GMG's PBP: #23 - Tide of Morning (Tier 1-2) (Inactive)

Game Master Magabeus

In Absalom, the Venture-Captains claimed it would be a nice walk in the woods, a pleasant change of pace from the bustle of the city. Obviously they forgot about the brambles, boulders, and biting insects of the Verduran Forest, which turned the jouney into an arduous three-day scramble of detours, torn clothes, and near falls. Fortunately, Venture-Captain Dennel Hamshanks made a firm impression before the expedition left Absalom.

The air grew still as Hamshanks rolled into a meeting room deep inside the Pathfinder Lodge in Absalom, his jowls glowing and his enormous axe clanking against his thigh. The man’s black eyes scanned the room. “You lot?” Hamshanks spat.

“Well, maybe you’ll surprise me. Your boat leaves in an hour, so I’ll be brief. One of the Society’s contacts in Andoran sent us an interesting little nugget this morning. A druid named Hemzel swept into Augustana’s Civic Library last week, demanding his right of research. Our contact learned that Hemzel acquired a lorestone from somewhere in the Verduran Forest. Heard of such a thing?” Hamshanks paused expectantly and spat again.

“Of course not. Heard of druids, at least? And their crazy stone circles? Well thank Gorum for that. Lorestones are somehow connected to them—supposedly they can bestow you with all of the knowledge of the druids. We’d like to know how, so we want that stone and you’re going to get it for us.Unfortunately, the Society is not a friend to Hemzel. He’s the self-declared protector of the Verduran Forest inside Andoran’s borders and some of our more eager explorers have angered him and his little band of gnomes. He’s sworn a blood feud with the Pathfinders.”

“Break out your skills of persuasion and get me that i]lorestone[/i]. Do what you need to—sweep the floors or plant some trees for the old man. Something nice—let him know we’re there to study and not to slash and burn.” As the sun sets on the third day of travel in the Verduran Forest, the welcome sight of a puffing chimney—Hemzel’s home, according to the map—reveals itself atop a hill.

A young man with a scimitar at this belt and a backpack with a spellbook sticking out enters the room. Suddenly Kennick looks around for a broom.

"No problem sir...we're Pathfinders and here to help. Kennick at your service"

You are at the base of the hill on which Hemzel's house is positioned. I will wait with moving the game forward until everyone has signed in

Zaarah, a scrawny girl with auburn hair and amber eyes, is sitting on her chair with closed eyes. Her features seem Chelaxian but also have something else mixed in.

She is wearing light leather armor and carries a Rapier at her hip that is attached to her wrist with a very fine chain.

Zaarah seems to be dreaming when the Venture-Captain was speaking and Kennick's introduction pulled her out of her state of trance. She suddenly jumps up and runs to Kennick's side.

"Oh me second, me second please!!" She turns towards the other Pathfinders and has a slightly absent view when she starts speaking.

"You know ... I really like you all ... and I have the feeling that I have heard of you ... but who told me about you ... everything is so fuzzy ..."

20 seconds of silence

"It actually is not as straight forward as you might believe. Well, my father is a devil worshiper ... or so I believe, my mother is dead, my eldest sibling is dead and I have two brothers and a sister - which are alive I assure you!" she says giggling.

10 seconds of silence

"Oh yes ... I grew up near Palin's Cove, an industrial town near Korvosa in southeast Varisia but after ..."

Tears are visible in her eyes.

"... after a while ... we moved to Leng Hao, a village full of Kitsune and Halflings in the Forest of Spirits east of Hongal. I became a Pathfinder because my brother Kioshi went on a great adventure and became a Pathfinder ... so I said to myself that I could do that, too! Well, Andor did the same before me but I swear that I convinced Setare!" and she starts to smile proudly.

"What else do you need to know ... hmmm ... I am super weak but super fast. I can fight a little but I can talk better! Sometimes ... "

15 seconds of silence

"... well ... sometimes it might sound crazy but I promise it will be logical!"

Jeb is a very weathered looking fellow with a full head of wild hair and a long beard. His gear looks equally as weathered.

Jeb gives the venture captain’s inquiry some thought concerning the lorestone. Jeb scratches at his beard.

“Sir, what’d the Pathfinders do to anger Hemzel?” Jeb continues to scratch at his beard.

“Pleasure to meet y’all. I’m Jeb. Jeb Barlo.” Jeb approaches everyone to give them a hearty handshake. Jeb seems very happy to meet everyone.

Jeb recalls that the venture captain gave him a withering look when he asked the questions "I said 'some of our more eager explorers have angered him and his little band of gnomes'! That is all you need to know!"

Luckily the Venture Captain is in Absalom, a good distance away from this hill in the Verduran Forest. If only the other pathfinders would move a bit quicker Jeb could go to the building and see for himself who Hemzel is.

As you all enter the meeting room, you are met by an unusual sight indeed. A dwarf in heavy armor sits in the corner with an axe and shield at his side. Not so unusual some might say. However this particular dwarf's hair and armor are black as night and contain blue streaks. Embossed on the chest piece is a stylistic sword before a crescent moon. While blue, they seem to shine with an inner light and appear almost white. After blinking, another look reveals no such inner light although the design itself is quite striking. To further the rarity of such a sight - the heavily armored and armed dwarf is reading a book! He meets each newcomers eyes and offers a grunt before returning his attention to the thick bound book in his hands. His attention barely wavers from it until the Venture Captain enters.

"Band of gnomes? You can't give us more details?"

"Three humans and a dwarf walk into a jungle ... they dream a dream ... of a jungle!" Zaarah sings and whistles in a horrible voice.

Suddenly, she stops singing and looks at all of you and then at the dwarf with a sly smile "So old grumpy dwarf. What dreams do you dream??? Had any bad dreams lately? What is your story??"

While travelling, Jeb hums happily and seems very content despite brambles, boulders, and biting insects. Those that get close to Jeb smell a very strong funky odour.

A grey skinned human watched the others as they arrived. he cast a weary eye towards the dwarf. "Look, you might not like those of my heritage but given that we have to study those stones, I have some knowledge of nature and such. Now you might not like it but please do not use your skill in healing on me. If I happen to fall, please use the silver wand with the black tip on me and only me. If you need to heal the others, I have this plain willow wand for that." Theolish said

Spending 2 pp to get a wand of inflict light wounds.

Alright looks up at Zaarah at the mention of dreams...”I don’t dream bad dreams, I live in darkness and nightmare. She of the Ebon Wings provides my light and guidance. ”
He finishes with a tap on the sword and moon symbol on his chest plate.

Turning to Teloish, he grunts out a few more words ”I have no issue with your heritage Dhampir. I think you mistake me ...I can heal no one.”

He turns away and goes back to his book.

Technically he also has a CLW wand so he can use that on people if they need it. Alrik has low Cha so he tends to be.....abrasive. Or even non participatory.

Alright looks up at Zaarah at the mention of dreams...”I don’t dream bad dreams, I live in darkness and nightmare. She of the Ebon Wings provides my light and guidance. ”

He finishes with a tap on the sword and moon symbol on his chest plate.

"Ohhhh ... but darkness and nightmare is not good! I would love to show you some breathing techniques grumpy dwarf!"

She then turns towards Teloish the Sly and Jeb giggling ... she then points to Kennick "Oh ... he will be tactician for sure! So many questions!"

With a sly smile she says "I am ready to go!"

As you move towards the hut sunset has just passed, and the thick forest is shrouded in shadowy illumination.

Smoke rises lazily from a chimney set atop a small, round wooden hut just over a steep hillside covered in thick vines and brambles. “Too late, too late for Hemzel!” a high voice cackles from behind the hut. “Gire, finish them!"

Just to the left of Alrik thousands of spiders swarm from a fallen log!

Initiative
Alrik
- - -
Enemy
- - -
Kennick
Jeb
Zaarah
Teloish

Bold can act

Teloish and Zaarah, as announced in discussion I have placed you last in initiative because you did not include your information on the map slideshow as requested. Can you do that so I can roll normally for you for the next encounter? Thanks!

Alrik advances up through the choke point into the wider section gathering a acid flask as he goes. He turns and throws it - aiming directly for the centre of the swarm!

RTA Acid Flask: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage (excl 50% bonus): 1d6 ⇒ 2
Crit Damage (excl 50% bonus): 1d6 ⇒ 3

The dice roller was doing something very strange. I was writing my dice roll as 1.5*(1d6) trying to include the bonus damage and it was rolling 100d6

Alrik, normally drawing an acid flask is a move action that can not be combined with a regular move. Do you have anything that allows you to draw it as a free or swift action? Unfortunately the dice roller can not handle multiplication or division. Finally swarms are immune to crits. Do you want to take a 5ft step instead of moving further?

I think I'll just go back to where I started the move. I assumed it would count as drawing a weapon which you can do with a move action if your BAB is +1 or better.

No crits? I guess I did 3 damage then.

Should have just run and hid behind our kineticist :P

Alrick retrieves an acid flask and throws it at the swarm. A few hundred spiders are burned away by the flask, but there are still hundreds left! They move through the thick bramble bushes and start to crawl over Alrik, Jeb and Zaarah...

While the frontliners are distracted by the spiders a tiny fey materializes above Teloish that stabs him in the nose with a needle-sized rapier. "When we catch you we will put live maggots in your wounds and wait for them to eat you from the inside!"

Alrik, Jeb and Zaarah: Fort save vs distraction DC 11 plus a DC 11 Fort save vs poison please

Initiative
Alrik -2 hp
Kennick
Jeb -3 hp
Zaarah -1 hp
Teloish-3 hp
- - -
Spider swarm: 3 damage
Fey
- - -

Bold can act, remember your knowledge checks! (and please include the kind of information you would like to know)

Kennick steps to the side and readies burning hands when his friends move away. "Step away from the spiders!"

DC 14 reflex

damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

Fort Save - distraction: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Fort Save - poison: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Zaarah uses her trait 'Lessons of chaldira' to reroll the save. Daily use expanded.

Fort Save reroll 'chaldira' - poison: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Zaarah is quite upset and runs out of the swarm towards the little fey, which she then attacks.

"You fey should be nice dream people! Not so angry like this!"

Rapier attack roll (+4 dex, +1 BAB, +1 Weapon Focus): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage roll (+4 dex from Fencing Grace Feat): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

In case Zaarah is attacked she uses 'Opportune Parry' and parries by expending an AoO to parry (so if the attack roll of the opponent is lower than Zaarah's parry then the opponent does not hit and Zaarah could potentially reposte)

Opportune Parry: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

In case Zaarah successfully parries she uses 'Reposte' as an immediate action to attack the opponent that attacked him by expending a Panache Point (currently 4/5 and 3/5 after potential reposte remaining).

Rapier reposte attack roll: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damage reposte roll : 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

”Never seen so many spiders!”
Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Fortitude Save vs. distraction: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Fortitude Save vs. poison: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Poison Damage: 1d2 ⇒ 2

”Ow! Get off me spiders!”
Jeb backs away from the swarm and attacks the swarm with a kinetic blast.
Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Even the weakest kinetic blast involves a sizable mass of elemental matter or energy, so kinetic blasts always deal full damage to swarms of any size.

Alrik wades through the spiders to reach the fey, issuing grunts as he goes. There is not much he can do about them and other members of the party are likely to be much more effective. Understanding that the fey likely doesn't want this fight, Alrik reverses his grip on his axe to offer a less lethal option.

"Leave us be Fairy! You don't seem that interested in this ruckus. This is only going to end badly for you!"

Axe Strike: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 4 = 10 Possibly +2 extra for Flanking? probably doesn't make a difference
NL Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Distract Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Poison Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Kn: Rel / Arc / Dun / Pla: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 Whichever is relevant (if any) vs Fey

I edited my post to fix my damage roll (rolled a d20 instead of d10). Does that make the system reroll everything? I could have sworn that I passed the Sense Motive DC originally. That's why I wrote my post as I did. My Knowledge & Distract Fort save seems to have changed as well. If he doesn't succeed at the SM then he will not be trying for NL damage.

Stepping back himself, Theolish looked right at the winged creature. "Look into my eyes, you are getting sleepy!" he said.

Slumber hex, DC 16 Will. Figure to take a 5' step on the dirt path to the South (below Alrik)

Alrik, we will go with your narrative, not the dice. See also discussion thread

Jeb feels the poison affecting him. He steps away and destroys all the spiders. Alrik tries to hit the fey, but misses while Zaarah has more luck. Kennick was ready to burn the spiders, but sees that it was not neccesary anymore after Jeb dealt with them. Teloish attempts to out the little fey to sleep, but it resists his hex.

Alrik calls out that his is an Atomie, and that it has some resistance to any weapon not made of cold iron.

The atomie yells out "And after we put maggots in you we will also pour honey over you and leave you at a bear's den! But first I will duel with this person!"

She flies towards Zaarah and stabs her in the ear. Zaarah attempts to ward of the attack with her own rapier, but the little fey is far too nimble.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage: 1d2 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1

Jeb DC 11 Fort save vs poison please or take another 1d2 STR damage

Initiative
Alrik -2 hp
Kennick
Jeb -3 hp, -2 STR
Zaarah -1 hp, 1 nonlethal damage
Teloish-3 hp
- - -
Atomie -4 hp
- - -

Zaarah, I assumed that you wanted to use your single AoO to attempt the parry and not attack the atomie on entering your square.

Zaarah, I assumed that you wanted to use your single AoO to attempt the parry and not attack the atomie on entering your square.

Actually, Zaarah would have tried to attack the fey if she could do an AoO - she is a follower of Chaldira and if possible rather jumps into battle and uses her AoO than be on the defense with parry. So see AoO below:

Rapier AoO attack roll : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Damage AoO roll : 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Miss anyway. But it is correct that the fey when she hit Zaarah only did non-lethal damage? I assume that is the case due to the list under initiative so Zaarah is confused and will also try to only do non-lethal damage now.

---

Zaarah is now even more upset that she was hit by the fey but noticed that the fey is not trying to hurt her.

"Why are you attacking me with such vile words but only are using your blade like a club??"

Rapier attack roll - non-lethal: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 6 - 4 = 9
Damage roll - non-lethal : 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Zaarah will not parry as she assumes that it will be non-lethal again.

Fey did -1 damage, that changes to 1 nonlethal

Ahhh ... okay! ;-)

Having not used his spell Kennick instead stabs with his scimitar but almost cuts the kitsune.

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

"Back off fey..

”No maggots for me! Not today!”
Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
”Splash and bash!’
Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7

"Lets try that again shall we? Look deep into my eyes!" the grey skinned humanoid said as he stared at the creature.

Evil eye, DC 16 will, -2 to AC for 1 rd if it makes the save, 8 if it does not.

Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

"You don't know anything about dueling, do you?! And stop staring like that to me, that's freaky!" the atomie shouts while everyone misses with their attacks. Teloish stare seems to make her a bit slower and easier to hit.

Initiative
Alrik -2 hp
- - -
Atomie -4 hp, -2AC
- - -
Kennick
Jeb -3 hp, -2 STR
Zaarah -1 hp, 1 nonlethal damage
Teloish-3 hp

Zaarah does not answer but let’s her Rapier speak.

Rapier Non lethal attack roll : 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 4 = 17
Damage NO lethal roll : 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Alrik takes another two handed swipe at the fairy creature careful to use the blunt end of his weapon...

Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 6 - 4 = 18
NL Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Unable to deduce anything further, Alrik attempts to hit the fairy for NL damage as above.

The atomie probably should not have taunted the pathfinders. Alrik knocks her out!

Out of combat, what do you do?

"We should tie up the winged creature"

"Yes, and let us talk to it then. It really did not try to hurt me. Its attacks just bruised me a little bit." she says and tries to help the little fey wake up after Kennick tied her up.

Theolish looked down at the tied up figure. "So, what is going on and why did you attack us?" he asked, after it woke up.

The little fey is knocked out pretty bad and does not stir when you bind it.

How do you wake it? A charge from a wand?

Jeb scratches his beard and asks the others, "Y'all alright?

Jeb looks around to see if there are any other hostiles.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Jeb asks the others, "Reckon theres more wee folk or spiders?"

Jeb does not see any other hostiles, the only spider he sees is making a web between some brambles.

"OK, let us just wait until she wakes up. And let us continue on to the building." she says and starts walking.

"Good idea"

Kennick looks for more foes towards the building

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

"Hmmm. Reckon the wee one is dead?" Jeb asks scratching his beard.
Jeb inspects the Atomie.
Heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

The atomie is still breathing, but unconsious. Zaarah and Kennick start to make for the building and notice that the smoke is no longer confined to Hemzel’s chimney—the walls of the hut are starting to smolder!

The pathinders rush to the hut, and open the door. The heat is palpable inside the primitive, one-room hovel. Tinder from the fireplace is strewn about, sparking the fires that now climb the reed walls. The room itself is in shambles. An eviscerated human body sprawls across the floor, and a butchered wolf lies against the wall by the front door. Puddles of blood surround them. The man’s hands are tied to a rough wooden table, upon which sits an ornate—but empty—box and a blood-spattered manuscript.

Initiative - round 1
Kennick
Jeb
Alrik
Theolish
- - -
GM
- - -
Zaarah

We are not in combat, but initiative is used to track actions and time. If you move through flames let me know.

As for bringing the atomie back to consiousness: this requires magical healing or smelling salts

Kennick dashes through the flames inside and grabs the man. "Cough.. He's in here. Someone get this box" He grimaces from the smoke.

2 actions. Moved through the fire

Alrik dashes in to grab the box & manuscript.

Not sure where exactly they are on the map. Alrik's move speed is only 20ft. He will avoid fire if he can but will go through if it means he will reach it in a single move action.

"Fire!"

Jeb rushes into the hut and conjures water on the flames in front of him. "Splash!"
Jeb uses Basic Hydrokinesis to create water as the cantrip create water. 2 gallons of water.

Not able to help very much with a fire, Theolish tended to the little creatures bumps and bruises from the battle.

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6