GM Netherpongo's Champion's Chalice I (Inactive)

Game Master Nathan Goodrich

fort : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

During the forced march, Jiro begins to fatigue as his elfin body is not suited to this type of travel.

"Ugh... we should take a break." he whines.

Kn. Nature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14 Next set of actions.

Nalina will once again watch for and point out hazards along the group's path as they move quickly. Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

FORT: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Pethwen continues to help Crowe look out for any shortcuts ahead.

Perception (aid): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Only Jiro is fatigued from the forced march so far. If you haven't rolled checks for progress, please go ahead.

Pressing on through the swamp, Ingrge will scout and try to find the quickest way through this muck...

Notice Shortcut (Perception): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

notice shortcut: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

The trek across the swamp is arduous but you haven't seen any sight of other racers since you left Ten'sai and Ramagh behind. According to your map, the finish line should be just ahead. A wide patch of sandy ground rises from the swamp, providing solid footing in the otherwise treacherous bog. The air is thick with the smell of decay and rot, and crickets chirp loudly in the perpetual twilight of the forest canopy.

Suddenly you see an undead horror rise up from the swamp on the other side of the sandy rise. The creature seems to be wearing clothes reminiscent of a racer uniform, but the cloth is heavily damaged. A large snake slithers out of the grass between you. The undead points a finger at your group, baleful hatred in its eyes.

Party turn!

Crowe casts shield on himself and runs forward with his bardiche.

Ingrge quickly fires two shots at the snake...

To Hit: Dex+Base, Weapon Focus, PBS, Precise Shot, Flurry of Blows, Deadly Aim, Deadeye Bowman, Point Blank Master

Damage: PBS, Deadly Aim, Flurry of Blows

Longbow: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 20 (vs Flat-footed AC)

Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 4 = 11

Longbow: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 22 (vs Flat-footed AC)

Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 4 = 12

Nalina roars ferociously and charges the enemies, her claws cutting the swampy soil like butter. She charges and pounces on the snake, hitting it just after Ingrge's two arrows pierce it.

bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 5) + 5 = 12
claw1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
damage: 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 4) + 5 = 11
claw2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
damage: 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 4) + 5 = 11

grab: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 4 = 13

On the off chance that the two arrows killed the snake, Nalina would obviously charge the undead horror instead.

EDIT: Wow, that's a lot of low rolls on the attacks. Dang.

"Our final goal and well deserved victory is in sight, my friends! This foul creature cannot stop us from claiming what is rightfully ours!"

Pethwen moves forward and urges on her companions with a voice that rises up into the sky like a loud trumpet blast.

Inspire Courage. +2 to Attack/Damage & saves vs. fear to all. Please retro apply to all rolls above as INIT allows.

She will move up and burn 2 phrenic points which will allow her to use her powers against the undead to use mind thrust

4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 6, 5) = 22

dc 15 will for half

Ingrge did kill the snake. Was the first square of movement difficult terrain for Nalina though (preventing a charge)? The path leading up to the dry land is so narrow I'm not sure how it couldn't be. If that's right, we'll just take your first attack modified for no charge.

Otherwise, waiting for Jiro.

Yep, that would have been correct, just one attack then. However, since she has a better attack modifier with the claw, any chance that one attack could have been her claw instead of her bite, in this case? (which would hit, consequently) I'd be happy to reroll it if you'd prefer as well.

Not bad damage if I can hit for all of it

Go ahead and reroll, Nalina.

Did the undead make the save against my attack, DM?

claw1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
damage: 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 3) + 5 = 12
grab: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 4 = 29 LOL. Dammit.

Pethwen: as I'm running it, initiative on player turn goes in posting order, unless someone says they are waiting for someone else to act first, so no need for revised attack rolls.

Ingrge's arrows tear the head off the snake as Nalina charges toward the undead monstrosity, though her attack fails to connect. Rivani's spell causes the creature to stagger, though it seems to fight off the worst of her assault.

The creature's eyes flash as it summons magical power, although it fades as its concentration falters in the face of Nalina's assault. Feh.

Party turn!

Ingrge will move 5' east and fire a couple of arrows at the undead horror...

To Hit: Dex+Base, Weapon Focus, Precise Shot, Flurry of Blows, Deadly Aim, Deadeye Bowman, Point Blank Master, Favored Enemy

Damage: PBS, Deadly Aim, Flurry of Blows, Favored Enemy

Longbow: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 1 - 2 - 2 + 2 = 18

Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 4 + 2 = 12

Longbow: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 1 - 2 - 2 + 2 = 28

Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 4 + 2 = 14

AC 18 due to charge. Shield. Rage. Reach weapon.

Crowe charges and attacks with his bardiche!

Mwk Bardiche two-handed attack roll, +1 Mwk, +4 Bab, +6 Str., -0 Powerattack for first attack due to Furious Focus, +2 charge: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

confirm crit : 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Bardiche damage (+6/+3 str 2H, +6 Power Attack): 1d10 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22

Bardiche damage crit ??: 1d10 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

Was my attack ever resolved?

Yep. See above "Rivani's spell causes the creature to stagger, though it seems to fight off the worst of her assault."

She will burn her last 2 points to cast ID Insinuation at it
Will Save DC 16

By invading the mind of a creature with your psychic presence, You can isolate parts of its mind, preventing the target from functioning in a coherent manner. The target is confused as long as you concentrate on it plus 1 additional round. A successful Will save negates this effect.

Nalina claws and bites at the undead creature.
claw1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 damage: 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (1, 3) + 5 = 9
claw2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 damage: 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 3) + 5 = 12
bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 4) + 5 = 15
grab: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 4 = 15

Much better! :)

After snapping out of his stupor, Jiro rushes into the frey, galloping next to Crowe. "Sorry for the delay, compatriots! But, fear not, I have arrived!"

Double Move Action; Free Action while Moving: Unsheath Weapon.

I hope keeping it confused will help :)

Ingrge's arrows strike the undead creature with heavy force before Crowe's bardiche gouges into its flesh, tearing out a huge chunk though some of the damage seems to be resisted. Rivani's spell snakes into the undead creature's mind before it dies at Nalina's claws with a confused look on its face.

Pethwen moves forward to join in the assault on the undead. Unable to get a clear shot at the horror she still unleashes an arrow while continuing to encourage her friends.

Continue Inspire Courage +2 Attack/Damage. Hoping that adding to those rolls that have been made since Pethwen started her performance will at least be allowed, as it doesn't seem that they have been added so far.

PBS, Precise Shot, Deadly Aim, Inspire Courage
Masterwork Longbow: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 1 + 2 = 22 Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 2 + 2 = 12

Ingrge nods to his companions after the undead creature finally falls...

"Well done...this abomination appears to be a racer from a past competition..."

The Elf takes a closer look at the uniform...and then checks out the vicinity...

Perception: 1d10 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

Pethwen's arrow strikes the undead creature just before Ingrge starts to examine its uniform, making the undead creature extra dead.

Ingrge's search turns up a set of three potions or oils, a mummified hand, a mask with an upturned nose and a book that contains what appear to be alchemist formulas.

The area nearby is more of the same murky swamp that you have been travelling through. A less-prepared team might have been successfully ambushed by the undead, however, and your actions likely spared their lives.

Nalina sniffs at the items and shrugs her tiger shoulders. As soon as they are identified, though, she is ready to head to the finish line.

Crowe casts detect magic and tries to identify the items.

Spellcraft : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Spellcraft : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 Miser’s Mask

Spellcraft : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

”The dangers of this place are beyond what I would have imagined! I am looking forward to ending this race and hope that we will be victorious!“

She is very tired from her exertion and just sits down for a bit.

Just as dusk settles in, a group of weary Pathfinders cross the finish line. The crowd is sparse but they cheer excitedly for the victors of the Champion's Chalice. It seems that no one expected a group of racers to cross the finish line on the second day.

After Ingrge crosses, he bows to the crowd, and then drops and rests...

”I can only hope that many of the contestants are going to cross this line as well! This is really a suicide mission for those that are not prepared! I am proud to have gone on this hunt together with you!“

Jiro becomes lost in the success of the race. "Huzzah!" he shouts waving his crude, but effective rapier around. "True gold isn't afraid of fire!"

Nalina makes a show of changing from dire tiger form back to human, then bows to the crowd.

Pethwen beams with joy and pride at the group's victory. "Thank you, my friends for making this race such a memorable one. I knew we would be triumphant but it was indeed not without challenge. My thoughts go out to those who did not survive, even those that we had to deal with in honorable combat."

You are met by the race officials, who check after your health and guide you to a waiting refreshment tent. They confirm that your team came in first in the Sargava Chalice and that you have won the race.

Over the next several days, other teams begin to straggle in. Ebanasi and the Trail Hounds, both missing several members, arrive next. They are followed by The Resistance and then by those of the solitary racers that managed to survive. Other than the Pathfinders, none of the teams return all their members and the mood of the crowd grows more somber over time, though each returning racers is congratulated heartily. Finishing such a dangerous race in any order is a worthy accomplishment.

A week from the start of the race, the race organizers give up on any further racers returning.

Though he has been away with business of state until the closing ceremony, Baron Utilinus presents the Pathfinders with the Sargava Chalice and, as agreed, they are allowed to keep the relic for the next year. He finds a private moment to thank you for your efforts on behalf of Team Ebanasi. Although the race was not bloodless, this year's Sargava Chalice was a vast improvement from the year before.

The Pathfinder Society returns your prize money to the Sargavan government as part of the agreement to allow the Society to possess the Sargava Chalice temporarily, but Venture-Captain Finze Bellaugh ensures that his racers are not left empty-handed for their service to the Society. He addresses the team in full after the Chalice is yours.

"I don't know where all of you are headed next, but further adventure awaits. Obtaining the Chalice was only the prerequisite to our plans. If you are willing, please stay in Sargava while the Lodge prepares for the next expedition. We hope that this relic will allow us to delve into the forgotten past of the Ghol Gan empire."

If you guys would like to raise issues I don't mention or otherwise continue roleplaying, feel free!

Due to distractions arising from other commitments, I won't be running part II of this series immediately. I need to focus on my other projects for a while.

Thank you for playing!

”Sometimes I wonder if I punish myself with this membership in the society to forget the crimes against my own people ... we are mere tools in efforts that we neither understand nor control. It was an honour to fight alongside you but I will move on. May the spirits guide you on your paths!“ Crowe says before leaving you to travel back to Varisia.

At the closing ceremonies, Ingrge replies to the Baron, "No sir, thank you...'twas a privilege to participate in your race..."

Upon the Venture-Captain's debrief, Ingrge tells his companions farewell. "I am honored to have shared this mission with all of you...if I can be of assistance to you in the future, my bow is yours..."

He bows and departs...

Nalina nods at her teammates' comments. "It was an adventure, which is what I live for. Thank you." She bows as well, gives a friendly handshake to all her Pathfinder teammates, and departs for her next adventure.

Thanks so much for running, Netherpongo! If you do start to run the next in the series (perhaps during the upcoming PbP Gamday?), definitely let me know!

She bows and thanks her fellow competitors