GMG's PbP: Shackles adventures (Inactive)

Game Master Magabeus

Being seasoned pathfinders Xasay and the Scratcher had their weapons in hand as soon as they left the boat.

The scratcher hits the crab that was attacking him. Xasay isn't so lucky and is distracted when a third crab launches itself from the last tree, attacking Tori! While the pincer manages to hurt the Varisian woman the crab isn't able to grab her.

Charge Tori: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 4 = 16
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Grab Tori: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 4 = 8
Constrict: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Initiative, Standard Round
Emmet
Tori 30/36 hp
- - -
White
Red - 5 damage
- - -
Xasay
Scratcher
Vagantem 10/20 hp
- - -
Blue
- - -

Xasay, this was a surprise round, so no standard + move. Considering that you did not hit I did not change the narrative

Whoopsie...my mistake. This thread hasn't been the strongest presence in my mind for a while now.

Let's see what we can do to change that!

Tori steps back 5 feet away from the crab that attacked her and fires two arrows at it.

Longbow 1 + PBS - Rapid Shot - Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 + 4 = 11
Longbow 2 + PBS - Rapid Shot - Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 11

Tori's first shot does a great deal of damage when it hits the crab. Her second shot ricochets of the hard crab carapace.

Initiative, Standard Round
Emmet
- - -
White
Red - 5 damage
- - -
Xasay
Scratcher
Vagantem 10/20 hp
- - -
Blue - 11 damage
- - -
Tori 30/36 hp

"I have just the right utensil for cracking open crab legs!"

Emmett pulls out a light hammer and smacks the crab next to him with it.

Hammer a claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

There's a point for consideration, you know...crustaceans should have DR -3 or something VS weapons from the Hammer group.

The designers would probably implement that as DR 3/Bludgeoning ;-)

Emmet smacks the white crab on the fingers pincer holding Vagantem. It does not release Vagantem and crushes hard. The sylph almost passes out from the pain.

The red crab tries to hurt the Scratcher and also manages to him in a tight grip!

White vs Vagantem
Grapple Check: 1d20 + 8 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 5 = 33
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Constrict: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Red vs Scratcher
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Grab Check: 1d20 + 8 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 5 = 26
Constrict: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Initiative, Standard Round
Xasay
Scratcher 13/30 hp grappled by Red
Vagantem: 2/20 hp grappled by White
- - -
Blue - 11 damage
- - -
Tori 30/36 hp
Emmet
- - -
White - 2 damage grapple Vagantem
Red - 5 damage grapple Scratcher
- - -

Yowser. Glad I'm second level!
Vag tries to break the creature grip.
CMB: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Not sure if that makes it or not, if it does, she backs away - 5' step. An AOO here would likely kill her. Pity she can't fight defensively now, but that is a standard action.

While keeping his sword pointed at the crab savaging Vagantem, he fans out the bizarre metal toys kept in a sweatless deathgrip in his other hand, tilting one toward the sun, before literally out of nowhere a dark avian shape swoops down on the other side of the menacing crustacean, and begins mercilessly tearing at it!

Presto! A celestial eagle puppet (Smiting in the improbable event that these crabs are Evil, but if that's the case, add +1 to the following damage rolls). A DC 16 Will save will ebb the puppet's reality to a mere 20%.

Bite, flank: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Talon, flank: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Talon, flank: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

@GM: Think my GM are off a bit, looks like I only took 7 damage, not 17, unless I missed something :P

"Damn, I got some crabs on me after all! Milani, help me clear these critters!", Scratcher ignoring the grapple and simply trying to rip the beast apart.

Swift action to use the liberation warpriest blessing to ignore the grapple penalties for 1 round

Flurry @ Red Crab: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage on hit: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Flurry @ Red Crab: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Damage on hit: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

He then steps back, away from the crab, beckoning it to come.

@GM: Not sure if you'd allow the 5' step to break the grapple automatically; the liberation blessing works like freedom of movement, so thinking it would. If not, Scratcher will go back to his place.

Scratcher, you are correct.

Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Vagantem manages to escape the pincer and steps back, hoping to avoid more attention from the vermin. A moment later a shadowy eagle appears that tries to tear chunks out of the crab, it misses with all its attacks. Scratcher seems not to be hampered by the crab holding him and tears into it. He then takes a step back.

The bluish crab crawls forward to Tori and pinches her!

Blue vs Tori
First Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Grab Check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Constrict: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Second Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Grab Check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Constrict: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Initiative, Standard Round
Tori 27/36 hp
Emmet
- - -
White - 2 damage
Red - 11 damage
- - -
Xasay
Scratcher 23/30 hp
Vagantem: 2/20 hp
- - -
Blue - 11 damage
- - -

Emmett continues to try and crack open the crab's shell with his hammer.

Tap Tap Tap: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

I don't think the map has been updated since Tori was attacked. How deep is the water in the blue squares? Can she 5 foot step into them without provoking?

Tori, you can 5 foot step on the northern end of the thick blue line. Southwards of that it is difficult terrain as the water gets deeper. Please correct for anything that should be corrected.

Emmett taps some more on the crabs shell but does not manage to crack it.

Initiative, Standard Round
Tori 27/36 hp
- - -
White - 2 damage
Red - 11 damage
- - -
Xasay
Scratcher 23/30 hp
Vagantem: 2/20 hp
- - -
Blue - 11 damage
- - -
Emmet

Tori steps further away from the crab that keeps attacking her, and fires two arrows at it.

Longbow 1 + PBS - Rapid Shot - Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 + 4 = 16
Longbow 2 + PBS - Rapid Shot - Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 9

Tori finds the weak spots in the crab's shell and fires an arrow directly at it, killing the vermin!

Vagantem is attacked by the crab with the white carapace. Luckily for the bleeding sylph the vermin misses! The last crab scuttles after the Scratcher and attacks twice. It fails to leave a mark on the nimble warpriest.

White on Vagantem
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Grab: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Constrict Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 9
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Grab: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Constrict Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Red on Scratcher
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Initiative, Standard Round
Xasay
Scratcher 23/30 hp
Vagantem: 2/20 hp
Emmet
Tori 27/36 hp
- - -
White - 2 damage
Red - 11 damage
- - -

Tori takes a few steps back onto the beach and shoots an arrow at the crab with the reddish shell.

Longbow + PBS - Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 1 - 2 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 + 4 = 17

Vagantem, looks more than a little worried by the crabs, as her badly damaged body shows.

She steps back from the white crab and unloads on the red one.
Not sure how you want to play that, but if Tori kills it, she'll just stay put and attack the white

attack,TWF: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 - 2 = 16
attack,TWF: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 2 = 14
damage1: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
damage2: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"Let's see who will be dinner shall we."

From the amount of blood leaking from her, it looks like it may be the slyph.

Tori misses with her shot, but Vagantem more than makes up for it by killing the reddish crab!

Initiative, Standard Round
Xasay
Scratcher 23/30 hp
Emmet
- - -
White - 2 damage
- - -
Vagantem: 2/20 hp
Tori 27/36 hp

In an understated yet awe-inspiring display of multileveled conceptual art, Xasay is left performing a pincer maneuver against a giant crab with a figment of his imagination.

Bite, flank: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Talon, flank: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Talon, flank: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

masterwork longsword, flank, Dirty Fighting: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Emmett continues to try and crack open the crab's shell with his hammer.

Smack Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

botting Scratcher
Flurry @ White Crab: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Damage on hit: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Flurry @ White Crab: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Damage on hit: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Crab vs Scratcher
Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Grab: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Constrict Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Grab: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Constrict Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Scratcher steps in towards the last crab and hits once. The shadow eagle hits with both talons and Xasay misses. The crab turns towards the Scratcher as he was the one that hurt it the last and misses with both pincers.

Initiative, Standard Round
Xasay
Scratcher 23/30 hp
Emmet
Vagantem: 2/20 hp
Tori 27/36 hp
- - -
White - 13 damage
- - -

The phantom raptor vanishes as suddenly as it appeared, while Xasay continues to harass the stubborn crustacean opposite the vicious Scratcher.

masterwork longsword, flank, Dirty Fighting: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

THREAT ROLL!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
critical damage?: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Emmett moves on to the other crab, thinking the group is going to eat well tonight!

Hammer Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Badly wounded as she is, Vagantem knows all too well the power of those pincers. Hoping the crab will soon be finished she steps in and swipes at it with first one blade, and then the second.

The first blow connects, but she isn't sure if it gets through the thick carapace..

TWF: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 2 = 14
TWF: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 2 = 6
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Tori moves 30' to avoid shooting past her allies and fires an arrow at the crab if it is still a threat.

Longbow + PBS - Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 1 - 2 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 + 4 = 14

In a coordinated effort the pathfinders kill the last crab! You notice an overgrown path going along the beach that disappears in the jungle to the southwest and northeast of your position...

No treasure to be had, although the crabs are probably good eating when cooked

Once the crabs are defeated, Tori pulls out a wand. "Can one of you guys use a healing wand? I'd like to be uninjured again before we continue."

Assuming Scratcher will be willing to use Tori's CLW on her:

CLW Wand 1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW Wand 2: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW Wand 2: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

That brings Tori back up to full health.

"Well, we got some suppa if we can put these things back tagetha again." Scratcher heals Tori as well as himself.

If Van doesn't have a CLW wand, he'll offer his.

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

At 29/30, good enough

Once everyone is ready, Scratcher starts moving up the trail.

Vag looks on enviously.

"Never seen a need for one of them deal sticks before." she says.

"But now I'm wishing I'd pulled a favour."

She extracts some crab meat and sticks it in her pack for dinner later.

"What we need to do with that is chill it!" Xasay jams his sword into a fallen crab's fractured arm, teases out a chunk of fresh meat, and waves his hand across it, causing it to become pitch-black for a moment (prestidigitation to chill), then eats it.

"Never forget the manifold forms of adventure's rewards: Unless you're a dragon, gold cannot be eaten!"

"I prefer mine boiled, really, but hey, I am happy to try something new from time to time."

Once everyone is healed and fed, Emmett suggests we explore the path.

The heroes move up the path, and see that it can be followed either to the northeast or the southwest. Both ways lead into the jungle.

Which direction do you take?

Vagantem is still on 3hp unless we have any curing magics available.

Vagantem hangs back a bit, taking a spot in the middle of the group. She still keeps her eyes open.

perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8

"I suggest north east, and trying to work out way back to that rock we rowed past. There may be a waterfall or streams that we can use for fresh water.."

Xasay's expression does an odd sudden shift, as though just noticing something. "Oh, yes! The crabs wanted to have you, didn't they? I can help you with that...." He approaches Vagantem with a straight, slender wand of charred poplar that condenses at the tip into a small diamond, and begins weaving it over his injuries.

cure light wounds wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
cure light wounds wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
cure light wounds wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
cure light wounds wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Vagantem smiles at Xasay and pats him on the shoulder.

"My thanks friend. I'll keep your back, rest assured of that. I hope to get one of those heal sticks myself one day."

Feeling much better she adds
"I'm a bit of a chef. We'll have crab tonight, never you fear!"

Scratcher listens and looks around at the fork in the path, trying to determine if he can notice something off into the distance to guide their travel.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

The scratcher notices a range of cliffs to the west that rises out of the jungle. He also notices a skeleton standing against one of the trees a bit to the north of your current position.

"Well..." says Vagantem.

"That is a bit grim. Can anyone tell what type of creature that was before it was killed and carved?"

She carefully approaches the skeleton, but stays back.

"I suppose we should bury it or something."

Heal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

"Well, I don't know who or what he was, but looks at these bite marks. I think it was a pretty violent death."

"We should keep moving unless you can make anything else out about that poor guy." Tori suggests as she looks warily around at the jungle.

"Oy, at least there's something over there, an' if there are angry blokes runnin' 'bout, then we outta deal wit dem tossas sooner then later."

Vagantem just keeps quiet for the moment. She indicates east, towards the high spot. "Lets try and get a view of this island. That could give a clue as to where the hold prisoners... or where they eat them."

The skeleton was human-sized

You walk over the beach to the swampy jungle to the east. A terrible stench fills the swamp here, a fetid odor of cheap perfume and rotting flesh.

A huge tree stands in the middle of a clearing in the swamp, draped with some sort of huge tent. Lurid, painted faces cover both the tree trunk and tent, and both are decorated with rotting humanoid body parts and carpets of squirming insects.

It seems as if the entrance to the tent is on the other side of where you are.

Vag looks at the tend with disgust.

"A tent... so whoever lives in there is not a native. Let us take care..."

She cautiously circles the clearing, keeping her eyes out for snares.
perception: 1d20 ⇒ 14

"Looks like someone needs to learn housekeeping skills. HELLO? ANYONE HOME?"

Emmett grins, waiting for a response.

Tori takes a look around as well, assuming any nearby enemies will soon make themselves apparent thanks to Emmett.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Vagantem moves north, trying to remain silent when Emmet shouts his greeting. Although no reaction is coming from the tent you hear movement going on inside the tent.

Initiative
Xasay
Tori
Vagantem
Emmet
Scratcher
- - -
?

Xasay opts to handle this tense moment the Wayang way....

Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

If I can still do this after hiding and moving, I ready a bow attack:

shortbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3