GM Not Espi's Evergreens (Standard) (Inactive)

Game Master NotEspi

Eldak gets out his pen and parchment given to him earlier by Ophelia, Uori, what can you tell us of the miniature city? What is it's purpose? Why is it here?

My companion is curious as to how your gills work versus breathing, and what the transition from breathing water to breathing air is like.

Uori shows a small grin for a second, then speaks:

"It comes naturally to us. Like humans holding their noses and breathing with their mouths. Imagine diving into water and holding your breath. It's the same, but you have another set of organs to breathe under water. Like... Holding your nose. I don't think I could make a more fitting analogy."

I'm more curious now that you mentioned that this place is a site of holy pilgrimage across the Inner Sea -- How long have your people come to this place?

Have you ever seen any non-gillmen aspirants to the shrine?

What makes the shrine so important to your people?

"The gillmen have known this cavern for generations. The water in here is fresh from the rock. It is not soiled by anything. On top of everything, it's in a nicely secluded place, so nobody would bother the pilgrims who decide to stop here. Once they are finished with their pilgrimage during a full moon, they simply return into the ocean to get on with their lives. I'm not sure how it came to be, since it goes quite the way back. It's just gillman tradition now. That being said, no. I don't know of non-gillmen pilgrims, if that is what you are asking. But me not knowing about them doesn't mean they do not exist. We only spend here a day or two at best. Someone else might visit the place in other times."

Uori, what can you tell us of the miniature city? What is it's purpose? Why is it here?

He pauses and thinks, then continues: "As for the city miniature, we don't know. It was here when we found it. I assume it has something to do with your failed human deity, since the fading glyphs on the wall are clearly connected to him. I don't know more about it. We care little for most of your pantheon."

Senma listens carefully to Uori's words and nods along as if he understands. "That all sounds nice. Do you think the Society wanted us to know about all of this? Did they know about it already and just wanted to test us? Maybe they thought we could befriend the Gillmen and they could be our allies!?" Senma starts.

"Will you be our ally, Uori?" he asks, standing silently in the water.

Uori looks at Senma, then thinks.

"I don't know what your society wanted or wants. If they wanted to befriend the gillmen, what you have done here is a step in the right direction. But I am no ambassador - just one old and deaf pilgrim."

You traverse the cavern, revealing numerous dead-end sections and a few cave-ins. The persistent glow of the bluish fungi dimly lights the way deeper below the Kortos Mounts. In a short while, the path broadens to reveal a shallow river that bisects an immense tunnel stretching to the north and south. While the water in the river flows slowly, it is deep enough to hinder your progress, should you wish to walk through it directly. To the east a small passage exits the chamber at a steep incline. A few creatures appear in front of you near this passage. The creatures are humanoid, although quite small with blue skin. Their disproportionately large heads make them look almost comical. They are apparently arguing and carving something into the gravel with sticks, but upon sighting you, they immediately draw their bladed weapons. They are accompanied by an oversized centipede, which extends it's mandibles in your direction after a shout from one of the blue humanoids.

knowledge: Nature: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Eldak looks at Kaa. Maybe this centipede will be easier to kill then the descendent, dependent, child you took a shot at earlier, bwak! ,he laughs. He then hefts his sword with both talons and readies for a fight.
initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Senma walks forward and waves to the blue creatures as they don't seem to attack. "Hi, little blue guys! I'm Senma!" he yells with a huge grin and waving his hand, no weapon visible.

"How are you today? We are exploring this cave and found a bunch of cool stuff. Have you found anything cool down here?" he asks.

K: Nature (Untrained): 1d20 ⇒ 11

"They're mites, poor misbegotten faeriekin that even goblins treat like dirt. They hate most two-leggers for that, and that insect with them is poisonous, so be very careful, there."

Feza will keep her whip handy, but is holding back unless she needs to attack or move.

Allright! I didn't post an initiative. To be fair, I was posting that at 3 AM.

Opposition: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Feza: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Kaa: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Ophelia: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Senma: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Turn 1

Kaa - Go
Eldak - Go
Feza - Go
Ophelia - Go
Senma - Go
Mites

Eldak advances on the giant centipede.
elven longsword: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
I now wish I didn't.

Ophelia joins Eldak in attacking the centipede.

Dagger to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
damage: 1d4 + 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + (3) + 2 = 7

That damage is assuming she gets sneak attack for it being flat footed. Otherwise, leave off the 1d8.

The Calistrian inquisitor moves up and attempts to give Eldak a hand with the centipede, hoping that leaving Kaa a charge path through to one and Senma a clear line of sight to the other will be helpful.

"Kaw KAAAA KAW KAA KA kaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

Aid Another (Eldak *Attack*, cover from Eldak, on Centipede): 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (15) - 4 = 11

EDIT: Edited for clarity

Is that a +2 attack or +2 AC, Feza?

Attack, I re-emphasized it for you. :)

Oh right. I missed that, somehow. Ok noted.

Kaa keeps to the edge of the river, and swings at the first blue man in the group.

"Perhapssss, Eldak, you can jussst sssswallow that big bug for dinner, yesss? I think your beak issss big enough!" ; )

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Ophelia and Eldak move in to strike the centipede, but it evades their attacks without bigger problems, even with Feza helping Eldak with the strike. Kaa, on the other hand, swipes and cuts the creature in half with one swing. The mites seem concerned about the development.

Turn 1
Ophelia - Miss
Eldak - Miss
Feza - Aid another
Kaa - Hit and kill
Senma - Go
Mites

It looked like Kaa was hitting the river-side mite unless I misunderstood his post?

That is correct, and Kaa uses a reach weapon.

Ok I feel like I am missing more and more stuff each time I post. Fine - you slash the mite in one go. It's not dead, but it sure as hell is on the ground bleeding large quantities of sanguine liquid. Centipede stands. Red is dead/unconscious.

Senma moves forward but the group of Pathfinders are too bunched up. "I don't know if I can use my electricity without electrocuting you guys!" he yells to them. "What if we just tell them to gather the fallen and run? Killing them doesn't seem nice."

Hold Action.

Seeing that their companion went down with one swoop, the mites look at Kaa - one of them quickly screams something at the centipede, then eyes of both of them darken. One looks at Kaa, the other looks at Eldak, and they chant for a brief moment. The centipede immediately attacks Ophelia.

Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 111d6 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

But misses it's bite.

Eldak and Kaa, roll willsaves, if you will.

Turn 2

Ophelia - Go
Eldak - Go
Feza - Go
Kaa - Go
Senma - Go
Mites and Centipede - TBD

Ophelia 5 foot steps into flanking position and tries to sneak attack the centipede with both daggers. She stabs with the first and cuts with the second, just in case.

Dagger to hit: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 2 = 22
damage: 1d4 + 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + (7) + 2 = 13
Dagger to hit: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 11
damage: 1d4 + 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + (1) + 2 = 7

If the first shot brings down the centipede, she'll switch targets to the mite in the back corner on the second attack, which means no flank or sneak damage, so remove the d8 damage and take away the +2 from the attack roll.

The centipede collapses to the floor as Ophelia jabs it with a dagger. While Ophelia turns and unsuccessfully swipes at one of the mites, the vermin twitches on the ground for a few seconds, before stopping moving altogether.

Turn 2

Ophelia - Kill
Eldak - Go
Feza - Go
Kaa - Go
Senma - Go
Mites and Centipede - TBD

Feza attempts to move up and stabilize the fallen mite.

Heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Unfortunately, she has no idea of where to begin, given how brutal Kaa was...

Feza tries, but the amount of blood pouring from the mite prevents her from even seeing what is happening with the wound. Her feathers turn crimson within seconds.

Turn 2

Ophelia - Hit
Eldak - Go
Feza - First Aid
Kaa - Go
Senma - Go
Mites and Centipede - TBD

FYI, I just realized that I forgot my -2 penalty for using two weapon fighting on my attack rolls this round. Probably doesn't matter, given the numbers, but thought I'd mention it, just in case.

A 20 hits. No worries.

Senma yells to the two upright mites. "Run!" he yells to them, shooing at them with his hands. "Flee for your lives!"

Intimidate?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

The mites see Senma's display, but seem merely confused by his effort. They continue to stand their ground.

Turn 2

Ophelia - Hit
Eldak - Go
Feza - First Aid
Kaa - Go
Senma - Intimidate
Mites and Centipede - TBD

Will Save: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7

Kaa stares in horror at the remaining mites, suddenly afraid he won't survive the battle.

Kaa closes his eyes and swings defensively as he tries to back away.

Attack defensively, shaken: 1d20 + 5 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 5 - 2 - 4 = 1 Ha! Does it hit?

will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
A sense of dread fills Eldak's being but he is feeling emboldened by hearing the voice of a fellow Tengu and watches the centipede drop in a heap. He turns his attention to one of the mites.
elven longs sword: 1d20 + 4 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 - 2 = 10
damage?: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

1 minute shaken for for both of you ( 10 turns ).

Kaa and Eldak swing at the mites, but the fey dodge the attacks.

The mites, reassured by the paleness of Kaa's face, turn towards Eldak and attack.

Dagger: 1d20 ⇒ 171d3 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Dagger: 1d20 ⇒ 71d3 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

One of them manages to slice him, causing a minor wound.

Turn 3

Ophelia - Go
Eldak - Go
Feza - Go
Kaa - Go
Senma - Go
Mites and Centipede - TBD

"Kaa, take my spot, I'll move over! Focus on middle mite!"

5' move

Aid Another (Kaa *Attack*, cover from Eldak, on 'middle mite'): 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (11) - 4 = 7

Of course, taking care to not hit Eldak means that Feza is ineffective at this effort, as well.

Kaa steps in, using his longer reach with his naginata to attack over Ophelia, despite his still being shaken.

Attack, allies in way, shaken: 1d20 + 5 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 5 - 4 - 2 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Assuming Eldak will attack that middle mite, per Feza's instructions, Ophelia focuses on the one in the corner.

Dagger to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Dagger to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Again, if it goes down after the first shot, she'll switch targets for the second.

Eldak (still shaken) decides he must continue to fight despite the fear he feels.
attack-shaken: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 2 = 5

Senma, worried about casualties, has lost his patience with the vermin in the caves. "You should have just left!" he says as he tries to get an open shot.

Electric Blast - Touch Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 5 - 4 = 19 No Precise Shot. I leave Cover up to the GM.
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

The aspirants give it one more go - Ophelia and Eldak miss their attacks, but Kaa and Senma put down the remaining two mites.

Out of Combat

The mites and centipede are on the floor, some of them bleeding, some of them not so much.

Heal(Stabilize) on 'middle' mite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Heal(Stabilize) on 'right' mite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Feza attempts to do something to keep the mites from bleeding out, and then washes off in the nearby stream...

Feza tries what she can, but the (orange) mite takes its last breath during her attempt. She manages to stop the bleeding on the last mite, however. If nothing eats them while they regain their health, they should survive.

I don't understand Feza, why attempt to save them? They are creatures of darkness, shadow, blight and stand in the way of the Society and it's quest for truth, knowledge, wisdom.

Ophelia glances at the two tengu briefly, but doesn't say anything, since she really doesn't care one way or the other what happens to the mites. She wipes the centipede guts off her dagger, then looks down at her own wounds.

"I survived", she says, matter of factly. "I guess I could use healing, if anyone has any magic for that."

Being a brand new PC with 0xp and only the 150 gp starting gold, I don't have a CLW wand for her yet.

*cough* You have Janira's backpack with a BUNCH of stuff. Might be worth checking. *cough*

Ophelia takes the potion of Cure Light Wounds from Janira's backpack.

"Is anyone else wounded? If nobody else needs this, I'll use it."

Once the life-saving attempts have resolved, for good and ill, Feza lets out a small sigh.

"Even the pathetic wretches of the underground have their right to vengeance. We struck first, largely without warning. We even gave them dead to help cement their resolve. How would you feel if you weren't given a chance to settle matters in something important to you? Or are you saying that you will NEVER seek to pay back someone for THEIR crimes?"

As Ophelia goes digging through the pack, Feza will glance at the contents.

"I could use that wand, if desired, and then we could save the potion for something a bit more dire?"

Roll 1d8+1, mark off the number of charges you use?

Feza looks to Eldak. "I'm not a good feather. The winds of revenge blow in many different directions."

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

It only takes one cure to get Ophelia back to max health.

Any other preparations you would like to make?

Anyone else that needs healing gets it, then we move on in our exploration? Can't think of much of anything else?

Senma bounds ahead without worry as he finds the plight of the mites to be too much for him to deal with at this point. "I shall investigate ahead!" he shouts.