GM Ragged's Core Rules Souls for Smuggler's Shiv

Game Master waynemarkstubbs

Sizara thought about these Azlanti but she was drawing a blank. Still she did know one thing:

"Well I have met and even acted as a guide for a few Pathfinder expeditions. They were always searching for lost cities and forgotten treasures even though my people believe that some things are better staying lost and forgotten, but then again I guess if you don't learn from the past, you are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past."

"As for the Azlanti, I hardly know anything about them."

Corliss works hard to gather anything of value off the wreck, saying little, only seconding that the rum should do more help than harm for Aerys at this point.

"The lass has said that she wants help beatin' her demons," he comments as he gathers stuff. "That be a big step in itself--to know ye've got a problem an' be smart enough to ask for help. If we can find those berries, maybe she can beat this thing. Until then...a bit o' rum to calm the shakes is better than nothing."

Once the task is finished and the group's ready to depart, Corliss feels that he can safely be goofy again.

"Azlanti? Hey now--that does ring a bell!" Holding up the brothel guide and grinning, he quips, "Ain't that the name o' the nimble lass on the trapeze on page 37?"

The tide is beginning to turn as the group make their way back to the mainland, making the waters chopping and steering difficult, especially with the extra load now on the raft.

Once back at the bottom of the cliff, it is a long, complicated process to get all four people, the various cargoes, and the raft itself hauled back up the cliff. Even with the help of the block and tackle, it requires extensive, back-breaking work, made all the more difficult as the hottest part of the day is approaching.

DC20 Fort saves to avoid being Fatigued for the rest of the day. Fail it by 10 or more, and you are Exhausted for the rest of the day instead.

Having gathered everything at the top of the cliff, the group is faced with the choice of waiting out the worst of the heat, or marching through the heat back to the beach.

Fort save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 Oh man! I missed it by one! :(

Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Sizara did her best to bear the heat, but soon her constitution began to give out.

Corliss Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Although Corliss generally seems accustomed to the tropical heat, he's tired by the time the group again reaches the top of the cliff. Looking at the raft, the ex-pirate says, "You know, if we were to drill a couple shallow holes into the raft an' find a couple sturdy wooden poles, we could use that thing for a shady shelter when she ain't in the water."

I vote for waiting out the heat atop the cliff. Also, I'm offline until tomorrow, so the GM can bot me if anyone needs healing or we get attacked. Cyas tomorrow, mateys!

This could be bad.

fort: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Karia notes others are looking tired and agrees we should wait out the heat in the shade.

Fortitude save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Corin looks fatigued after the long climb.

"Yes, lets rest here before trying to move all of this back to camp."

The group find what shelter they can during the heat of the day, removing their armour, and thanking whatever gods may be listening for the fresh, cool water that Corliss can conjure up.

After the rain has broken the heat, they disassemble the raft into two halves, using each as a sort of litter to carry the spoils from the shipwreck back to the camp at the beach.

It has been a long, tiring day, and the sun is getting low in the sky as the group follow the jungle path down towards the campsite. However, as they make their way along the last few yards of now-familiar path through the jungle, they can hear indistinct shouting, a strange, excited yelling, and the clash of weapons!

Breaking free of the jungle canopy, they can see that a battle is in progress on the beach. Sasha and Ishirou are back to back, fighting off a quartet of spear-wielding, heavily tattooed men, who are slowly moving to surround them. Jask stands a few feet further back, clutching his holy symbol. Gelik is nearby, chanting loudly, and wielding his small bow, although he seems reluctant to fire into the melee. There is no sign of Aerys.

A fifth attacker stands further back from the melee, leaping and screaming wildly, and shaking a long staff with many feathers, animal skulls and small tokens tied to it. He finishes dancing, screams particularly loudly, and Ishirou and Jask suddenly drop to the ground and lie still.

See the map. You may start from any square in column P you like, although because of the small drop down to the beach, you may not run or charge from there.

Corin Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Corliss Init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Karia Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Sizara Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Gelik Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Sasha Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Cannibals Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Rotation:
X5
Gelik
Sizara - can post
Sasha
Corin - can post
Corliss - can post
X1,2,3,4
Koria

We'll start at this point in the rotation. Sasha will be totally defensive unless someone shouts some other instruction to her

Corin emerges from the jungle and fights his tired muscles to come to the defense of his companions. He moves across the space separating himself from the spear-wielding men, drawing a javelin as he moves and then casting it at the nearest aggressor.

Start at P7, move O7, N7, M7, L7, K7, J7, throw javelin at X5. Add +1 to hit and damage if Gellik is inspiring courage and I receive the benefit.

Cold iron javelin, fatigued: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 - 1 = 16 damage, fatigued: 1d6 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 - 1 = 7

Yes you get the benefit of Gelik's Inspire Courage once you move onto the beach

Corin's javelin strikes the leaping cannibal in the side, eliciting a loud, furious scream from the man, whom Corin can now see has a parrot sitting on his shoulder.

Despite being exhausted from her trek through the jungle, the elven barbarian quickly charge the one she assumed was the shaman, roaring like a wild cat defending her den and young.

Charge while fatigued: 1d20 + 4 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 25

Charge while fatigued: 1d8 + 4 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 12

Critical? Crosses fingers and toes!: 1d20 + 4 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 10 Darn it! >.<

Critical: 1d8 + 4 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 12

Attacking X5

You can't charge, as mentioned in the earlier post, but your rolls were good enough anyway, and your 40' movement will just get you there

Sizara rushes past Corin, her feet a blur as she moves runs quickly at the screaming cannibal. Her deadly blade descends, cutting him off in mid-scream, and leaving him lying in a spreading pool of his own blood in the sand.

Ah. I must have missed that part. My allergies are acting up today so my vision is a bit blurry. That's what I get for not wearing a mask while dusting and mowing the lawn.

"Let's put this down with a bit more care than the Cap'n an' First Mate, eh?" Corliss suggests to Karia. "We're carryin' them flasks o' hellfire an' don't want to blow ourselves up! An' one...two...down! Now--to the rescue!"

Corliss puts the salvage stretcher down in concert with Karia and draws his rapier to prepare for battle.

Two move actions and he's done for this round.

The four warriors fighting Sasha notice the unexpected arrival of the group, and one of them stays to keep the woman occupied, while one (X1) charges Corin, and two more (X3,4) charge Sizara.

X1 attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 X1 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
X3 attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 X3 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
X4 attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 X4 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Corin easily fends off the clumsy two-handed thrust from his attacker. Sizara manages to dodge one thrust, but the second attacker catches her off balance, and she takes a spear-thrust to the flank.

The cannibal still fighting Sasha makes another attack
X2 attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 X4 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
and catches the twisting woman in shoulder. She squeals and lashes out in return, rapier in one hand, kukri in the other
rapier attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 rapier Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
kukri attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 X4 Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
skewering the man in the stomach with her rapier, and then slashing him across the chest with a backhanded blow from the kukri.

Gelik continues chanting.

---------------------------------------------

Rotation
Gelik
Sizara - can post
Sasha
Corin - can post
Corliss - can post
X1,2,3,4
Koria - can post

The current rotation is basically 'the cannibals go, then everyone else goes' at the moment. If no-one is giving orders to the NPCs, we can basically go with that. The map has been updated.

Corliss emerges from the jungle and jogs out onto the beach (ending in square J9). He casts bless, catching most of the battling castaways in the burst.

NOTE: The +1 bonus on attacks stacks with Gelik's inspire courage, as they are different types of bonuses.

Corin takes advantage of the cannibal's overextension and slices the man while deftly stepping to the side.

Cold iron longsword, fatigued, inspire courage, bless, fight defensively: 1d20 + 4 - 1 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 - 1 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 16
damage: 1d8 + 3 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 - 1 + 1 = 5

Five foot step to I8.

A bloody wound across the chest, but the man seems hardly fazed.

Longsword attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 9

Longsword attack damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 - 1 = 4

Sizara swings her longsword at the cannibal in front of her, but misses completely. Cursing under breath, she yells at the other castaways for some help.

"I need some help here! And fast!"

Attacking the cannibal in front of me as well as asking for the NPCs to help me out and quickly! DM can pick which one helps me out. Also, I am so taking endurance as my second feat! I only hope I live that long!

Karia will move forward to (M10) and shoot at the cannibal X3.

crossbow: 1d20 + 2 - 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 2 - 4 + 1 + 1 = 20 (-4 firing into melee, +1 Bless, +1 inspire courage)

damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

confirm crit?: 1d20 + 2 - 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 - 4 + 1 + 1 = 2 No.

Stung by Sizara's words, Gelik (who was delaying)moves to get a clear shot, and without much conviction attempts a shot with his bow.

Gelik Shortbow: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 13 Shortbow Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

To his own great amazement, the shot is true, and catches one of the attackers (X3) in the thigh. Moments later, Karia's shot strikes the man from the other side.

The tide of the battle seems evenly balanced as the cannibals continue their attack.

The man fighting Sasha thrusts his spear forward, hoping to finish off the wounded woman
X2 Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 X2 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

but the scion of Ilizmagorti ducks and weaves, and counterattacks

Sasha Rapier: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 rapier Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Sasha Kukri: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 kukri Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Kukri Confirm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 kukri Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

again running the man through, before slicing open his throat with her kukri, dropping him in a spray of gore.

Meanwhile, Sizara's attackers seek to press their numerical advantage, stepping either side of her so attempting to catch her in flanking action.

X3 Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 = 28 X3 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Uh-oh
X4 Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12 X4 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
X3 Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18 X3 Crit Damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (7, 2) + 4 = 13

While one of the pair distracts her, the other spots a gap in her defenses and spears the elf in the back with a mighty thrust. She sinks to her knees, and then drops silently to the sand, face down.

Sizara is on -3hp and DYING. She will need to make a stabilization roll

Corin's opponent, encouraged by his comrades' victory, thrusts hard at the ranger

X1 Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 X3 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

but almost trips over his own feet, overbalancing.

Rotation

Sizara
Sasha
Gelik
Corin - can post
Corliss - can post
X1,3,4
Koria - can post

Crap. :( Seems the only time I usually get good attack rolls is when I'm raging. Oh, I hope I don't die in this battle. Crosses fingers

Roll 1d20-3, and get more than 10 to stabilize.

Ah. I thought I was supposed to wait until it was my turn. Getting right on it.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Sizara's wound stabilized, but she played dead, using an ancient jungle elven trick to make it appear she was out of the fight, and life, for good.

Ah. I thought I was supposed to wait until it was my turn. Getting right on it.

[dice=Fort Save]1d20+3

Sizara's wound stabilized, but she played dead, using an ancient jungle elven trick to make it appear she was out of the fight, and life, for good.

Technically, yes, but it really only makes a difference if you're on your last hp, and people are trying to get to you before you die. Or if you get healing that may or may not wake you up.

In any case, she is currently stable and unconscious at-3hp. Her pretending to be unconscious is very convincing!

Corliss winces as Sizara's dropped, knowing that he can't do much for her without putting himself in extreme danger. He moves more-or-less parallel to her attackers (to square K15) and channels positive energy, hoping not to also heal the savage Karia wounded.

Channel Positive Energy (#4 of 7): 1d6 ⇒ 4

Doh! I keep forgetting about that part when a character gets below their hp count they're knocked unconscious. I always get caught up in the moment when rping.

Not looking good.

Karia drops her crossbow, draws her rapier and moves to (J10) attacking cannibal X3.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 13

damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Swinging around to threaten X4 verbally in an effort to draw him away from Sizara.

Seeing Sizara fall Corin drops his defensive posture in an attempt to drop his opponent quickly.

Cold iron longsword, inspire courage, bless, fatigued: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 14
slashing damage, inspire courage, fatigue: 1d8 + 3 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 - 1 = 11

I should be in I8, since I five foot stepped there last round. If that attack drops X1 then I'll move J9, J10, I11. That assumes that X3 and X4 are in H10 and H12 respectively (they are sort of between squares). I want to move to that position (where I am on the row between them but one column to the right) without provoking AoOs.

Corin strikes his opponent, but does not bring him down. The cannibal is breathing heavily, and bleeding all over from several of the ranger's sword cuts, but the madness in his eyes shows that he is not beaten yet.

Karia successfully gets the attention of the two cannibals standing over Sizara, wounding the one that has already taken several crossbow bolts and arrows. She too sees the madness in his eyes, and knows that the fight is not over yet.

Sizara snaps to consciousness as Corliss's healing energy washes over her. She is lying facedown, has a mouthful of sand, and her back REALLY HURTS. She can tell that there is a cannibal standing either side of her, although they don't seem to be paying attention to her at the moment.

Corin's opponent makes another desperate lunge with his longspear

X1 Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 X1 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

But his blow is deflected by Corin's armour.

The cannibal whom Karia wounded grins a wicked grin. "Will do much worse to you, whitehair, before eat your heart". His companion moves round to a flanking position, ignoring the seemingly unarmed Corliss.

X3 Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 X3 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
X4 Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 X4 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

While the Karia can fend off the braggard, she cannot dodge the thrust from behind, and takes a wound in the side. 8hp damage

Sasha, seeing Sizara lying still, utters a bloodycurding warcry, and charges the bragging cannibal that Karia faces, while Gelik attempts to shoot the man again.

Gelik Shortbow: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 18 Shortbow Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

which he does, but still the man does not fall.

Sasha rushes in, murder in her eyes.

Sasha Rapier: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 Rapier Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

And runs the man through. He licks his lips lasciviously at Karia, before toppling over.

Only X1 (badly wounded) and X4 (unwounded) are left. Sizara can act, but starts prone. I'll update the map

Rotation

Sizara - can post
Sasha
Gelik
Corin - can post
Corliss - can post
X1,4
Koria - can post

Since the cannibal isn't paying attention to me, will standing up cause AoO? If so, can I attack prone and not draw an AoO? I'm using my sword to attack.

Corin attempts to finish off his opponent and come to Sasha's aid.

Cold iron longsword, inspire courage, bless, fatigued: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 16
slashing damage, inspire courage, fatigue: 1d8 + 3 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 - 1 = 8

If that drops X1 then move J9, J10, J11, J12, I13.

Since the cannibal isn't paying attention to me, will standing up cause AoO? If so, can I attack prone and not draw an AoO? I'm using my sword to attack.

I'll give them a perception check to notice you standing up.

Corin attempts to finish off his opponent and come to Sasha's aid.

[dice=Cold iron longsword, inspire courage, bless, fatigued]1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 - 1
[dice=slashing damage, inspire courage, fatigue]1d8 + 3 + 1 - 1

If that drops X1 then move J9, J10, J11, J12, I13.

Finally, Corin manages to put down his oppoonent, striking the man a slashing blow across the neck that leaves him spilling his lifesblood in the sand.

Okay. But can I attack with a Melee weapon while prone?

I believe so...

*checks*

The character is lying on the ground. A prone attacker has a –4 penalty on melee attack rolls and cannot use a ranged weapon (except for a crossbow).

Longsword prone: 1d20 + 4 - 1 - 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 1 - 4 + 1 + 1 = 4 Dang.

Longsword prone damage: 1d8 + 4 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 1 + 1 + 1 = 9

Sizara attempts to attack the other cannibal while staying on the ground.

Corliss moves to engage the last cannibal standing (moving to I11) and stabs at the savage with his rapier.

Corliss rapier (IC, bless, fatigue): 1d20 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 15 for piercing damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Corliss moves beside the fallen Sizara, his rapier unfamiliar in his hand. He lunges at the cannibal, and scores a wound down the man's arm.

Karia steels her nerve and moves to (I13) to attack X4.

attack: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 20

damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

"Over here Scum!" She snaps, hoping to turn him away from the prone Sizara.

Wounded, outnumbered, and afraid of being flanked, the lone cannibal warrior bolts, running for the safety of the jungle, and scrambling up the low cliffs around the beach. He gives one singe backwards glace, sneers, and then disappears into the foliage.

Combat over unless you want to pursue

Sasha falls to her knees, and sweeps up Sizara in her arms.

"WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?" she wails. "She was too young! She brought Archibald and I together, and she had these funny pointy ears! And I liked the way her nose wiggled when she chewed. Now she is taken from us... WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?"

Karia wonders what expression is on Sizara's face right now?

"Some healing would be nice about now thanks Corliss." She says with a grimace, feeling the wound in her back.

"She's not dead Dear. Let Corliss or Jask heal her." She reassures Sasha, trying to stop the other woman worsening Sizara's condition with her mauling.

"Aye, he says to Karia simply. "Those in need o' healin'--to me!" While he waits for the other wounded to gather 'round, Corliss asks Sasha, "Speakin' o' folk taken from us...where's Aerys?" He then yells the same question to Gelik and Jask.

Once everyone's gathered close, Corliss channels positive energy to heal the wounded.

Corliss Channel Positive Energy (#5 of 7...Really?): 1d6 ⇒ 5

Corliss Channel Positive Energy (#6 of 7): 1d6 ⇒ 3

Seeing that Sizara's still wounded, the ex-pirate swaps out magic weapon for cure light wounds and further treats the elf barbarian's rather grave wounds.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Corin, unwounded, begins looking around the fallen enemies for useful equipment.

"Where's Aerys?"

Sizara was a bit moved and also a bit unnerved not to mention a bit embarrassed when Sasha held her and started mourning her death.

Sighing a bit, the elven barbarian said, "I'm not dead. It seems the gods don't think it is my tight just yet. Ill have to say a prayer of thanks to my animal spirit for convincing the gods to let me live. And...thank you for the concern."

She smiled a bit as she got up and brushed herself off.

"I agree: we need to find out where Aerys is and fast. My people have fought cannibals before. I won't go into the details due to the gory parts but let's just say we best hurry. Hopefully they haven't gotten far. But in the meantime, I think we need to build some traps, and even pit traps, while some of us go rescue her. But we need to have someone to keep an eye out while the traps are set. And we must do all of this as quick as possible."

Jask and Ishirou are found to be in some sort of magically-induced sleep, and easily woken. Aerys is in the shelter, unconscious.

"Her fall down an' start jerkin' around," explains Jask, "so I pours some o' dat brandy down her throat, an' now she be sleepin' it off. I hope I did the right thing."[b] He grins. [b]"She be pissed she miss a fight. The mood she was in this mornin', she'd have pulled their arms off an' beaten them to death with the soggy ends."

Gelik is obviously deeply shaken. "They knew we were here!" he shouts. "They came straight for us! How in the hells did they know we were here?"

Ishirou is deeply angered. "They have no honor!" he yells. "They do not face Ishirou like men! They overcome him with magic. They fear his blade!"

Sasha, as soon as she realizes Sizara is not dead, stands up. "Oh. Right. Well I'm glad you're not dead. I have to feed Archibald." She wanders off.

The corpses of the warriors have no possessions apart from their longspears and pouches containing dried meat of dubious origin. The shaman had his long staff, and an amulet, as well as knife in a tooled leather sheath.

Kaira uses Detect magic on all their equipment.

"Rather than setting traps we need to move camp as soon as possible!" Is her suggestion

Corin takes in the grisly scene. Then turns to Karia.

"Or we take the fight to them. One of them got away. We can track him back to their camp and end this threat tonight!"