GM Fanguar's Savage Tide (Inactive)

Game Master Fanguar

"Fire should do the trick well enough, Moira. Though if you're offering to take a smaller ration, I won't stop you." Graythan snorts then, softly, and it's not until long after he's done speaking that the realization that the sound was something akin to a chuckle dawns on anyone. "We'll be running lean enough as it is, if we want to spend as little time as possible before making our way to Tanaroa. Let's just hope there's a friendly welcome waiting for us."

You find a sheltered spot to camp for the evening and set the watch.

The first half of the night passes without incident, but during his watch, Graythan hears movement coming up the beach.

It's dark and you can't see anything yet, but the noise if getting closer.

Venkalie has low-light (or darkvision, can't remember which).

Graythan nudges Venkalie then gestures toward the approaching sound with a thrust of his chin. "Stay sharp. We've got company." Snatching up a brand from the low-burning fire, he tosses it in a slow, heavy arc toward the source of the noise.

Graythan rouses the camp. Soon Urol lets out at curse, "Terror Birds! Watch out or they'll tear you to shreds. Anyone with low-light vision can see a trio of large, bipedal birds running up the beach.

Combat
23 Birds
20 Justified
13 Krilla
9 Graythan
7 Moira

The birds hustle closer to the fire Anyone with normal vision can now see them

Note on illumination: The campfire radiates out normal light for 30', then dim light for another 30'. Double that if you have low-light vision. Dim light provides concealment. Everyone is up. Map updated

Not quite able to make out the birds as distinct creatures in the dark Justified moves to where he can better defend those behind him and readies to attack any enemy that comes withing range of his polearm.

I counted them as just beyond 60'

Krila stands up, sighs, and casts Call Lightning.

Enough of the storm that crashed us still around for the increased damage?

Krila stands up, sighs, and casts Call Lightning.

Enough of the storm that crashed us still around for the increased damage?

Sure.

Graythan and Moira are up. I'm going to treat the NPCs are Non-combatants, but if you want to order them to do something, let me know.

Graythan shuffles forward a few steps then looses a pair of bolts at the right-most of the approaching terrorbirds, relying on his ability to see in the dark. "Terrorbirds?" Graythan's tone is incredulous. "Who named these things?"

+1 hvy repeating xbow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22for: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
+1 hvy repeating xbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4for: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

5ft step & full attack, tinted Graythan's target red

My understanding is Krila can't throw a bolt until next round.

Skipping Moira.

A squawk comes from the darkness as one of Grathan's bolts finds its mark.

Two of the birds thunder in, attacking Graythan and Justified (they have reach, so no AoO), while the third moves to circle around behind the camp.

Attack Graythan: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Attack Justified: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Both miss, I believe

Everyone is up again

Seeing that Graythan and Justified have two of them under control, Krila looks at the one circling the area, and snaps her fingers.

"KRAKKAAATOOWWWWWWW!!!!!"

Lightning: 3d10 ⇒ (5, 10, 9) = 24 DC 16 for half

whew! missed me just barely! Justified's readied action should trigger when they close though, unless they have 15ft reach rather than 10?

Graythan skips back a step and lets another volley loose after focusing Tyr's wrath upon his feathered foe.
+1 hvy repeating xbow (first): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30for: 1d10 + 8 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 8 + (2, 4) = 20
+1 hvy repeating xbow (iterative): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15for: 1d10 + 8 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 8 + (3, 4) = 23

Attacks are at -2 to hit, -2 damage, and the 2d6 should be removed if they aren't of the animal type.

Free: 5ft step (cant update map at work)
Swift: activate bane (animal)
Full: full attack

Was wondering about reach. Some large animals do not have reach so I was hoping. :). Krila, is it stormy enough to get 3d10 instead of 3d6? I do not recall any mention of current weather.

These things are big, but only have two legs. Lets see if they trip. Justified waits for Graythan to take his shots then tries to hook a leg of the large bird and trip it to the ground. If that succeeds he follows up with an attack of opportunity, power attacking.

Trip: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (13) + 23 = 36
+1 glaive-guisarme vs prone target: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 181d10 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 6 = 18

He follows up with an attempt to trip the second bird unless its already down. If down he focuses the attack on his first target.

Trip: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 37
+1 glaive-guisarme vs prone target: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 221d10 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 6 = 22

Fanguar gave the a-ok for full storminess here, Justified

Also, you are really good at Trip attacks! Golly!

OK. Cool on stormy weather. I looked back but I guess not far enough. I have played druids for years and and pack that spell and I am not sure even once have I gotten to roll the d10s. lol. And yes, tripping is what Justified does. He has 5 feats specifically to be good at it, not counting Combat Reflexes he needs to make it work. Plus his archetype adds to it. I actually did it wrong too. Should have attacked, then gotten a free trip attack on the first one as a swift action, then gotten a free AOO when it tripped. The free trip is from Felling Smash but it uses a swift so I can only do that once a round.

I thought I submitted my attack. Ah....must of somehow lost track of my turn.
Using her turn to get into flanking position.

Ref save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 Lightning slamming near one of the birds. The boom is deafening and spots dance before your eyes.

Justified trips both birds, killing the one that had been badly injured by Graythan.

The tripped bird stands back up (Provoking AoOs)

If it survives, it attacks Justified:

Bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Damage?: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Claw: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Damage?: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Claw: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Confirm?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Damage?: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

The other one moves to attack Krilla:

Bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Everyone is up.

Spell is already cast, yes? So while she concentrates to pull down a bolt, I don't think that provokes an attack of opportunity does it?

Lightning, same bird: 3d10 ⇒ (1, 8, 8) = 17

That was some pretty good rolls. :) If the bird has to stand I don't think it can also full attack, can it? Let see if it matters.

As the bird stands Justified takes advantage of its lack of focus on him and tires to finish it off.

+1 glaive-guisarme vs prone target: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 301d10 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 6 = 16

That was some pretty good rolls. :) If the bird has to stand I don't think it can also full attack, can it? Let see if it matters.

Not enough to kill it. Also, you are correct, so just the bite attack. You are still up

Justified is bitten by bloodied the bird before retaliating. He swings his weapon to kill. If that attack drops the creature he 5' steps and attacks the remaining bird. Otherwise he focuses on it to finish it. His iterative attack is a blur of flashing steel that slashes and trips and slashes.

+1 glaive-guisarme: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 211d10 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 6 = 25

+1 glaive-guisarme, Iterative attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 281d10 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 6 = 23

Felling Smash to trip: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (15) + 23 = 38

AOO: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 211d10 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 6 = 22

We will eat well this day. he pronounces.

Graythan swings around and let's his crossbow thunder in rapid succession, each bolt leaping free from the cradle with precision and focus at the bird harrying Krila. When his volley is done, the cartridge slips free from the crossbow and falls empty to sand at his feet.

+1 hvy repeating xbow (first): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24for: 1d10 + 8 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 8 + (2, 5) = 23
+1 hvy repeating xbow (iterative): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21for: 1d10 + 8 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 8 + (2, 4) = 22
+1 hvy repeating xbow (rapid): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27for: 1d10 + 8 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 8 + (4, 5) = 19
crit?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21for an additional: 1d10 + 8 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 8 + (1, 4) = 21

Swift: activate bane
Full: full attack

And everything is dead. Combat over.

You manage to put down the birds and they die messily, kicking out their death throes on the sand.

Tavey exclaims, "That was amazing! We would have been bird food if it wasn't for you."

A very pale Urol concurs, "Yes I agree." he walks over to one of the corpses. "Much larger than I remember."

The rest of the night passes uneventfully, but none of the Npc's get much sleep. Eventually the sky brightens with the approaching dawn. Urol insists that you wait for full light before you head out.

The jungle is relatively thin, with numerous game trails crisscrossing it. and you make relatively good time. Urol advises that you avoid the trails, whenever possible, but the party's skill in woodcraft makes travel easy regardless of the path.

As the sun begins to sink, the jungle begins to thin. Eventually, it opens up to reveal an area littered with ancient stone ruins. Beyond which rise a range of mountains. The mountains to the south are not particularly tall, and Ural points out that the best chance to find a pass lies in that direction.

The ruins are ancient. Once they might have been magnificent, but now little of their former glory remains, as the jungle has slowly reclaimed it. You recognize the iconography of the ancient Olmecs, similar to that of the ruin you investigated during your voyage. These ruins also appear to be infested with spiders, although those of the monstrous variety are more interested in avoiding the intruders to their domain than attacking, and skitter off into dark holes when you draw near. Spider webs caress the ruins, hanging between old walls and carpeting the floor. In a clearing in the center of the ruins resides a throne made of webs and bone. From where you are, you can just make out the form of an old woman sitting on the throne, looking in your direction and beckoning you forward.

Grr. Just lost a long post and have no time to retype it. Justifed cooks and spokes bird meat. Takes point on the next days trek, worries about not being able to trip spiders, cautions the group about the throne lady as she might be a spider ally or even puppet and finally calls out a cautious greeting to her from 60' asking to be allowed to pass through the ruins.

Krila assists Justified with cooking the bird meat, at least, the bird meat that wasn't already cooked by her lightning bolts.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32
Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32

Any specific skill needed to ID the bone throne/web thing? Religion? Arcane? History? Nature?

Krila steps forward, but doesn't close the distance to the throne. "Greetings. We have no interest in violence if it can be avoided. May we ask where we are, and who you are? We are unfortunately a bit turned around." She smiles at the old woman in a friendly manner.

@Krila: At the moment you don't have anything to go on. She appears to be an old woman.

The woman calls out in a quiet and quavery voice, if no reply is forthcoming, she calls out again.

Urol says, "She says to come closer and that she means us no harm."

The first language was the ancient Olmec tongue while the other was Sylvan. Urol speaks Sylvan if no one else does.

Just Common and Celestial here

Krila shrugs, and moves closer, but cautiously, keeping an eye out as this is a strange way to meet someone. She bows though, politely.

Justified also advances, his weapon held defensively.

Graythan's step falters when the strange figure comes into view, and he shakes his head and shrugs his shoulders in ignorance as she calls out in a pair of languages he doesn't recognize. As Urol translates, Graythan arches one eyebrow at him, "Oh?" He looks back at the bony figure, the macabre throne, and the scattered webs before remarking dryly, "How reassuring."

"Tell her we'll do as she asks, but if she's lying it will go poorly for her." Urging Urol onward, Graythan stays near to him, patting him reassuringly on the shoulder and granting him a portion of Tyr's protection.

I'll give Urol a casting of shield of faith and stay beside him as the group approaches the not-at-all-creepy lady sitting in the web-crusted ruins of surely-nothing-will-go-wrong-here.

The always hungry rogue does not bother to move as food scraps are definitely visible on her face. Moira shouts while biting into a bird leg. "HEY!!! Spooky looking lady....you better not be interrupting our good eating.... spoils of war. Hmmm good leg. Hmmmm I hope giant lobsters comes on shore tomorrow night."

Urol says something to the old woman and she frowns. Once you get to a more conversational distances she speaks again. Urol translates, "She says her man is Lithira and that she is the queen of these ruins. She knows that we are not from here and wants to know what brings us into her domain."

Krila looks to the sky, and then laughs. "Tell her, at least in my case, the whims of very whimsical gods. And storms, very large storms..."

Urol scratches at his beard, "Well, that might not be exactly the level of detail she's looking for. Shall I explain to her our situation and how got into it?"

"I don't suppose it makes much difference, it's fairly obvious. I wouldn't go into much more detail than shipwreck, heading for civilization."

Graythan nods in agreement with Krila, "Let her know we wrecked, and that we're looking for a settlement so we can meet back up with our friends." He pauses for a second before adding, "Also mention that our friends are expecting us."

The little gnome speaks briefly with the woman and she nods throughout, and interrupts him a couple times. A few minutes later Urol turns back to the party.

"I sketched out our journey up to this point and explained our intentions. She is aware of Farshore, but has never interacted with the colonists directly.She is very interested in world outside this island and would hear more about it. Personally, I think she's more bored than anything else. Any of you have some interesting anecdotes to share?"

Avner scoffs, "This is a waste of time. Why are we even bothering with an old crazy lady?"

Krila shrugs. "I see no reason to not indulge her, she may have information to trade. Tell her I will relate a tale, if she will in turn give us information about this area."

Krila then sits on the ground, her legs crossed, and her hands resting on her knees, palms upturned. She closes her eyes, and begins to talk in a soft voice.

Performance(Oratory), Untrained: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

"Thousands of years ago, Keto bore to Phorinia the fair-cheeked Grayvia, sisters grey from their birth. Both deathless gods and men who walk on earth called them The Sisters Grey, Pemphra the well-clad, and saffron-robed Enyara, and finally their sister the Gorgon who dwelt beyond the glorious Ocean in the frontier land towards Night. Each sister bore the mark of a god or goddess. Pemphra bore the golden eyes of Salvassa the Greedy, and luck followed her wherever she went, and anyone she looked upon bore a day's luck equal to the gods own, followed by a year's unluck, although only that unluck that any man is born to. Enyara was born with the mark of Shivrana, born with four arms and four eyes, and she was gifted with the skills of war. Those who looked into her four eyes were driven mad. And Gorgan, the youngest, was born with the touch of Terra, the Goddess of the Earth and Snakes, with snakes for hair and stony gray eyes and those who looked into her eyes were turned to stone"

"The sisters were beautiful, and despite her snakes, Gorgon was considered the most lovely of all. Many tempted their fate to woo her, but her love was fickle, and many a man and woman to this day are frozen with her eyes their last sight. Enough succeeded though that Gorgon had many daughters, each born as she, with the touch of Terra on their head. Until Morganara was born to Eldara, a Gorgon but not a Gorgon, for her eyes were blue and her hair a fiery red that matched the scales of her mother's snake scales. Morganara was considered the most fair of the land, and she was constantly persued by those who would have her beauty as their own. But only one man was true enough to win her love, a prince in exile, Lecheries fought to free his people, and came to Eldara, asking for her help, for he needed the Snake of a Gorgon, freely given, to unlock a ritual to free his people from the sway of a demon who had taken over his father. Eldara agreed to the bargain, cutting a snake from her hair, but required that Lecheries marry her daughter, making her a queen, when the ritual was complete and the demon defeated. Morganara fought against her mother's wishes, and tried to stop Lecheries at every turn, trying to thwart his attempts to perform the ritual and free his father from the demon's grasp. In the end, she was unable to do so, and Lecheries freed his father from the demon, allowing his soul to continue on to it's just reward. In striving against Lecheries, Morganara came to fall in love with the prince, as her mother had forseen, and finally agreed to become his wife."

"Lecheries was a wise and kind king, and his wife was a fierce defender of her new people, and they were much beloved by their people. They went on to have many children, but the youngest of their children was a fiery haired woman who listened to them not at all, and refused her station as Princess, sending herself into exile. Eldara, angry with her granddaughter for refusing her duties as a Princess, tracked her down and stared into her eyes, telling her she would spend ten years as punishment for refusing her duties."

Krila sighs. "Unfortunately, something happened to Eldara soon after, exactly what is lost in time. It was thousands of years before the stubborn granddaughter was released from her prison of stone. Her kingdom was dust, her parents, her siblings, all that she knew was gone. And thus, in the end, the Princess won, for she had forever broken free of her duty as a Princess to the Crown. But the cost was much higher than she had ever wanted to pay. The moral of the story, is of course, to be sure of what one wishes for, for one may just get it."

Graythan listens to Krila's tale with respectful silence. When she finishes, he looks to Moira and Justified and chuckles softly. "If she'd like another story, that shadow war between those magical items might be entertaining."

Moira continues eating, occasionally stopping to breathe, crumbs and chunks of food falling on her lap. The sloppy rogue eventually asks, "Nice story. Whatever happened to the granddaughter." then back to eating.

"Ask me when we get to the city." Krila says with a whistful smile.

The old woman listens intently to the tales relayed to her by the gnomish geographer. Once finished, she has him relay the following message to you, "I thank you for your tale. The world beyond sounds truly wondrous and I would very much like to visit it one day. As for your journey, there is little I can do to aid you. You should know that the way south is dangerous. There are unnatural things that lurk in the dark places, now more so than in the past. I know that four eyes have gazed upon you and their servant seeks you out. You would do well to avoid him."

"If you plan to head south, take the dark mountain pass that travels under the peaks. It was made by the ancient ones, but beware, hungry birds nest near its opening not far from here, and they are fierce near their young. May you wander the web to find your way home."

After passing on her warning and giving her advice, the old woman's form shimmer and in her place rests an old hairy spire. It turns and crawls away into the ruins.

Avner lets out an oath and there is general shock and fear from the others.

DC15 Know(arcana): the woman is an Aranea. A shapeshifting spider creature.

The terror bird nesting ground lies between you and your destination, you can try to sneak around it, or just kick down the door and go in all stabby.

"Well then, that is useful. See, sometimes talking is better than fighting... especially something that can turn into a spider the size of a horse." She smiles and retakes her feet. "Shall we go?"

Justified nods. Unless there are swarms of the birds I think we can handle them. Still best to try to skirt them and not awaken the entire flock.

Perc Bird: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 So ya, I'm not going to even bother to have you roll sneaks...

Continuing past the ruins, you begin to hear noises in the jungle, with the occasional coo or squawk thrown in. Knowing that the terror bird nesting site is ahead, you skirt wide around it. You catch site of a lone bird standing watch, but you manage to keep below it's notice.

The dusk deepens and a short while later you come to an open cave mouth. The tunnel's entrance has been carved with fanciful Olmec pictographs, but beyond that detail, the stone wall appear to be natural.

It is almost night time. Now would be a good time to camp if you want.

"I suggest we camp at the entrance, it cuts down on the approaches to us, but a cold camp I think, so we don't alert anything in the cave, or in the jungle, to our presence." She studies the pictographs... "Anyone know this language? Curious what they say... would be nice to know if they say 'Warning, there is a giant man eating worm with thousands of razor sharp teeth inside'."

Graythan's face falls at Krila's suggested translation, "Now that I have that image in mind, I'm sorry to say that no, I cannot read ancient Olmec." He shakes his head at the thought of giant, fanged worms then adds, "A cold camp sounds good. Fire didn't do anything to deter those giant birds last time we camped, after all."

Krila shrugs. "If it helps, it's just as likely to say 'Warning, toll ahead, please have exact change'."

Camping here is fine. Justified agrees as he studies the strange writing but is unable to discern its meaning.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Moira looks at the writing.
1d20 ⇒ 6
"It reads, 'Blah, Blah Blah , Blah Blah..... and some more Blah Blah Blah Blah.' I must be dumb...makes no sense to me. I'll go and look for wood for the fire."