GM Turmoil's MotFF (Inactive)

Game Master ckelley83

He graciously accepts the rations and water from Remmy, and recounts the events as he eats. "My name is Balenar Forsend, and like you I am a Pathfinder. When I had heard rumors about a 'fallen fortress', I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to make a name for myself within the Society and came to investigate. That's when I discovered these brutish Troglodytes that had moved in were using it as a base of operations to waylay nearby travelers." He stands up and steadies himself against the wall as he tries to regain his wits. You can now see that he has bruises covering his body from multiple beatings, and is obviously dehydrated and malnourished. "Oh I know I shouldn't have come alone, but I was getting so tired of boring fetch assignments and wanted to prove I could handle more. If it weren't for you however, I most certainly would be dead with a day or two."

"I know I have shamed the Society but if you allow me, I would like to help you rid this place of these troglodytes once and for all. Their leader lives on the top floor, though I've only seen him once. The one they called Tulok had taken all my gear and locked it away. Even if you decline my offer of assistance, I do ask that you let me keep my belongings."

He's also down 6 HP

Remmy smiles at him.

O-of c-course we would have you lend aid! Y-you are a P-pathfinder to, w-we will take down this T-tulok and s-show him the mistake he made by m-messing up one of ours!

He looks him up and down with a look of concern.

Are you well enough to t-try?

"All forr one. Sociedy neverr leaves ids own", Renardagnan says, still holding his nose. He realizes it might look silly, and lets go.

"Well, you have so tiny noses, not big like mine", he explains.

"So, frriend, what can you tell us about this leaderr? Anything that could give us an edge?"

Just a quick continuity question. The big guy we took down had a canteen etched with the name Tulok and now Balenar is saying that Tulok is on the top floor? Is that a typo or was the guy we defeated actually Tulok or is something else going on?

"Of course you can have your belongings," Freydis assures him.

"I worry for your safety in fighting the troglodytes. Don't overexert yourself."

@ Cork: Tulok was the lieutentant that you just killed. The leader is Tasskar.

With a little help, he dons his gear, and walks around a bit to stretch out after being in the cramped cell for so long. "Getting this stench out will take me weeks I fear. All I know about the leader is that they call him Tasskar and he has some sort of pet. I wish I could tell you more, but I was just focused on trying to survive. Helping to slay these beasts should certainly help my mood though."

"Very well. Be careful."

She looks at the gash on her arm, the blood clotting and sticking the sleeve of her tunic to her skin. "Could anyone spare healing? Before we ascend."

Murdoth pops her wand of CLW out of her wrist sheath and spends some charges on Freydis.

"There is still a room that we have not checked on this level. We may want to consider ensuring that it's clear before we ascend to assure that we don't have anything at our backs."

She again moves to take up position at the door, casting resistance before opening it.

CLW Freydis: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW Freydis: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Skipping this combat as it was laughably easy, even without your new extra party member.

The room to the north of the bunkroom, has cracks in the walls and ceiling of this chamber have allowed rainwater to collect here, flooding the room and giving rise to a profusion of mold and fungus along the walls and ceiling. In the middle is the corpse of a dead frog, looking like a pincushion full of javelins. There is also a small jade statue of an angelic being lying amongst the rubbish under a broken table.

We can proceed up the stairs when you're ready

Remmy stops for a moment as they go to head up stairs and coughs.

M-m-ms. M-murdoth? Umm... I know you f-follow the dawnflower, and have a t-thing about und-dead, so I d-don't want to s-s-startle you. P-please b-be aw-ware that while w-what I am doing is n-necrotically related, it in n-no way binds s-souls or d-disrespects the d-d-deceased. But s-s-some extra hands might h-help.

He holds out his book, adjusts his glasses, and begins to mumble for a moment. Suddenly, from the ground next to him, bones begin to form in the air, bouncing together with a shutter and a rattle before they settle in with each other. Remmy shifts his glasses again.

I d-didn't w-want to s-surprise you. I've f-found in the p-past that t-trick can be s-startling. B-but it isn't a "R-real" s-skeleton p-per say, s-s-sense it is m-made up of p-p-pure p-psychic energy, and not d-dead in the p-proper t-theological s-sense, s-s-so it s-shouldn't violate your o-oaths.

Remmy is using his Psychic power Necromantic Servant. It is not actually a necromancy spell, or evil aligned, nor does it bind souls or any other icky necromancy things a paladin might object to. It's the vegan tofu burger of undead summoning. If there is still objections, we can work it out, but it is my "best" ability.

Renardagnan stares at the bones, puzzled.

"Does that still count as you fighting? Is it honorrable?" he wonders aloud.

"Anyway, forrwarrd! Prreparre yourr blades, coins and walking bones!" he shouts and heads to the staircase and upper floor.

Freydis renews her warding with a prayer and is ready to follow Murdoth up the stairs to face the king of foul smelling lizard men.

"Be on your toes. I'm not sure how someone gets to be king of these things, but it can't be weak, I'm sure."

Zandu looks at the ratman's new "friend" with a small grin. "Useful indeed. Let us proceed." Zandu follows the group up the stairs, his coin slowly orbiting around his hand.

Right before we enter the room at the top, I'm going to cast Prot from Evil with myrrh reagent, and Divine Favor

Freydis blesses her companions while the half-orc wards herself.

Cork follows the group. He holds his cutlass in his right hand, at the ready, and then his left is posed to cast the spell shield when he senses danger.

With preparation complete, you head up the center staircase again to the top floor. The four wings of the tower are completely open on this level, forming one great, cross-shaped chamber with arched ceilings. The decayed remnants of a carpet run from the doorways at the end of each wing, meeting in the center, where a spiral staircase drops out of sight below. A large, throne-like chair stands in the middle of the eastern wing next to a big chest. Behind the chair, is another lizardman, this one dressed nicer than the others, with an albino alligator at its side.

Round 1
Active Conditions: Bless

Cork
Freydis
==============================
Tasskar
Crocodile
==============================
Balenor
Zandu
Remmy
Renardagnan
Murdoth (PfE)

Cork immediately notices the lizardman near the chair. When he speaks to them Cork is unable to understand the language. He steps cautiously a few steps closer and to the side.

Since neither the lizard nor the alligator have initiated combat, I'm waiting. But I'm taking my action so that I'm not flat-footed.

Freydis does not wait for the troglodyte leader to strike first. She moves to the other side of the hall, placing the throne between herself and the white-scaled alligator.

Her eyes turn black and her hair glimmers with silver radiance as she speaks indecipherable words and gestures at the large lizard man. Glowing, silver dust descends upon the lizard man, sticking to his scales.

Cork takes a few steps further into the throne room, but doesn't want to be the one to start agressions. Freydis has no such reservations, and showers the troglodyte with a shimmering dust, hindering his eyesight a bit. Tasskar growls in frustration as he wipes his eyes, before summoning a ball a flame that he immediately hurls at the shaman in retaliation. As another fireball forms in his hand, he whistles sharply and the albino crocodile charges towards Cork. The beast's jaws close around his thigh and refuse to let go, filling it's mouth with warm blood. Though the rescued Pathfinder hangs back a bit, he recounts an old Taldan war song and encourages you to fight on.

Flame vs Freydis touch AC: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 2 = 191d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Bite vs Cork: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 191d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Grab vs Cork: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Round 1/2
Active Conditions: Bless, Inspire +1

Cork (-9, grappled)
Freydis (-7)
==============================
Tasskar (stardusted)
Crocodile
==============================
Balenor
Zandu
Remmy
Renardagnan
Murdoth (PfE)

Zandu moves southeast slightly to get a clear shot at the crocodile. He clenches his fist, and the tiny coin zips off toward the beast.

Attack, PBS, bless, inspire: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 22
Damage, PBS, inspire: 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 7

Remmy calls out,

I'm coming C-cork!

He makes a gesture with his hands and then the skeleton that had been conjured runs forth, stepping around the grappling alligator and taking a swing at the beast with it's bony fingers.

Claw 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Sadly, the bag of bones seems to have difficulty with the whole "Hitting" thing, but it serves it's purpose by distracting the gator even if it swings are a bit wild. With his skeleton taking up the flanking position, Remmy himself rushes forward to swipe at the white skinned beast.

claw: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 2 = 22
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Can't access the map right now, could someone move me and my skelly?

Freydis cries out in pain as the flames burn her pale skin. Her otherworldly transformation continues as she speaks and gestures at the chief lizardman again, limning him with sparkling light.

She then retreats around the corner to avoid further burning.

"Off to warr we go, as any brrave Taldan!", Renardagnan shouts, exited.

He runs around the crocodile, and stabs it with his rapier.

"Know any Galt songs, ffriend?" he shouts at the rescued pathfinder.

Cork tries to jump out of the way of the charging beast but he is not fast enough. "Get off!" he shouts at the crocodile. He swiftly calls upon his arcane power and his cutlass glows. He swings down at the crocodile that is biting his leg.

cutlass, arcane pool,bless,inspire: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 17
damage, arcane pool, inspire: 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 6

Murdoth seeing all of the action charges forth to deal with Tasskar.

This would provoke as I move through threatened square

Attack Roll, bless, inspire: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 2 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

AC currently at 18

@ Murdoth: Grappled creatures can't make AoOs, so you're in the clear. EDIT: Or maybe you're not...

Zandu's magical coin trick continues to do wonders, and strikes the crocodile cleanly in the stomach, leaving a large open wound. Remmy slashes with a claw, while Renardagnan stabs with his blade, and Cork feels the jaws loosen as the albino creature slumps to the floor. With his leg bloodied, yet free, Cork moves up to attack the troglodyte with his blade, just as Murdoth does the same. Freydis summons more stardust before retreating to safety. Tasskar reaches out and touches the warpriest with his flaming hand, and her clothes quickly ignite, much faster and more intensely than anyone could have expected. She falls to the floor, her skin charred black and covered in new blisters. Balenor rushes to his new found friends' aid, and though he can't make it to Murdoth, he's able to heal most of the damage done by the crocodile's jaws on Cork.

C,M: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Flame vs Murdoth touch AC: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 2 = 231d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Confirm: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 2 = 201d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
CLW on Cork: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Cork (-1)
Freydis (-7)
==============================
Tasskar (-15, stardusted)
Crocodile
==============================
Balenor
Zandu
Remmy
Renardagnan
Murdoth (-13, PfE, dying, prone)

Remmy swears loudly.

Somebody help her! I have n-no healing magic!

He directs his skeleton to the other side to help surround the trog, and takes a swing with his bony fingers.

claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Remmy dodges to the other side of the throne and slashes with his claw, trying to end the fight quickly, and also to protect his new found friend.

claw: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

In his rush to protect his friend however, he stumbles abit, his aim soured.

Stabalize DC 13: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Cork feels the torn flesh in his leg knit back together. "Balenor! Thanks!" Feeling much better, he continues the fight against the lizard man with another swift stroke from his cutlass. With his off hand he blasts him with a ray of frost.

cutlass,arcane pool,bless,inspire,spell combat: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 6
ray of frost: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3
confirm critical: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Zandu moves forward, near to where the croc fell, and with a gesture causes his coin to shoot out from the beasts body toward the lizardman.

Attack, PBS, bless, inspire: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 9
Damage, PBS, inspire: 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 10

Renardagnan runs closer, but noticing there isn't a good place to engage the enemy, grabs hold of Murdoth and pulls her further to safety.

"Rrest therre, frriend, we'll fight!"

Freydis moves to the door and then opens the door to the outside of the tower.

@ Ren: You can drag up to 5 times your max load, and basically the weight you drag is considered weight that would encumber you. Based on the carrying capacity chart I'll say 15 ft.

Zandu flings another coin, but this one misses the target and bounces off the throne. Remmy moves in and claws away a bit of flesh as Renardagnan drags Murdoth away from combat. Cork slashes the air with his blade, but manages to freeze a bit of the troglodytes skin, as Freydis makes her way to the balcony to circle around from behind. Tasskar tries to scorch another Pathfinder, but Cork easily dodges the touch. Balenor, quickly makes his way to the warpriests side, and manages to almost entirely heal her wounds.

C,R,S: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Flame vs Cork touch AC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 81d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
CLW on Murdoth: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Round 3/4
Active Conditions: Bless, Inspire +1

Cork (-1)
Freydis (-7)
==============================
Tasskar (-21)
Crocodile
==============================
Balenor
Zandu
Remmy
Renardagnan
Murdoth (-2, PfE, prone)

Cork slashes again, with his right hand, at the lizardman while blasting him with a spell from his left.

cutlass,arcane pool,bless,inspire,spell combat: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 5
ray of frost: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10 ranged touch
damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

I'll stand up bless my weapon with good

Remmy and his skeleton attack in concert.

claw: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
claw: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 2 = 17
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Remmy attacks as well.

claw: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 2 = 16
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
claw: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 = 23
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

tail blade: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16
damage: 1d2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Zandu moves forward, and motions toward the lizardman, as a small piece of nearby debris goes shooting toward him.

Attack, PBS, bless, inspire: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 24
Damage, PBS, inspire: 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 8

Zandu's next coin hits the mark, causing an open wound in the troglodytes thigh, before Remmy and his undead friend finish him off with a flurry of claws.

Out of combat!

With the threat now ended, you're free to explore the tower at will. In the large wooden chest next to the throne, you find Tasskar's treasure, much of it looted from the tower itself. It contains a masterwork short sword, 15 cold iron shurikens, two flasks of acid, a potion of cat’s grace, a potion of lesser restoration, a wand of summon monster, and some assorted gems and gold. On the troglodytes person, you find several darts, a masterwork scimitar, a cloak of resistance +1, and a key ring with several keys.

Freydis arrives from the back doorway. "Oh. He's dead."

With Balenar in tow, you return to the Grand Lodge and report back to Venture Captain Hestram. Happy to see you brought back Balenar alive, he rewards your troubles with a small sum of gold and the opportunity to undertake more missions with the Society.