GM Bold Strider's PFS #00-13 The Prince of Augustana (Tier 1-5) (Inactive)

Game Master rpblue

He already gave you the directions.

"Still ... I believe that we have already given our bond to help the sick here as well. So it would seem that we will be playing nurse for the next 8 hours or so."

If allowed, Tristan will use those Heal checks from initial entry to work with the sick and diseased beggars for the minimum 8 hours to see what curing he can do. If you want different rolls, LMK. Perhaps others can Aid Another if possible.

Tristan goes to the infected beggars and begins working on them with his rudimentary knowledge of healing.

Heal 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Heal 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Heal 3: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

He already gave you the directions.

Tin stands there looking at the Almsman for a moment, and suddenly inexplicably responds to nobody.

"Yea.. I knew that you already gave us the directions. I was just testing you to make sure they were the same the second time around."

The investigator turns on his heel and waits on the perimeter of the Almsman's turf, clearly ready to move on to investigate the Prince's portal.

"We fighted a bunch of Steel Wyvern before coming here," Dorgrin says, while checking once again if everything works well on his crossbow. "One of them was an alchemist and it seems that he kept some elixirs of healing in his laboratory if I remember right. It might be worth having a look cause it may be helpful for your men."

The Almsman will gladly take the bundle of Filth Fever tonics from Dorgrin. These will keep my wards safe and free my current charges from the disease ravaging them.

You just saved yourself eight hours of care.

---

The lot of you travel along the Almsman's map, taking innumerable twists and turns, nearly causing Tin to think that the man swindled you, until you stumble upon the room that is marked with an 'X'.

The Almsman’s directions lead to a heavy wooden door. A sign on the door is partially obscured by grime and moss, and the word “Skytower” is still barely legible.

Tristan moves into the room and finds that 5his room was once the basement of a building above, but the stairs in the far corner are now choked with charred rubble and seem to lead to a new stone foundation of the new building above. Odd furniture and knick-knacks of all description fill the remaining space, and strange winged effigies made of wood and broken pottery are arrayed in a bizarre diorama.

The focal point of this display is a pair of chairs standing on different-sized piles of old crates like thrones on a dais. A charred and shriveled corpse dressed in rotting and burnt finery and wearing a tin crown is propped up in one of the chairs while the other, lower chair, sits vacant.

The charred corpse bears a tin crown with a crude inscription that reads “Emperor Relios.” Amidst the furniture is a desk with several log books and journals. Most of them detail the day-to-day transactions of the Emporium, but one is a personal journal. It details the goings on of many of his wealthy clients, as well as a man named Relios’s personal life including the details of his ancestry and his son’s birth, Gandros. One of the last ledgers mentions that Relios was falling on hard times and intended to sell his wayfinder back to the Pathfinder Society. The ledgers also show that Relios was selling a steady stream of yellowcap mushrooms to members of the pre-revolution high society in Augustana.

The next rooms are vaults lined with shelves thick with growing yellowcap mushrooms.

More faerie effigies hide among the mushrooms, and on the very back wall, Gandros has painted a portal, a large circle of swirling color patterns. On the floor lies an open and empty scroll case next to a slightly charred, blank piece of parchment.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Yyrkoon will try to get his companions attention and point toward the western vault.
"We are not alone. Be ready."

Yyrkoon will draw his lg spear and face the western vault.

Perception DC 15: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Tristan also hears the snorting sounds coming from the back of the chamber. He draws out his longsword, and readies his shield.

"Are these mushrooms dangerous to us? I have no knowledge about such matters, but am curious about lies behind the wall."

Quick Retcon: Tristan would've used his CLW wand to cure himself, and his last lay on hands to anyone else who was short HP.

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Lay on Hands, if needed: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

"Do not eat those mushrooms, not that any of you likely intended to. My people, we still eat these at times, but only for spiritual rituals. They allow us to delve into the spirit world. You would think it to be more akin to a hallucination. If you want to keep your wits about you, leave them be." Chatan walks to a nearby patch of the mushrooms and grabs them up and places them in his belt pouch for keeping. "I will commune with the spirits when we are done with this mission, and finding if this Prince is who he says he is."

"It does seem our friend wasn't lying about a portal; however, this doesn't appear to be anything more than a drawing."

Chatan then becomes aware of the actions of his allies and the warning issued Yyrkoon and readies his longspear. Chatan faces the rear of the chamber, waiting to follow his allies or see what emerges from the darkness. "We are never alone my friend, the difference is what you can see," he says in response to Yyrkoon.

DC 15 Perception check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Dorgrin slowly loads his crossbow and stands ready to shoot if needed.

Tin narrows his eyes at the dead main in the chair while flipping through a few books.

Oddly, he now seems to be wearing pale-colored gloves.

"Yeah... I hafta t'say I'm not surprised that this emperor here was a Pathfinder. So, it seems our little prince was nothin' more than the son of a down-on-his-luck Pathfinder."

Tin steps up to the corpse and leans in a little closer.

"Maybe back in his day they did a little less murdering and a little more hobo'ing."

As Yyrkoon calls his attention to not being alone, he nods quietly and unstraps his longbow.

He still can't stop himself from making a quip.

"Damn, one of these days I'm gonna get me one of them Alkenstar boomsticks instead...."

1d20 ⇒ 16

The group slowly snakes their way back towards the bumping sound, taking their normal lead.

Perception:
Tin: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Yyrkoon: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Tristan: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Chatan: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Dorgrin: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

As soon as Tristan enters the rear vault, he is beset by three monsters. These creatures' bloated frames shudder with each heaving step, yet despite their shape, the things move with surprising quickness.

Claw @ Tristan-20 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Claw Confirmation @ Tristan-20 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Claw @ Tristan-20 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Claw @ Tristan-20 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Tristan feels two claws lash into him, drawing deep wounds.

Damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2, 2) + 3 = 8

Initiative:
Tin: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Yyrkoon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Tristan: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Chatan: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Dorgrin: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
???: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4

Initiative:
1st: Tin @ 19/19 HP; Tristan @ 20/28 HP; Dorgrin @ 16/16 HP; Yyrkoon @ 10/10 HP; Chatan @ 10/10 HP
2nd: ??? (#1; #2; #3)

The map makes it look like there is another entrance into the room. Is this true or are some of the lines blocked making it hard to see?

There is two entrances.

Tin glares at the fleshy masses, and taps into some of his shady past to share his knowledge of the fiends.

Knowledge planes: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"Yea, these be dretches... Lucky for us, they're weak sons of dretches, so we ain't gotta worry about no kinds of no resistances."

Tin gives a nod to the others, gesturing to the second entrance.

"Looks like that other door leads to the same place."

Allowing the others to figure out that means they should move around to flank, Tin draws an arrow and tries to aim it past Tristan.

Sadly, adding -8 for firing through soft cover into melee.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 5 - 8 ⇒ (4) + 5 - 8 = 1 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Round 1 Initiative 11

Yyrkoon draws his long spear and moves to the corner, bracing it against possible attack.

"By Iomedae's blessed weapon, I will smite these creatures of the Abyss, sending them back to whatever Pit they spawned from."

Tristan, weakened by the dretches' quick strikes, imbues his weapon with holy power of Iomedae, and strikes at the foe directly to his left.

Swift action to Smite Evil. Standard Action to smack the one to the left also using Power Attack.

Tristan longsword, smite vs outsider, PA: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 1 + 2 = 18
Dmg, smite vs outsider, PA: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 + 6 = 13

Linked Smite Evil above for your reference. If nothing else, please note that the Smite Evil bypasses an DR that the target may have. Tristan also gains +2 AC deflection bonus against that target.

In this confined space, Dorgrin cannot be very useful with his crossbow. He lets it down gently on the floor, picks up a small flask from his bag and moves towards the creatures, drawing his warhammer at the same time.

I am familiar with Smite Evil. My first character to level 12 in PFS was a Champion of Irori. The iconic Bold Strider.

Tristan strikes down a dretch with divine ease as Dorgrin and Yyrkoon move into better positions.

Tin tries to fire off an arrow, however his shortbow is about as effective as it has been all day...

Initiative:
1st: Tin @ 19/19 HP; Tristan @ 20/28 HP; Dorgrin @ 16/16 HP; Yyrkoon @ 10/10 HP; Chatan @ 10/10 HP
2nd: ??? (#2-Blue; #3-Red)

Sorry I have been out of town and super busy.

Chatan moves forward, trying to get close enough to use his spear.

On mobile, map not loading. Assuming I can get in range.

Attack: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18
Damage: 1d8 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

-Posted with Wayfinder

With all of the walls and people in the way, Chatan's longspear strike goes wide. He doesn't think he will have very much luck with this particular weapon.

The demons fan out to avoid getting caught between the Pathfinders and lash out at their respective targets.

Bite @ Dorgrin-15 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Claw @ Dorgrin-15 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Claw @ Dorgrin-15 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Bite @ Tristan-21 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Claw @ Tristan-21 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Claw @ Tristan-21 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Only Dorgrin is injured by the attacks, however.

Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Initiative:
1st: Tin @ 19/19 HP; Tristan @ 20/28 HP; Dorgrin @ 12/16 HP; Yyrkoon @ 10/10 HP; Chatan @ 10/10 HP
2nd: Dretches (#2-Blue; #3-Red)

With his smite done, Tristan still calls out to Iomedae to guide his weapon as he fits the spawn of the Abyss but is forced to rely on his own sinew and skill rather than divine intervention. Fortunately his hours of rigid drill and training have made him pretty formidable in his own right.

Tristan longsword, power attack: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 - 1 = 15
Dmg, power attack: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Tin continues to fire his bow and further build a case in his mind for a more offensively-capable firearm in the future.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 5 - 8 ⇒ (1) + 5 - 8 = -2 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"Son of a... this bow ain't right."

Gritting his teeth, Dorgrin opens the flask of holy water he holds in his hand and pours its content onto his opponent.

Pour holy water (ranged touch attack)/blue dretch: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 = 26
Damage: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (1, 1) + 1 = 3
Confirm. critical: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 = 16
Additional damage: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 1 = 6

Initiative:
1st: Tin @ 19/19 HP; Tristan @ 20/28 HP; Dorgrin @ 12/16 HP; Yyrkoon @ 10/10 HP; Chatan @ 10/10 HP
2nd: Dretches (#2-Blue @ 11 damage; #3-Red @ 9 damage)

Yyrkoon exchanges his long spear for his scimitar and prepares to enter the room next round.

Chatan steps up next to Tristan and attacks the nearby creature.

Attack Red Creature: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16 Damage Red Creature: 1d8 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

-Posted with Wayfinder

@Chatan: I have no idea how you are attacking the one targeting Tristan. You have a longspear, so you can't move into the room and you are at an additional -6 to hit from soft cover and regular cover for trying to hit around a corner and past Tristan if you stay outside.

Then ignore my post. The map to me looks like I should be able to move into the room if someone slides over.

Chatan realizes he can't attack from this position and stands there watching over the battle trying to find a way to be useful.

The dretches lash out at Dorgrin and Tristan once more.

Bite @ Dorgrin-15 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Claw @ Dorgrin-15 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Claw @ Dorgrin-15 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Bite @ Tristan-21 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Claw @ Tristan-21 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Claw @ Tristan-21 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Dorgrin is ravaged by the attacks while Tristan is able to fend off every single hit.

Damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3, 1) + 3 = 8

Initiative:
1st: Tin @ 19/19 HP; Tristan @ 20/28 HP; Dorgrin @ 4/16 HP; Yyrkoon @ 10/10 HP; Chatan
@ 10/10 HP
2nd: Dretches (#2-Blue @ 11 damage; #3-Red @ 9 damage)

Seriously wounded, Dorgrin is forced to withdraw.

Withdraw action

Seeing his ally get mauled by the dretch, Tristan takes a 5' step to stand between the spawns of the Abyss, trying to prevent them from attacking his fellows further, and holding them both back from advancing without a fight.

"Fear not, brave fellows, for we have the Inheritor on our side against these demons. They will fall to us, never fear. Stand behind me and take courage. Bring what action you can against them."

He swings at the one he had damaged previously, trying to end its existence on this plane, before turning his attention to the other.

Tristan longsword, PA: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 - 1 = 25
Dmg, PA: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6

Tin glares at the bow in his hand and then over his shoulder at the retreating dwarf.

"Hunhh.. well, looks like I should be playin' doctor, although you're not quite as good lookin' as the girls I used ta' play it with as a kid."

5ft, move action to pull wand, standard to use it.

Cure light on Dolgrin: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Yyrkoon ... seeing an opening, foolishly moves in against the blue drench.
Scimitar: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 for Slashing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Tristan cuts down one of the dretches as Dorgrin retreats to find the aid of the SVU Pathfinder detective.

Initiative:
1st: Tin @ 19/19 HP; Tristan @ 20/28 HP; Dorgrin @ 13/16 HP; Yyrkoon @ 10/10 HP; Chatan
@ 10/10 HP
2nd: Dretches (#2-Blue @ 11 damage)

Chatan delays as Yyrkoon swings his scimitar through the air, missing everything.

The dretch lashes out at Yyrkoon as a last ditch attempt.

Bite @ Yyrkoon-15 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Claw @ Yyrkoon-15 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Claw @ Yyrkoon-15 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Damage: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 2 = 8

Initiative:
1st: Tin @ 19/19 HP; Tristan @ 20/28 HP; Dorgrin @ 13/16 HP; Yyrkoon @ 2/10 HP; Chatan
@ 10/10 HP
2nd: Dretches (#2-Blue @ 11 damage)

With just one dretch to focus on, Tristan cries out and stabs at the demon with all his might, trying to end the fight before the foul enemy can damage anyone else.

"For Iomedae!"

Tristan longsword, PA: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 - 1 = 25
DMg, PA: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

... And Yyrkoon, realizing his mistake ... withdraws.

Tristan slays the last dretch with a broad sweep of his longsword.

Once the dretches are defeated, it is safe for Gandros to return home which he wishes to do. He is firmly entrenched in his delusions regardless of what you tell him. He magnanimously grants you anything you want from among the remains of the Emporium basement. If you arrange to have him removed to an asylum, the conditions are little better than his existing home, but he happily christens the place “his new royal palace.”

Alternatively, the Almsman is willing to take care of the old man, and help clean up the old Emporium. Venture-Captain Caudron Wallace is more relieved than disappointed that there is no otherworldly portal in the sewers, but mostly self-satisfied that the whole thing was a waste of his time as he predicted.

Chronicles: HERE!

Tin kicks one of the dretches for good measure, and from a distance of certainty launches an arrow into one of their skulls, no longer having to worry about their movement in combat or his own allies disrupting his shot.

"Yea.... Captain Wallace, not only was it a waste of your time, it was a waste or our time. There weren't even no treasure or nothin'."