GM &rew's Fallen Fortress (Inactive)

Game Master Rhanloi Ehlyss

Welcome to the game! Will start once we get everyone in and settled...

Post

Post... Really? *shakes head and sighs*

Wooden stake, pounded into the ground...

You are in Absalom, the mighty City at the Center of the World, and you’ve always longed to explore one of the countless ruins of failed conquerors that litter the plains outside the city’s walls. You’ve heard rumors that one of the sealed siege castles has been laid open by a minor earthquake. Word on the street is that no one has yet entered the tower, which folks are calling the “Fallen Fortress.”

One evening, in your favorite tavern The Happy Cow, you are approached by a half-elven man, who introduces himself as Rhanloi Ehlyss. ”I am a collector of historical and valuable artifacts with a new, but blooming, business. Normally I would explore this ruin myself, but I have pressing business here in Absalom that precludes me from leaving in time to beat any other would-be collectors. I am offering up to 250 pieces of gold to a group willing to explore this place and collect any artifacts that might still be within the ruined tower. What do you say?”

What better way to start a life of excitement and adventure than by exploring its long-abandoned, dusty halls and perhaps claiming its ancient treasures?

Please introduce yourself to the group, and feel free to ask any questions in character.

I see you are a timid bunch....I will start. I am called G'Boar, that's all you need to know for now; until I feel I can trust you all.

Timid? Hardly. Just far too busy deciding how to spend my share of the gold. I'll gladly explore this "Fallen Fortress" everyone's been raving about, so long as you don't recant your offer of payment. What do you say to 25% before we part ways? Or, we shall keep a share of the treasure we discover. That seems more fitting, don't you think?

Harethvain looks up from the vellum page on which he was doodling what seems to be a humanoid woman of some variety, with impossible proportions and a pose that suggests that she is an invertebrate.
"I am Harethvain, artist extraordinaire."

I am Terpsicore, by the way. Slipped my mind, thinking of all that glorious gold...

Rhanloi smiles at Terpsicore's bargaining, saying "That sounds fair. I will give you each 50 pieces of gold now as a retainer fee, and guarantee at least 150 more when you return with artifacts from the fortress. Exceptionally rare or prized items could bring you more! Now, please, the meal is on me!" With that he waves the waitress over, a small woman with a bright smile who deftly dodges through the crowd and grabby hands to bring you drinks and take food orders.

"Alas, I must take my leave. I will meet you back here in three days time. Farewell!"

G'Boar looks at his new "companions" and wonders what he has gotten himself into... he knows he wants to elevate his standing in this life, and to do that he will need gold. He decides that he will go along with the plan as briefed by the half-elf; what the hell else does he have to do, anyway! "Barmaid! Ale and venison for me, the bloodier the better please ma'am!"

Terpsicore plasters a winning smile on her face and turns to the barmaid, saying: Your best wine, my dear. And some roast chicken, if you have it. If not, baked fish. She then leans back on her chair slightly and peers around the tavern, one eyebrow quirked in amusement.

A young woman, barely more than a girl, approaches the group. She wears serviceable chainmail and carries a Morningstar at her belt and a light crossbow across her back. "I am Kayla, and I would like to join your group. I have some skills in healing and can take care of myself in a tight spot. But I am eager to leave and explore some of the surrounding lands!"

"And he says he's paying for my meal?" Harethvain hurriedly puts the vellum away under the table and hastily wipes some ink off of his hands. "Darling, more mead, more stew, and more of those little things that were filled with honey." He turns to his fellows at the table. "The more the merrier, I say. I hear these old, abandoned ruins are quite exciting, honestly. So many priceless treasures to be had."

After an evening of decent food and drink, but better conversation, the group sets off early the next day out of Absalom and into the Cairnlands. You arrive in early afternoon, shortly after the sun has passed its zenith.

The ruined siege castle now being called the Fallen Fortress rises out of the churned earth of the Cairnlands, standing at least 80 feet tall. No doors or windows mar the otherwise smooth expanse of the tower’s walls. The tower is quatrefoil in plan; its eastern wing has largely collapsed, exposing the interior floors to the open air. Only the topmost level seems whole, though its eastern portion hangs precariously over the mountain of rubble left by the collapse. At ground level, the rubble frames a gaping hole in the side of the building that provides access to the tower’s darkened interior.

Click on the Maps and Handouts link at the top of the page for the map!

But before you can enter the tower, you are beset by a small pack of starving wild dogs hiding in the rubble. All three attack Terpsicore, two nipping at her while one actually manages to get its teeth into her, causing a minor wound.

Round 1
Dogs (x3)
Harethvain
Kayla
G'Boar
Terpsicore

Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 . damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

You can post your attacks in any order - I will resolve them in my next post =)

G'Boar deftly draws his longsword ,and with his shield up readies himself. However years of living in the wild has sensitized G'Boar to the plight of feral animals, so instead of wading in and slaughtering the dogs he attempts to scare them off...

Wild Empathy: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 - 2 = 3

Harethvain stifles a shriek at the sight of blood, and takes a deep breath in an attempt to regain the perfect calm that elves are otherwise known for. Reasoning that these creatures will flee if they think that they are outnumbered, he reaches into his belt pouch and pulls out a bit of wax, and begins chanting.

Harethvain casts ghost sound, targeting the spell behind him, to make it sound as though they have their own dogs approaching, but still out of sight.

Terpsicore growls with barely contained fury, draws her rapier, Scherzo, and sinks into a guarded fencer's pose, slightly favoring her injured right leg. You'll soon regret that, mongrel.
Stabitty: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

G'Boar - I like your thought about trying to use a Ranger ability to resolve this another way. Wild Empathy normally takes a minute or so and combat is divided into 6 second rounds (or 10 rounds per minute) so it would likely take you the rest of the combat to do this. Another option is to attack but pull your punches and cause non-lethal damage. If you want to modify your action go ahead!

Kayla takes a 5' step and swings her morningstar at one of the mutts, yelling at it as she does. "Go! Scram! Run away, doggie!!"
Attack: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3
Damage?: 1d8 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

As though the Great Boar Tinker himself whispered his guidance (Thanks GM &rew!) G'boar slams into the closest hound with his shield in an attempt to scare them off.
nonlethal damage: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 4 = 0 (wow that sucked!)
Damage?(as if): 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Yea - the dice gods are certainly laughing at us this game =)

Round 2
Dogs (x3) DC14 Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Red Bite G'Boar: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Blue Bite Terpsicore: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 - damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Green Bite Kayla: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 - damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Blue critical confirm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Green critical confirm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Harethvain
Kayla (-5hp)
G'Boar
Terpsicore (-6hp total)

After the dogs attack the lady rogue, the party attempts to fight them off. Harethvain casts a spell making the sounds of a larger pack of guard dogs, but the feral dogs attacking you either don't notice or don't care. Kayla, G'Boar and Terpsicore all attempt to hit the mutts, but they are too fast for their initial, tentative swings. The beasts continue their attack, each dog now focusing on a different target. G'Boar's armor absorbs the brunt of his attack, but Terpsicore and Kayla both take serious bites!

Letting loose a stream of expletives, Terpsichore again attempts to stab at the cur who has left her bloodied and limping badly.
Stabbity: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 141d6 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5
She then 5' steps to the south, shouting at the doodler, A little help, or were you going to commemorate my death with a drawing, instead?!?

G'Boar can understand, almost appreciate, the feeling the hounds fighting to survive. But if it is between himself, his future treasures (and his new traveling companions) and these beasts, then by Tinker he would not quietly pass over into the Great-Wild. With a rage of pure survival and his sword at the ready, G'Boar yells..."To dust, yer bones!"

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Damage?: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Harethvain is disappointed that the beasts could not appreciate the effort that had gone into his presentation of "Imitations of a Pack of Wild Dogs . . . in B-Minor", but he can see that he dare not risk another moment on uncultured mongrels. He begins chanting again, and the air fogs on his breath as he finishes the last syllable.

Harethvain casts ray of frost at Green
ray of frost: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 151d3 ⇒ 2

*dies laughing*

*hopes she doesn't actually die*

Kayla is torn between trying to heal the rogue, or pressing the attack. She decides to press the attack and perhaps end the threat.
Attack green: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14
Damage?: 1d8 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7

Round 2 recap
Harethvain's ray hits the dog in the side, making him yelp, only to be crushed a moment later by Kayla's morningstar! Terpsicore gives back as good as she got, stabbing deeply into the cur that attacked her and sending it running. The last dog, knowing it is outnumbered, tucks its tail and runs away. G'Boar, you may take an attack of opportunity (AoO) on the dog since it is running away and not tactically withdrawing. Or you may let the two run off. Your choice. Either way - Combat over!

Once the dogs run off, Kayla says a quick prayer of thanksgiving to her diety, then holds up her holy symbol and concentrates. A burst of healing power pulses from the medallion, easing the pain she and Terpsicore suffered.
Channel positive energy: 1d6 ⇒ 4 hp healed

G'Boar allows the whelps to run, but he knows that he had better learn from this failure and not be caught off guard again! He takes a quick account of his equipment, and then looks to assist his companions.

Heaving a sigh of relief, Terpsicore takes a good look at her still slightly injured leg. "My thanks to you, Kayla, for the healing. And you, doodler, for distracting the mongrels. Let us learn from this to be a bit more cautious in our exploring. Who knows what other dangers lurk ahead."
Terpsicore peers around the group, looking for immediate threats, Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Harethvain clutches his carved staff tightly, the fear and excitement of the battle being slow to fade. Calm can be an illusion, too, he tells himself, attempting to find his peace. He is disquieted by his application of the Art as a weapon, though he had been taught that such a moment might one day be a necessity. And it was necessary, he tells himself, to save a companion. It is sufficient reason for the moment.

Serenity, or an illusion thereof, restored, Harethvain decides affirm his faith in the Art, and fall back on a familiar piece, a doodle of the Art. Still holding the staff firmly in his hands, he whispers and chants to himself.

"I do what I can," he then replies to Terpsicore.

Harethvain casts prestidigitation, and will magically clean the blood from his allies

As you enter the clear area where the eastern portion of the fortress once stood, you see two doors in the former interior castle walls. The door to the southwest leading to the southern portion of the tower appears to be completely blocked by fallen rubble. The door to the northwest opens to a dark chamber beyond.

Please determine a marching order - single file and two by two. Let me know what you have in your hands (i.e. a torch in one hand and a sword in the pther, or a bow, etc.) If you have any questions about the first encounter or any other aspect of the game, please post them in the Discussion tab! My goal is for this to be a good learning adventure for everyone!

Single-file, I'll go second? Hopefully behind G'Boar... Two by two, I'll stick near the healer, thank you very much!

G'Boar will gladly take the lead, and he can "stalk" with longbow in hand for any ranged attacks... But depending on the light situation, someone will need to "illuminate" the situation! Fighters to the front, casters (spells/projectiles) to the back? If able to go 2x2 (depending on width of passage and if it would allow enough room for fighting side by side), I recommend G'B' and Kayla up, Terp' and Hare' in the 2nd rank (Terpsicore, you could be behind the Cleric!?).
Single file recommendation: G'B, Terp, Kayla, Hare. 2x2 recommendation: FR- G'B (bow/ longs word), FL- Kayla (crossbow/ morningstar), BR - Hare (foil/ ?), BL, Terp[ (spells at the ready!)

"I would prefer to have armored people between myself and any angry people with pointy objects."
Harethvain will hang either in the back (2x2) or in the middle (single-file).
"If no one objects, I will have G'Boar's armaments light our way."
Harethvain will cast light on G'Boar's longsword

I shall have my rapier, Scherzo, at the ready. I also have a lamp, if necessary.

With G'Boar's sword shining bright as a torch, the group is ready to enter the fortress. It is apparent that the collapse of the eastern wing has caved in much of tower’s first level as well. The southern wing is entirely filled with rubble, leaving only the northern wing (and part of the western wing) accessible.

The northern wing of the tower seems to have escaped the worst effects of the collapse, but rubble still litters the floor and everything is covered in a thick layer of stone dust. Thick cobwebs cloak the ceiling and hang down the walls like gossamer tapestries. A single archway stands open in the southwest wall.

The heavy rubble on the floor makes this difficult terrain. "Difficult terrain, such as heavy undergrowth, broken ground, or steep stairs, hampers movement. Each square of difficult terrain counts as 2 squares of movement. Each diagonal move into a difficult terrain square counts as 3 squares. You can't run or charge across difficult terrain."

Perception: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 2 = 9

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

G'Boar's neck hair bristles like those of a hog’s back… not sure if it is the waning effects of the recent adrenaline rush or his uniquely developed paranoia, but he issues a warning to his cohort … ”Keep you eyes up and your head on a swivel… looks like spider country…”

The group enters the northern portion of the fortress, pitch black because there are no windows. The 15' ceiling is barely visible in the light of G'Boar's magically-lit sword. When the group is about halfway through the room, a giant spider in the web above you shoots a strand of web!

Surprise round
Spider target: 1d4 ⇒ 2 (Wow, Terps - you're either cursed or very tasty looking!!)
Spider ranged attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
The web hits the rogue, entangling her. Terpsicore - you can make a DC12 Escape Artist or strength check, although for you the strength check is at -4. Others may make a strength check to burst the web.

Round 1
Kayla (-1 hp)- Kayla draws her crossbow from her back and fires the pre-loaded bolt at the spider, hitting it but not causing major damage. Ranged attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 - Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3
Spider (-3 hp)- With a target caught in its web, the spider quickly scuttles down and tries to bite Terpsicore, but its fangs are turned away by her armor! Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Terpsicore (-2 hp)
G'Boar
Harethvain

First, I swear I didn't poach that information... just an educated guess from the details provided!

Second, I assume that if the spider is close enough to attempt to bite Terps, I am in range to attack?
...and Terps is use to looking good. She did it for a living! Am I right?!?! ;)

Summoning the rage which is common in the Highland blood, G'Boar strikes yelling.

"Wha'd I tell ya?!! Faugh a Ballagh!!!!"

Attack Spider: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Damage?: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Terpsicore struggles to escape the web, mumbling to herself, "It just HAD to be SPIDERS, didn't it??? May each and every one of its kind be damned 8 times, once for each disgusting leg!!!"
Escape Artist: 1d20 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 - 1 = 2

Terpsicore shrieks in fury as she continues to struggle against the physical restraint of the web and the psychological fear that is threatening to push her over the edge into panicked hysteria. "Kill it! I don't care how, just kill it!!!!"

Harethvain will attempt to remember everything he knows about spiders.
Harethvain uses Knowledge (nature) for information about spiders and their webs.
Nature: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 + 3 = 28

and the number Gods apparently hate me and love Matt...

Ha! We must worship the same! The rolls have not gone my way either!

What are the extra modifiers for your check? The natural 20 is great, but since I'm also teaching Shannon and Mike how to play Pathfinder rules, I thought I'd ask... =)