GM Endless Forms' PFS The Ruby Phoenix Tournament (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

"Shin's going again!? What a show-off. I'll show him..."

Desmond, without thinking, jumps into the fire idol sarcophagus.

Fire Damage: 10d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 4, 1, 5, 4, 6, 4, 3, 4) = 38

Fort Save DC15: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 10 - 4 = 25
Fort Save DC16: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 4 = 23

"Oh man, it burns!"

EDIT: I honestly started this post before Endless had posted his update. It's just I'm at work and had to type it out in fits and starts. It's okay of I can't go through with the heat test.

At the mention of their host being missing, Desmond reflexively announces, "That damned Golden League. If Marthysan is missing, they've got to be behind it!"

He grabs his wand and heals himself after the heavy-duty tests.

CLW: 11d8 + 11 ⇒ (5, 7, 3, 7, 4, 6, 6, 1, 1, 6, 6) + 11 = 63

Those CLW charges are if I were allowed to do the fire idol test. If not, then I only needed to use 4 of those charges.

Faldoc will also heal himself after the trials.

CLW: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 8, 7) + 3 = 26 And there goes that wand. On to the one I just bought a bit ago,

CLW: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 1, 4) + 3 = 13 That should do it.

Faldoc stares at Desmond after he makes his assumption. You're a bit quick to rush to judgment, are you not? Perhaps we can find the man, where was he last seen?

Desmond shrugs his shoulders, "I dunno, maybe he's stuck in the loo. But those Golden League thugs ain't exactly upstanding citizens. They beat up that old man, then last night they came in trying to bushwhack us. Maybe those guys last night was after Marthysan."

Desmond starts asking around, maybe trying to find that girl that's been keeping her eye on us.

"Well, maybe he just overslept. Let's go back and check the house."

@Desmond: that's fine, you can do the fire test. You receive a potion of protection from energy, fire.

You find the paladin’s quarters in New Harbor have been ransacked and see evidence of a struggle, including the dead body of a Tian woman covered in distinctive Xun tattoos. A search of her body reveals a folded piece of paper with Marthysan’s face sketched on it, the name of the inn, and the words “New Harbor docks, Aspis handoff.”

"Well, what are we waiting for. Let's get to the docks." As the group heads out the door, Desmond looks over his shoulder, "Don't those tattoos look familiar?"

Yes, lets move quickly. I'm not sure about the tattoos.

Sorry, I was unclear in my reference to the tattoos, I assumed they were the same as the ones here, but that may not be the case.

Marthysan the Righteous arrives at the noodle house only minutes after the conclusion of the fight. "I'm sorry, the boat left without me and I had to walk here. . . . It looks like you had some trouble. I apologize I was not here to help." He bends down and examines their tattoos. "Golden League," he mutters. He stands back up, "I apologize again, but I'm going to have to cut our dinner short tonight. I should go report this event to the Emissary. Be vigilant and cautious."

Shin takes a few minutes to heal himself and renew his magic armor, then follows along.

@Desmond: yep! Same tattoos

The docks are currently empty, as the New Harbor locals and docked ships' crews and passengers are all at the Grand Pavilion participating in tonight's festivities. The narrow wooden piers of New Harbor form a series of horizontal ladders from the shore to a semicircle of anchored boats. Rising 2 feet off the surface of the water, foot-wide pylons support the network of equally narrow crossbeams, whose waterlogged surfaces require a DC 7 Acrobatics check each round to move along at half speed, and anyone balancing in such a way is considered flat-footed. The water in the harbor is about 20 feet deep, with a solid, sandy bottom.

Standing at the harbor watching a ship about to depart are four people: a human with a greataxe at his side, a half-orc with a greatsword on his back and a holy-symbol of Gorum etched into his spiked full plate, a half-elf wearing red robes tinged with orange and yellow, and your old friend Risha! They do not take kindly to your arrival.

Initiative:

1. Faldoc
2. Pirin (female half-elf: pink) and Risha (female human: red)
3. Shin, Desmond, and Gregor
4. Darys (male human: blue) and Mol (male half-orc: yellow)

Faldoc is up!

Faldoc doesn't take too kindly to the fact that the enemy doesn't take too kindly to his arrival! Despite the range, Faldoc lets loose four arrows at the human, Risha!

Many: 1d20 + 16 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 16 - 2 + 4 = 31 for Arrow: 1d8 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 4 = 18 and Arrow: 1d8 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 4 = 17

Rapid: 1d20 + 16 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 16 - 2 + 4 = 21 for Arrow: 1d8 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 4 = 20
Iteritive: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 11 - 2 + 4 = 16 for Arrow: 1d8 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 4 = 16

Boomer is commanded to engage the same woman! Its exactly 160' from what I can tell so he can run there in time to get into her grill. I can't seem to move him on the map though. He should be able to reach the square to the SW of Risha.

Faldoc tells Boomer to run in and get Risha but she falls to the ground with four arrows sticking from her chest before Boomer can even reach her!

The half-elf begins walking on the water to get away from the action and casts a spell. Instantly black rubbery tentacles shoot out of the ground and start wrapping themselves around the party's legs!

CMB grapple: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
damage if you are grappled: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

CMD to break free is 24. The entire area is difficult terrain.

Initiative:

1. Faldoc
2. Pirin (female half-elf: pink)
3. Shin, Desmond, and Gregor
4. Darys (male human: blue) and Mol (male half-orc: yellow)

Shin, Desmond, and Gregor are up!

Desmond is able to brush off the strange black tentacles reaching out of the ground to get him. He decides to get out of the way of the spell's apparent area of influence, moving closer to the enemies.

Desmond cast longstrider in preparation for the match with the bloatmage. It lasts 7 hours - I am hoping it hasn't been too long and it is still active for this because then Des is able to move out of the black tentacles in a single move action. However, if it is inactive. He will use two moves to clear himself from the BT.

Once clear, he quick-draws his bow and fires at the fleeing half-elf.

Bow Attack, Deadly Aim, Range: 1d20 + 16 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (7) + 16 - 2 - 3 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 6 = 15

Of course, if longstrider is inactive, ignore the attack.

Desmond also orders Sahrek to attack the men on the shore. The wolf runs as fast as he can to meet the enemies.

Run action for Sahrek.

Desmond's arrow pings off of the half-elf's magical defenses!

Initiative:

1. Faldoc
2. Pirin (female half-elf: pink)
3. Shin, Desmond, and Gregor
4. Darys (male human: blue) and Mol (male half-orc: yellow)

Shin and Gregor are up!

The tentacles tickle Gregor's ankles but can not hold the wily Inquisitor to the ground. Gregor casts Greater Invisibility and then Dimension Hops as far forward as Abadar allows in any given day.

Shin avoids the grasping tentacles and darts forward toward the group.

Double Move

The party moves out of the constricting tentacles. The human swings his axe at Sahrek!

+2 greataxe power attack: 1d20 + 19 - 3 ⇒ (16) + 19 - 3 = 32
damage: 1d12 + 12 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 12 + 9 = 30

He then cleaves into Boomer!
+2 greataxe power attack: 1d20 + 19 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 19 - 3 = 18
damage: 1d12 + 12 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 9 = 22

Recognizing Gregor's trick, the half-orc casts invisibility purge and reveals the inquisitor! Well, maybe not yet but as soon as you get within 45' of the half-orc.

Initiative:

1. Faldoc
2. Pirin (female half-elf: pink)
3. Shin, Desmond, and Gregor
4. Darys (male human: blue) and Mol (male half-orc: yellow)

Faldoc is up!

Time to fly. Faldoc activate the command for his armor and flies out of the reach of the tentacles.

Is that a standard action on the Celestrial Armor? I'm not sure.

@Faldoc: I believe it is standard, yes. Most items that require activation are standard actions to activate.

Faldoc flies up in the air as the half-elf begins another spell! Suddenly a blast of flame erupts, engulfing Desmond and Faldoc!

fire: 9d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 6, 6, 4, 3, 4, 3, 1) = 34
DC 18 Ref for half

Initiative:

1. Faldoc
2. Pirin (female half-elf: pink)
3. Shin, Desmond, and Gregor
4. Darys (male human: blue) and Mol (male half-orc: yellow)

Shin, Desmond, and Gregor are up!

Reflex: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

No damage due to evasion.

Desmond is able to dodge the magical flames from the half-elf. He moves forward, trying to close the distance between him and the water-walker.

Bow Attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Sahrek bites into the man attacked him with the greataxe.

Bite, Favored Enemy: 1d20 + 13 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 13 + 6 = 23
Damage: 2d6 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 10 + 6 = 19
Trip, FE: 1d20 + 15 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 15 + 6 = 39

Desmond puts an arrow in the half-elf on the water while Sahrek bites into the man with the axe and pulls him to the ground!

Initiative:

1. Faldoc
2. Pirin (female half-elf: pink)
3. Shin, Desmond, and Gregor
4. Darys (male human: blue) and Mol (male half-orc: yellow)

P: 8 dmg
D: 19 dmg, prone

Shin and Gregor are up!

Reflex: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31

Faldoc also avoids the flames. Also has Evasion.

Feeling his invisibility peel away Gregor stops short of rushing into battle…making his weapon a bane against humans he readies an attack.

Assuming bane vs. humans covers the "half" part of the half-orc and half-elf…otherwise I'll choose orc instead.

Shinkeer moves closer and casts a spell, sending an acid dripping arrow toward the fleeing me on the water.

RTA: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7 Two more rounds if that happens to hit.

@Gregor: yes, half-elves and half-orcs count as human for effects related to race (including bane).

Shin's acid arrow digs into the half-elf's skin! The man, not trusting his armor to protect him while standing up, swings from the ground!

+2 greataxe on Sahrek: 1d20 + 19 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 19 - 4 = 29
damage: 1d12 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

cleave into Boomer:
+2 greataxe on Sahrek: 1d20 + 19 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 19 - 4 = 16
damage: 1d12 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

The half-orc then casts a spell and grows to twice his size, his muscles bulging and rippling!

Initiative:

1. Faldoc
2. Pirin (female half-elf: pink)
3. Shin, Desmond, and Gregor
4. Darys (male human: blue) and Mol (male half-orc: yellow)

P: 15 dmg, two rounds acid arrow
D: 19 dmg, prone

Faldoc is up!

Faldoc doesn't take kindly to his female counterpart trying to blow him up!

Many: 1d20 + 16 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 16 - 2 + 4 = 36 for Arrow: 1d8 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 4 = 22 and Arrow: 1d8 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 4 = 17

Rapid: 1d20 + 16 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 16 - 2 + 4 = 33 for Arrow: 1d8 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 4 = 22

Iteritive: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 11 - 2 + 4 = 17 for Arrow: 1d8 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 4 = 23

Boomer then moves around to the other side of his common enemy and bites!

Bite: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12 for Teeth: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

So, do they count as human for ranger's favored enemy as well?

-Posted with Wayfinder

Yep, that's what it means when it says half-elves and half-orcs count as humans and elves/orcs. Someone with favored enemy (orc) would get their bonus against half-orcs as well.

Faldoc takes down the half-elf!

Initiative:

1. Faldoc
3. Shin, Desmond, and Gregor
4. Darys (male human: blue) and Mol (male half-orc: yellow)

D: 19 dmg, prone

Shin, Desmond, and Gregor are up!

Gregor charges the overgrown orc. "Hey there big fella!" He calls for judgements of sacred justice and destruction.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38, Damage: 1d8 + 19 + 4d6 ⇒ (1) + 19 + (1, 1, 4, 4) = 30
Confirm: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (4) + 21 = 25, Damage: 1d8 + 19 + 4d6 ⇒ (3) + 19 + (6, 4, 6, 3) = 41

Charge
Power Attack
Greater Bane
Judgement of Sacred Smiting (bonus doubled on crit confirm rolls)
Judgment of Sacred Destruction

Desmond unleashes a slew of arrows at the standing half-orc.

Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim, Fav. Enemy: 1d20 + 16 - 2 - 3 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 16 - 2 - 3 + 6 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 6 + 6 = 20

Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim, Fav. Enemy: 1d20 + 16 - 2 - 3 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 16 - 2 - 3 + 6 = 29
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 6 + 6 = 21

Iterative Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim, Fav. Enemy: 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 3 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 2 - 3 + 6 = 32
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 6 + 6 = 24

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 3 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 2 - 3 + 6 + 4 = 26
Damage: 2d8 + 12 + 12 + 12 ⇒ (4, 1) + 12 + 12 + 12 = 41

Sahrek tries to pay back the man on the ground for hitting him again with the greataxe.

Bite, Fav. Enemy: 1d20 + 13 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 13 + 6 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (3, 6) + 10 + 6 = 25

Bite, Fav. Enemy: 1d20 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 6 = 22
Damage: 2d6 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (5, 6) + 10 + 6 = 27

As Gregor charges in, the half-orc swings his greatsword at the inquisitor!

+1 greatsword: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 31
damage: 2d6 + 5 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (6, 4) + 5 + 3 + 3 = 21

Gregor then cuts deep into the big half-orc brute! Desmond's arrow then finishes off the half-orc and the rest of his arrows take down the human lying on the ground!

Out of combat!

Shin shakes his head as he finds his aid is barely needed. Getting out his journal he begins jotting notes as he looks toward the ship. "I assume we need to get out there and check for the paladin."

I think so. I'll go take a look while I still can from the air.

Faldoc will use his remaining Fly time to go out close to the boat and looking for any signs of movement and such. Take 10 on Perception He'll then return to the group and report what he saw.

Gregor searches the bodies that are in proximity to him.

Marthysan is in the hold of the Aspis-hired ship, bound and unconscious. The sailors on the ship surrender immediately if confronted, stating that they want no fight and were just doing what they were hired to do. If pressed, they identify Darys and Risha as their employers, and offer to leave the harbor without another word should you wish them to.

Desmond grabs the three potions of cure serious wounds and pours them down Sahrek's gullet.

3 CSW: 3d8 + 5 + 3d8 + 5 + 3d8 + 5 ⇒ (5, 8, 4) + 5 + (4, 3, 1) + 5 + (2, 6, 6) + 5 = 54

He hoists Marthysan on his shoulder and brings him to the shore. He slaps their host gently on the cheeks, trying to rouse him.

"Oh. . . . oh! Thank you! I thought you might come eventually. . . ."

After clearing his head a bit, the paladin sits up and explains, "It's the Golden League's gambling ring, they're behind all of this. These ones-I overheard them-had agreed to throw the final match against Gomwai in order to ensure profits for the Golden League's gambling ring. Capturing me was part of the arrangement with the Golden League, if I understand right. They've wanted me dead and the tournament disrupted for some time now, and they haven't been overly cautious in concealing their motives."

The paladin begins healing himself and continues, "But never mind about me! I will be fine now. You need to get rest, you have a big match tomorrow-your seminal match! With the Aspis team eliminated-I will be sure to inform the Emissary of what they have done-you will be facing Seishuku, who was their opponent today and who will be reinstated due to the Aspis treachery. He is known as the Scarred Ninja, named so because of a terrible chemical explosion when thieves tried to break into his laboratory."

The main concern we had was for your well being and I'm glad to see you are safe and sound now. What else are you able to tell us about our next opponent... if you permitted to do so, that is?

Desmond is relieved that their host is alive and safe. "Chemical explosion in his lab? What, is he some sort of alchemist too?"

"Yes, during his last match he seemed fairly skilled with the use of explosives but first and foremost he was trained as a ninja."

Feel free to retcon anything you would have done beforehand.

The fight stage is clear of obstacles, the field of battle left open for a true test of skill unhindered by terrain or other obstructions. The crowd roars in anticipation of the day’s battles between the most skilled combatants of the tournament.

Initiative:

1. Faldoc
2. Seishuku
3. Desmond, Gregor, and Shin

Faldoc is up!

All the tricks are up (Gravity Bow, Longstrider, Magic Fang on Boomer, Hunter's Eye)

Faldoc fires four arrows, as usual!

Many: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34 for Arrow: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (1, 6) + 11 = 18 and Arrow: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (1, 5) + 11 = 17

Rapid: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21 for Arrow: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (2, 1) + 11 = 14

Itertive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26 for Arrow: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (3, 6) + 11 = 20

Boomer then charges the new foe!

Charge!: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9 for Teeth: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 Boomer AC 16 after charge

Two of Jaysin's shots hit their mark but Boomer nearly trips on his charge of the alchemist ninja! Seishuku ducks and suddenly vanishes into thin air!

Initiative:

1. Faldoc
2. Seishuku
3. Desmond, Gregor, and Shin

55 dmg

You guys are up!

Crap, I forgot to ask. Is he human? If so, +4

Also, I see him with my Hunter's Eye, correct?

Heroism, See Invisibility & Shield of Faith all with lesser extend metamagic rod. Also casting Greater Invisibility and Bless.

Assuming I can see him and identify his creature type I'll Dimension Hop behind him and call for Greater Bane.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35, Damage: 1d8 + 17 + 4d6 ⇒ (4) + 17 + (1, 6, 6, 2) = 36

He is human.

Of course Seiskuku did not realize that Gregor would be able to see him in his invisible state; the inquisitor moves up to the alcheninja and takes him down. A few seconds later as he rematerializes the crowd realizes what has happened and begins politely applauding, not overly enthused at the invisible fight that they didn't get to witness.

Out of combat!

Immediately after you finish your battle with Seishuku, the second semifinal round occurs. In the battle, the hobgoblin Gomwai defeats his challenger, an elven samurai from Jinin, earning himself a position in the championship round against you.

Before the final competition, there are a series of exhibitions to keep the crowd occupied and to keep the two final competitors warmed up and in the fighting competitive spirit. Your round comes first and starts only a few minutes after Gomwai defeats his elven foe.

You are pitted against an atamahuta-an oni with a corrupted, twisted body of an ettin. The two-headed abomination roars in rage as it is released into the ring, assuming the form of a normal ettin as it enters the ring.

Initiative:

1. Faldoc, Desmond, Gregor
2. Atamahuta
3. Poor Shin, the party chronicler

Faldoc, Desmond, and Gregor are up!

Assuming all spells are still up then.

Faldoc starts with his typical opening volley!

Many: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26 for Arrow: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (1, 1) + 11 = 13 and Arrow: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (6, 1) + 11 = 18

Rapid: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34 for Arrow: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (6, 3) + 11 = 20

Iterative: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20 for Arrow: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (3, 2) + 11 = 16

Boomer charges again, hoping to harass the enemy!

Bite: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 = 28 for Teeth: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Confirm?: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 = 19 for Teeth: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Faldoc's arrows sink into the atamahuta's chest as Boomer bites the giant's leg!

Initiative:

1. Faldoc, Desmond, Gregor
2. Atamahuta
3. Poor Shin, the party chronicler

64 dmg

Desmond and Gregor are up!

Wow, I missed a lot. The reason I didn't check in at all yesterday, and not until late today, is because my son decided to give my laptop a bath. The big problem is all my files saved on there. I managed to borrow a laptop from someone else and I'm currently trying to recover my Master's program files. Nothing much - just a bunch of research that is pivotal to my first two courses. Gotta love kids.

Longstrider would still be active. I would've used up the other buffs on the first battle. By the way, excellent work, Gregor. Though it almost wasn't fair just having one guy against four (+2 animal companions.

Desmond draws Dingo as he creeps around to get closer to the Oni. Placing one hand on his bone wayfinder, he calls out, "You're my favorite enemy now!"

Casting instant enemy on the oni. Treating him as human.

He then orders Sahrek to attack.

Move and attack

Bite, Fav. Enemy: 1d20 + 13 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 6 = 33
Damage: 2d6 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (5, 2) + 10 + 6 = 23
Trip: 1d20 + 15 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 6 = 29