GM FurtiveZoog's continuation of DM Dustin M's PFS First Steps (Inactive)

Game Master FurtiveZoog

"Let's move on forward, I fear that the longer we stay here, the more dangerous it becomes."

"Agreed, we have many more battles before us."

Storn heads for the room to the south.

"Well said. Let's stay sharp, and be prepared for more foes. Preparation is often the difference between success and failure." Dietrich follows just after Storn, to take advantage of the light on his sword.

Herman tags along as the rest of the group moves out to the next room. Following Dietrich's admonition, he brandishes his longsword making mock cuts, parries and thrusts in preparation for what lies ahead.

Are we still here?

Amaruu continues to move on

After an hour or so - an hour that seems like an eternity - each blinded person's vision begins to come back to normal... though you still have the frightful image of the frog-creature burned indelibly into your memories.

The Map

At your feet lies another deep pile of rubble, perhaps signifying a wall, mixed with the now-familiar scattering of human bones. Before you (to the West, or 'down') is a chamber with three rounded alcoves, each of which contains the rotting remains of scroll shelves, honeycombing from floor to ceiling.

Scattered amid the compromised shelving are damaged scrolls, and a number of still-sealed scroll tubes. A glimmering trickle of water seeps down from the ceiling in the northwest corner of the room.

The rubble areas on the map are, for future reference, "difficult terrain." Rules here and here.

"The documents we are looking for could be here," says Menas as he casts Light on his scimitar.

He approaches the shelves and begins browsing over the scrolls for some important documents.

Perception (Take 10): 10 + 2 = 12
Perception (If I can't take 10): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

All of the documents are written in Kelish. Spending a bit of time perusing them - and being very cautious given the mouldering condition of many of them - you find...

"This seems to be the trade pacts we are looking for. There's something about it though. For starters, some of the trades are with the pirates and mercenary groups around the region. This one on the other hand is a deal made congratulating him on gaining the Li's jade katana. Should we let Madam Li see this first before we give it to the Satrap?"

PS - No one seemed to mention it, but since I am a little unsure of exactly how Dustin was handling searches (and this was about the time things went funny), I'll just assume you took some 20's and searched the previous room while everyone was recovering their sight.

Description of Room 9 - the Frog-Creature's room
This large room looks like it was once a scribing chamber. The remains of many desks are scattered about, and amid the rubble is a number of long-dried inkwells, other writing utensils, and scraps of paper. These things are covered with black mold and patches of light green mushrooms.

The frog-creature had apparently been sustaining itself, however barely, on the fungus this area and the next room, and it made its nest in a particularly thick patch.

Searching the nest you find a scroll, three flasks of what appears to be water (or watery), and a small vial that appears contain a potion of some kind.

I took 10 for searching the room with the alcoves and scroll shelves, so I thought that's where I found the trade pacts.

Sorry if I was unclear. There was one trade pact in the frog-creature's nest and 12 in the alcoves. Different rooms.

Regarding Menas, "I care not who benefits more from our mission."

knowledge {arcana} for the creature 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
spellcraft for the flasks 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
spellcraft for the vials 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

"These are flasks of holy water" holding up the flasks "They could be a weapon against the twiceborn if anyone is adept at hurling objects."

"You seem to be as agile as any among us, Amaruu." says Dietrich. "Maybe you should keep at least one of those flasks."

"Menas, I'm with you. Mistress Li gave us the assignment, let's see that she gets what she needs. Why don't we leave the scrolls here while we clear out the rest of this place? We can come back once we know there's no more monsters lurking about."

"Sounds wise enough to me." Xeno says poking her head into the next room rapier at the ready.

Into 'Room 10'? It is safe and empty, except for the mouldering scrolls and shelves. Speaking of which, it probably wouldn't be out-of-line to suggest that you could probably find a safe place to rest if you need to... No time pressures and such.

"I will not turn down tools that my foes are weak against. If no one is interested I will take the flasks of holy water."

"If you're all willing, I'd like to explore a couple more rooms before resting. I'd be happy to move in front, since I haven't had the chance to face many of our foes myself."

Know Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

"I think I remember a little about that frog beast now," Herman says. "Something about a blindheim, lives off fungus like this icky stuff." the bard says, wrinkling his nose.

After finding the flasks and vials, Herman will cast Detect Magic and report the faint auras emanating from them. He will further study the items

Spellcraft flasks: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Spellcraft, Vial: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

As they find a number of Kelish scrolls, Herman looks frustrated. "I don't speak any Kelish, so I guess we pack up all of this and take it back with us? Can anyone speak this tongue? Should we use the scroll we found earlier to read these?"

Not sure, but I think we just rested a while when everyone was blindheimed. Perhaps not enough to reset spells etc, but no one has significant need yet do they?

Nah, there was no IC reason to rest. Just an hour to get our eyesight back.

"Bah, give me that vial. Gorum, I beseech you, show me how this may be used in battle!"

Storn waves a hand over the vial, chanting a prayer. He holds it up, studying it.

Spellcraft to Identify Vial: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

"Curing potion. Get those scrolls and move on, there are enemies to disembowel! We can rest later. An hour without killing anything has made me irritable."

I do, and Menas shared with everyone what he read.

"I'll be right beside you Dietrich, the more we linger here the more undead lurks, and the longer they suffer their curse."

Xeno will lead the way out into the corridor they orginally entered into and then down the other way to room 11.

Storn follows along behind Xeno.

Xeno's strength check: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19

Xeno pushes against the door which, though momentarily stuck from the centuries and the collapse, quickly gives way.

To your right is the entryway and the relief sculpture of the wind-face.

To the left, you can see into a room which, from this angle, seems nearly filled top to bottom with webbing. Getting closer to the entrance, you that the long, narrow room is, indeed, choked with webbing. Within the webs are two (at least) of what appear to be small, dead humanoids with dark, scaled skin, each wrapped in a cocoon of sticky webbing.

On your map, the white shading is particularly-thick webbing.

What is your 'marching order', in this case for single file, and is there any spacing between people?

Also, who has what lighting (other than Xeno, who is probably just using darkvision)?

The Map

Knowledge Local (untrained): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Menas will cast Light as needed. I don't mind wherever I am in the marching order.

"Hmmm, dead kobolds."

"One would also assume what ever put them in the cocoons as well. We could try burning the webs, but might lose any trade documents in the room. Personally I don't mind does anyone else?" Xeno asks.

Know Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Herman nods his assent with Menas' assertion. "Yep, kobolds, and they are about my size, so whatever got them, is probably not too good for me. Keep your eyes open for a spider or something creepy crawly."

Perception to see spider, if any: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Herman will be at or near the rear of the group, since he's pretty squishy. My understanding was that Storn had Light spell emanating from his weapon as our existing light source.

I made a pretty good guess on order, perhaps, although it is going to get a little dark and creepy, Herman, when Storn's light goes around that corner... ;-)

Anyone doing anything else that they can do at will? ...

Amaruu casts Light on his blade.

Curse these damn human eyes... I do hate giving away my position. Hopefully one day I shall remedy this.

He will be near the front.

Menas will just take the rear and casts Light on his scimitar.

I guess we pretty much covered lighting aha!

Storn grunts as he looks over the webs, the pale white light of his sword casting strange shadows. He grunts and shuffles further into the group.

"Huh. Amaruu, Dietrich, move up front. I'm best in the middle in case healing is required. If somebody has fire it will be a very quick way to draw any spiders out. Otherwise we can have someone play spider bait and jiggle the webs."

Shuffling party order a bit to put Storn in the middle and Amaruu and Dietrich one square closer to the front.

Updated Map.

Edit: I've now rearranged you and added in the dead kobolds.

"I HATE spiders, especially big ones. Best to just draw it out and make it go splat."

Dietrich will step past Xeno and begin trying to clear the webbing away with his axe.

Dietrich strides forward and does a mighty attack on the webs with his greataxe, shearing a great number despite their obvious resiliency, clearing the area he is in. L-21

The webs have obvious damage reduction, but a strong greataxe stroke and a power attack can make short work of them.

By-the-way, if it hadn't been mentioned by GM Dustin, the ceilings of the surviving catacombs are quite high. They are 15 feet high in hallways, and 20 feet high in chambers. At one time, the ceilings were plastered and painted and featured mosaics, just like the walls; much of that decoration has fallen off and now litters the floor.

Here, though, there are a lot more webs concealing the room and walls.

Herman begins humming a song about spiders in the cellar that he learned as a boy. In the end, the spiders take over the whole house one room at a time...

Begin Bardic Performance - Careful Teamwork. first use of the day but takes 3 rounds to use. (3/8 BP rounds used today)

Storn shrugs and pushes back into a room.

"When you want something done right..."

Approaching a choice-looking section of web, he grabs his sword and prays to his God before he chops down viciously with his sword.

Attack if Applicable: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Damage: 2d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4) + 2 + 1 = 9

Guess I'll keep things moving, but will want to maintain Storn's spot in the middle for future party orders. Using Battle Rage to add +1 to damage. 5 uses remaining.

Dietrich will keep pressing forward around the "upper" edge of the room, cutting at the web as he goes. He will continue to destroy web until it's gone or he's interrupted...

Damage, Power Attack: 1d12 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9
Damage, Power Attack: 1d12 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 11
Damage, Power Attack: 1d12 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 = 13

Xeno will follow the Dietrich and Storn into the room and stand ready if anything jumps out at them or her.

Menas will stand in the middle of the room, with his scimitar drawn. Waiting for whatever lurks in the webs above.

Suddenly, though you all were well expecting just such a thing, a giant spider emerges from the still-uncut mass of webs above you, jumps on Menas and attacks!

(I rolled a 26 for its stealth.)

Initiative includes +1 for Herman's inspiring song.

Amaruu Perception: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 = 23

Amaruu Initiative: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 = 22
Dietrich Initiative: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9
Herman Initiative: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 1 = 24
Menas Initiative: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 1 = 15
Storn Initiative: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 = 10
Xeno Initiative: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11

Giant Spider Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
[/ooc]

The surprise round:
The giant spider - as large as a man - leaps at Menas ...
Giant spider attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
... but misses, biting the hard flagstone instead.

That's the surprise round, now it is
Herman, Amaruu, Menas, The Spider, Xeno, Storn, Dietrich.
So, Herman, Amaruu, and Menas, you're up! (In whichever order you post.)

Edit: updated map in one moment - sorry

The Map
The areas in front of Storn and Dietrich are uncut webs; the areas they passed through are cut.

Herman sheathes his longsword and readies his crossbow but is slow enough in doing so, he doesn't get a shot off this round.

Move action to sheathe, Move action to ready crossbow

Due to his rigorous training Menas was able to dodge the spider gracefully.

"Wrong move, you should've stayed there hiding. We are not here to harm you but since you attacked first, I have no choice." says Menas as he swings and scimitar and prepares to throw a spell.

Spellcombat:

Scimitar: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 - 2 = 20
Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 - 2 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Cast Defensively: 1d20 ⇒ 11
DC 17...

EDIT: Fixed

The spider begins to rear back up just as Menas lands a mighty blow with his scimitar on the monster's head, causing black ichor to spill out over many of its gleaming eyes. The spider, however, remains undeterred.

Amaruu steps up to attack the spider.

"Interesting opponent, I will bless this hallway with your lifeblood..."

Amaruu 5 ft steps to M24 and slashes the spider in a two-handed grip. Then as a free action lets go with the second hand to draw his extra blade.
attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
damage 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

I'll just have you take a regular move there since the webs in front of Storn and Dietrich weren't cleared. But, it won't make you vulnerable to an AoO anyway.

Amaruu forces his way into the tangle of webs in front of Storn, eager to get to his kill, striking the spider with the sawtooth blade he drags his blade across it and it collapses, ichor pumping from numerous wounds. ... The creature is dead. Its hunger was no match for yours.

Pausing, you look around he room, seeing the two dead kobolds and some stairs leading out towards the southeast corner.

Dietrich, while stout-hearted, again is left agape at the ease with which his allies fell yet another monster.

"Let's take a moment to search this room, and then move on. Even the sight of that dead beast makes me uneasy."

The others notice Dietrich figthing hard to avoid seeming afraid. It seems odd, becuase the big man has appeared very calm, even stoic in their journey thus far.

Storn brings his sword up, ready for glorious battle before he sees the spider fall. Shrugging, he moves into the room, hacking at webs while he searches.

Perception + Careful Teamwork: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 1 = 18

"Kobolds, the walking dead, spiders... strange bedfellows."

You find little in the room, generally, beyond the remains of many past meals that have added to the scattered bones and piles of bones that occur everywhere in the Keep.

Next to the remains of one of the two dead kobolds wrapped in the webbing is a small purse containing 30 gp and a pearl.

A better roll by the spider might have helped some, or Menas not getting that crit. Or perhaps there are swarms of baby spiders still lurking in the high, webbed ceilings... Swarms can be really hard to deal with...

Amaruu bows to the corpse. "You died well, it was an honor to release you."

Amaruu turns to Storn, "I apologize for not letting you have any fun, I realize that your god demands blood as does mine."