GM Nowruz's module 'Master of the Fallen Fortress' (Tier 1) - REPEATABLE EVERGREEN (Inactive)

Game Master noral

Skarit is ready but holds his position a moment longer.

Delay until the end of their turn.

Skarit is waiting for the troglodytes who advance to attack with clubs.

green club at skarit: 1d20 ⇒ 14, club damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0 Provokes AoO from Skarit

red club at skarit: 1d20 ⇒ 19, club damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

yellow club at skarit plus flank: 1d20 ⇒ 6, club damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

One club hits Skarit in the chest.

All PCs may go! If any of you is not flat-footed due to an ability you get an AoO.

Davor steps forward, leaving room for Skarit to get out of the enemy's pincer and into one of their own. "Did you not get my message? Here, I'll repeat myself if you force me."

Unarmed vs. Green: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Nonlethal Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Skarit makes a quick kick at the creature moving past him, which opens him up to the attack of another. Skarit steps quickly to the side, using Davor's opening and lashes out again, a flurry of fists and feathers.

After three critical blows of Skarit the troglodyte (green) drops to the floor. Skarit's movements are smooth and he is able to hit the next troglodyte standing next to him with his kick.

Beshana, Kala, Stinky -> GO!

#Troglodyte red: -3 HP

#Troglodyte yellow: Full HP
#Troglodyte green: Unconscious
#Davor:
#Beshana:
#Skarit:
#Kala:
#Stinky:

Claw Attack 1: 1d20 + 4 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 2 - 2 = 15
Damage: 1d4 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7
Claw Attack 2: 1d20 + 4 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 - 2 = 23
Damage: 1d4 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6

Now in a better position with Kala, Beshana takes this opportunity to throw a little caution to the wind in hopes of bringing down her opponent quickly and lashes out wildly with her claws!

Double attack on Yellow. If both attacks hit and are enough to drop Yellow, then Beshana will take a 5' step into the space between Green and Yellow. If Yellow is still standing after the attack, she will stay where she is currently.

The first two claw attacks of Beshana have so much force that the body of the troglodyte is almost torn to pieces.

Kala, Stinky -> GO!

#Troglodyte red: -3 HP

#Troglodyte yellow: Unconscious
#Troglodyte green: Unconscious
#Davor:
#Beshana:
#Skarit:
#Kala:
#Stinky:

I'm assuming Kala is no longer sickened. Also, it looks like only the red trog is standing. Right?

Kala watches her party members demolish the green and blue trogs in quick succession. "Well, that was easy," she grunts as she swings her warhammer clumsily at the remaining opponent.

warhammer: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 81d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

"Ugh, I'm worthless here! Stinky, get 'em for me, will ya?"

Also assuming Stinky is no longer fatigued.

Growling like a dog playing with a toy, Stinky scoots past Davor and around Skarit to attack the red trog.

bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 231d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The troglodyte is demoralized but he knows he cannot escape easily.

He tries to tumble to the staircase to escape and does not succeed to tumble at all.

acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

He is trying to run up the stairs.

All PCs who threaten him may make AoOs!

Skarit's beak twists in a snarl. "We're not doing this again." Though he moderates his strike to not kill the creature, he lashes his out, striking the stumbling troglodyte hard.

AOO: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Damage (non-lethal): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Extra Damage (non-lethal): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The troglodyte is about to run off but the moment he lets down his defenses Skarit lashes out with out a controlled and precise strike that knocks the troglodyte out.

Kala listens intently for sounds of any other movement coming from the stairs.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

These smell weird, but kinda good. Do they taste good?

Stinky licks the closest trog and is just about to take an exploratory nibble, when...

...Kala's hoarse whisper stops him. "Stinky! No! Knock it off! Guys, we should see what's here--and be careful of that trap."

Beshana takes a moment to retract her claws and shake the blood and skin from her hands. "Agreed, but do so quickly as we no longer have the element of surprise and the denizens here are quite unhappy we have arrived."

The only room of significance is the armory.

Most of the few remaining arms in the room have rusted away, making them useless in combat.

However, the following valuable items can still be found: a masterwork silver dagger, a masterwork light steel shield emblazoned with a leaping dolphin, and a banner depicting a bird made of living flame.

You recognize the banner, it belongs to the Band of the Phoenix, one of Absalom’s most famous hunting lodges during the Age of Blades. The banner is surely worth something to a collector.

Beshana smiles as they notice the banner. "This appears valuable. I believe the Lodge would like to see this. We should put those arms to good use."

Davor steps over the troglodytes back into the armory. "I suppose we'll take back what we can carry. No one else will be needing it."

"All right then. Are we ready to go?"

Does anyone want the Masterwork shield? Beshana cannot use it, because it's metal. Also, I think she would pass on the dager as well. She prefers her claws.

Beshana nods and the jagged, razor-edged obsidian claws encase her fingertips once more. "Yes, I believe we are ready." She will begin to climb the stairs in her slow, but purposeful gait. She will look for traps at each landing and doorway.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

You walk up the stairs and arrive at the next level where you see a closed door from the central stairway. The stairway leads further up as well. You detect no traps anywhere.

Perception

Perc(Beshana): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Perc(Skarit): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Perc(Kala): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Perc(Stinky): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Perc(Davor): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24]

"Try this door or up the stairs?" Kala asks the others in a low voice.

Stinky listens for sounds, cocking his head to hear better.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Kala sees Stinky cock his head to listen and decides that's a good idea. She holds stock still, straining to hear any sound and discern the direction from which it is coming.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

A minute after Kala tries in vain to hear something you all hear a loud slurping sound coming from behind the door and also a sound similar to very slow steps.

Beshana frowns at the strange sound. "What an odd sound." She glances at her companions and waits to see if the noise alerts any of them, if not she will open the door when they are ready.

You notice that the sound is moving away from the door.

What do you want to do?

Kala gestures hurriedly towards the door, hoping everyone will consent to entering here quickly so they can surprise whatever it is on the other side of the door.

Two are enough to move us forward.

Kala and Beshana move to the door and one of them tries to open it. Unfortunately, the door is locked.

Strength Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Beshana shakes her head in irritation at the locked door. She looks at Kala briefly before taking a few steps backward and then slamming her foot into the door, hoping to break it open!

Kala and Stinky aid Beshana and as she runs against the door it opens and they are standing in the middle of the room.

Two stone altars, one black and one white, sit at either end of this large chamber, which takes up two wings of the tower on this level. The crumbling remains of wooden benches sag in front of each altar beneath rotting ceiling tapestries. Carved symbols and writings snake along the walls. The burnt corpses of two troglodytes lie on the floor in the center of the room.

Suddenly, you see that two humanoid skeletons, wreathed in auras of eternal flame, inhabit this room. They are moving towards you. They are bursting into red-orange flame. Their long, bony fingers reach out to claw at the living, burning with an unending fire.

Round 1
1. All PCs ->> GO
2. Skeletons

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

"A shrine of Nethys," Davor has time to point out as he steps into the room. Then, he notices the fiery skeletons. Doubting they are the best creatures to punch, the tengu loads his trusty sling.

Yelping in terror, Stinky hastily retreats back out onto the landing and cowers in a corner. He really doesn't like the undead.

Kala briefly notes Stinky's retreat with understanding, but most of her attention is focused on what is standing before her in the room. She sees the burning skeletons, and frankly is impressed. Skirting the wall to her left, Kala loops around one of the skeletons in the hopes of allowing one of her party members to set up a flank with her in the near future.

Beshana notices the fire-wreathed skeletons and briefly considers rushing them with her claws, but the roaring flames give her pause. Instead she draws out her staff, clutching it defensively in front of her with both hands. Suddenly she lets out a vicious growl as white, tiger-striped fur begins to grow along her body....

Actions: Move - Draw staff. Standard - Total Defense (+4 Dodge bonus to AC. Swift - Shifter Aspect (Tiger; +2 Dexterity). Effective AC of 22.

SA - 9/10.

It is more than 24 hours. I will bot Skarit. Move to retrieve his kamas and move into the room.

The skeletons move forward and one attacks Kala and the other Skarit although none of their burning claws hit.

Attack on Skarit.
claws 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
claws 1 damage plus 1d6 fire: 1d4 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (4) = 10

claws 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
claws 2 damage plus 1d6 fire: 1d4 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (2) = 5

Attack on Kala.
claws 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
claws 1 damage plus 1d6 fire: 1d4 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 2 + (5) = 10

claws 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
claws 2 damage plus 1d6 fire: 1d4 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (5) = 8

All Pathfinders can go -> GO!

At the start of your turn Skarit and Kala you both get burned for 1d6 fire: 1d6 ⇒ 2. And some advice: You will probably need Stinky.

#Skeleton (green): Full HP

#Skeleton (red): Full HP
#Davor:
#Beshana:
#Skarit:
#Kala:
#Stinky:

Unfortunately, Stinky cannot attack undead or abberations yet. He only has one bonus trick at level 1, and the ability to attack undead counts as two tricks. (See the Attack trick at Handle Animal Skill). Unfortunately, as I hadn't yet figured out how this aspect of animal companions works, I haven't made Kala take a week between adventures to train Stinky to do any other tricks. Perhaps I can do that at the end of this adventure.

Hissing in pain, Kala's face hardens as she swings her warhammer at the flaming skeleton.

warhammer: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 211d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Kala’s mighty swing is so precise that the skeleton crumbles but suddenly explodes as well!

fire DC 12 reflex half: 1d6 ⇒ 6

With only the closest skeleton left, Davor draws a bead on it and throws.

Sling, into melee: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 - 4 = 9
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Hey Kala, just so you know Stinky would actually know a lot more tricks than just one. He gains 3 Trick slots per point of Intelligence, so right now Stinky has a total of 7 Trick slots. And your animal companion at 1st level comes fully trained with any Tricks to which they would have access. So Stinky has 6 more Tricks he should know right now, so perhaps our GM might let you retroactively change that. Hit me up in the Discussion thread if you have more questions!

Seeing the skeleton explode around Kala, Beshana wastes no time in rushing up to end the threat of the remaining skeleton before it could do much more damage to her companions. She strikes out with her quarterstaff, but cannot quite seem to connect with her attack.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 = 13

Yes, that is what I thought about Stinky. You can change that. No problem.

Wow, thanks Beshana and GM Nowruz! I must have misunderstood the wording in the Handle Animal skill description. I'll get right on it and have Stinky's character sheet updated within the hour.

At the sound of the fiery explosion and Kala's outcry, Stinky charges into the room, teeth bared and looking fresh and ready for action. A foul stench wafts in after him. (He shouldn't have eaten all that Beef-a-rino. Eeew.)

He skitters to a halt beside Beshana and tries to bite at the flaming skeleton before him, assuming erroneously that it was the one that hurt his Kala.

bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 51d4 ⇒ 2

...But the flames throw off his aim.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 Whew!

Kala manages to dodge half of the exploding flames and bones. Noticing that Stinky is back in the fray, she calls out, "Good to see you, Stinky. You live up to your name out there?"

As she speaks, she advances on the remaining skeleton, creating a flank with Stinky, and swings her warhammer at its bony body.

warhammer: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

However, she is still in pain from the burns she has received so far, and only manages to fan its flames. She curses under her breath.

can you please also bot skarit!

Kala, this was your second action this turn so please treat this miss as your action next round and only act with Stinky.

Skarit stands in front of the skeleton and knows that the next attack has to count. He drops his weapons and attacks with his fists although he knows that this is going to hurt. But he does it for the team!

Flurry: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Kama damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Flurry: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Kama damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

He is able to drop the skeleton to tiny bones but he gets burned when he touches the skeleton (1d6 fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3).

Suddenly, the skeleton explodes again (1d6 fire damage reflex DC 12 half: 1d6 ⇒ 3)!

Skarit Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Stinky Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Combat over!

#Skeleton (green): dead

#Skeleton (red): dead
#Davor:
#Beshana:
#Skarit: 2/10 HP
#Kala: 5/10 HP
#Stinky: 8/15