GM Lorenzo's PFS-Sanctioned Module: Daughters of Fury (Inactive)

Game Master Lawrence Smith 2

Erlathan nearly falls over when he sees magical scrolls being offered. "Indeed, we appreciate the gifts. Especially THESE SCROLLS! We will put them to good use, yes we will!" He takes one scroll of each spell and quickly stows them in his backpack, a watchful eye kept on the remaining two. He gives his staff a twirl for good measure. "To the camp, then, Lords and Ladies?"

I'm pretty good on the daily spells left front, so unless anyone wants to rest, Erlathan doesn't have any objections to moving ahead now.

"Yes, thank you very much! Be safe and good luck on your road to redemption!" Nina beams, also a little misty-eyed but it's definitely the good kind. "Guiding people on the road to redemption...that's what a knight of Sarenrae is all about!"

Once Yvogga departs, Nina turns her attention back to the matter at hand and studies her companions. "Hmm...I'm fine, Inky's fine...um, I guess I could use that amulet unless Hanlin or Bishop want it. Ooh and Bishop should definite take the vest, it'll really bring out his eyes."
________

Depending on the distance to the camp, Nina will cast Mage Armor on Inky and then once we actually reach the camp and are just about ready to start the show, she'll burn two charges from her Wand of Shield to hit herself and Inky.

Are those scrolls arcane or divine? I'm assuming arcane since she is a summoner correct?

Hanlin bids the woman and her companion farewell, hoping within him that she didn't just play them for fools, the gifts helping reaffirm that she was sincere. "While I'm always happy to have more protection between myself and something's claws, I think it may be of better use on someone up front." He does take a scroll and have a closer look at it, whispering a prayer and reading it through.

I'm in good shape for spells/channels so I'm ok to continue. Please let me know if I need to provide any healing, if using your own resources just assume Hanlin activates the healing for you but roll yourself.

Righto, since we are heading straight for the camp, I will use my wand. :)

"Indeed, Sir Hanlin..." Lord Braggett agrees as the others discuss the magical amulet, turning to Nina, he adds, "For a knight, you wear precious little armour, Lady Brightspark. If you wish to charge into battle, you could make good use of an amulet like this."

Before the group move on, Braggett passes his wand to Hanlin, "Would you be so kind, Sir?" And soon feels as good as new.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Erlathan sneaks a greedy peek at the scrolls, and the arcanist lets Hanlin know the magical writing is arcane. He delivers the priest the bad news with a delighted smirk.

The party licks its minor wounds and decides to set off without delay. Though it seems ages ago, it was just last night the gaav devils dropped the desecrated corpse of one scout into the middle of Arwyll Stead. If Terrin Shaw's scouts are still alive, there's no time to waste.

---

It takes about an hour to pick your way carefully across the rocky, heavily forested terrain to the old cliff dwelling the Hell's Fury tribe warriors have converted into their camp. The sun is almost at its zenith; it must be near midday.

At a safe distance, before you approach the camp, you prepare yourselves to rescue the scouts from Vegazi's half-orc half-brothers, Korlum and Grache, and their fiendish minder, the bearded devil.

Close enough now to see some of the camp, you identify a few key areas.

Map & Images

(G1)
Musty bedrolls riddle the ground around a stone campfire ring between the dead alder trees, stumps, and boulders of the small encampment. A pile of chopped wood leans against the northern side of the largest boulder.

A band of six Hell’s Fury tribe orcs huddles around the fire pit. The orcs are distracted by a game of dice; they’re gambling over some pieces of equipment.

(G2)
A steep ledge winds up the side of the cliff here, leading to a small rocky shelf covered with boxes, crates, and other containers of supplies.

(G3)
A fence of upturned logs, tangled wire, and cruel metal barbs separate a holding pen from the rest of the encampment.

(G5)
Mist and runoff from a waterfall farther up the mountain floats hazily down the rock faces of the northern cliffs, condensing into this sizable mountain pond. A shore of smooth rocks lies on the eastern edge of the pond. A narrow ledge leads up to a pair of makeshift wooden bridges twenty feet above the pond, which connects the gaps between two other outcroppings on the northern side of the pond.

Please place your icons on the southern boundary of the map where you'd like to begin.

As they begin to approach the camp Hanlin stops to ask a question of the group "I can help protect one of you from harm, but you must stay within 35' of me at all times. Normally I use it on you Bishop, but if you plan to move in stealthily you may be too far. If so, I could use it on Vegazi perhaps? Assuming you want to be that close to me." He lets the two of them decide, whoever it is he makes sure they have the ring on before casting.

"You guys decide how you want to do this. I'll boost our morale once we're ready to go." He pulls out his wand of bless to have at the ready.

Shield other on whoever we decide. Shield of Faith on myself, and I'll use the wand of bless on the group before having my shield in hand and longsword in the other. I'll wait to place my pog until the others figure out the strategy.

"Hum...I could use some of my grease magic to help cause a ruckus," Nina remarks quietly, gesturing towards the group of orcs huddled around the fire pot. "But that's about it...me and Inky are more 'charge in and scatter them'...kinda like Lord Braggett and Kibble!"

"Still, I can do either one," she adds as she pulls the magical amulet over her head and begins drawing out wands. "Once we decide how to start, I'll figure out what'd work best!"
________

Nina will take the Amulet of Natural Armor +1 and once we're ready, apply the buffs mentioned in her previous post. All told, that should put Nina's AC at 21 and Inky's at 26. How do we want to go about tackling the camp? Let Bishop try to scope things out a little more first or just charge in swinging?

*edit* Also, if anyone else wants Shield from Nina's wand, just give the word!

"What more do you need?" Lord Braggett asks. "We charge in, smash a few heads, and save the day. Ha! Those orcs have no idea what is about to hit them. Our heroics this day will be echoed in songs and tales for generations." He looks quite excited and proud of himself as he makes sure his shield, with the Arwyll badger crest on it, is suitably polished and straight. "I'll take the four on the right, you take the two on the left." He then hefts his flail in the other hand and stares off into the middle distance, contemplating the title of the book that will commemorate this most heroic of rescue missions.
___

I'm all for the charging and swinging, but this is an opportunity for Bishop to shine, so I'm inclined to wait to see what they want to do first.

"Erlathan do you still have access to your spell of vanishing? I would say before we go up we see what is waiting for us up above. Some preliminary scouting will give us a better idea of their numbers."

"A fine idea, Bishop, though Lord Braggett's plans sound so much more dramatic. Regardless, a little stealthy observance could save us some unwanted devilish surprises later on." He walks over to Bishop and places a palm on him, causing the Garundi to fade from sight.

Bishop is invisible for 7 minutes

"Tall, Dark, and Taciturn has a good idea. I like him," Inky remarks. "I'd rather know ahead of time if there's going to be any nasty surprises coming up to bite me in the @ss!"

With Erlarthan's spell cast Bishop heads off to scout the area, but before he leaves he says "Be on the ready if things go...awry. Cast your oil on the ground under the orcs and charge would likely be the best option."

stealth, invis, half speed: 1d20 + 20 + 12 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 20 + 12 - 5 = 33

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Bishop, pick a spot as your first destination and indicate your route, and all will might be revealed...

path plotted. are there also steps leading up to the prisoners pen?

Before Bishop heads out, Hanlin retrieves the golden ring on his finger and places it on Vegazi's instead. "Please don't take this the wrong way Vegazi, I would be flattered, but I'm not ready to settle down at this point. I'll cast a shield other spell on the two of us to help protect you. I'm sure your brethren will try like hell to take you down. Just stay within 35' of me at all times." He asks a brief favor of Iomedae to let him share in Vegazi's wounds for the next 4 hours.

Shield other on Vegazi and Shield of faith on Hanlin. Wand of bless activated on the group as Bishop heads out (1min for Bless)(4mins on Shield of Faith +2)

Vegazi is deeply moved that Hanlin would offer to sacrifice his own blood to help keep her safe. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that, friend priest."

Party buffed and ready, Bishop slinks away from his companions, moving slowly with stealth. Makes his way between the rocks, he passes by the entrance to a cave (G4), though he can't see anything inside without getting closer. He hears voices inside the cave conversing in orcish.

Then the rogue heads up the mountain through the mist from the waterfall. He follows the narrow ledge up to the pair of makeshift wooden bridges connecting the gaps between two outcroppings on the northern side of the pond.

Bishop Perception DC14: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Looking down, the rogue estimates the water is roughly three feet deep at most—certainly not deep enough to break a fall from one of the bridges above.

Bishop Perception DC23: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Through the mist, the rogue sees two lesser gaav devils hovering about, twenty feet above the pool below.

Bishop Perception DC14: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Taking a closer look at the rickety wooden 'bridges,' Bishop realizes that slow and steady is the best way to cross. Reaching the other side, he finds himself at the mouth of a cavern. The walls glisten with moisture, but the dirt floor is dry and dusty.

(Bishop's path doesn't get him close enough to reveal anything more than already described in the overview of the areas marked G1, G2, and G3 on the map.)

Time Elapsed: 1:12 minutes (12 rounds). What/where next?

Bishop heads back to the party informing him of everything he has seen.

"Grease the area around the cave. There were orcs in there talking although I did not go inside. Perhaps it is the brothers?

The orcs by the fire are the more immediate threat. But we can likely take them out before they know we are upon them."

"I could surely apply some grease there, but I'm afraid that may tip them off to our presence. Lord Braggett, do you suggest a tactical position from which to cast? I'm thinking that set of rocks over there," Erlathan points towards a ledge. Red circle on the map "I can try to be as stealthy as my invisible friend over here, but you should all be prepared. They might notice me!" He shudders.

"Huh!" The brave Lord Braggett only jumps a little bit as the disembodied voice of Bishop starts explaining what he saw. Looking in just to the right of the invisible man's actual position, Braggett sits a little straighter in his saddle. "We can absolutely take them out before they know we are upon them." He turns to Erlathan and nods, "Those rocks should do splendidly, Sir! With Bishop covering your back, you will be in an excellent tactical position in no time. And do not fear, I will keep my eyes open from here, and at the first sign of movement, I will be upon the orcs in the blink of an eye." He starts lining up the charge, waits eagerly for the all clear to attack. "Let us show these fellows what a real siege looks like!"
___
Sounds like a solid idea to me. I'll try to get close enough (red X) to charge from the south, ready to pounce when the time is right. :)

Vegazi listens to Bishop's report with rapt attention.

"Did you find the scouts? What about the twins, Korlum and Grache? Any sign of the bearded devil?" Her whisper is filled with worry.

K Planes vs Bearded Devils: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 "I can't say I know anything of these bearded devils. I would think the scouts are at a secure location.. maybe in the cave?" I hope, unless they are already dead and lying in a heap. Their poor families.

Hanlin prepares to re-Bless the party once the battle is ready to ensue. Using another Bless charge as the first is spent.

Kn. Religion (Bearded Devil): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

"The plan sounds good to me," Nina whispers. "Inky and I can do like Lord Braggett and try to get as close as we can before we spring the surprise! Or do you want us somewhere else?"

Turning to Vegazi "The two demons were guarding the entrance to a cave where I think the scouts are. Heading further in seemed unwise once I saw the demons. The grease should be at the cave mouth north of the orcs by the fire since I heard more voices in there."

Bishop draws a map of the area in the ground poking his finger in the ground at the the cave mouth G4 "That is where we need to grease the area. Or we might be overrun"

GM Sorry I had before but I dont think I got an answer in area G3 are those steps leading to the penned off area?

During his recon, as Bishop moved past the fence of upturned logs, tangled wire, and cruel metal barbs separating a holding pen from the rest of the encampment, he saw crude steps cut into the earth and stone before a gate.

"Wait here there was a path leading up to the holding pen but I did not think to look in there. I shall see what lies there quickly and return."

sneak, half move: 1d20 + 12 + 20 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 20 - 5 = 47

head for the steps leading to the pen. I'll look for traps when I reach there.

perception, traps: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 1 = 13

The Prisoner Pen (G3)
Bishop sets out on a second recon and approaches the fence, a mess of barbed wire, stakes, and rope; a good-quality lock holds the makeshift “door” shut.

On the north side of the pen, a sheer escarpment fifteen feet above the pen’s floor leads into a stone cavern. Sloping earth and steep dirt ledges lead down into the pen, where ropes hang like leashes from two large stakes embedded in the earth.

The escarpment at the north side of the pen would be a difficult climb, though not impossible.

Four viciously battered human scouts from Arwyll Stead are bound and tied to the log stakes in the holding pen. They’re dehydrated, naked, and listless, their morale utterly devastated.

Along with the tied-up scouts, various human body parts litter the ground around the prisoner pen.

Map & Images

Bishop takes out his picks and starts to work on the lock.

disable device: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

Selecting a torsion wrench and a snake rake from his bundle of professional tools, Bishop opens the lock with an audible click.

One of the prisoners flinches and looks toward the gate. Squinting but seeing nothing, the scout lowers his head in despair.

Bishop slowly swings the gate open and whispers every so quietly. "The gate stands open. Come now. Slowly. Friends are here and will lead you back."

The scouts look up in disbelief, when they hear a whisper. They glance around, looking for the source of the voice, eyes lingering with worry toward the escarpment at the back of the cave.

When they see the gate magically open, they shake their heads and try to rub their eyes with their bound hands.

One of them curses, "The bloody devils are toying with us, the bastards. Why don't they just kill us all now and end our torment?"

"Where'd he go? I hope he is ok. I haven't heard an alarm raised so things must be going good right?" Hanlin whispers to the others as he waits.

All good on this end, go go sneaky sneaker.

"No news is good news - at least, that's what I've always heard humans say," Nina agrees. "Personally I dunno, it could be good news or it could mean really bad news like 'oh no everyone died horribly' but we've not heard any ruckus so I'm pretty sure no one's actually died horribly so far."

"Maybe instead of dying horribly, they just died quietly?" Lord Braggett offers, somewhat unhelpfully. "Or they could have captured Sir Bishop and are interrogating him as we speak? I mean, he's an upstanding gentleman, but how long can anyone last under the torture of a bearded devil..." He looks around, eyes narrowed and gripping his flail tight. "We may already be surrounded by devils and angry orcs!"

Ditto, go get'em Bishop! :)

"I have little time to mix words with you but your scoutmaster Terrin Shaw sent my companions and myself to find you and bring you back to Arwyll Stead. If you do not believe me hopefully these two pieces of information will secure your trust. First, one of your brethren by the name of Jeb was taken from your ranks about a day ago. The orcs killed him and sent his head to Arwyll Stead. Second there must be some amongst you that know of the tunnels beneath Arwyll Stead accessible only by the key that scoutmaster Shaw carries on him. He gave this key so we could leave the town undetected. Mayor Proum has ordered the gates locked since your friend's head was sent to the town.
So come now before we alert the orcs time is of the essence. And in case you are wondering who we are. We are the Pathfinder that went and brought the steaders back Arwyll Stead."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Meanwhile, Erlathan cracks his knuckles and leans up against the rocky ledge idly as he goes over the words to the grease spell in his head for the dozenth time.

The scouts are in bad shape, but they calm somewhat when the invisible rogue begins untying them from the large stakes in the pen, raising their hopes of getting out of this alive.

One of them asks, "Em, Pathfinder? What if the orcs or the devils hear us trying to escape?"

"Well if you stay you're likelier to die being tortured. We do not expect you to fight but none of this is going to happen unless you keep your thoughts in your head until you reach your home and loved ones in Arwyll. Now let's go and keep the words to a minimum."

Fearful but more afraid they'll miss their only chance to escape certain death, the scouts head for the open gate, occasionally bumping into their invisible guide.

"Hey! I heard somethin' from the pen." One of the orcs shouts.
"I don't hear nothin'." Replies another.
"I think I heard it, too!" Insists a third.
"Yer deaf! No way you heard anythin'." Spits a fourth.
"Clean the s*@! outa yer ears, dude. Ye just heard Slackjaw fartin'."
"No, bro, fer reals, somethin's afoot! Look o'er there, the gate's open, and the paleskins are getting' away!" Confirms a sixth.

The orcs reach for their shortspears, mancatchers, and falchions, determined to recapture their prisoners.

Map & Images
Conditions:
Bless - Allies gain a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saves vs fear effects.

Round 1
Bold may act.
Bishop
Erlathan
Nina & Inky
Vegazi
Lord Braggett & Sir Kibble
---
Scouts
---
Hanlin
---
Orcs

Everybody but Hanlin is up! (The scouts act before Hanlin.)

"We've been rumbled!" Lord Braggett exclaims, "Quick, we must not let them get recaptured. To arms, my friends, TO ARMS!" Issuing his lion's call, the daring knight spurs Sir Kibble into action, galloping through the rocks towards the scouts. "GOOD LORD!" He blushes brightly when he sees their state of dress, but quickly regains his composure and starts motioning the scouts towards cover. "Ahem, I mean... This way! Hide among the rocks while we deal with the guards."

Erlathan balks and sighs and stomps his feet. "I was just about to conjure the oily stuff! Gah!" After his seventh foot stomp, he decides he should seek cover, but not before acquiring some assistance. "Yes, hiding sounds like a great idea, Lord Braggett! But first, let us bolster our forces!"

The elf flips his palms to face the sky, and a magical image of a white wolf begins to fade into existence just ahead of where he stands.

Begin casting Summon Monster II

Hanlin looks up mid jerky snack, still chewing "Huh? OH."

"Come on Inky, time to go!" Nina cries and Inky races forward, not towards the scouts but towards the orcs themselves. Once they get close enough and Inky skids to a stop, Nina adopts a defensive position and begins taunting the orcs.

"Yoohoo, over here! Come face us if you're brave enough!"
________

Inky double-moves and Nina goes full-defense. Let me see...with current spells active (Shield for Nina and Mage Armor + Shield for Inky) and the total defense, that should put Nina's AC at 25 and Inky's at 26.

[smaller]"Head in between the rocks to the west. Hurry now the orcs."[/smaller

Bishop pulls out his steel wand and whispers the command word while tapping himself with it.

Mage armour myself

UMD Mage Armour: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 12 + 2 = 29

Sir Kibble lopes forward into the orc lair, and halfway there, Lord Braggett roars encouragement to his allies. Meanwhile, Incandescence carries Nina toward the orcs gathered around the campfire.

Vegazi follows Lord Braggett and Sir Kibble, pulling up in a spot where she has fields of fire to the north and south, whichever way the orcs move.

Erlathan starts summoning some lupine muscle to help keep the orcs away from his delicate elven features.

Bishop directs the freed scouts to head west, between the rocks. Then he draws a wand and activates it, casting mage armor on himself.

The scouts pause for an instant, glance up again at the ledge at the back of the slave pen, look at each, and decide to make a break for it, heading west. When they see what looks like a rescue party, they head for Hanlin and Erlathan, shouting "Feets, don't fail me now!"

Map & Images
Conditions:
Bless - Allies gain a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saves vs fear effects.
Lion's Call (Ex): +3 competence bonus on saving throws vs. fear and a +1 competence bonus on attack rolls for 5 rounds.

Round 1
Bold may act.
Bishop
Erlathan
Nina & Inky
Vegazi
Lord Braggett & Sir Kibble
---
Scouts
---
Hanlin
---
Orcs

Hanlin, you're up!

Hanlin moves up next to tentacle chin and the escaping Scouts. He raises his bare left hand in greeting "May the light of Iomedae refresh you!" And a wave of holy energy rolls over them and Erlathan.

Channel Healing: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12

The intrepid priest of Iomedae steps in front of the arcanist and raises an arm in a talk-to-the-hand gesture. The freed scouts' innumerable festering wounds scab over and heal in an instant. The scouts are too frightened to stop and thank Hanlin. "Beware the devils! They're not going to be happy about your ruining their diabolical games."

Three of the orcs chase after the scouts around the north side of the massive rock formations, while three others head around the south side of the rocks to cut the men off before they can get away. "Six coppers ta whiche'er one a us nabs the devil's dinner firstest!"

The three orcs in the south skid to a halt when they come face to face with a fierce gnome warrior princess mounted on a fantastical purple cat. "Say, Slackjaw, what d'ya make a this then? Some kind a fairy circus act? What a we s'posed ta do, feed it some peanuts?"

Vegazi sees Hell's Fury targets north and south, but she decides the graver threat is the one in front of Nina. She launches an arrow at the purple orc.
MW Arrow, PBS, Bless, Lion's Call; Damage: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 201d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Map & Images
Conditions:
Bless - Allies gain a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saves vs fear effects.
Lion's Call (Ex): +3 competence bonus on saving throws vs. fear and a +1 competence bonus on attack rolls for 5 rounds.

Round 2
Bold may act.
Bishop
Erlathan
Nina & Inky
Vegazi
Lord Braggett & Sir Kibble
---
Scouts
---
Hanlin
---
6 Orcs (Purple -3)

Bishop, Erlathan, Nina & Inky, Lord Braggett & Sir Kibble, you're up!

As the scouts run for their lives, Lord Braggett rides on. "NOT SO FAST!" He calls to the chasing orcs, "These men are now under the protection of the Knights of Arwyll Stead! Devils be damned, they will be no ones dinner." He bellows, waving his flail over his head as Kibble quickly intercepts the pack. "Haha! Have at you." Both knight and steed lay into the orc, determined that none shall pass.

Lord Braggett charges the orange orc, caving in its skill with his enchanted silver flail. Then Sir Kibble snuffs it out with his powerful jaws.

The orcs begin to shout in alarm, "Korlum! Grache! The camp is under attack!"

Map & Images
Conditions:
Bless - Allies gain a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saves vs fear effects.
Lion's Call (Ex): +3 competence bonus on saving throws vs. fear and a +1 competence bonus on attack rolls for 5 rounds.

Round 2
Bold may act.
Bishop
Erlathan
Nina & Inky
Vegazi
Lord Braggett & Sir Kibble
---
Scouts
---
Hanlin
---
5 Orcs (Purple -3)

Bishop, Erlathan, Nina & Inky, you're up!

Okay, let's see...