GM FurtiveZoog's PFS First Steps, Part I: In Service to Lore (Gamma) (Inactive)

Game Master FurtiveZoog

Vyk Tyr - No, you're not up yet. Zander was to go and then the rest of the bad guys, then the halfling starts Round 2.

The red-haired woman casts something on the hidden woman in the mists (who, herself, seems to pause in her mad cackling only long enough to cast a spell). She then steps forward and moves in a strange way, seeming to split into two identical forms!

The maniacal blond woman then comes forward in the mists (to D9), laughing, "... HAHAHAhhaaHHHAAAAhaHaHEEHEEHahHEH..." and, without even pausing, she launches a sizzling line of fluid towards Vyk Tyr!
Acid Ray (Sp): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 131d6 ⇒ 3
The fluid burns through his armor and flesh!

At the point, Eurydes, who had been delaying, grimly yells, "Time to make a way!", and runs past his companions (MA 20') and - swiftly challenging the halfling (SwA) - attempts to smash into the blond woman! (SA)
Eurydes' bull rush vs. CMD 12: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Blond woman's AoO: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 171d4 ⇒ 2
She is knocked back far into the mists - her laughter receding, though not diminishing - but not before just catching Eurydes' across the face with her dagger!

Halflings's AoO: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 - 1 = 201d10 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 3 = 15
Likewise, the halfling gives a vicious answer to Eurydes as he goes by, felling the big man with a tremendous whack to the back!
I never did get whether anyone bothered to heal poor Eurydes before (he was down by 4)... So, he is either at -7 or -3.

I've interpreted the Bull Rush paragraph bit on "have the available movement to do so" with the assumption that the Bull Rush 'standard action' is acting like a move action so someone, like Eurydes, with a move of 20' could move or charge 20' and then Bull Rush someone up to 20' more.

The halfling steps over the crumpled colleague at his feet, swinging the greataxe at Vyk Tyr, yelling, "You're too foul too eat!"
"...unlike your fowl friend!" Worth another 25 cents?
Greataxe power attack: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 - 1 = 61d10 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 3 = 15
But, fortunately, his blow goes wide and smashes into the corner of the building, shaking it with its power!

Based on the order I did things, the halfling has an AoO back, but the red-haired woman and the blond-haired woman do not.

Everyone is up!

Adelaide grunts slightly as she moves under the weight of their feathered friend, but she's shouldered heavier burdens before. She sets him down in the corner as gently as possible, head propped up against the wall, and turns to face Zander. With a flourishing bow, she offers him her now-vacant spot in the lineup. Smiling facetiously, she tilts her head down the alley. "Please, dear, after you. Perhaps you'd like to fetch our latest fallen comrade?"

Move to E4; move action(?) to set Kawrock down in E3. If setting down a load doesn't count as a move action, she will draw her falcata after those two actions.

Guess, I'll stand over Eurydes' body at D9. This place is quite the blender.

Vyk shifts and attacks the halfling with his rapier.

Rapier: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"I'll send you screaming to the Abyss you little pipsqueak!"

Will dream of chocolate covered imps, tasty snake snacks, how he was almost blue and most of all a cat free world.

I pre-posted Tuich's actions so as not to delay the game. But Lady Adelaide having dragged Kawrock within reach... I can't let Tuich shelter herself at his expense. So I'm retconning her actions after reaching E5.

Reaching the safety of the corner, Tuich raises her hands in a second effort to invoke protection for herself. But as she begins, Lady Adelaide staggers in under the weight of her gear, Kawrock, and his gear, lowering him gently to the opposite corner.

"Ashava's grace but he looks bad!"

Aborting her spell, she moves over to the tengu (E4) and places her hands on him.

"క్యూర్ లైట్ గాయాలు!"

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Ack! Freaky avian-based physiology! Dammit Jim, I'm an oracle, not a veterinarian!

what is your rule on npcs and 0 or less hp?? Are they dead, or would channeling start that stupid yoyo of up/down?

You should probably channel either way. Even if it heals the baddies, they won't really be in a position to threaten. They'd probably either run for it or surrender.

I'm not so sure. If I can end the threat of the barbarian, that would be less damage coming in and I can heal everyone up after the fight.

Tuich, Adelaide is in E4. Are you stopping there? I assume we can squeeze and take penalties to AC without worrying too much about getting attacked; I just wanted to clarify.

Oops, my bad! I was so focused on where Kawrock is I didn't even look to see where you are. GMFZ, I'll take D3 instead of E4.

Lady Adelaide removes Kawrock from danger, placing him down gingerly so as not reopen wounds.
Lady Adelaide, while dropping something is a free action, I would say putting something down more carefully is a move action. But, you can always draw your weapon as part of another move action next round since you have a BAB > 0.

Vyk Tyr turns his sharp attention to his main nemesis, the murderous halfling, stabbing him deeply in the leg! The halfling curses something about "Effete weapon!"

Tuich rushes back and touches Kawrock, casting a spell from the mystery of life to heal the tengu, but does so inexpertly on the strange form, 'healing' mostly feathers.
Kawrock is now at -3, I believe?

Zander - I'm kinda a rule junkie (not that I don't fudge some things...) but Baddies at 0 or less are still just either bleeding out or stable until they are really dead (unless they are constructs or undead, of course). :-\ So, that is one reason my clerics - very much healing-oriented/limited - always take selective channeling. (Even then, however, you can't exclude enemies who you can't see, so any hidden in the mists might also be healed.) So, yeah, stupid yo-yo possibilites. Sorry. The brown-cloaked man, at least, won't be happy with the red-haired woman, if he revives.

Fine

Zander, sensing his comrades care more for getting their friends healed over ending the threat to them, again invokes Shelyn's blessing, infusing the alley with a warm glow.

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 6 Gets everyone but the blond

He then strides towards the fight. D6

Shakes his head to clear the grogginess.

"Thanks for the rescue, was a close one that time. Now I believe something short needs to be set on fire. Unless someone has already done that for me?"

He then pulls out a wand and touches it to his wound.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Not sure where I come in on the order but that would be my first move after getting positive hit points. Slight edit, I would not be able to pull the wand and stand up since my BaB is 0.

Zander - I just thought of something: Since channel energy is a burst, and a burst does not affect creatures around corners or otherwise with total cover, you can exclude all three of the visible baddies by choosing to have the burst happen from points C-D/3-4 or C-D/4-5, which would give C8 and C9 total cover, IMO. C-D/3-4 is less likely to heal the blond, so I'll have you do that, if that is OK. (It is tough to describe intersections.) I read a bunch of little bits, but someone can tell me after the fight if I am wrong. :-P

Kawrock sputters back to consciousness, spitting blood from his beak and muttering something about chocolate imps.

Eurydes stirs to consciousness, too, it appears.

Kawrock can go, and I'll do Eurydes mixed in again with the baddies.

Edit: Ninja'd by Kawrock. But you can stand up and heal yourself. Technically, standing up and drawing a wand are both move actions, but meh.

It is now the baddies, if I have everything right, but I'll get that in a bit, hopefully.

"Thank Zander for that. I tried, but... I guess I don't know tengu well enough."

Tuich studies his plumage. "I fixed all your cut-up feathers, though!"

I channeled from D4, and noted blonde was out of range. The others shouldn't be healed due to the cover.

Sorry if I missed you mentioning the bit about cover. The blond's position, though, was only approximate, since you can't actually see more than 1 square into the mists. (I've removed her now; I should have before since you wouldn't know how far Eurydes had bull rushed her back. She's out of his eyesight, too.

Looks down at the wound and notices the unmarred feathers.

"Thank you Tuich, that was very thoughtful. I am very proud of my feathers, but you probably already knew that."

Tuich smiles and pats Kawrock on the shoulder. "Yes, but there's a difference between being prideful and being obnoxious about it."

She casts a furtive zoog glance in Zander's direction.

"Regardless, I'd rather have healed you than restored your plumage. Perhaps I'll improve with time. If I ever have the opportunity to work with a tengu again," she adds thoughtfully.

"But really," she says, her eyes sparkling, "I'm just glad you're okay."

"Now, how shall we best rout those scoundrels?"

Oops. My I think that I was supposed to go next. I write down every action in a text editor and then still lose track. :-P

Halfling vs. Vyk Tyr: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 - 1 = 81d10 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 3 = 11
Ledford, still reeling from his wounded leg, swings hard but is off-balanced, widely missing Vyk Tyr.

Red-haired vs. Eurydes: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 4 = 141d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 30
"Stay down, you cur!" shouts the red-haired woman as she attempts to bring her short sword down on Eurydes back, hitting only his scale armor, while she moves her body again to make another duplicate image of herself.

Halfling AoO vs. Eurydes: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 1 = 241d10 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 3 = 12
Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 47
Red-haired AoO vs. Eurydes: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 171d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 50
Halfling AoO Crit confirmation: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 - 1 = 81d10 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 3 = 10
Eurydes stands up, which proves to be a fatal mistake, incurring blows from both the red-haired woman, staggering him, and a gruesome, finishing blow by the halfling's axe.
Oops... :-( Well, it probably doesn't matter, but I still feel bad about killing a character. Prone is a tough position to get out of, and crawling would also incur an AoO.

Blond woman's acid ray vs. Vyk Tyr: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 171d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 14
THe blond woman reappears, cackling madly as she strides over Eurydes' sad form, sending another ray from her finger tips! The ray certainly would have burned another hole in Vyk Tyr's armor, but for those mists!

Everyone is up, after a moment of silence for Eurydes.

"Back into the fray, for our fallen comrade!"

Kawrock will make a double move to D11.

As he passes Vyk he asks, "Fire doesn't bother you much does it?"

I'll move after Zander, bringing up the rear. I'll wait to post description til then.

This is why prone people should just go full defensive until it gets safe to stand up.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 = 201d10 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Zander watches as Eurydes is pummeled into oblivion, fire burning in his eyes. "You shall pay for that." he growls as his glaive whirls over his head. Feeling the halfling is the more dangerous of the two, he chops down hard, catching the man on the shoulder and nearly severing his arm with the ferocity of the blow.

Seeing no obvious way to help offensively, Tuich dives back to the relative safety of the corner (E5). Again she prepares to invoke protection for herself, but then a thought occurs to her. "Maybe I can still help," she giggles to herself.

"ఘోస్ట్ సౌండ్!" As she makes motions with her hands, the sound of a few men shouting and running -- followed by multiple "shings" as swords are drawn from scabbards -- is heard from the other side of the front line. (Ghost Sound targeted at D10 as a one round distraction. Way too close but it's all the range she has. She'll give the sounds a slightly echoey character to make it seem like they're coming from a bit farther back, and will hope the obscuring cloud works against the bad guys.) The sounds grow in volume as if an aiding party is closing in on the fight from the enemy's rear flank.

I assume Zander moved to D7? If that's true...

Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Adelaide is at first startled by the sound of the party receiving backup- did we send for backup?- but notices Tuich's gesturing and puts two and two together. Giving the oracle a sign of approval, Adelaide draws her falcata and moves to D3 to intercept any bad guys fleeing from the approaching "reinforcements."

Zander did not move. He has reach and therefore had no reason to.

That was the other thing. If I moved in front of you, would it block your reach?

Not more than it already is, they have cover from the building or cover from an intervening character. Either way, they have cover.

Assuming the halfling is dead, I would like to five foot step onto his corpse at C8 and attack the woman at C9.

Vyk laughed at the halfling's demise. "Well done, priest!"

He shifted to the side, pointedly stepping on the dying halfling and attacked the Red-haired Woman in front of him. He winked at her and then attacked.

Rapier: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Oh, come on! ::sigh::

"Fire away, Kawrock! I like the heat!"

Fire Resistance 5, Kawrock. I'm good. But I should be safe where I am anyway. GM, If the halfling is still alive use my obvious miss of an attack on him. I was healed by Zander but forgot to adjust my HP. I am back up at full again.

I went before the updated map. So I would have just single moved to D7. After getting the go ahead from Vyk, cast that burning hands the halfling so rudely interrupted.

"If you don't like fire you best leave, because there is more where this came from."

Burning Hands DC 15: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Kawrock - Thanks for redoing your move. I had updated the map to show the blond at D9, but I accidentally cross-posted it to my other campaign, confusing everyone. Is it BCD8, CD9, D10, or the other orientation (excluding the halfling). I'll say the former for now.

Also, Eurydes definitely the halfling's hit (natural 20), but if he got up more carefully the red-haired woman would have missed, so I'll retcon it that way.

Zander expertly brings his glaive down on the halfling's shoulder, driving chain deep into his body. The halfling
Zander read my mind about the halfling having cover from Zander's blow, as I read the rules for reach weapons and cover, but the halfling's AC was only 15, and he was unbuffed by the casters. So, just managed a hit.

Tuich casts her cantrip, hoping that her enemies would be fooled for a moment, and, despite the red-haired woman looking at her and laughing, Tuich can see both women, almost reflexively look the other direction.
She identified what spell you cast, but was still fooled (failed will save with the bonus).

Lady Adelaide moves to block one route of escape.

Perhaps Vyk Tyr was too distracted by the woman's charms, but either way he misses.

Kawrock moves forward and casts burning hands, which the red-haired woman avoids but the blond does not - "Hahaha - *Ouch!* -HaHaha!" - and also singing downed friend and foes.

The blond woman steps back and turns and then casts a spell, illuminating the mists behind her with a vivid spray of impossible colors!
She has disappeared from view now.

Red haired vs. Vyk Tyr: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
The red-haired woman, however, steps forward and slashes at Vyk Tyr but misses, perhaps distract by his charms.

Everyone is up!

"Kawrock, if you could make some space after you act, I'd appreciate it. Says Zander to his feathered companion, waiting for space before he moves to attack.

Summoning up a small flame in his right hand he moves behind the red haired woman and tries to strike her with it.

Casts produce flame and moves to C10, this will get an AoO. I think you missed Vyk Tyr's five foot into C8. So Kawrock is in Flank with Vyk and is trying a melee touch attack.

Melee touch: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 2 = 11 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Probably a miss. If it is he still holds the flame. Also I think the AoO has a 20 percent miss, since moving into a fog space is when he provoked.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 = 221d10 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Zander steps into the space just vacated by Kawrock and thrusts his glaive at the red haired woman. While accurate, the blow is only partially effective, glancing off her thigh and leaving a trail of blood.

Adelaide readies to attack if a villain tries to run down the alley.

Kawrock - I did miss Vyk Tyr's 5' step, thank you!

And I goofed the map again. Sorry. Going loopy on nutmeg.

Kawrock - I believe that it might be the square you are exiting where the attack occurs since, if one is trying to use Acrobatics, one is stopped there by a successful AoO. But, I'm not sure, so I'll go with the misted square.

Red-haired's AoO vs. Kawrock: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 91d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 37
The red-haired woman makes a badly aimed swipe with her sword as Kawrock passes and flanks her, no doubt still distracted by the 'enemy' approaching from the other direction.

The Blond's AoO vs. Kawrock: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 171d4 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4
Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 55
Kawrock also passes the blond woman in the mist, and she stabs at him with a dagger, but the strong blow does little against the dragonhide.

Kawrock swipes back at the red-haired woman with a fist of flame, but misses.
There is also a miss chance for attacks out of the mists, btw, IMO.

Zander hits the red-haired woman, making her dearly regret being distracted and not creating a mirror image to fool the warrior-priest!
My goof.

Lady Adelaide stands vigilant at the back of the ally, ready to attack.

Tuich and Vyk Tyr are still up!

Tuich peeks around the corner. Still seeing no clear way to engage without putting herself at extreme risk, she ducks back and starts her protective spell for the third time.

"ఫెయిత్ షీల్డ్!" (Shield of Faith, +2 Deflection Bonus, 1 minute.)

Vyk lunges his rapier forward, thinking the red-haired woman distracted.

Rapier: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9

Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Are you kidding? Even with the flank?

He is however wholly surprised when she deftly dodges the attack.

Kawrock's AoO against 'withdrawing' red-haired woman: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 71
Withdraw action, so the first space isn't counted
The red-haired woman spits and curse and back away from her two foes, getting a few feet before Kawrock tries the swipe at her with his fist (feathers?) of flame, but his attack is deflected by a magical force.

Concentration check, DC17: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 66
Acid Ray touch attack vs. Kawrock: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 111d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
A ray of acid flies over Kawrock's shoulder, burning small holes as it splashes on the wall behind him, and the blond woman then steps backward into the mists.

Everyone is up!

"I'm going in!"

Vyk plowed forward into the mist, trying to block the blonde from escaping.

Move to E12. I will obviously be provoking AOO, but screw it. Not going to bother with Acrobatics because I'll need my full speed to box her in. If I get stopped, I should still be able to attack her.

"Hello, Precious."

Rapier: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 79

That's a crit! Just got to confirm...

Confirmation: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

That probably won't do it. But I'll take what I can get.

Tuich peeks around the corner again, spotting Zander and a glimpse of Vyk before he disappears into the mist. No one else, and no enemies... only that wall of smokey mist.

She pulls back against the wall. "There has to be a way to get a vantage point..."

And then she looks up.

A wide grin spreading across her face, and she motions with her hands as she speaks. "ఆశా ఫ గైడెన్స్". (Ashava's Guidance, +1 to a skill roll.)

She positions herself below the roof overhang and judges the distance for a jump. "Alright Ashava, I'm not very athletic so I really need your help on this one, okay?"

She takes a deep breath, swings her arms back and forth, back and forth, crouches, swings one more time, and leaps upward to grab at the edge.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 1 = 23

WHOA, Johowitz! Remind me to have her pray at the temple later... apparently a bit of respect to Ashava really pays off!

With astounding grace, Tuich leaps upward, grabs the roof with both hands, and in one fluid motion swings herself onto the rooftop. (E6)

Aaaand with the spell being SA and the leap probably being MA or better, I think she's done this round. Especially since she'd cast Guidance again before trying to walk on that sloped, mossy surface.

Vyk Tyr - I'll assume that Kawrock clues you in as to her location in the mists

Blond's AoO: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 171d4 ⇒ 1
Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 93
The blond woman manages to just nick Vyk Tyr as he runs by her.

Vyr Tyr, stops and addresses the woman, seeing clearly through a whirl in the mists and stabbing straight at the blonde woman, feeling the sharp point of the rapier pierce through multiple layers of invisible protection to pierce the woman, who still laughs, but it is a disjointed, staggered laugh.

Tuich says her little prayer, and her prayer seems to be heard, and up she goes onto the roof, astounding even herself.

Kawrock will step up to the blonde woman to keep her from escaping. He will then try to hit her with the flame in his hand and strike at her with his beak.

melee touch: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Beak: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (19) - 4 = 15 damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

-Posted with Wayfinder

Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 12

-Posted with Wayfinder

Kawrock moves forward to match the blond woman's retreat but misses with beak and fist, again, baffled both by mists and by her formidable defenses.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 1 = 241d10 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 141d1000 ⇒ 755

Move to D9

Hearing the battle continuing ahead of him, Zander strides into the mist, and seeing Kawrock's iconic shape swing towards something behind the corner of the building, swings his glaive in a vicious arc designed to glance across the corner of the building and gash into anyone using it for cover.

Uh, Zander. Might want to re-roll your miss chance there. Pretty sure 1d1000 isn't a thing. :-)

Hey now, if he wants a little more precision, why not? 755 = 75.5 on a d100. :o)

oops: 1d100 ⇒ 63

50% miss chance can be done on any die, but since it upset vyk's delicate sensibilities.... :D.

I would have taken anything in the top half as a hit. :) Testing a few things for no particular reason, it seems anything above 1d1000 converts converts to 1d1001. I haven't tried the X of the XdY - I'm kind of afraid of breaking something.

Zander forcefully and skillfully - but blindly, perhaps ruffling a few feathers - brings his deadly glaive through the area where the woman should be, but the corner of the building gets in his way, sending a rattle painfully up his arms.
It would have hit but for the cover provided by the building. She's pretty tankish at the moment.

More importantly... I goofed. :-( I momentarily forgot about the 1 pt. done by Kawrock's burning hands, so that Vyk Tyr will have downed her. *Sigh* Well, "fog of war"! But you can do a do-over if you like.