on his machan.

Taking ten to climb ...
Climb(untrained): 10 + 2 = 12

"Umm..." Sahba says. "Those are not antelope tracks. Those are from a leucrotta, a predatory magical beast that has the head of a badger, the hooves of a stag, and a wide mouth with sharp ridges of bone instead of teeth. They are quite dangerous."

Okay ... having read up on leucrotta,...

"In addition to its physical prowess," Sahba explains, "The leucrotta is also a magical threat. It can speak to you, and can make you do things you might otherwise not. In addition, the leucrotta can climb, so even though we pull the ladders up after us, be on guard."

"If the leucrotta uses your name, its compulsion is even more effective. Maybe we should use code-names the the next little while?"

Would the suggestion affect be mitigated if we put mud (or earplugs, etc.) in our ears? Does the party think it might be worth the trouble?

Fyi--your roll lets you know three pieces of information, so I was going to have you ask three questions (vulnerabilities, special attacks, etc). Just roll with it now, but it's considered bad form to look up monster info like that, even with a good roll (unless I linked it for you or something). Anyway, carry on!

What, not a tiger? I never saw its face...

The baron grinds his teeth and continues: I don't care what it is, I'll take my vengeance tonight, for my fallen companions.

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Erevan settles in to wait for the creature, picking a spot to the west of the others and up in the tree.

climb ladder take 10: 10 + 0 = 10

AoO: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
dam: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Wilm totally misses the snake as it slithers off into the jungle.

Wilm enjoys the rest of the journey to the hunt camp, seems sad to say goodbye to the Count, even though he was a bit of a moaner. When they get back to the ambush sight he glances up at the trees.

last time it was a ship, now ambushes up trees, how's a knight meant to claim the glory of the charge around here! Humph, well I best send max back to the camp and let's hope that missile fire can carry the day.

He looks genuinely crest fallen as he clambers up the tree and makes ready his sling staff for the coming night.

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

taking 10 to climb the ladder, pls put me next to Erevan. And not having Max present as how can a wolf climb a ladder :-(

Max can fit up in the Machan--he would have to climb the tree without the ladder, which is a DC 15 climb check

Sahba is saddened to see the noble (if slightly stuck up) halfling so discomfited. "If worse comes to worse," she whispers to him, "We could attempt to rig a harness and lift the noble creature to the platform. It handled the ship well enough, surely it can handle a night in the trees. Besides, its senses might come in handy."

Just waiting for Faellyn and Raman's input before we move on. I likely won't be able to post the next scene until about 22 hours from now or so. But maybe sooner, we'll see.

Not ever having been much for hunting, Raman is quiet through their discovery of the kill and the machan-building.

As the teams begin picking their spots, she moves towards the northern-most perch. She pauses to look back at Wilm. "If you would prefer to fight on the ground, I will stand by you." She gives him a smile, "My bow works just as good from down here."

I have Raman in one of the machans, but could easily have her fight from the ground if Wilm wants to make use of his charging and would like some support. Let me know, Wilm.

I put Max up in the tree--you guys could all easily help him and I don't want you to not be able to use him for the rest of the scenario. If you want him to stay in the tree during the fight, that's cool. Would someone mind botting Faellyn during combat?

The baron dismisses any attempts to get him to plug up his ears, reasoning that with only the very dim moonlight to see by, he needs to rely on his ears to hear the creature approach.

About an hour after night falls, Wilm, Max, and Erevan (despite being very far away) hear a creature approaching from the East, about 60 ft from the baron in the bushes (not even placed on the map yet).

Surprise round up now: Erevan and Max
Crocotta (degenerate form of leucrotta)
Wilm

hey, thanks for the care for my AC!

Wilm is genuinely moved by his companions care for and assistance in helping max to climb into the Machans - the wolf looks seriously unimpressed but with Wilm's bidding allows himself to be hoisted up. With the approach of the beast Max's hackles rise and a deep bass growl can be heard. Wilm rustles his neck and whispers calming words, wait, max, it must come closer...

what kind of action is it to get down from the trees? and how'd i get max down in a combat ready fashion?

Ok, so it's DC 10 climb check to use the ladders or 15 to just go down the tree. You can move a quarter of your speed with one move action climbing, or half speed if you take a -5 penalty. You only get one move or standard right now, as this is a surprise round.

Erevan and Max still up

Sorry. Weekends are nearly impossible for me to post given my current schedule.

Erevan readies an attack to cast a javelin at the beast should it come into view. Will also wait until it's within the first range increment of my weapon (30').

javelin atk: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 71d6 ⇒ 3

Faellyn--no worries! We'll wait for you for a while before we resort to botting you. Wilm, I'm taking that as a delay for Max since you told him to wait until the creature is closer.

The party waits a few moments, tensely, and Erevan readies an attack. Then, from the direction of the disturbance that Max and Erevan detected, comes a familiar voice.

Baron Bomande, help me! This creature is nearly upon me! Count Matsanda, terrified, cries for help.

WS Bomande: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 4 = 18

Bomande shakes his head, and whispers loudly (oxymoron?)to those near him.

No, it's a trick! Matsanda is not fool enough to try to find us in the jungle at night! It's the beast, just like Sahba said, trying to lure us out. Don't fall for it's trickery!

Next up: Wilm (standard only, surprise round), then Erevan, Faellyn, Raman, Max

Does it seem like a trick?
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

From what you've observed of the Count, he doesn't seem to be one to deviate from the plan, and the Baron knows him even better than you.

Reminder to all of you without darkvision or low-light vision that there is only dim light in the clearing here and darkness beyond that.

Wilm clutches his sling staff and readies a bullet for when the creature comes into view.

readied sling staff: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

waiting for it to come within 40'

Does anyone have any questions or anything? I know the creature isn't visible yet, but I'm willing to clarify anything if possible. If I don't receive any actions in the next few hours I'm going to consider it a delay until the creature becomes visible.

Next up: Erevan, Faellyn, Raman, Max

Raman, trusting the Baron's instincts, readies an arrow for the creature.

Ready a longbow attack, triggered when she can see the creature.

I will delay until after the creature appears.

The sounds creep closer and the baron cries out in alarm as the creature makes straight for his machan and climbs up the tree skillfully.

It's half on the machan and half in the tree, takes up two squares

Wilm's shot goes wide as he finds it hard to see in the darkness. (Raman, your readied action goes off too--don't forget the 20% concealment miss chance for dim light)

You! You killed my friends! I'll send you back to whatever hell you came from! The baron yells, pointing his musket at the creature's face.

You killed my friends! the beast replies in the exact same voice, biting the baron viciously on his bad leg and throwing him to the ground.

The report from the musket thunders through the jungle as the baron fires, but the shadows play tricks on his eyes and he misses. He curses and stands up painfully.

We need some blasted light!

Baron Bomande: - 10 hp

Next up: Resolve Raman's bow shot with concealment, then party (including Raman) all get to go.

longbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
miss chance, 20%: 1d100 ⇒ 12 <—BOOOOO!

Raman doesn't see the creature until it's nearly on the Baron, and her arrow flies into the darkness. Hissing in frustration, she squints and looses another pair of arrows.

longbow: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 3 - 2 = 17
miss chance, 20%: 1d100 ⇒ 75
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

longbow: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 - 2 = 13
miss chance, 20%: 1d100 ⇒ 2

Erevan curses as he sees the Baron's danger.

"Confound it! I could defeat it if only I were in the right tree!"

He quickly descends the ladder, rushing over to the other tree.

acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

I'd like to go down quickly, then use any remaining movement I have to go toward the other tree...not sure how far I can go.

Well, descending the ladder is a dc 10 climb check for one quarter speed, or 15 for half speed. Acrobatics DC 15 would allow you to jump out of the tree and only take 1d6 nonlethal damage. The 13 would fail, though, doing 1d6 lethal and 1d6 nonlethal. Either way you'd end up prone, and could use your second action to stand. If that's what you want to do, you'd be right one square on the map and take...

nonlethal: 1d6 ⇒ 2

lethal: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Let me know if you want to do something else.

Raman's first arrow collides into the beast's own injured rear leg in a cruel twist of irony.

Great shot, Raman! But save the kill for me... the baron exclaims.

Kill...kill is the crocotta's only response, this time in Count Matsanda's voice.

Baron -10 hp, Crocotta -10 hp

Erevan slips from the unstable ladder in the moonlight, twisting his ankle and landing on one knee.

He stands and prepares to run to the other tree.

Move actions to climb/fall down, stand from prone.