GM Bret’s PbP GD VII Solstice Scar C (Inactive)

Game Master BretI

Yes, the shifting position is fine. I will keep it in mind if I need to bot Mun and Selûne again.

Since we went to a new page...

Ending a turn with 5’ of plants must make a Reflex Save to avoid becoming entangled.
Entering a square of forest costs 4 squares of movement, and each such diagonal movement costs 6 squares. The thick growth also provides cover against any attacks that pass through at least 10 feet of a thicket, and anything protected by at least 20 feet gains full cover. Any creature that ignores natural undergrowth (such as with the woodland stride class feature) can move at normal speed but does not ignore the cover.

Round 2:

Green Puppy -29
Selûne the bear
Glubgrub
Mun
Blue Puppy -42
Enapaishni Sickened -11
Nigel
Ischell
Zarnel

"Dude. It's time for you to like... scram"

Mst DC Kama, PA, Flurry: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Adamantine, S, PA: 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Mst DC Kama, PA, Flurry: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Adamantine, S, PA: 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

5 ft step to place creature 10 feet away, Flurry

Is the damage on green puppy correct? Ischell has landed three blows for 18, 18, 16 damage

Green dies to Ischell’s attacks.

Combat over. One success.

I don’t know if there was a mistake made or not, it is certainly possible. I thought at least one of those attacks was against Blue.

I have limited time and would like to just move on if there is no objection.

Pai is no longer sickened. You have time to heal before the next encounter.

The forest opens to a small clearing that is free of the dark flowers that seem to permeate the rest of the landscape.

A ring of tall grey trees circles the clearing, their branches reaching toward each other to form a ceiling of black leaves. A chorus of whispering voices echoes within the clearing as countless faces form out of tree bark only to meld back in, flowing from tree to tree.

Three of the faces remain in place and speak out in unison. “Who wanders these forlorn paths? Do you seek to join us? Join us!”

There are a lot of spirits trapped here, but three remain stable and will interact with you.

Each if you have two opportunities to interact with the spirits. You can observe a face or present a case. You can use your turn to Aid Another if you wish.

Observe: Each of you can study one face and its behavior to learn about its personality and which strategies might be most effective against it. This uses one of your two interactions. You use Sense Motive to attempt to get an idea of what motivates that spirit.

Presentation: Each of you can make your pitch to one spirit—either independently or by using the aid another action—each of which requires one successful check to persuade. What skill you use will determine how difficult it is to convince that spirit.

I will give you a little time to roleplay so you can get ideas before we start the actions.

Spirit 1

One of the faces has a wrinkled nose. They demand “Tell us now why you are here!”

Spirit 2
A different spirit, who always seems to have a wry smile on their face, responds “They are surely here to entertain us! Do tell us a story!”

Spirit 1
Wrinkled nose tells Wry smile “This is serious!”

Spirit 3

The third face seems rather placid. As the other two start to bicker, it points out “It would be easier for them to answer if you allowed them a chance to talk.”

In case it was missed in the big block of text...

I will give you a little time to roleplay so you can get ideas before we start the actions.

Pai can hardly contain his excitement to be speaking with forest spirits.

"Greetings fair spirits. I am Enapaishni of the Shundar Squaw. My friends and I are Pathfinders. We've come to this wood seeking out an evil that lingers from the days of the Whispering Tyrant. Do you know any any undead presence here?"

The second face with the wry smile nods in the direction of the third face and says “Only his sense of humor.”

The third face ignores the comment, instead replying “We know of everything that happens in this forest. There are no creatures of necromancy here.”

The first face demands “What use are you if you don’t know the nature of the evil?”

To the placid face "Thank you, dude. I didn't think I was gonna get a word in edge wise, ya know? Do they always act like this?"

Mun focuses on the first face. "You are correct; this is serious. We are trying to stop a great evil from occurring; this is--sadly--no joking matter. Can you aid us?"

Mechanics question: does each PC need to succeed on their own Sense Motive check to learn about the spirit, or do all PCs learn what one PC learns as a result of a single Sense Motive check?

clw, Mun: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
clw, Selune: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Is this a new day?

The group can and should share the results of the Sense Motive checks.

This is the same day as you entered the brambles.

Third face replies to Ischell “There are always some that act like that.”

First face replies to Mun “The real question is can you aid us?”

Third face adds “Mother Bloodleaf has spread her spores widely. What can you do to cleanse this taint?”

Second face asks “How many adventurers does it take to create a floral arrangement?”

Hopefully I’ve given you an idea of the three attitudes. I’m willing to continue the roleplay, but if people want to we can start their observations and presentations. If you want to do an observation or presentation please be sure to start which of the three you are targeting.
I am also willing to continue the conversations.

We just received an Aid Token. Since we currently are no in combat, if someone wants to boost it we can pass it on.

Mun keeps talking with the first face. "What aid do you need? Perhaps there are things we can do for each other?"

Sense Motive, first face: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

____________________

Mun will cast cure light wounds to boost the token with a Burst of Healing

Mun is able to get a good reading on Spirit #1, heretofore known as Angry Spirit.

Likes Emotional and reassuring tactics that convince it that your group will do all that they can to help and protect the spirits.
Dislikes Aggressive methods that try to intimidate the spirit or demonstrate the might of the group.

Angry spirit tells you “That witch Mother Bloodleaf has a warped plant near the center of the forest. She takes seed pods from it and spreads them throughout the forest, tainting everything! Destroy the plants and the forest may be able to recover.”

The second spirit quips “Oh no! They are the seeds of destruction!”

Speaking to the first spirit, We just defeated a horde of undead and a white dragon. There is no reason to underestimate us on being able to help you with your forest. We will get the job done... we will destroy the plants!

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Please remember to state what skill you are using when making the rolls.

In this particular case, the roll is so low it doesn’t matter. In other cases it can make a big difference.

Angry spirit scuffs at Nigel’s words. “Why should I ever believe you?”

I am sorry, I have no clue how that happened. It was supposed to be diplomacy. But yeah, I figured I failed. Nigel is not the best with the social encounters.

Pai steps in to help Nigel out.

[b]"Great spirit, we have all journeyed far from our homes for no reason other than to quiet a restless evil. You may know the tale of Eshimka and Ivvora--we are on a quest to complete the work begun so many years ago. Along the way we have helped others, such as the fey court, the Twinhorn Following, and many others. We would be proud to help you deal with this witch and ask only for your knowledge of the evil we seek."

Diplomacy 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Angry spirit seems mollified by Pai’s speech. “Perhaps you can help against that orc witch and her seed pods. I will lend what aid I can.”

Mun, Nigel and Pai have each acted once. They can act one more time, or someone else can act up to twice. You might be able to convince the other two to help you as well.

To the third spirit, the usually jovial Ischell shifts his tone slightly.

"Well, then, perhaps you should set them straight, man. There are things that are, like, more important than bickering... ya know?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

The third face looks towards Ischell and says "Yes, there are more important things. Do you have a plan?"

Nigel is not the best with the social encounters.

Maybe work on Sense Motive then and see if one of the other spirit's has a non-social skill that they will respond to.

Mun gives Nigel a bit of a side eye. Ahhh, gnomes. It's been so long since Omesta that I'd forgotten how they like to insert themselves, whether or not they know anything about what they're doing!

Still, it appeared that Pai had overcome Nigel's misstep, so Mun follows up with the third face, trying to get a read on its interests.

"We don't have a plan right now, but we are very capable. What do you think that plan should involve?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Mun finds the third face inscrutable.

Zarnel steps up to Ischell's side and whispers some friendly advice, "Be your jovial self, my friend. Beings of all types respond well to your good nature."

Then he addresses the third face. "We can better form a plan once we know more of what we face. You yourself said it is not necromancy, so what is the nature of this Evil?"

Aid Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Yeah we need our high wisdom guys doing the Sense Motive rolls

“The witch Mother Bloodleaf has allied with a plant that is spreading it’s seed pods through the forest. These seed pods spread the taint and slowly affect creatures living here.” third face gives as a response.

“Other than spreading from the seed pods, I do not know how it works.”

Close, need a little bit more either in terms of what is said or someone else spending an action to aid another.

Actions so far: Mun twice, Nigel once, Pai once, Ischell once, Zarnel once.

The tall, goofy, human smiles at Zarnel's words. "That's righteous, man."

Turning back toward the third spirit, he trades off conversation with Zarnel.

"That's not right, dude! We can't let evil spread like that. Once it takes hold... man, I don't even want to think about it. 'Course we'd be willing to help with something like that. That's the way things work dude, we help you with your problems and you help us with ours. It's the way of life, man, the way of life!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

In spite of it's general tendencies, spirit three (now known as calm spirit) is convinced. "Although I would have liked to have heard more details of how you plan to proceed, I am convinced you may well be our best hope of ending the blight that Mother Bloodleaf is spreading."

Only the second spirit left.

Mun and Ischell have used both of their actions.
Nigel, Pai and Zarnel have used one of their actions.

***OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT***

It is difficult to tell how much time has passed through the smothering canopy as Medda addresses the regrouped Pathfinder and Twinhorn forces. “The ancient battlefield is just beyond those trees. There, Ivvora and her comrades scattered an undead army, but the necromantic taint never left this land. Instead, the plants and animals have gradually absorbed the evil, encouraged by someone calling herself Mother Bloodleaf.

“We must strike as one, simultaneously attacking the corruption’s heart as well as the seedpods spread out around the swamp. Their destruction will unleash harmful energies, so we of the Twinhorn following shall head toward the center to ritually disperse that energy to keep it from festering anew! Each team should follow its Twinhorn mystic to an intended target, and from there, three blasts of a horn shall signal our attack. May Vildeis bless us as she did Ivvora before us!”

Medda, the Twinhorns, and the Pathfinders spread out and make their way through the woods to their striking positions. Even though much of the forest withers from some evil curse, eager faces flow from tree to tree as the friendly, whispering spirits encourage their would-be saviors onward.

Three blasts of a war-horn echo across the heavily forested battleground. As the Pathfinders rush toward their targets, startled figures with purple glowing eyes hurry toward the seedpods and the enormous dark flower at the heart of the swamp. A shriek carries over the battleground. “What treachery is this? My minions have fallen without so much as warning me? No matter, I shall rip out any trespassers’ souls and feed them to the blight!”

Table GMs, the Unaware Guardians and Helpful Spirits effects are in effect (see the Guardians and Spirits sidebar on page 39), and the way to area Q is now open. Please move to that encounter area quickly.

Please place yourselves within the red box.

The swamp water glows visibly, providing dim light throughout the area. The water is about two feet deep. The water costs double movement to wade through as per Shallow bog.

The large fallen tree near the center of the map forms a slick barrier about 10 feet tall. Climb to go over, Escape Artist to go under.

The narrow fallen tree that crosses to the heart of the blight is unsteady and slippery. It requires an Acrobatics check to cross it, failure by enough will dump you in the water.

The spirits explain that they can create a portal between two trees that your group can use to instantaneously travel through. The trees must be within 60’ of each other, unless someone can find a place that is particularly well positioned. The tree portal will stay open for 1 minute.

Spellcraft or Kn: Nature check to try for longer distance. Must be done at the beginning of this encounter.

Ischell doesn't have either of those skills trained. And he is a dumb as a box of rocks. Sorry guys!

GM- is the brown on the map water?

Green is the boggy water. Slide 6, swamp.

Need to get this battle going, Please place your characters.

Green and Blue are both Knowledge Nature. The person is a half-orc.

Round 1:

Enapaishni (Pai)
Red person
Glubgrub
Blue plant
Ischell
Zarnel
Green puppy
Selûne the bear
Nigel
Mun

Knowledge Nature to open the portal 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Knowledge Nature for Green and Blue 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Pai draws a wand and casts Bless.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

I know its not my action, but you said to make the check at the beginning of the encounter.

Yes, making the check immediately was what I wanted.

I had forgotten to put the seed pods on the map. I've added them now.

Separate Knowledge Nature checks for Green and Blue please. I will count the first one as being for Green.

Pai has no trouble remembering this is the same sort of canine that the group met when they first came through the brambles -- a dire wolf. It is a large animal and does not have reach.

Pai also sees a way to to stretch the portal -- the two trees can be up to 120' apart.

The group is blessed!

Red casts a spell and touches Green puppy.

Round 1:
Bless active

Enapaishni (Pai)
Red person
Glubgrub
Blue plant
Ischell
Zarnel
Green puppy
Selûne the bear
Nigel
Mun

Spellcraft 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

It has been over 24 hours, time to bot Grubglub

Grubglub moves out to the intersection and readies an attack for when one of the creatures comes within reach.

Blue plant rushes forth to attack. It reaches it’s tendrils out to attack Grubglub.
Slam: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Grab: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

It pullls Grubglub towards itself. This allows Grubglub to attack it!
Improved Unarmed Strike, Bless: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Unfortunately, he misses.

Round 1:
Bless active

Enapaishni (Pai)
Red person
Grubglub -13 Grappled
Blue plant Grappling Glubgrub
Ischell
Zarnel
Green puppy
Selûne the bear
Nigel
Mun

Seeing his companion pulled into the plants grasp, Ischell moves up to the path and into a position where he can cleanly see the enemy threat. As he rounds Grubglub, his Kama's flash at the imposing creature.

Mst DC Kama, PA: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Adamantine, S, PA: 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

30 ft move, Standard Attack

"Unhand him, foul thing," Zarnel shouts as he charges into the fray. His sword flashes as he brings it down on a gnarled limb.

Attack, Bless, Charge, PA/FF: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 21
Damage: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (1, 6) + 13 = 20

Ischell and Zarnel both hit the plant, chopping it down with the combination of their strikes!

Green puppy moves up to where the plant was and attacks Zarnel.
Bite: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 = 16

A lot of power in the Bite, but it needs to work on accuracy.

Round 1 & 2:
Bless active

Enapaishni (Pai)
Red person
Grubglub -13
Blue plant -34 Dead
Ischell
Zarnel
Green puppy
Selûne the bear
Nigel
Mun

Pai advances toward the melee and puts the evil eye on Green for a -2 to AC (DC 15 Will or duration = 7 rounds)

Will save, Green Puppy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Pai fails to catch the Dire Wolf’s attention.

Round 1 & 2:
Bless active

Enapaishni (Pai)
Red person
Grubglub -13
Ischell
Zarnel
Green puppy -2 AC until round 3
Selûne the bear
Nigel
Mun

Nigel moves forward a little bit, as far as his little legs will move him. He then summons an earth elemental to help take care of the wolf.

Move action to move and standard action to summon an earth elemental.

The elemental steps toward the wolf and tries to slam it has hard as it can!

slam (green, powerattack, earth mastery): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 1 = 19
damage (B): 1d6 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 1 = 12

5ft step and standard action to swing once.

Nigel brings forth an Earth Elemental that smashes into the wolf.

Round 1 & 2:
Bless active

Enapaishni (Pai)
Red person
Grubglub -13
Ischell
Zarnel
Green puppy -12, AC at -2 until round 3
Selûne the bear
Nigel
Mun

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 for the portals

Starting Selune with a charge of mage armor already applied, as per usual.

Mun quickly orders Selune into the fray... few enemies in the immediate area, and quick action from the other Pathfinders make him think that Ashava's aid is not as necessary as usual. He himself moves forward towards the dire wolf with longspear in hand.

Selune moves around the action, coming up behind the dire wolf to flank with the elemental.

Double move: 55'

@Mun, Sorry but flanking is a specific trick that an animal needs to be taught. Without it, they just take the most direct route. See Ultimate Wilderness pg. 215 or the much older Animal Archive pg. 9
I have moved the bear to a direct attack.

Mun and Selûne move up to the dire wolf.

Red casts another spell which causes his skin to change and gets his club ready.

Round 2:
Bless active

Enapaishni (Pai)
Red person
Grubglub -13
Ischell
Zarnel
Green puppy
Selûne the bear
Nigel
Mun

Ischell slides to his right, and proceeds to bring a combination of kamas and knees down onto the wolf-like creature.

Unarmed, PA, Flurry, bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 = 16 +2 Flanking?
B, PA: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Unarmed, PA, Flurry, bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 = 12 +2 Flanking?
B, PA: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Against AC -2, flanking with elemental?