GM Tektites PFS First Steps Group B (Inactive)

Game Master Hawkwen Agricola

"Kindly tell Lady Gloriana that I will do my best."

"We believe we have everything for the trek. The boat trip over here was much longer. We will meet you at the gate at dawn ready to go Rees-san."
She says politely with a bow.

Takahiro follows off, ready to fulfill his duties and obligations.

Danyn punches the air wildly before following the rest of the party.

Meatbeat glares, wondering who this stranger is and why everyone is talking to him.

The party assembles in the morning, meeting up with Nestor Rees. The group heads out of the northern gate and travels north on a road leading into the Cairnlands. The Cairnlands, a broken landscape of blood-salted earth and the ruins of countless failed assaults on Absalom’s walls, soon yields to open fields and fertile ground. Ahead, a vast forest covers the foothills of large range of snow-capped mountains. The well-trodden road soon ends at a tall wall of trees, signaling the end of civilization.

As the party approaches the woods, you all hear the distinct sound of hooves galloping through the woods. Suddenly a group of three creatures with the head and torso of men, but the lower halves of horses, break through the underbrush and hail the party. Ho travelers! What brings a small party as this into these parts? These woods are not safe to travel for a party such as yours. What is your business here?

Danyn just points in the direction they are headed.

"Thank you for the warning."

"Just passing through is all. We are Asuna."
Asuna says, bowing in greeting. She then awkwardly extends a hand towards the lead horse person.

"You are half horse. I would party with half-horse. Where is party with half-horse women?"

This party is ridiculous. We could provoke a fight out of Hindu monks.

"Ha! Elephant head man with many arms is very amusing. Could hold many beers with many hands."

I kind of got that feeling right away Danyn. The only thing that could make this better is if I had my CAD fighter Tim in this run...

We are merely escorting our friend to the other side of the island. My apologies, I was not aware we need permission to pass...What sort of dangers?

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 diplomacy

Seeing that his friends appear to have matters in hand for the time being, Takahiro reserves comment, awaiting the response from the Horsemen.

The lead centaur smiles at Kassi, though he gives Meatbeat and Danyn a sidelong glance. We are out patrolling the forest. It is not safe, there is a strange beast about. It seems to be some sort of dark cat, but none of our tribe has seen the beast up close. I am called Urdel Thunderhoof. This does not seem to be any normal beast, it seemed ro watch us from the wood two days past. We felt as it were trying to herd us into a trap. Be wary! He brings forth a well made long spear and offers it to Kassi. If you insist on going forward, take this as a gift. He motions to the party and an obviously female centaur canter forward to Meatbeat. She smile coyly at the dwarf and offers him a small pouch. Take these as well. They may aid you on your journey. They are enchanted berries that nourish and heal. Be safe Sir Dwarf. She smiles again, then notices Urdel watching her and abruptly moves back toward the rear of the centaur party. Urdel bids your party safe journeys and the centaurs seemingly melt back into the woods.

The pouch contains eight Goodberries

Takahiro waves them goodbye, still unsure what to make of them. He now looks about the woods suspiciously, concerned by the report of a large black cat.

"That was a fortuitous meeting indeed, let us press onwards, but carefully" he adds, hand drifting to the hilt of his katana.

"Thank you for your generosity, we will be careful around these woods." as Zorlax bids them farewell.

Asuna drops her hand down to her side again.
"We are beginning to think we were misled about greeting rituals."
She says quietly to herself, having been ignored by the centaurs.

Meatbeat gives a hearty thrust towards the woman-part horse-thing as she leaves. He looks to Danyn and the aasimar. "See, old man and sparkle elves should grow beards, if they are men. Women love men and big beards." He then realizes something. "Did woman horse say where party was at?"

"I'm afraid not, the man horse was keeping close watch on her, if you know what I mean."

As the party sets forth down a game trail, the sound of running water echoes ahead, and several muted beams of light pierce the thick forest canopy. Soon the dense forest opens, revealing a river that blocks the way forward. A large felled tree trunk offers a way over the swift moving river. With the exception of the rushing sound of the water, an eerie silence pervades the area, as does the fresh smell of death. The half-eaten carcass of a large deer stains the forest’s foliage near a fast moving river.

Takahiro asides to Asuna, "Are you collecting alms? You seem to put your hand forwards a lot... are you a monk too?"

Takahiro notes the tree. "Perhaps tying off a rope before anyone attempts a crossing is a good idea? I am no acrobat!"

"A traveler once told us it was a polite greeting to clasp hands on this side of the sea."
She says, looking slightly disappointed.

"I'm afraid not, the man horse was keeping close watch on her, if you know what I mean."

"I did too, but now I think. I would not match up with half horse man, if horse is bottom. Now seems like lots of work for big disappointment for all."

---

Meatbeat hands whomever wants them the bag of magic elf food before moving up to the log. "Do not need elf feed to be wet from accident bath." He then trudges along at half speed, unless anyone puts a minor amount of effort into stopping him.

Danyn accepts the bag of goodberries, but stops first at the deer to see if he can figure out what might have attacked it, and if it is still around.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Meatbeat Acrobatics: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (3) - 3 = 0

As Meatbeat starts across the log, he gets about halfway. Suddenly he hits a slick patch on the log and slips. His feet go up as his beard goes down and he lands hard on the log before rolling off into the river. He hits the water with a splash and begins to drift east down the river.

Str. Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

He tries to stand up, but is knocked back down by the current as he slams into a river boulder.

Good thing I've got this helmet, specifically to fight boulders!

I guess Swim?: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 - 4 = 1 Accidental bath time, as predicted.

"Oh no, Sir Dwarf, are you okay?"
Asuna calls out before breaking into a run downriver trying to find a place to fish him out of the water.

Meatbeat tries to swim, but sinks like a rock in his armor and helmet. On the second try, with help from a stick Asuna held out to him, Meatbeat is able to reach the shore, dripping with water and river grass stuck in his beard

Str.: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Str.: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Str.: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Meatbeat takes one point nonleathal damage

Kassi thanks the centaurs for their generous gift, she detects magic on it when they are out of sight.

Takahiro, still holding his rope, is a bit surprised by the chain of events.

"Wait for rope Master Dwarf!"

Danyn waits for someone lighter to take the rope across. He stands, arms folded, tapping his foot.

Takahiro looks to his friends and sees that not too many are keen on volunteering.

"Then I shall be honoured to serve the party!"

Takahiro begins stripping off his armour and tying the rope off on himself and a fixed object to avoid being washed away, and to help set up a better crossing, seeking only to carry his Katana over with him.

Assuming no one else wants to go, Takahiro will take his time and plan his route... any ability to take 10? What checks required for a patient and careful crossing?

You can take 10.

Takahiro gently steps out, ready for his river crossing, clearly out of his element...

Take 10 on Dex related is 10, on Str is 14 - I wager he might be swimming shortly? IF he does go into the river, he will push to swim for the far side... can only go so far downstream thanks to the rope :p

I'm guessing we are not threatend. Also what's the ruling that if I take my armor off and decide to put it on my back for a minute, I will lose the armor check penalty but do I have to roll a str check to carry it?

No armor check penalty, but encumbrance by weight (see "additional rules") can impose it's own armor check penalties, so you might not be any better off.

Zorlax takes off his armor and puts it on his back for a moment while he tries to walk the plank.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Did I make it? Even if I put the armor on my backpack, I would still be on light load.

Takahiro and Zorlax are able to make it across the river with ease.

Takahiro ties off the rope, making it safer and easier to cross. Once things are in place, he continues to carefully ferry his gear across before re-dressing on the new side of the river.

"Wonder if the dead deer is a sign of danger? This mystery beast crossed here?"

The dwarf coughs up some water, after his swim. "Logs are dumb and I hate logs." Seeing everyone else unarmour, Meatbeat expresses his new plan. "If all are nude to cross log, I will nude, too." Meatbeat removes his armour to reveal a very unsightly dwarf body, void of clothing. He uses the rope and carries his stuff across, since Dwarves are good at carrying things.

Take 10 Acrobatics: 10 + 1 = 11

Take 10 on Acrobatics will be a 13.
Raising her arms outwards for balance, Asuna carefully makes her way across the log.

"Alright I'm good to go, I guess that deer is our welcoming sign." as Zorlax finishes putting on his armor.

Danyn skips the formalities and tries to cross as-is.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Kassi and Danyn are able to make it across the log, along with everyone else, by taking careful measures. Once on the far side of the river, everyone stops to put their gear back in order. The sun is beginning it's downward arc in the sky and it looks to be couple hours until dusk. There is a suitable campsite here near the river or from your vantage it look as if there might be another suitable place further on, about a couple hours hike.

"Anna is bigger than thought." The dwarf points a meaty finger towards a shrubbery.

"I have a feeling that ain't Anna. I'll check it out, everyone hurry up and be ready."

Zorlax will head to the direction to which Meatbeat is pointing.

Greatsword in hand just in case something pops out, "I have a feeling that this is no second welcoming committee," as he heads towards the shrubs.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Danyn sticks with Zorlax, ready to spring into action.
Or not. Depending on how funny it is.

Zorlax and Danyn head toward the undergrowth in the direction indicated by Meatbeat. Searching around they are unable to find the creature the dwarf thought he saw, though Zorlax does discover some feline-like paw prints similar to what was around the deer carcass.