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

Game Master waynemarkstubbs

Corin examines the tracks at the crossroads, attempting to determine which is the most likely path to the cannibal camp.

[dice=Survival to track]1d20 + 6 + 1[/dice] +2 vs. undead

There are human tracks in both directions. However, all the animal tracks go north and east, suggesting that they are avoiding something to the south.

Corin stands after examining the crossroad for a few minutes.

"My best guess is that the cannibals are to the south. The animals seem to be avoiding something in that direction. Can one of you help me follow the tracks?"

My take 10 Survival to track is 17, can Sizara or somebody else assist me? I'm not sure what sort of DC we're looking at to start.

Hold up. Just got back from work. And sorry for not posting yet. Was going to post Sunday but there was an emergency at work so I got called in.

Sizara begins to assist Corin in studying the tracks.

Taking 10 as well so that gives me 13 to help you out.

"It is possible that the cannibals are located south. Usually animals will try to avoid settlements if possible or anything they that feel to be...unnatural. Usually druids and shamans use such signs as ways to tell what areas need their aid. Of course I'm going off of what I've seen druids and shamans of my people do. I'm not sure if that's true for all druids and shamans, especially of other races."

Sorry, with the rain causing the trail to deteriorate, I'm not going to let you take 10 on this. Please roll.

Although, if you are heading south, there's really only one way to go - follow the path between the two cliffs.

Corin nods at Sizara's words.

"Its our best lead, I think we should follow it. Any objections?"

Assuming we go south, here are some tracking Survival checks, assuming I need to make them.

Survival: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 - 1 = 21

Survival: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 1 - 2 = 15

Survival: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 - 3 = 8

Karia sighs but follows, she's getting a bad feeling about this course we're on, but has said her piece before.

Corliss likewise tries to help look for tracks without getting in the way and making Corin's job more difficult.

Survival #1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Survival #2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Survival #3: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Corliss looks back with a bit of concern when Karia lets out a sigh. He gives her one of his crooked smiles, hoping it's contagious. For some strange reason, the pirate just feels a bit better when Karia's smiling.

The path to the south narrows as it passes between the cliffs. The cliffs are rough, and not entirely vertical. Many vines and creepers grow down their faces.

Despite the rain, the group has no trouble following the tracks, with Corin, Sasha, Corliss and Sizara all taking turns on point.

Corliss, leading the group with Sasha, catches sight of movement out of the corner of his eye. Glancing up, he sees a single cannibal duck back out of sight behind the top of the western cliff.

Unfortunately, at exactly that same moment, he feels something go taut against his ankle...

With a sudden jerk, Corliss is snatched off his feet by the hidden trap, hauled about 10' into the air, and dashed against a set of sharp rocks on the side of the canyon. Whooping and hollering can be heard from above.

Corliss takes 8hp of damage

Initiative rolls:

Corliss Init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Corin Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Karia Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Sizara Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Sasha Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Cannibal Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

OK, batches are:

1 - Sizara - Can post
2 - Cannibal
3 - Corin, Karia
4 - Corliss, Sasha

I've put Corliss and Sasha in a separate batch to prevent 'everyone goes at once' syndrome. Sasha will do whatever she is ordered to do.

"Oof!" Corliss groans as he smacks hard into the jagged cliff wall.

"That hurt even worse than hittin' the reef!" he tells himself aloud as he tries to shake off the painful impact.

Sizara rages as soon as she's one of her companions. Roaring a loud bestial cry of pure battlelust she races after the cannibal.

Just curious here but am I able to charge the cannibal?

Sizara rages as soon as she's one of her companions. Roaring a loud bestial cry of pure battlelust she races after the cannibal.

Just curious here but am I able to charge the cannibal?

No, but the extra strength will help with the three DC10 climb checks you'll need to make to get to the top of the cliff

I'll make the first one for you - attempting to move at half speed rather than quarter speed, so -5 penalty...

CLimb: 1d20 + 5 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 - 5 = 11

Sizara grabs some of the vines and roots growing down the face of the cliff, and begins pulling her way upwards, murder in her eyes.

As Corliss thrashes around, he feels the rope around his leg being violently tugged. With each tug, he rises further and further into the air. He is being pulled up to top of the cliff by the rope around his leg.

Corliss is now 25' up, Sizara is 20' up the cliff. It's a fairly easy DC10 to climb, but you only move 10' unless you take a -5 penalty, in which case you move 15' (20' for Sizara). The cliff is 50' high. No taking 10 as there are penalties for failure.

1 - Sizara
2 - Cannibal
3 - Corin, Karia - Can post
4 - Corliss, Sasha

Karia uses Inspire courage (+1 to hit and damage. +1 vs charm and fear)

She has her crossbow ready to shoot the first cannibal she sees.

attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Corin ships his shield and does his best to scramble up the cliff face.

Accelerated Climb: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 6 - 5 = 7

A cannibal appears at the top of the cliff, carrying a rock that he obviously intends to use to repel the climbers. With a thunk Karia's crossbow bolt slams into his chest, and he staggers backwards, dropping the rock, which bounces down the slope of the cliff...

Rock: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Rock damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

glancing Sizara, and forcing Corin, who is attempting to follow the elf barbarian up the cliff, to drop back down and dodge out of the way.

Sizara takes 1hp of damage. Corin makes no progress up the cliff

1 - Sizara - Can post
2 - Cannibal
3 - Corin, Karia
4 - Corliss, Sasha - Can post

Not quite trusting in his ability to cast a true spell while being yanked up the cliff, Corliss opts instead to channel positive energy to heal some of the damage he took when he kissed the rocks.

Channel Positive Energy (#2 of 7): 1d6 ⇒ 1

Gonna be one of those days, I see.

Sasha reaches under her garments and produces Archibald, who blinks in the sudden light.

"Fly Archibald!" she cries, tossing him into the air. "Soar over them and bring them death from above."

The tiny creature arcs into the air, flaps its wings feebly once, and then falls back into Sasha's cupped hands with a "peep".

Climb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

>.<

Yep--definitely one of those days if not even the mighty Archibald can save my sorry butt!

"Hold on, Corliss!"

Accelerated Climb: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 6 - 5 = 15

Sizara, having been struck by the rock, finds herself tangled in the vines, and has to struggle to free herself.

Corliss feels the rope around his ankle continued to be pulled on. He is approaching the top of the cliff.

The wounded cannibal, Karia's crossbow bolt still protruding from his shoulder, staggers to the edge of the cliff with another rock. Karia sends another bolt arcing up

Karia Hitroll: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Karia Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

but her shot goes wide.

With a grin, the cannibal takes aim, and sends the rock hurtling down at Sizara

Rock: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

again, striking the elf.

Corin begins climbing again, and this time makes progress, coming up close behind Sizara, who has finally managed to disentangle herself.

Sizara is 20' up, Corin is 15' up. Corliss is now 40' up and will be pulled to the top next round unless something intervenes. Note that Corliss could try to grab onto something and turn himself into a tug-o-war. If someone gives Sasha orders she might actually be useful.

1 - Sizara - Can post
2 - Cannibal
3 - Corin, Karia
4 - Corliss, Sasha - Can post

Corliss tries to grab onto a rocky outcropping or protruding tree root as he nears the top of the cliff with no rescuers all that close to rescuing him.

Not sure if I need an attack roll or ability check to grab n anchor, but I assume I'll at least need a Strength check for any tug-o-war.

Corliss Strength check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Corin doesn't take his eyes off the task at hand as he shouts, "Sasha, get up here and help Corliss!"

Corliss grabs onto a couple of vines, and holds on for dear life. The tugging on the rope continues, and it feels like his leg is being pulled out of its socket. The trauma of the event allows him to recall several previously-forgotten highly inventive pirate cuss-phrases, none of which are actually anatomically possible.

Sasha tucks Archibald back inside her clothing, and begins to climb after the others.

Sasha Climb: 1d20 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 1 - 5 = 7

but it seems the bad luck plaguing the group affects her too, and she fails to get off the ground.

Sizara's up

1 - Sizara - Can post
2 - Cannibal
3 - Corin, Karia
4 - Corliss, Sasha

Can I jump onto Corliss?

Also it might better to aim for the rope.

Make a fast climb check, and if you make it well then you may be able to grab hold of Corliss, the rope or both.

Climb: 1d20 + 5 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 5 = 6

Oh come on!

Headdesking

Sizara, previously believing that she had cleared herself, finds that her ankle is caught by a thick vine. She is forced to reach down and free herself.

Corliss clings desperately on, clutching at the vines as the cannibals make a determined attempt to pull his leg off.

Perception Sizara: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Perception Corin: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Both Corin and Sizara can see that the rope being used to haul up Corliss is beginning to fray where it touches the edge of the cliff.

1 - Sizara
2 - Cannibal
3 - Corin, Karia - Can post
4 - Corliss, Sasha

Karia tries to repeat her trick from the beach, casting Grease this time of the rope binding Corliss, hoping it well either let him slip out of it, or cause the cannibals to lose their grip on it.

When all you have is Grease, every problem looks like it needs some.

Karia casts her Grease spell, but the dangling Corliss and the rope around his ankle is out of range -

Corliss is 40' up, and grease has a range of 30'. Even taking into account he is dangling down, and Karia is standing up, it isn't going to reach.

instead, the magical grease spatters all over the vines and rockface immediately below Corliss.

Anyone climbing through this area will need to make a reflex save to hold on

"Oh crap!" Corliss says as he sees Karia's spell sort of misfire. Forcing himself to smile in spite of his dire predicament, he calls down, "It's the thought that counts!"

Climb: 1d20 + 5 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 - 5 = 18

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Yes! Now to see if I can jump onto the rope!

Climb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Hm..I can't remember if I have to make an Acrobatics check or Climb check. On my break at work so I can't check the rules.

Climb check, as you are climbing. If you were leaping through the air trying to catch the rope, that would be Acrobatics. Anyway, I'll wait for a post from Corin before we continue.

Accelerated Climb: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 5 = 9

Corin attempts to reach the top, but in his rush can't find appropriate handholds and stalls.

Don't know if Coriss's player is around still, but he really can't don much except hold on.

Corliss STR: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Corliss screams in pain as he holds onto his grip on the cliff, as the cannibals continue to try to reel him in.

The old, multi-stranded hemp rope continues to fray and unwind where it rubs against the cliff edge.

Sasha again attempts to scale the cliff, but doesn't make much progress.

Sizara, moving like the monkeys of her native jungle, finally finds her stride. She scales cliff-face, still greasy from Karia's magic, climbs nimbly over Corliss, and lunges for the rope, getting a good grip, and adding her weight to the rope.

50% chance of it breaking

Rope: 1d100 ⇒ 65

The rope holds!

Both Corliss and Sizara are now 40' up, danging from a rope. Sizara head up, holding onto the rope, Corliss upside down suspended by his ankle. Corin and Sasha are 15' up, Karia is on the ground, and I think we've all learned to have a new respect for DC10 climb checks.

I think we're back round to Corin and Karia again.

1 - Sizara
2 - Cannibal
3 - Corin, Karia - Can post
4 - Corliss, Sasha

I forgot that climbing is only a move action, so you can make two Climb checks per round.

1st move action Accelerated Climb: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 6 - 5 = 18
2nd move action Accelerated Climb: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 5 = 14

Taking heart from and emulating Sizara's example, Corin manages to clamber another thirty feet up the cliff.

That puts Corin 45' up - very near the top of the cliff

Karia winces at her bumble. "Sorry!"

She goes back to waiting to shoot any cannibal who stick his head up to attack the climbers.

attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

And I have no ranks in climb :(

Corliss hangs grimly on, although with the weight of Sizara counterbalancing the rope, this is a lot easier than before.

Sasha tries to emulate Corin and shimmy up the cliff-face, but loses her grip. She flails wildly at the vines for a second before falling almost 20' down the cliff and landing with an 'oomph'.

Sizara's up - she can see Corin nearing the top of the cliff and the rope about to give way any second.

1 - Sizara - Can post
2 - Cannibal
3 - Corin, Karia
4 - Corliss, Sasha

Climb: 1d20 + 5 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 - 5 = 11

Sizara quickly climbed up the rope.

The elven barbarian also will wrap her arm around the rope in case the rope snaps.

Just curious but what do I have to roll if I want to yank the cannibal off the side of the cliff?

STR check

OK let's do that for you.

Sizara climbs up the rope, hauling herself over the top of the cliff. She sees three cannibals desperately hauling on the rope, trying to reel Corliss in like a fish. The two cannibals nearest the cliff edge are unwounded, but the rearmost is sporting a large bleeding wound from the crossbow bolt sticking out of his shoulder.

The three men we clearly not expecting to see an enraged elf appear over the top of the cliff, as they stare dumbly at her while Sizara grabs the rope and gives it a sudden yank.

STR check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Not realizing what is happening, the front cannibal instinctively clings on to the rope he was pulling, while the other two quickly let go and draw rusty hatchets from their belts. The front cannibal steps forward, windmills on the edge of the cliff for a moment...

Cannibal Reflex Save: 1d20 ⇒ 9

before plunging forward over the edge of the cliff with a scream.

Fall Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 1, 2) = 9

He lands with an unpleasant, but not fatal thud, at Karia and Sasha's feet.

The other two cannibals take one look at the raging Sizara and turn to flee.

Meanwhile, Corliss suddenly finds that the tension in the rope around his leg has disappeared, and he is now effectively trying to do a handstand on a cliff-face, a disconcerting feeling, not helped by the screaming cannibal plunging past mere inches from his face. He feels himself gracefully flipping through 180 degrees, desperately hoping he can hold on as he performs his signature maneuver of slamming his whole body into a rock.

Corliss takes 1hp damage and must make a DC10 Str check to hold on to the cliff face.

Corin and Karia are up.

1 - Sizara
2 - Cannibal
3 - Corin, Karia - Can post
4 - Corliss, Sasha

Corliss Strength check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

"Oof!"

Although he's fully expecting to be pulled off the cliff face to plummet to the ground below (it's hard, unforgiving, and at least contains rocks--the bane of his existence on the Shiv), Corliss is pleasantly surprised to find himself still clinging to the vine-covered rocky wall.

"Bless ye, Besmara!" he says aloud, digging his dagger out of his boot. "If you'll spare me this one time more I swear I'll spread yer good word throughout the tropics an' do great deeds in yer name!"

The pirate prepares to cut the snare encircling his ankle.

Karia will draw her rapier and stab the cannibal on the ground.

attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 (+ 4 for a Prone target?)

damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Am I close enough to grab another cannibal and fling him off the cliff too?

Hallelujah it's raining men!

Am I close enough to grab another cannibal and fling him off the cliff too?

You're going to make me read the grapple rules, aren't you?

Are Pathfinder grapple rules that bad? Frankly back in my gm days, actually DM days, I thought D&D grapples were a pain. I pretty much just simply had players roll a strength check and I rolled either a fortitude or reflex check (whichever I thought was appropriate for the situation) and if the opponent failed their check the player successfully grappled. If the opponent succeeded then the grapple failed, and the enemy got one free attack at a -3 penalty for being a bit disoriented for fighting off a grapple. But that was D&D.

Suddenly made cognizant of how high he is by the screaming cannibal falling past him, Corin approaches his climbing with a bit more caution.

Climb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Climb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15