GM Bold Strider's PFS 00-23 Tide of Morning (1-5) (Inactive)

Game Master rpblue

In Absalom, the Venture-Captains claimed it would be a nice walk in the woods, a pleasant change of pace from the bustle of the city. Obviously they forgot about the brambles, boulders, and biting insects of the Verduran Forest, which turned the jouney into an arduous three-day scramble of detours, torn clothes, and near falls.

Fortunately, Venture-Captain Dennel Hamshanks (the greatest of Venture-Captains) made a firm impression before the expedition left
Absalom.

The air grew still as Hamshanks rolled into a meeting room deep inside the Pathfinder Lodge in Absalom, his jowls flowing and his enormous axe clanking against his thigh. The man’s black eyes scanned the room. “You lot?” Hamshanks spat. “Well, maybe you’ll surprise me."

“Your boat leaves in an hour, so I’ll be brief. One of the Society’s contacts in Andoran sent us an interesting little nugget this morning. A druid named Hemzel swept into Augustana’s Civic Library last week, demanding his right of research. Our contact learned that Hemzel acquired a lorestone from somewhere in the Verduran Forest. Heard of such a thing?” Hamshanks paused expectantly and spat again.

“Of course not. Heard of druids, at least? And their crazy stone circles? Well thank Gorum for that. Lorestones are somehow connected to them—supposedly they can bestow you with all of the knowledge of the druids. We’d like to know how, so we want that stone and you’re going to get it for us."

“Unfortunately, the Society is not a friend to Hemzel. He’s the self-declared protector of the Verduran Forest inside Andoran’s borders and some of our more eager explorers have angered him and his little band of gnomes. He’s sworn a blood feud with the Pathfinders."

“Break out your skills of persuasion and get me that lorestone. Do what you need to—sweep the floors or plant some trees for the old man. Something nice—let him know we’re there to study and not to slash and burn.”

As the sun sets on the third day of travel in the Verduran Forest, the welcome sight of a puffing chimney—Hemzel’s home, according to the map—reveals itself atop a hill.

As the three day journey through the Verduran Forest finally neared its end, Orik was in (what else?) a sour mood. All the briars, brambles, thorns, and thistles in the entire forest seemed to have poked and prodded the poor dwarf all the away from Augustana. Now at last, it appeared the home of the grubby little gnome druid they had been seeking, Hemzel, was nearby.

Ach, if'n I sae anoother thoorn r' thistle in mae life, it'll bae tae soon! Why couldn't t'is gnoome live oonder d'groun' like a wee wise fella, eh? But nae, it 'as tae bae trampin' t'rough t'forest like a damn herd o' elephaunts, 'stead o' a wee walk in t'woods as proomised. If tha' blasted Hamshanks were 'ere nae, I'd tweak 'is noggin, but good, yeh ken?"

Rhuul looks around the group.

"Well, an unfriendly druid, and a fire. Did Hamshanks say he was a gnome? Anyone here especially good with gnomes?"

He looks hard from one pathfinder to the next.

"If he is anything like other gnomes I have met, he'll like a trick or two. Why he won't like is half a dozen thugs trying to beat down his door. So maybe we should keep the weapons at bay, eh?"

He grins at Orik. "Just so long as you don't tweak Hemzel's noggin."

Orik mutters to himself a few expletives about gnomes in general and gnome druids in particular.

"Aye, Laird Rhuul. Keep mae temper an' mae weapons in check, 'til wae 'ave need o''em. Aye! But, by T'rag's Grey Beard, you'll bae giv'n mae t'word when yer ready fer mae style o' negootiatin', eh?"

Orik slings his waraxe as instructed, but keeps his shield in the off-hand just in case trouble is closer than it appears on this idyllic hilltop.

The young Chelaxian woman accompany the group seems not to mind the long walk through the wilderness at all. In fact several times she casually mentions to her talking raven, "At least this is much better than that infernal Osirion desert..."

As they near the druid's home, she shoos the bird off her shoulder, "Go hide nearby, Morrey. Keep your eyes open for trouble though, and let me know immediately."

"Yes, mistress." The bird replies as he flies off to hide in a tree.

Although she does not participate in the conversation between the dwarves in the party, she does seem to be paying extra attention to whatever Orik says, perhaps it's that thick accent.

Not sure of what the marching order of the group is going to be, but Rowanna will try to stay in the back as they approach the house.

A towering, greenish-gray, and not unattractive half-orc woman swaggers up. "You think you're going to find fame and fortune and it's nothing but mushrooms," she says, and then does a double take, turning quite a bit greener. "Um...hello. I think this is the right place, yes?" she says, much more meekly, and pats her Lucerne hammer for reassurance.

So, I'm going to buy at least one, maybe two potions of Mage Armor to survive here... :D

At the Hilltop

Ishingka looks a combination of relieved and deflated at the request to keep weapons down for the moment. "Aye aye, Rhuul." Her fingers clench--half-orcs, even city bred ones, are not naturally patient.

Rhuul nods thoughtfully to the group.

"Let us be on our way then."

He heads up the hill towards the house, keeping a wary eye on the local greenery. If for no other reason than to have something to talk with the druid about.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Wembly in final fight trying to stay alive. If you need to start without him, I don't want to hold things up. Suspect he will be ready in 1–2 days.

Shamak is also in the final fight.

With two people almost wrapped, I will hold off.

Scenario starts on Monday! Enjoy the weekend!

Two bards? I may live yet! :D Have fun storming the castle!

A smallish gnome with wild hair enters quickly in a hurry from running.

"Well hello everyone. Sorry I am late. I am Wembletonian Horatio Aurturillo Templeton. But my friends, you can call me Wembly. I hail from the Sanos forest. Although I did not quite fit in there and traveled here and became a Pathfinder. I have a cat that has followed me from Sanos. Although I do not think he is really from the forest but beyond the First World. I call him "Whiskers". Where are we heading this time?"

"Oi, Wembles. I'm Ishingka, apparently the weak link in this lot," says the half-orc with a weaker grin than usual. "There's a druid up there, has a stone, and naturally we have to wheedle it from him and convince him that's a good thing. Fortunately for you, and us, there are apparently a bunch of gnomes in his employ. Perhaps you can strike up a rapport. If not, we will simply have to strike them," she says, eyes twinkling.

"And that is not a cat," she says, eyeing the creature next to him. "Gah. Anyhow, follow Rhuul, the dwarf who doesn't sound like he's spitting out Ulfen poetry when he talks. He's setting the lead."

"Ulfen po'try?" Orik cries in dismay. "I bae speakin' t'Emperor's Tald'n same as ye. I doan 'ear nae un speakin' in po'try. Ain't nae wee bard goan oon in 'mbic peentameeter, lassie!"

"He just has a strong dwarven accent." agrees Rhuul.

The colourful dwarf looks over Orik.

"Or maybe that is a dwarven Axe-cent."

"Aye! Laird Rhuul, aye!" shouts Orik slapping his fellow stoutly on the back. "Axe-cen' bae righ'! By Torag's Beard, I'll earn mae keep wit' tha' axe an' nae mae speakin' voice, eh? Though it dae work woonders oon t'lasses, if'n yae take mae meanin'?!? Eh??? Ha!"

You hear a voice like thunder over the hills. Something like a song, but a pretty raw one. A big half-orc joins the party running and growling loud. He stops himself when he reaches the others. "Hoy! Sorry, I had a little delay. That minotaur-ghost wasn't going to let us go! I am Shamak, singer of the "Deaf Notes", you may know our chelaxian band. Happy to meet you finally!"
Shamak is a young Half-orc who stands at 6'7 and has plenty of tatoos on him. He is wearing a brand new breastplate with a mendevian flag on it. He has a Falchion at his side.

Ishingka opens her mouth to reply to Orik, then stops. Best not to mock further the dwarf who will likely save your large behind, friend, she tells herself. And quit that! My rear is quite shapely, she mentally chastises.

"Oi, Shamak," says Ishingka appreciatively, rather won over and happy to see another half-orc. "You'll have to sing for me---us, that is. Us. When we camp. After killing something. I mean, negotiating." She checks for any blood crusted under her nails for a moment.

Rhuul looks a little worried at the thought of Orcish singing!

"Well" he finally admits "Ya voice carries notes better than mine."

And then he continues up the hill.

Wembly nods at Ishingka's suggestion.

"That sounds like a good plan. They look very sturdy. Whiskers and I work better from the back of the group . "

Wembly looks over the group.

Wow, two orcs and two dwarves. Sounds like a recipe for confrontation. I hope it is with our enemies and not within our own ranks. I am sure it will be fine if I stay out of the way.

Sunset has just passed, and the thick forest is shrouded in shadowy illumination. Smoke rises lazily from a chimney set atop a small, round wooden hut just over a steep hillside covered in thick vines and brambles. “Too late, too late for Hemzel!” a high voice cackles from behind the hut. “Gire, finish them!”

Hemzel built his home on a steep hill and surrounded it with a thick barricade of vines to guard against unwelcome intruders. Some squares are so dense as to be all but impassable, although they can be slashed open (Hardness 1, 15 hit points) or climbed (DC 10), and some are merely difficult terrain. Tiny (or smaller) creatures treat the impassable squares as only difficult terrain.

As you approach the hut, to see what the yelling is about, a rundown henhouse erupts in an explosion of wood splinters, exposing hundreds of angry rats. A small fey creature appears by the doorway, laughs and flees into the nearby forest.

Initiative:
Wembly: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Rhuul: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (9) + 0 = 9
Ishingka: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Shamak: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Orik: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Rowanna: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Rats: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Initiative:
1st: Rowanna @ 26/26 HP
2nd: Rats!
3rd: Orik @ 40/40 HP; Wembly @ 27/27 HP; Whiskers @ 22/22 HP; Rhuul @ 31/31 HP; Ishingka @ 13/13 HP;
4th: ?
5th: Shamak @ 26/26 HP

With a sigh suggesting that she'll regret this later, Rowanna quickly makes her way along the path and stops near the rats, casting Burning Hands at the swarm in a cone shape that avoids her allies.

Burning Hands (DC 15 Ref for half): 4d4 ⇒ (4, 3, 1, 3) = 11

Followed the path during movement, if she can't stop in the square she's in because it's difficult terrain, she'll just stop in front of the rats.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Rowanna bathes the creatures in flames, however they are quick and avoid most of the fire. This causes the rats to split up into two swarms which proceed to engulf the party!

Need two Fortitude saves from everyone. Disease and Untyped

1d6 ⇒ 2
1d6 ⇒ 4

Initiative:
1st: Rowanna @ 24/26 HP
2nd: Rat Swarms (#1-Red @ 7; #2-Blue @ 7)
3rd: Orik @ 38/40 HP; Wembly @ 23/27 HP; Whiskers @ 18/22 HP; Rhuul @ 29/31 HP; Ishingka @ 9/13 HP;
4th: ?
5th: Shamak @ 22/26 HP

Fort Save, disease: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Fort Save, untyped: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 perfect...

Orik is able to fight off the disease spread by the swarm of angry rats, but as they clamber and claw all over engulfing him, he is overcome with nausea, unable to attack. The dwarf staggers away from the rat swarm, flipping little rodents everywhere, and trying to regain his senses.

Fort Disease: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Fort Untyped: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Staggering and already sorely wounded, Ishingka moves west out of the two swarms. She draws her pitiful healing potion with a shaking hand.

I can't move my token without messing up the Google doc due to my own clumsiness with layers, sorry! Ishingka needs to go 5' or 10' to the left and heal.

The path is surrounded by difficult terrain, while the house is surrounded by impassable terrain. You would have to spend a move action to move through the brambles. Good?

Fort vs Disease: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Fort vs Untyped: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

fort vs disease: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
fort untyped: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Rhuul, knowing his axe is no use against the rats, advances up the path to the door. In his left hand he unfurls a flag with the Rune of the Open Road upon it.
Flag bearer, +1 to hit, +1 to damage and +1 save vs fear

"Rats, it looks like someone is here before us."
And with two bards, I'm going to lay into the inspire courage with gusto. That is another +1 to hit and +1 to damage. Bring out them splash weapons!

He looks into the hut.
perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

I updated Ish on the map.

Wembly fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Wembly fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Whiskers fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Whiskers fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Save fort vs Disease: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Save fort vs Untyped: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Yes, Ishingka can't fight the swarm, so she's going to crawl toward the hut.

Ishingka stumbles through rats to find solace near the hut as she begins to vomit, unable to draw a potion as her mind screams at her to do. Orik, Wembly and Whiskers do the same, tumbling out of the rat swarms in varying directions as Rhuul proudly displays his flag for everyone to glory at.

He goes to peek into the window on the door when the door is blasted open and a small pixie-like creature bursts out and buzzes around. "Death to the bigguns! The rats shall eat your face and defecate your eyes!"

All of the sudden the plants grow to ridiculous shapes and sizes and begins to grow around your feet and legs. Entangle DC 13

Initiative:
1st: Rowanna @ 24/26 HP
2nd: Rat Swarms (#1-Red @ 7; #2-Blue @ 7)
3rd: Orik @ 38/40 HP; Wembly @ 23/27 HP; Whiskers @ 18/22 HP; Rhuul @ 29/31 HP; Ishingka @ 9/13 HP;
4th: ?
5th: Shamak @ 22/26 HP

Ref: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Concentration: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Ref 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

After avoiding becoming tangled up in the plants when the spell is first cast, Rowanna tries to use her Flight hex to cast Levitate on herself, but becomes distracted by the swarm and loses it. She then opts to move out the swarm and next to Rhuul by the door, but finally become entangled.

I couldn't access Rowanna's marker under the swarm, but I'd like to move her to the square directly west of Rhuul.

Also, what's the Knowledge roll to have information on the rat swarm?

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Thrashing, Ishingka manages to stay out of the vines. She moves toward the door.

ah, these Google layers. She should be in front of the door.

reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Takes ten on sense motive for 15
"Hey there little fela. We are here to talk, what is going on?"
diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19 < if hostile then add 1
"Apart from these plants!"

keeping up inspire courage

Fair point below, sense motive roll added.
sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Since we are in the middle of combat, I don't think you can take 10 on anything.

Wembly reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Whiskers reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Out of the frying pan into the fire...

"Whiskers, this just isn't our day, is it?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Reflex DC 13: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Wiping the remains of vomit from his mouth and beard, Orik sees the fey creature burst from the cabin. Watching her closely, he realizes she seems to be putting up a tough-guy act, more than she's a true mean spirit. Sidestepping the entangling thornbushes, he calls out to the fey, "Oy, fairy lass! Nae need tae 'tack us, eh? We're mates o wee 'emzel. 'ere tae help the lad. Give oos a break an' call oof yer blasted green tanglies, eh?"

Say, I think I have an action left...

Ishingka draws her potion, wary of the negotiations occurring.

Aid Another Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

"We're here to help. We can...plant trees and the like," she offers, steadying herself after the rush of nausea from the rats. I still have that filth fever tonic about--thanks, Augustana, she muses.

@Ishingka: You actually don't as you were nauseated by the swarm.

@Rowanna: DC 11 Knowledge(Dungeoneering)

@Rhuul: Diplomacy check will be a standard action that will occur on your turn.

@Everone: At the end of your turn, if you remain in the entangle (nearly impossible to escape), you must make another Reflex save against Entangle.

Initiative:
1st: Rowanna-Entangled @ 24/26 HP
2nd: Rat Swarms (#1-Red @ 7; #2-Blue @ 7)
3rd: Orik @ 38/40 HP; Wembly-Entangled @ 23/27 HP; Whiskers-Entangled @ 18/22 HP; Rhuul-Entangled @ 29/31 HP; Ishingka @ 9/13 HP;
4th: ?
5th: Shamak @ 22/26 HP

Oh, I thought that only lasted one round, but I suppose that's this round. My bad! In that case I can't talk or use Diplomacy either.

If this is round two, then the diplomacy is Rhuul's standard action. He moved to the doors entrance in round one, and maintaining the music is a free action

Round 2 hasn't started as we are waiting on an action from Shamak to finish Round 1, then the rats get to go before everyone but Rowanna who has already stated her action.

Round 1

Ref save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Shamak goes forward trying to reach his companions.

I don't think Shamak heard the pixies, since he's on the other side of the fence and swarm.
Sorry for my inactivity, I didn't think it would go so fast!

Round 2

Seeing the others trying to talk to the pixie, Shamak also tries to speak to her. "Hold on! We come as friends! We don't wanna fight, buddy!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Ref save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

The rats continue to swarm the Pathfinders, biting and clawing their way across their flesh.

Entangle makes the entire ground difficult terrain, thus any previous difficult terrain becomes impassable.

Swarm Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Swarm Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Two Fortitude Saves from everyone except Orik, unless you are already Diseased, then just one Fortitude Save.

Initiative:
1st: Rowanna-Entangled @ 23/26 HP
2nd: Rat Swarms (#1-Red @ 7; #2-Blue @ 7)
3rd: Orik @ 38/40 HP; Wembly-Entangled @ 20/27 HP; Whiskers-Entangled @ 15/22 HP; Rhuul-Entangled @ 28/31 HP; Ishingka @ 8/13 HP;
4th: Pixie
5th: Shamak @ 19/26 HP

Fort save vs. Distraction: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

What's the DC?

Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

DC 12