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

Game Master FurtiveZoog

He has cover from there, but you still hit. Fortunately, no one is in melee with him.

The explosive flask hits the halfling directly, exploding and splashing the masked woman and the brown-cloaked man with flames, while the blond woman manages to dodge most of them.

Amaruu and Storn are still up!

They have a healer? That puny God cannot stand before the might of Gorum!

"Attack! Charge! Fill the gutters with the blood of... of whoever these people are! Be healed by Our Lord in Iron." Storn's hand glows before a nova of white energy bursts around the group.

Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Using selective channel to exclude the moustachioed halfling.

Since you can only exclude 1 person and it is a 30' burst, you would have move back 2 squares, I think, not to include any of the enemy, all of who are down. Would that be OK? Or, you could do a CLW. Did you buy a wand?

I'll DMPC a decision so Amaruu can go.

Storn, reluctantly, takes his hand of his greatsword long enough to cast a spell of healing.
Storn's CLW on Amaruu: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Cured 8 hit points, which puts Amaruu back to normal.

Woops! Yeah, that's fine. I'll use a charge from the wand.

DMPCing Amaruu.

Amaruu stands up and draws his other sawtooth sabre.

The halfling rushes forward with another powerful attack, gashing Boomkin in the leg, but the brown-cloaked man curses at him, "Stay back!"

Halfling attack against Boomkin: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 211d10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
6 damage.

The blonde woman, says, "HA HAA Haa HAA!" and casts another unerring ball of force, this time at Boomkin.
1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
3 damage.

The masked woman retrieves a small vial from her person and drinks it, healing her wounds.

Everyone is up!

"That's it! FEEL THE WRATH OF OUR LORD IN IRON AND FLEE!" Storn casts another spell, chanting loudly and pointing to the halfling with the greataxe.

Casting 'cause fear' and targeting the reptile brain of that stupid halfling. DC 14

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
He may be a lot of things, but a raging halfling has a good will save vs. fear, unfortunately.

The halfling is undeterred.

Sorry for the delay, I didn't have computer access for the last 36 hrs, thanks,for NPCing me

What I would like Tromos to do this turn is throw a bomb at D8. It seems, however, that the rules make no explicit allowance for splash weapon attacks on empty squares. You can attack a specific grid intersection (vs. AC 5), with splash damage to the four adjacent squares. Further, missed splash weapon attacks *can* land in occupied spaces, splashing to all 8 adjacent squares. And I cannot find an entry that outlines the rules for simply throwing a bomb at the floor. I can understand not allowing players to attack the floor of an occupied square--the occupant could try to bat it away, ex.--but saying that you can't just toss a bomb at empty ground is nonsense.

Anyway, I'll abide by whatever Zoog decides. Tromos attack D8 if possible, or the C-D/7-8 intersection if not. Splash damage 6, DC 15 half. Afterwards, he will draw a longbow.

Yoink-smack-toss, the alchemist whips another bubbling flask into the fray, this time towards _____.

Only two bombs left, he notes with concern. Best prepare the backup. He unslings his longbow from over his shoulder.

Attack vs. ?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Damage?: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Miss?: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Also, it might help to rotate in and out after attacks in this narrow space. If Tromos could move one space N or E, he could attack the brown-cloaked man without exceeding the bomb's first range increment.

Unsure of what more to do in the close quarters, Herman will launch his second ear-splitting scream spell, but launch it at the blond haired caster instead.

No problem, Amaruu! I always hope that no one minds.
The rules don't mention attacking empty squares, only intersections, it is true... But, that doesn't make any sense, so I'm going to allow attacking squares for now - aiming at the feet of an imaginary enemy? - until I can get some clarification.

Halfling: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Brown: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Masked: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Blonde: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Tromos' bomb exlodes in the center of the gang of thugs and seriously wounds most of them, with only the brown-cloaked man avoiding the brunt of it - but he is not looking good, either. The maniacal blonde seems to still be laughing even as she crumples to the ground after the explosion!

I'll redirect Herman's attack to the masked woman since the blonde woman went down.

Fort save: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5
1d6 ⇒ 6

The masked woman winces as in pain and briefly holds her hands to her ears before also crumpling to the ground!

The halfling offers, "Let's call it a draw!"

Boomkin and Xeno, you are up!

Who else is up?

"Draw my ..., noone is calling a draw, especially the one who tried to kill us!"

Storm Burst: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Directed at the man in front of me, -2 on attack rolls for the next round.

I like this Boomkin character

The sudden storm burst above the halfling's head, beaten down as he is, appears just enough to knock him to the ground where he falls unconscious.
Fortunately, because you are at 1 HP! Did you want to move back at all, Boomkin?

Xeno is up, then the remaining bad guy, the brown-cloaked man. The halfling is unconscious and prone, so not in the way.

Xeno will move past the brown cloaked man (provoking an zoo) to prevent his escape and trusts her rapier. 3/4 arcane pool remaining.
Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
crit comfirm: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 = 12
extra damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Xeno thrusts her rapier into the brown-cloaked man quickly and efficiently, drawing it out and watching the man collapse to the ground.

Combat is over! You won!
There are now four unconscious opponents on the ground. What would you like to do?

I'll assume that you search them.

On the masked woman, you find a potion of cure light wounds, a potion of shield of faith, a masterwork chain shirt, a short sword, a dagger, the gray mask, an unholy symbol of Norgorber, and 28 gp.

On the maniacal woman, you find potions of cure light wounds (2), a scroll of burning hands, three used scrolls (mage armor, obscuring mist, and shield), a scroll of unseen servant, a wand of disguise self (5 charges), a dagger, a light crossbow with 20 bolts, a fan of pigeon feathers, a small pouch of trimmed fingernails, and 53 gp.

The brown-man had an elixir of hiding, a chain shirt, a rapier, a dagger, notebook of jokes, ink, a quill, a small hand puppet representing Lord Gyr, and 8 gp.

The mustachioed halfling had a potion of cure light wounds, a masterwork chain shirt, a greataxe, a block of wax in a metal tin, a fine comb with a long handle, a bottle of whiskey and four silver cups, and 25 gp.

Storn grunts, sheathing his sword.

"Good fight. No blood for me, but we all have our place. Anyone have any idea what the hell they were about?"

I fought carelessly, if not for them I would have met the Lady of Graves. I suppose this is a learning experience.

"Well done."

"I suggest we wake one of them up and ask." sje says in responce to Storn. She then goes around touching each on the cheek with her rapier. While she doesn't break the skin a glowing 'X' appears. She casts arcane mark on each of then.

"Wow!" Herman says enthusiastically, "That was a close one. This group was really a tough match for us in this closed in space. Glad everyone is okay, and we finally bested them."

When the bad guys are awakened, Herman will bring Storn to the forefront and threaten them with being his dinner, if they don't spill the story of the attack. He'll embellish the tale of the last captives who resisted and how Storn made his cloak from their skin while they were still alive...

Intimidate: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

I was hoping someone would tie them up and stabilize them, at least, but I'll just assume that it was done. Then, waking them would require smelling salts or bringing them into positive territory, perhaps with a heal from Storn.
I'll also assume you search them.

After a minute or so the obscuring mists fade. Curious onlookers and random pedestrians start to filter into the alleyway and the watch is called.

On the masked woman, you find a potion of cure light wounds, a potion of shield of faith; a masterwork chain shirt, a short sword, a dagger, the gray mask, an unholy symbol of Norgorber, and 28 gp.

On the maniacal woman, you find potions of cure light wounds (2), a scroll of burning hands, three used scrolls (mage armor, obscuring mist, and shield), a scroll of unseen servant, a wand of disguise self (5 charges), a dagger, a light crossbow with 20 bolts, a fan of pigeon feathers, a small pouch of trimmed fingernails, and 53 gp.

The brown-man had an elixir of hiding, a chain shirt, a rapier, a dagger, notebook of jokes, ink, a quill, a small hand puppet representing Lord Gyr, and 8 gp.

The mustachioed halfling had a potion of cure light wounds, a masterwork chain shirt, a greataxe, a block of wax in a metal tin, a fine comb with a long handle, a bottle of whiskey and four silver cups, and 25 gp.

Waking them up, the maniacal blonde woman - whom you find out to be a Halli Fosta - now out of the frenzied joy of battle, is nearly catatonic. You notice that she has six fingers on each hand and other peculiarities.

The masked woman - apparently their leader, a Deandre Dulay - when awake does nothing but spit and curse you, saying she "would rather have died," and you believe her.

The brown-cloaked man, Larkin Waever, and the halfling, Ledford, are better sources of information, and you find out that it was intended to be a simple robbery, the gang's first. "You new Pathfinders have good things and are weak... Well, so we were told."

The guard comes, eventually, breaking up the performance art group which likely was in league with the band of thugs who ambushed you. You explain what happened and, knowing a couple of the thugs' histories and that you are Pathfinders - "many find new Pathfinders easy hits" - they let you go.

At the end of the day, Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin thanks you for carrying out his tasks, and assures you that not every mission for the Pathfinder Society involves running errands around Absalom. He congratulates you on proving their skill and responsibility, and promises them a new assignment in the near future.

Well, that's the end of the scenario! Sorry for the rapid end - the denouement is a bit lacking in Pathfinder scenarios.

Each character will receive 417 gp, 2 Fame Points, and 2 Prestige Points. You can also choose (but by no means need to) to spend your money on items found in the adventure. The special items are:
Elixir of hiding (250 gp)
Potion of invisibility (300 gp)
Scroll of remove disease (375 gp)
Wand of disguise self (5 charges, 75 gp)
Wand of knock (11 charges; 990 gp)

I'll get the chronicle sheets up in a few days, sending you each a link to the scan.

Great job and thanks for playing!

Hurrah! Another completed Scenario, and just in time for 10/5 gameday! Thanks Zoog, we'll see you in Mwangi next.

Any special rules in PFS to watch out for in leveling? My first lvl 2 PFS character!

Day Job Check, perform sing: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Apparently, the crowd is not impressed by Herman's vocal re-telling of the imp in Zarda's bedroom...

Heh! I am going to get my first level 2 character here soon, too!

I don't know if there is anything special to watch out for, except that they expect you to have finalized your character before advancing to 2nd level.

Sweet. Nice work all, and thanks Zoog.

For Tromos, I believe there is still the matter of his Filth Fever to resolve. Any skilled healers in the party want to lend a hand on the checks and maybe help him save the 375g for the scroll?

Shoot, I forgot about that!
Storn's Heal check, DC 12: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Tromos' Fort save, DC 12: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 4 = 18

Storn's Heal check, DC 12: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Tromos' Fort save, DC 12: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 4 = 22

With careful tending by Storn, Tromos makes a rapid and full recovery from the filth fever, never even feeling the effects of the disease.

And saving money, too, although spellcasting would be cheaper than a scroll - only 150 for a Remove Disease, I believe it is (although it doesn't necessarily work every time, possibly requiring several castings).

Thanks Zoog, so what's next?? haha

Thanks again for the game Zoog and for everyone providing a fun party!

And saving money, too, although spellcasting would be cheaper than a scroll - only 150 for a Remove Disease, I believe it is (although it doesn't necessarily work every time, possibly requiring several castings).

Good to know. Thanks for the help, Storn.

Of course, you could take a scroll with you. Antitoxin and antiplague, although they cost 50 gp a dose and only give you a save bonus and possible second roll, are another good idea.

Boomkin, I'm doing a run of Mists of Mwangi for PbP Gameday but, if you didn't get registered, it is already filled and closed. :( If I find my new schedule is permitting it, I may do another run of it after this one, or perhaps even during it.

After that, I might do a run or two of the Frostfur Captives, which I have been meaning to run for awhile now, and I was gifted the PDF from another player, so that is nice. :)

I also may do more runs of this First Steps adventure sometime, especially since I have all the prep work done for it and like the idea of given new players a start in PbP and PFS gaming.

By the way, does anyone know if they are planning new versions of First Steps II and III, or something else to replace them now that they are retired?