GM Chadius's The Confirmation (Standard) (Inactive)

Game Master chadius

"I see," Orseb says as he sees which skeleton now belongs to him, "Skeleton! Drop your old scimitar and destroy the nearest enemy skeleton! With claws." (I'm not being cheesy, I need to command them verbally.)

Claw 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 B&S damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Claw 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 B&S damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

He does a hand gesture, as if puppeteering the undead. He's really enjoying this.

"How little you know, Liora. Even the lowliest of undead have an understanding of mortal commands, when enough necromancy is applied. A single bone can achieve greatness."

He seems to have forgotten that he wanted to keep his history as a Gebbite priest a secret.

Bukkah stays back and loads his light crossbow.

The light blue skeleton claws at one of the skeletons, knocking some of it bones away.

The other skeletons move toward Orseb, hoping to end his life.

Green's Broken Scimitar: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Red's Broken Scimitar, Cover: 1d20 + 0 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 0 - 4 = 13
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Orseb is clearly enjoying the dance, although he's blocking everyone's view.

Round 1
Rathh
Fung
Valuur

Round 2
Liora
Bukkah
Orseb & Blue Skeleton
Skeletons (Purple 2 damage)
Rathh
Fung
Valuur

Party is up.

Valuur moves further in and notices Orseb dancing, drawing an inquisitive look from the monk.

"What are you doing?!"

"You know, I think I could watch you work that magic of yours all day," she says with a friendly wink as she offers Fung another guiding hand.

"Uh.. thanks..." Fung replies, and starts to blush, possibly misinterpreting (or possibly not) Liora's intent. :)

Turning his attention back to the combat, he stares in some confusion at Orseb's antics. He commands the undeads??! Vision of the horrifying experience fighting hordes and hordes of ever-rising zombies in his previous mission comes back to Fung. Instinct almost made him fire at the undead master, but at the last moment, he turns his electric bolt over Orseb's shoulder at the (green) skeleton.

electric blast, pbs, guidance: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 9 vs touch AC, likely with cover bonus to AC
dmg, pbs: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9

We'll sort this out later...

(If that purple skeleton moved there I think it provoked an AoO from the blue skeleton. AoO: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 This might be important, as the AoO seems to destroy it, and allow the blue skeleton to go after another enemy.)

Round 2

"Er...necromancy?" Liora asks as her face grows paler than usual, though whether with anger or fear isn't certain. "Ah! Never mind it now, here they come!"

Liora keeps her distance from the dancing Orseb, pulling a sling and attempting to take careful aim before firing at the nearest skeleton.

Attack vs. Green (Sling; Into Melee): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

"Bring skeletons back to group. Bukkah can't get good shot at skeleton!". He delays until an opportunity presents itself.

(So as to not delay the game, I'll post my action anyway, regardless of the possible AoO.)

"That may be wise, Bukkah. Very well." Orseb retreats back to the others, avoiding the skeletons' scimitars. (withdraw).

The skeleton under his command continues following its orders, seeking to destroy the other skeletons.
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

"As you can see, dear Valuur, I recruited an ally for the Society. However transient his employment may be."

As the purple-clad skeleton lunges forward, Orseb's skeleton smashes it apart with a clawed appendage.

With Orseb blocking the way. Bukkah holds his shot back. Fung decides to try anyway, but lady luck isn't on his side. Liora also isn't as lucky.

Realizing he's blocking everyone's shots, Orseb backs away from the skeletons. The blue skeleton continues to harass its former allies.

Round 1
Rathh

Round 2
Liora
Orseb & Blue Skeleton
Bukkah
Skeletons
Rathh
Fung
Valuur

Rathh and Bukkah are up.

Bukkah moves 5' south and fires his crossbow at green skeleton.

Attacked 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Damage 1d8 ⇒ 8

With no way to get his massive bulk past the others to attack the skeletons, Ratth delays so his companions can have better access.

Bukkah's bolt flies through the skeleton's ribs, dealing no damage.

As the skeletons advance, Orseb's pile of bones takes a swipe.
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

The green-shoed skeleton isn't sure who to swipe the scimitar at, so it picks randomly.
Even is Valuur: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Scimitar: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

The skeleton with the red cap swings its scimitar around the corner at Orseb, managing to hit him.
Scimitar, Cover: 1d20 + 0 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 0 - 4 = 16
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 0 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 0 - 4 = 2

Round 2
Liora
Orseb (3 damage) & Blue Skeleton
Bukkah
Skeletons
Rathh
Fung
Valuur

Round 2
Liora
Orseb (3 damage) & Blue Skeleton
Bukkah
Skeletons
Rathh (delaying)
Fung
Valuur

Party is up. It got a little cramped in here, huh?

unarmed strike: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Valuur attempts to strike the green skeleton with a swift kick but misses nearly knocking him off balance. "It is quite cramped in here!"

Fung take a step back away from the skeletons to stay out of its reach, and fires a blast of electricity at the nearest one.

electric blast, pbs: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8 vs touch AC, likely with cover bonus to AC
dmg, pbs: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

"It is. This is a bad time to mention this, but I don't have any weapons to harm these skeletons with. Other than this, of course."

Orseb begins casting cure light wounds, Concentration, cast defensively: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 but he loses the spell, failing to concentrate in the tight, confined space.

"...Well, I hope none of you wanted any quick healing in the near future."

His enslaved skeleton follows its enemy, and attacks.
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Oh good idea! We still have Janira's wand. And using wands don't trigger AOOs.

Bukkah pulls out the wand of Burning Hands he took from Janira's bag. "Everyone move and let Bukkah to the front. Got fire for skeletons!"

The first adventures for many Pathfinders tend to yield low accuracy. This adventure is no different.

Round 2
Rathh

Round 2
Liora
Orseb (3 damage) & Blue Skeleton
Bukkah (Standard action only)
Skeletons
Rathh (delaying)
Fung
Valuur

Rathh and Liora are up. Bukkah has a standard action remaining after pulling out the wand.

Liora's Round 3

"Oof...just a bit!" Liora gasps in reply to Valuur, suddenly feeling rather anxious with her party pressing in on two sides and the cavern walls on the other two. Deciding to take heed of Bukkah's words, she falls back as far as she can (which isn't very far) but not before offering the lead skeleton a parting shot with her sling.

Attack vs. Green (Sling; Into Melee): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Liora attacks with her sling and then takes a 5 foot step back to her current position in the corner.

Bukkah will not take his standard action, DM. Hopefully by next round the others will move back and I can start blasting away.

I just have no attacks that will help here given my positioning. I'll delay again.

Liora's sling bullet shatters the skeleton's spine,causing it to collapse.

Orseb's dominated skeleton lashes out at the skeleton with the red sash.

Claw vs Red: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Even is Valuur: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Scimitar vs Orseb: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Orseb "braves" another skeleton strike.

Round 2
Rathh (delaying)
Fung
Valuur

Round 2
Liora
Orseb (3 damage) & Blue Skeleton
Bukkah
Skeletons (Red 3)
Rathh
Fung
Valuur

Fung fires yet another blast at the (red) skeleton, behind moving to the back to give space to Bukkah.

electric blast, pbs: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5 vs touch AC, likely with cover bonus to AC
dmg, pbs: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9

attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Valuur attempts to kick the skeleton again before stepping back. "I am better with my bow. Maybe someone else try?"

Liora's Round 3

Not wanting to get in Bukkah's way, Liora stays against the back wall and attempts to fire her sling at the advancing skeleton.

Attack vs. Red (Sling; Into Melee): 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 2 - 4 = 10
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Bukkah speaks a magical word and the wand springs to life.

Burning hands fire damage 3d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 1) = 5

Reflex save DC 14 (I think) for half.

Burning hands fire damage 3d4

Reflex save DC 14 (I think) for half.

(I know it's none of my business, but isn't your CL 1st? And the DC should be 16. 10 + Spell level + 3 Wis + 1 Elemental Focus + 1 Affinity of the Elements.)

Orseb tries to keep further damages to minimum, and defends himself. (Total defense: AC 19.)

im using Janira's wand, which had a caster level of 3.

(Ah, gotcha. Then the DC is 11. 10 + spell level + mod of minimum ability score to cast it which is 11 (+0).)

Red's Reflex Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Bukkah's flames reduce the skeleton to a pile of ash. The remaining skeleton stands at rest, awaiting commands from its master.

Combat Over

After you defeat the foes, you notice a journal near the Dhampir's body. Most of it talks about the nature and anatomy of the undead.

Other than that, this seems to be a dead end.

Orseb first ensures that his newly-acquired underling is unharmed, and then hunches over the dhampir's corpse. He takes the journal, analyzes its contents, and reads the last page out loud.

"Clearly, this dhampir would-be necromancer did not understand the basics of his chosen field." He gives the others a look that asks for agreement, as if what he said was obvious.

"Gillmen make bad skeletons and zombies, first of all. And he clearly had some personal drive for commanding undead. Necromancy should be a noble pursuit. A quest to overcome earthly challenges like pain, exhaustion, and death."

(I think this is the end of the scenario? If not, I could use some healing. But no need to waste charges from the wand: I can use Death's Kiss on myself, and let Rathh channel some negative energy on me.)

Fung strides over to Orseb, his hands still crackling with electricity. "Lay it to rest!" he demands of Orseb, pointing at the remaining skeleton. "This is an ... an abomination... A desecration!" The usually mild-mannered man stumbles over his words somewhat but he is clearly worked up now.

"Apparently not..." Liora grimaces in disgust. "Guess he forgot to count himself among the living too. That's...wow," she says with a shake of her head.

As Fung strides over and makes his demand of Orseb, the sylph tenses up. After all they'd been through, surely it wasn't going to come to a fight now was it?

Orseb is visibly taken aback by Fung's outburst. He gathers himself, and explains the situation calmly, in what he thinks is a simple and fair comparison.

"Calm down, Fung. It is under my control now. It is no more dangerous than a soldier's sword. It is a tool. For us. And for the Society."

Holding up his hands, Valuur steps in between Fung and Orseb. "Both of you are correct and we should not fight between each other. Fung, it is a desecration of one's body to become a walking dead, but it wasn't Orseb who had raised the skeleton. Orseb, I believe as he says, is using a tool that has helped us survive an unexpected situation, unlike the dead one there. If we lay these bones to rest, maybe we can let the Gillman from the other room know as to what happened?"

"I...I think Valuur is right too!" Liora blurts out. "I'm with Fung, I...I don't much like the thought of it either but it really helped to have one of them working with us," she continues, obviously struggling with her thoughts. "Maybe...maybe as long as we put them back to rest once a mission is done, it won't be too bad. But no making fresh ones, okay?"

She sighs. "And...we're supposed to all be working together, too. Explore, Report, and Cooperate. I guess this is a reminder that we won't always be paired with people we see eye-to-eye with on everything."

Fung after his outburst seems to lose his steam after his party intervenes. He beseeches Orseb, but also his team, "No, no, I cannot accept that it is just a sword. A tool. It ... he was once a living person like you or me. His soul might have passed but the body was once its host."

Nodding to Liora, he continues, "But yes, we are a team and we must cooperate. At least for now. But Orseb, please let him rest. To see the dead once again being controlled against their will, it's not right." He repeatedly shakes his head, but steps back away.

"Now that is just a bad argument," says Orseb in response to Fung's plea. "His soul is resting in the afterlife. This body is just a shell that was left behind, like a faraway dream. Do you not know? It is only animate because of the energy that inhabits it. And technically it has no will, so nothing can be against its will. It's like saying that bricks are being used for construction against their will."

His arguments seem well-rehearsed, prepared in advance.

He makes a quick side comment to Liora. "Of course. No making new ones. I am unable to do so, until my god wishes for it to be so."

Bukkah nods. "Just bones. Soul gone now. Soul at rest.". He raps on the thigh of the skeleton. "Just bones."

I'll let you guys figure out what you want to do with the skeleton, but it will probably go away during the 3+ days back.

Your return journey to Absalom ends without incident. Back at the Pig's Paunch, the Master of Scrolls Kreighton Shaine demands to hear your experience.
"So! How did the trip go? Where are your notes? Where's Janira?"

"I'm right here, sir." Janira waves. "You can read my report last, but I think the newcomers should speak first."

"From the looks of things, the site is holds quite a value to those who worship Aroden. The cave has some old art on the wall, I think older than the modern teachings of his deeds."

The monk scratches his head, trying to remember what else he saw before sitting down in one of the empty chairs.

"The caves are also a sacred site for the gillmen, but it doesn't seem to be specifically related to the old paintings or the carved diorama of Absalom," Liora chimes in. "Maybe they just find them a peaceful place for meditation."

Not being as glib of tongue, Fung can only stare at Orseb, continuously muttering, "It's not right." On the journey back to Absalom, he largely keeps his distance from the priest and the accompanying skeleton.

---

"There were also vile undeads in one of the chambers. A dhampir necromancer was apparently killing and raising the gillmen pilgrims to raise an army. Thankfully, he met his early demise, likely in the hands of his own creations." Fung says this without much emotions, pointedly not looking at Orseb before sitting back down.

"Splendid, splendid." The Master of Scrolls claps. "You are now the foremost authorities on that cave and its contents. Janira guided you well. Being a Pathfinder is adventurous, but dangerous."

"We all have different means of accomplishing our goals." Master Shaine's head slowly tracks from Fung to Orseb. "But as long as we know when to use our strengths appropriately, we can overcome any obstacle while staying true to ourselves. Never forget that!"

Three days later you are called back for the ceremony. All of the Pathfinder Masters are there to greet you with a personalized Wayfinder. Other visitors and neophyte Pathfinders clap in celebration.

Master Shane pipes up when the applause dies down. "You are now officially Confirmed Field Agents. Remember. Not only is the wayfinder proof of your membership, but it is a reminder of your three duties: explore, report and cooperate!"

Janira bounds up to you and gives you a hug (or handshake, if you're uncomfortable.) "Wasn't that fulfilling? I have another group of newcomers to help later today, but before I go, I wanted to say: You are my friend. Call me if you are ever in the Grand Lodge."

And that's a wrap, folks! Thanks for playing.

"Aw, thanks Janira!" Liora grins as she returns the hug. "I learned a lot and I couldn't have done it without you...and everyone else!"

The sylph also hugs and shakes hands with everyone else - even Rathh and Orseb. "It was so good to meet you all and work with you," she says, her expression genuine. "Maybe some of us will see each other again on other missions," she adds, giving Fung in particular another wink. "I hope so, anyway!"

Huzzah! That was fun :)

Fung hugs Janira tightly, and smiles broadly at her. "Thank you, Janira. You've been a fantastic guide and mentor. I'll look you up at the Lodge, or we could go for a drink a tavern somewhere."

I've literally just applied a GM credit for the Wounded Wisp on Fung. If you've played it, you'll know what I mean. I'll imagine that it occurred after this scenario. :)

He then goes down the line, shaking everyone's hands, including Orseb's. "We disagree fundamentally on some things. But it doesn't change the fact that we were a team." When he reaches Liora, he gives her a hug that is tentative at first but gradually becomes firm. The winds that usually surrounds Fung merges with the ones surrounding her. "Yes, it was a pleasure to meet you, too. Indeed, perhaps we might meet again."

Thanks, all! That was fun!

During the report Orseb makes an effort to not comment on the dhampir necromancer. The Master of Scroll's words seem to inspire him though, or at least he looks pondering. "Hm, yes, this has been a good learning experience. Thank you, Miss Janira. And everyone else, too."

Orseb responds to Fung's handshake with a firm grasp and steady eye contact. "Well said. As long as we follow the rules and work on the common goal, greatness is achieved."