GM Blazej's PbP Gameday 7: PFS-RPG 08-99C: The Solstice Scar C (Inactive)

Game Master Zynete

Confusion is 1 round/level, unless the devourer has something special.

Theritis wipes the detritus from his sword on the tree trunk next to him. "I prefer to fight, if the Twinhorns haven't realized the danger they face by now... well."

I'm ok with talking to the leaders or fighting - I'll go with the majority here as I've already done Part A and B with this character; once you guys have made a decision I will make Chaine's RP post about it.

Chaine/Silvermane: Correct, which I said "Chaine and Silvermane being confused is also an ongoing threat, I will assume that it is one that is safely dealt with the conclusion of the fight. Without aid though, it takes a couple minutes for confusion to wear off naturally which will cut into any active spell durations." There are several reasons I am handling it this way. I may have done the cut off for the combat too abruptly given that situation and to require more acknowledgement of this problem, but I will hold to my answer.

Do not hold off on decisions because you played in part A or B.
The choice you have right now is where do you wish to go "to the twinhorn settlement" or "to the portal". Right now the answer seems to be heading to the settlement (where there is also fighting). I'll come back to this a bit before heading to that encounter in case anyone will change that direction.

Ah, thanks for the clarifications. Settlement it is then. If Adsal casts dispel magic on Chaine/Silvermane to end that spell effect with caster level check vs. DC 19 confusion then Chaine says the following. Otherwise I'll start rolling for confusion rounds.

"Yes Theritis - I agree. Let us go defend the settlement and see what the tribal council has to say."

It takes 10 minutes to make it to the Twinhorn camp.

The Twinhold encampment is based around a number of hide tents and surrounded by a palisade. Undead are barely held at bay by the defenders, but their numbers are vast. Deeper you hear arguements between the leaders whether to hold the line or to abandon the land.

Do you wish to speak to the council first or contend with some of the attackers?

"I sure don't mind fighting. Talking can help sometimes though. Maybe we start with talking, try to drum up some reinforcements before we join the battle?"

Keela walks beside the party patiently, keeping her eyes low. She follows the party in the direction of the camp.

"Well said Lucian. Their warriors are fierce: they just need to be reminded of it."

Qatala has another wand in her hands which she is tapping against her leg whilst she watches everything alert to danger.

"Talk first, we can quickly reinforce the battle!"

Posted at the center at the camp, the thick hide walls of this large tent muffle the sounds of battle outside. Iron spikes pin down an enormous map in the center of the tent. Wooden carvings of warriors and monsters lie strewn about the map, marking the location of fighting warriors and the encroaching undead.

Medda argues with the other leaders within the tent. Her scars and celestial markings peaking from behind her clothing as she gestures with desperation. "Kragr! Jala! You must rethink this! We have allies now! We don't need to fight this battle alone! To give up this land would be to lose our culture."

Kragr is unwavering as he stands a head taller than Medda and his battle worn body shows no sign of easily giving way to casual pleas. "The decision was made without you. The traditions you have held us to have not only hampered the prosperity of our tribe but now threaten the lives of all our people. This clan will not serve as a grave marker your worship."

"Hesitation will be the death of all the stand here. The undead only bolster their ranks as our warriors fall. Retreat offers safety." The elder Jala definively, her eyes clouded but still standing determined in the face of both Medda and the undead outside.

Each of you can making attempts to influenuce any of the three. Either to reinforce Medda's resolve or convince Jala/Kragr to reverse their decision to retreat.

You each will get three skill checks during this encounter. You can use them in the following ways:

• Attempt to influence a single person with a skill listed in their Influence section.
  
• Attempt to make a check under they discovery check to identify advantages or biases that would help or hinder certain arguments made to them. Either particular arguments they would favor or certain PCs they would react better to. This would not influence them but could help you or other players to influence using this information.
  
• Make an aid another attempt on another PC's skill check.

Good and effective roleplay would give bonuses. If you do make a discovery check, open the relative spoiler section and share that information with the party.

Medda Spiritbearer
The spiritual leader of the clan and the person the Pathfinder Society has allied with in order to complete this mission. She is devoted to defending this land, but disheartened by the others decision to abandon it.
Influence Knowledge (religion) or Perform (oratory)
Discovery Knowledge (religion) or Sense Motive DC 21
Biases/Advantages ?

Kragr Bloodhand
Primary hunter of the Twinhorns
Influence Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate
Discovery Knowledge (local) or Sense Motive DC 27
Biases/Advantages ?

Jala the Patient
Hero of the following and its eldest member
Influence Knowledge (nature), Knowledge (religion), or Profession (soldier)
Discovery Knowledge (nature) or Sense Motive DC 27
Biases/Advantages ?

Adsal: 0/3 checks made
Chaine "The Butcher" Alazario: 0/3 checks made
Jackson Magraw: 0/3 checks made
Keela: 0/3 checks made
Theritis: 0/3 checks made
Qatala: 0/3 checks made

Greetings all perhaps we can aid you to hold on to what you hold most dear the life, traditions and culture.

sense motive: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35 on Kragr Bloodhand

Moving over to Medda Adsal greets her in friendship.
"May your life be a piece of art and your companionship a well of tranquility to your people! We are sent to aid your folk in its struggle against the unliving. Please accept our offer as battlebrothers, so that we can cleanse the land of this stain and bring peace to it."
KnowRel to influence: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (16) + 19 = 35

Chaine nods at Adsal's logic and approaches the gathering and bows his head to Jala in respect to their elder. Turning his eyes on Kragr, he says, "Letting an enemy take your lands would sentence you all to run for the rest of your lives and become vagabonds that intrude on other people's lands. This undead threat would also look beyond your borders and expand their corruption to other lands afterwards. This needs to stop here. Let us join forces and repel the enemy!"

Diplomacy to influence Kragr Bloodhand: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (16) + 20 = 36

Medda nods to Adsal as he reaffirms the Society's commitment. "And I am utmost I'm thankful for the Society's aid in correcting the damage done to my people with the theft of Ivvora's hilt. You have gone far beyond what I would have expected of your people. Kragr and Jala, we do not stand alone. These people have come far to fight besides us. To abandon them as they rush to this task would be a betrayal of them and dishonor so much of what our ancestors have accomplished!"

You have successfully infleunced Medda

Both of the other leaders seem moved by Medda's words, but look to the party as representatives of the Society. Jala speaks briefly on this. "This decision was not made lightly. Our people are small and may very well be destroyed by the attacks if we would fail. Why should we put our people at risk because you now stand here?"

Kragr bolsters his posture to stand against Chaine's. "We are a nomadic people at our very core! To lose this land will matter little to us. It has been only the Spiritbearer's rituals that have kept us so closely bound to this blighted land in the first place! There is little reason for our tribe to take the brunt of the responsibilty for this land when other people have all refused to take on this task. What do you know of our lands?! Our people?!" Even as he says that Chaine's words do clearly have an effect on him as he wavers looking at the land as something is not ready to cede to invaders.

Medda Spiritbearer
The spiritual leader of the clan and the person the Pathfinder Society has allied with in order to complete this mission. She is devoted to defending this land, but disheartened by the others decision to abandon it.
Influence Medda's resolved has been redoubled to convince the other leaders.

Jala the Patient
Same as prior post

Kragr Bloodhand
Primary hunter of the Twinhorns
Influence Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate
Biases/Advantages Kragr admires physically powerful creatures with a combined Strength and Constitution score above 30 (+2) (With this he seems to have a strong respect for the strength of Theritis, Keela, and Jackson); he looks down on weak creatures whose combined Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution are 36 or lower (–2). Kragr doesn’t like people to think he’s a coward. Insinuating that he’s afraid motivates him to look strong (+4), but outright calling him a coward makes him angry (–2).

Adsal: 1/3 checks made
Chaine "The Butcher" Alazario: 1/3 checks made
Jackson Magraw: 0/3 checks made
Keela: 0/3 checks made
Theritis: 0/3 checks made
Qatala: 1/3 checks made

"Kragr Bloodhand, I may not be of your blood, but I fight for what I believe! not for gold! we came here to help, and I could not wait to meet Medda's kin, for I had hopes to see a great tribe that made us look weak. After we defeat the enemy and return south, what will I say when I speak of Kragr Bloodhand? will I speak of boldness and courage, or will I speak of doubt and... fear?"

Intimidate to influence Kragr, insinuating he's afraid: 1d20 + 19 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 19 + 4 = 31

"Kragr, I can see how tough you are. I know running is not your first choice. We can win, if we fight. If we do not fight, we cannot win."

Attempting to Bluff Kragr. Emphasizing mutual strength.

Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Qatala turns towards Jala the Patient I am not great with words but I understand people and we could have gone straight to the source of this undead problem but we chose to aid you first.

Qatala observes him during this.

sense motive: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30 with Jala the Patient

Keela steps from the shadowy part of the tent she was hiding in, up next to Krarg Bloodhand and softly speaks. She maintains eye contact with him, a saddened look in her eyes.

"I have been where you stand now, Krarg. Though it is true that we do not know anything about your people, or your lands and traditions - we know a thing or two about loss. Trust me when I say, that losing your land would come at a much greater cost to your people. A fighter's identity is unquivacably linked with their land - that is why Medda has put so much effort in these rituals you speak of. Yes these lands are blighted - but they belong to you and your people. It is not weakness to fear the death of your people, nor is it weakness to ask others for help. This is war - and this is what we are here for. You're responsibility is to your people - no? So show them you are willing to help them fight for their land - as we are.

Intimidate to influence Krarg: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (9) + 21 = 30
Only modifier here is the +2 from being strong, please let me know GM how well I went with the roleplay, if I get the +4 bonus.

Keela will assist someone's roll of knowledge religion on Jala tha Patient, once information about her was uncovered.

Kragr goes quiet after Chaine's denouncement, Jackson's rallying call, and growls at Keela's commentary as she finishes. "Right! Right. This land has been nothing but a burden, but it will do them well to remind them of my own strength. Just give me a moment to think on this" Kragr seems to be doing his best to save face by not turning his opinion after the retorts from the party, but he seems well convinced by the party's words.

Jala continues be unconvinced however from her response to Qatala. "And that was your decision to arrive here. We all are attempting to make the best possible decision. Our tribe has little but legend to suggest our clan ever dealt with an attack this large from an enemy so broken from the flow of the land. You may be more experienced with these things, but our people are not." Qatala can tell from speaking with her that Jala favors logical arguments and, on the reverse, dislikes emotional pleas or attempts to manipulate her with them.

Jala the Patient
Hero of the following and its eldest member
Influence Knowledge (nature), Knowledge (religion), or Profession (soldier)
Biases/Advantages Jala prefers to hear reasoned arguments (+2) and dislikes impassioned pleas that depend on emotional manipulation (–2). Facts are especially effective with her (+2) and she very effectively resists emotional appeals (-2).

Adsal: 1/3 checks made
Chaine "The Butcher" Alazario: 2/3 checks made
Jackson Magraw: 1/3 checks made
Keela: 1/3 checks made
Theritis: 0/3 checks made
Qatala: 2/3 checks made

Given the number of options that might be available to everyone, I will allow people to make the checks untrained to aid attempts to influence Jala.

Jackson speaks with Kragr and attempts to convince him he has effective tactic to help win this battle. He also explains he led an army into the Worldwound (Assault on the Wound scenario), so he knows what he's talking about.

Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Chaine paces in front all assembled, displaying his brightly polished, mirror-bright shield, who seems to glow or reflect all of the tent's burning torches and focus their light to showcase the splendor of its worksmanship. The perfect shine of the magical shield brings comfort to the gathering, and for a moment all assembled feel almighty and invincible, unable to fathom that any threat in this world could ever stop them.

"The only thing standing between you and your goal is the b!!+$@&# story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it. When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful."

"Regardless of the future of your tribe, the truth is that there is a danger clearly in front of us now. We might be able to take care of it on our own, the Pathfinders are mighty, but we will certainly be aided if your warriors join us against the undead hordes."

aid another profession soldier: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (16) - 2 = 14

aid another profession soldier: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0

aid another profession soldier: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (11) - 2 = 9

Adsal will approach Jala and with cool calculated Logic make his case.
"We have already defended successfully the other parts of the dagger. This is a fact. We are also experts in killing undead. I for one have extensive training in the art of undead slaying and while I am no divine caster, the goddess Shelyn has blessed me with many strong powers!
This gives us the experience to combat the enemys waiting for us, as does it show our willingness to do the necessary. This is another fact.
"
Know Rel: 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 19 + 2 = 30

I am a follower of Irori and agree with my friend Adsal

aid another knowledge religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

"Cayden has blessed me with the ability to outdrink any of you. However, he requires that I kill any undead hanging around one's tent before I do so! hahaha!"

Knowledge Religion aid another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Jala looks all of you up and down, seemingly looking into each of you and taking measure of your ability. She nods with some approval on that basis. "I have little doubt of your abilities, but given your skill and experience, why should I should support putting the men and women of this tribe in danger when they have far less experience? Why are you in need our their aid?"

How will you (Adsal) and the others respond to this question?

Adsal: 2/3 checks made
Jackson Magraw: 2/3 checks made
Keela: 1/3 checks made
Chaine "The Butcher" Alazario: 3/3 checks made
Theritis: 3/3 checks made
Qatala: 3/3 checks made

Keela speaks up again, in a gentle tone. ”The fact of the matter is - there is strength in numbers. We cannot defeat the dead by ourselves. We are in your lands - you know the terrain better. My dark master failed becuase he was alone. There is strength in numbers. Have your men guide us - and learn from us if you believe them less experienced. But we cannot do this alone. I agree with Adsal - we need to press on.”

religion assist on Jala: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Lacking anything else to do, Jackson will attempt to use his knowledge of surviving the area and its terrain to explain how working with her tribe would provide valuable information to the Pathfinders, thus vastly increasing their chances of succeeding.

And also, undead do not forgive, they do not forget, and they never stop. Not until you destroy them. Running away only buys you time. Winning this war brings your children a better life.

I'm rolling survival on the off chance it can somehow help. I fully expect it won't.

Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

Nodding sagely Adsal replies.
"There are a few reasons to do so!
First of all, we are few. We can not fight all your battles.
Second as Keela so very well stated we utterly lack the expertise of this land.
Third, we will try to take the brunt of the fight, how will your ancestors look upon you if you let others do all the fighting. And we are here to destroy the unliving, but alas, there is always another monster waiting around the corner.
We will gladly teach your folk our ways, but alas the are not always the best ones to fight the menace. I am sure you know a few ways superior to ours.
Still a wise warrior will learn more than one technique.!"

Jala contemplates the points, she certainly doesn't agree with some of the assertions, but she listens throughout.

Hearing you out, the council is ready to confirm the direction they shall take the tribe.

Medda has been with the Society since that unfortunate incident at the museum so her opinion is no surprise. "This is a commitment that was given to us by our ancestors. To abandon it we will only cause ruin to others and deny the sacrifices of those that allowed us to live here today."

"The Pathfinders speak will enough and appear to have the skill to understand and combat this army. I will support granting them our aid as long as they stand firm in their commitment." Jala also votes in support of your actions.

Kragr is irritable, but doesn't raise any complaint. "I will not have it said we were forced out of here under my watch. Abandoning this rite is still a burden, but that will discussion will come tomorrow. For now I will support our clan heading into battle."

Medda nods to you all in thanks as she moves with the others in an effort to rally their warriors as the undead still plague the camp.

5 minutes have past since starting this encounter. The party can attempt to clear the camp of undead or move directly to the portal. What do you do you all wish to do?

Keela lifts the flap of the tent after the conversation comes to an end - responding to the noise coming from outside. She looks worried. ”Hey guys? It looks like there is trouble outside...”

lets deal with them first before dealing with the portal

Qatala uses the wand of shield she had in her hand before heading out.

AC=33 FF 23 T25

I have posted an update regarding the progress to this campaign to the first slide of the maps. The current plan is to come back to the special on Friday, but I'll change that message if that plan is modified. Send me an email if you want me to email you updates directly for changes. I do look forward to continuing this.

Apologies for all the issues.

Let me know if you are having any issues above and beyond the campaign or if you need additional clarification. Thank you all so much.

Announcement for Special

Five minutes without fighting felt like five days... Theritis thinks as he draws his greatsword and prepares for the undead on the other side of the tent-flap.

***OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT***

The air fills with the sound of Kellid battle cries as dozens of Twinhorn warriors join the fight! Table GMs, the Twinhorn Allies effect on page 7 is in play.

Twinhorn Allies: You have a brief moment to prepare anything you wish before heading outside into the next encounter.

Leaving the tent chaos is still erupting outside. An vast number of your fellow Pathfinders, alongside those of the Twinhorn, are contending with the army of shades, dragons, and powerful undead. As you appraise yourselves of the situation a large rock crashes into the table beside you. At the far northern end of the camp the source stands with a silent resolve against you. He is a giant cloaked by darkness and highlighted by the fresh blood around him and once he sees your attention he prepares his spiked chain for your approach.

You are not alone however as the Twinhorn leaders rally their people and push back against the darkness alongside of you!

The next successful melee or ranged attack each of you make will gain +4d8 damage and, for 1 round, everyone attacking afterwards will gain flanking against the target.

Round 1
Keela (Twinhorn Allies)
Adsal (Twinhorn Allies)
Giant
Qatala (Twinhorn Allies)
Jackson (Twinhorn Allies)
Theritis (Twinhorn Allies)
Chaine (Twinhorn Allies)

Keela and Adsal are able to act.

Keela unable to post, posting on their behalf.

Keela once again takes her combat posture as she advances toward the giant ready for it to attack.

Keela: swift action (enter Dragon Style), move (move forward through camp), standard (full defense)
AC 33

Round 1
Keela (Twinhorn Allies; Full Defense)
Adsal (Twinhorn Allies)
Giant
Qatala (Twinhorn Allies)
Jackson (Twinhorn Allies)
Theritis (Twinhorn Allies)
Chaine (Twinhorn Allies)

Adsal is able to act.

The giant glares at Keela as she approaches, he pulles at the shadows around the camp and draws them over himself as though he were pulling at cobwebs. The shadows clings to his form and obscure him among the flickering shadows as he advances.

His chains rattle about and cut into his own flesh as he spits out insults to Keela. "Traitor. Some fleshy mortal who claims service to the darkness while trying to drive it back. You deserve a worse death than I can offer."

The giant is under the effects of blur granting 20% concealment.

Round 1
Adsal (Twinhorn Allies)
Giant (blur)
Qatala (Twinhorn Allies)
Jackson (Twinhorn Allies)
Theritis (Twinhorn Allies)
Chaine (Twinhorn Allies)

Round 2
Keela (Twinhorn Allies)
Adsal (Twinhorn Allies)
...

Everyone can act. Adsal can take both turns. If you are waiting for something let me know. I'm not demanding people rush back to places but I do want the campaign to be available and people to be able to take actions once they are able to get on.

Qatala casts true strike on herself and spends 2pp adding +4 insight AC for 1 round, which works out as adding 3 as has +1 normally.

She uses a swift action to take up crane wing stance and moves forward as per the map. If she provokes an attack of opportunity she has mobility.
As part of her move she draw's her 9 section whip.

AC 36, 40 if AoO.

Adsal quickly weaves a spell and casts burning arc on the giant.
BA DC 19 Refl Half: 9d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 1, 3, 6, 3, 3, 1, 3) = 28

The giant swats the chain at Qatala as she enters his reach. He gives little effort in the swing and his error leads his chain to striking nothing but air. "Yet more vermin cowering for the light. Pathetic."

Giant Spike Chain AoO vs Qatala: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (2) + 26 = 28 Miss
Giant Damage: 2d6 + 18 ⇒ (3, 2) + 18 = 23

The approaching flame demands his attention though as he quickly avoids most of the attack.

Giant Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

"Do you find comfort in your flame? Throw your dying embers at me and know that the darkness will always overtake them."

Round 1
Adsal (Twinhorn Allies)
Giant (blur [20% miss chance], 14 damage)
Qatala (Twinhorn Allies)
Jackson (Twinhorn Allies)
Theritis (Twinhorn Allies)
Chaine (Twinhorn Allies)

Round 2
Keela (Twinhorn Allies)
Adsal (Twinhorn Allies)

Adsal will still have a turn for the second round.

Chaine maneuvers Silvermane around the tents and spurs him to greater speed on the approach. "Was that a challenge, you overgrown roach? because I think this was a challenge... yes?"

Vs. Giant: +1 Cold Iron Valiant Lance, Mounted charge vs. Challenged target, Banner: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (20) + 20 = 40 for dmg: 3d6 + 3d8 + 51 + 4d8 + 4d8 + 4d8 ⇒ (6, 3, 4) + (8, 3, 3) + 51 + (6, 2, 4, 8) + (8, 1, 1, 3) + (8, 3, 4, 7) = 133 cold iron magical piercing dmg.

+5 to AC vs. challenged foes.

CONFIRM CRIT: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (15) + 20 = 35 for dmg: 2d6 + 2d8 + 34 + 4d8 + 4d8 ⇒ (3, 4) + (6, 4) + 34 + (5, 1, 2, 5) + (5, 4, 7, 5) = 85 cold iron magical piercing dmg.

Adsal shrugs and weaves another spell.
"Maybe you prefer glitter to flames."
Glitterdust! DC20 Resist!

Theritis races to what's left of the giant, dodging his anticipated strike.

acrobatics to avoid AOO: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35

double move with acrobatics check at end to avoid AOO

Chaine vs Concealment 21+: 1d100 ⇒ 61

The giant falters a step from Chaine's critical blow. As he regains some composure he chokes out, "I am well prepared for pain. What of you?"

Chaine: I have a question as it looks like you are doing extra damage beyond what you should have. I'll put the question in discussion and leave off the damage I am uncertain about for now.

Even with this as a distraction, Theritis isn't able to close the distance with the giant without drawing his attention. But as he starts to sweep his chain, Adsal's spell makes a direct hit on the giant leaving it screaming in rage.

Giant Will: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

The giant is blinded by glitterdust.

Round 1
Qatala (Twinhorn Allies)
Jackson (Twinhorn Allies)
Theritis (Twinhorn Allies)
Chaine

Round 2
Keela (Twinhorn Allies)
Adsal (Twinhorn Allies)
Giant (blur [20% miss chance], blinded (20), 149 damage)

Updating Giant Damage to include valiant damage.

Round 1
Qatala (Twinhorn Allies)
Jackson (Twinhorn Allies)
Theritis (Twinhorn Allies)
Chaine

Round 2
Keela (Twinhorn Allies)
Adsal (Twinhorn Allies)
Giant (blur [20% miss chance], blinded (20), 163 damage)

On all fours, Keela moves across the battlefield - swiftly closing her distance to the shadowy giant. She kicks up the dust behind her and makes full use of the Twinhorn Allies and Inspire Courage that are helping her in this fight. "You have not seen true darkness. Let me show you."

Round 2: mechanically, keela will use her flying kick ki strike to move and full attack on the first attack, following by the rest of her flurry. She will use a point of ki to gain an extra attack. She will make use of all the buffs currently available to the table. You can send the token to someone else.

1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

He doesn't make a comment as he braces himself blindly against the incoming attacks. Nearly all of Keela's blows find their mark and the giant is brought down low.

Do you wish to continue clearing out the camp, I suspect yes given the responses of the party thus far. The other option would be to move toward the portal. I'll take the first response.