GM Valen's PFS Quest - The Silverhex Chronicles (Standard) PbP (Inactive)

Game Master Lysle

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

T'Shar heard everything with obvious attention.

Pelagos silently eyes up everyone in the Inn, very uneasy with their current location. Horrible things happen in backwaters like this. Mob mentality has been the bane of many just and righteous people. Laws also tend to warp and twist into pale shapes of their former glory and intent. We would do well to be on our guard here.
________
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Wow! One morning of not being able to post and suddenly 25 to read through! It appears all the posts I could attempt have been made, the above roll is for the most recent call for perception. I'd prefer to get as many quests done as possible before the start of gameday to reduce the amount of gold and PP missed out on by this character.

The innkeeper, Birdy, looks back at Pelagos. "Sure, me inn may not be much, but just I'm a poor widow as you can see. That, and I haven't much business at the moment. Still, these old bones don't have the energy or inclination to put up with loitering. Scares away good paying customers, it does."

"If yas want to stay here and get yerself a meal, that ole Birdy don' mind. Five coppers'll get ya sum bread, stew, and a place ta lay yer head." Birdy says firmly. "Ole Birdy accepts gratuity too, she does."

"Who knows? Y'appreciate me service enough, I might find myself bein' a bit more chatty." The old woman holds out her hand as if expecting payment.

Perception : 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

"Ah...yes...I understand," Shenendril says and fishes a gold piece out of her pouch. She places it on the table.

"5 coppers for a meal and a place to sleep and the change is a sign of just how much we appreciate your service," she says, sliding the coin over to Birdy.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Seemingly satisfied with the "change" and the diplomacy of the kitsune, Birdy relents, "Well, if yas lookin' to imperil yer souls, then who is ole Birdy to stop ya?"

She provides the party with directions to Cannibal's Grove, a location about one mile southwest of the inn, marked by a clearing encircled by stones.

Moving along. Feel free to ask more questions, etc. of Birdy if you'd like.

With their business completed at the inn, the party departs.

Thick tendrils of mist rise from the ground, concealing the depths of the forest and its denizens from view. Eventually, the growth gives way to a clearing--one overtaken by crimson thistles and punctuated by a ring of mossy standing stones. In the center, a neglected stone slab bears ancient stains and gouges. Unsettling noises permeate the clearing—mostly echoes from a babbling stream to the south.

Map is up. Feel free to have your "PC" wander through the misty area by moving your PC token to the area(s) you wish to examine. Please indicate movement on the map with arrows. PCs may also provide a Perception check with their posts.

Before wandering into the grove Kenji notices that the head of the bear is not there anymore! He goes back into the house that he believed to be a nice tavern.

”Look lady, I wanted to thank you for the directions and also your kindness! Would you be able to tell us why the head of the bear on top of this building has disappeared? Maybe somebody stole it and you would like to have us retrieve it? It looked quite old and therefore it might have sentimental value for you!“

Diplomacy : 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Sense Motive : 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

"Disappeared?" Birdy cries. "Are ya sure yer not tryin' ta fool this ole widow?"

"That why yas bringin' up all this Cannibal's Grove business?" she asks with suspicion. "Did some local kid put ya up ta this?"

"Them kids usta give me and my husband trouble, back in the day--the faulta that ole man -- Pharasma rest his soul." Birdy explains. "When locals t'were weavin' tales of the Famished Shaman, they tell'd the young'uns that he was a a druid. That he spent so much time as a beast, he lost his soul to hungerin’ for flesh. The tales tell that Erastil made him a bear—prey for hunters."

"Kids gave us a hard time after me husband tell'd 'em that the head on the pole outside was the selfsame bear." she continues, "Bad idea, that wuz. People start'd t'avoid the place. T'were bad for business. If someone run off with me bear's head, I hope that don't intend to be startin' up them rumors again. Ole Birdy has a tough time runnin' this inn as 'tis.”

The woman seems genuinely surprised by the news of its disappearance and genuinely concerned about the impact it may have on her business.

Imjah casts detect magic and examines the ring of standing stones.

The temptation, of course, when they arrive at Cannibal's Grove is to examine the standing stones and the altar within. Curious as those items might be, Shenendril remembers that it's not where Ulisha hid the lantern.

Instead of going there (maybe she'll check it out afterwards...) she goes to the stream, getting as close to the big pile of rocks as she can without wading in then examines both stones and water, looking at the former to see if there is any sign of the lantern and the latter to see how deep and treacherous it was.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Kenji explains you all what the lady explained.

”Do you understand what she’s up to? I am kind of lost.“ he says.

* * *

Later ...

Kenji supports to find the lantern.

Perception : 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

From his vantage point outside the stone circle, Imjah does not detect any auras beyond those of the items that the party may have in their possession.

Downhill from the ring of stones and through a copse of trees, Shenendril finds a shallow but swift stream flowing past a 10-by-15-foot islet, mostly formed from boulders. If there is more of interest around her, such secrets are obscured by the mist.

The slope, the stream, and the island are each considered difficult terrain.

Imjah heads down to the shore as well (double move). Once there he uses detect magic again (standard action), focusing on the pile of rocks.

There's a couple turns of actions there because I wasn't sure if we were acting in rounds, but I noted the actions so you could keep track. Obviously interrupt what Imjah was doing if necessary.

T'Shar approaches the water with Imjah and Shenendril. This wasn't his element, but the ifrit didn't want to be left behind anyway - and, who knows, maybe he could actually be a little useful.

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12

With Kenji giving voice to the observation he made as well, Pelagos continues to remain silent.

At Cannibal's Grove, he stops at the edge of the stone circle. I'll be damned if that isn't a cult's sacrificial alter. Textbook. A gentle white light emits from his eyes, barely making it a couple inches away from his face, as he visually sweeps the area.
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Detect Evil over the grove.

GM Disclosure: We are not in rounds, but certain areas on the map trigger certain information, etc., which is why I asked you to track positions on map. If you are doing a "search pattern", feel free to give me several rounds of movement indicated with arrows. If your PC is singularly focused on a certain area, you can just indicate that your PC takes the shortest route to the specified area.

Despite their efforts, the party fails to notice anything else of particular note amidst the mist.

T'Shar keeps moving down the river, circling around the trees and looking for clues or anything. He doesn't have any special magical capabilities - his power is pure instinct, based on his fire heritage - and he doesn't want to stay on the rest of the group's way.

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

"I bet if the lantern is here, it was buried deep enough to prevent us detecting it," Shenendril says, after thinking about their potential magical detection options.

She starts wading across the water though she sends Belthelgior ahead to scout it out.

Belthelgior is less than pleased by his cousin's request but complies, flying up in the air to keep out of reach of any land bound opponents. He hovers about 15' over the island in the stream and looks around for anything interesting like a magic lantern.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 ⇒ 16

"We were told it would be underneath rocks in the river whose magic would hide that of the lantern, but I do not detect any magic emanating from those rocks," Imjah says as he pokes the bed of the river before him looking for stable footing and wades in. "Though perhaps I simply misunderstood the journal and it referred to the magic of the Grove itself."

He begins attempting to move rocks as he searches for the lantern.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

For approximately ten minutes, the party (or, at least, some of them) goes through the process of shifting boulders.

Adequately lifting the rocks requires the token of each lifting or assisting PC being placed on the "rock island" on the map along with three successful Strength checks (DC 10).

Each player should place his or her PC token where they wish it to be when the attempts to move the stones are made.

Take 10.

Valen: Are the boulders being shifted the ones on the river, or the ones on the circle? I want to position myself in the map, but I am confused as to where exactly.

Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Valen: Are the boulders being shifted the ones on the river, or the ones on the circle? I want to position myself in the map, but I am confused as to where exactly.

The stones in the river, where Imjah and Shenendril currently are.

Once I get updated positions/descriptions as to where the PCs are during the moving of the rocks from Blooming Flower, Kenji, & Pelagos (or at least 24 hours have passed), I will proceed.

I placed Kenji on the other side of the river.

"Roy" looks around and watches as the others examine the island with his crossbow drawn and loaded

Deep in the recesses of his helmet, Pelagos frowns deeply. "Signs of evil lie within the grove. Be on your guard, evil is rarely so isolated," he cautions, bringing his halberd to bear. "If there is no progress in the river, the grove itself looks promising. If you require assistance, call me. I shall stand vigil over the grove until we are ready to search it."

Assuming a party member (declare which one) retrieves the grim lantern from beneath the rocks...

The four glowing lights in the center of the stone ring disappear for a moment. Then, in their place appears a faintly glowing, humanoid shape. Above it, the bear head last seen hanging above the inn, now appears.

Round One Initiative Order
PCs in bold may act

Blooming Flower
Bearlight
T'Shar
?
Pelagos
Kenji
Shenendril
Imjah

When the lights appear above, Imjah commands his animal companion to defend him. Meanwhile, he concentrates on the lantern before picking it up attempting to determine the effects of the faint auras he detects.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Whether he is able to identify the item or not, he'll have to pick it up at this point since they can't get distracted by combat and risk someone or something sneaking off with it.

When the lights appear above, Imjah commands his animal companion to defend him. Meanwhile, he concentrates on the lantern before picking it up attempting to determine the effects of the faint auras he detects.

Believing it safe enough, Imjah picks up the lantern.

Cue stuff above happening and initiative!

Knowledge: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

"Roy" tries to identify the creature before bursting into song
Inspire Courage+1

The bear head seems to fly directly toward Imjah, 30 feet above the ground.

Round One Initiative Order Cont'd
PCs in bold may act

Blooming Flower
Bearlight
T'Shar
?
Pelagos
Kenji
Shenendril
Imjah

T'Shar moves his arms, and then suddenly an sphere of flames forms and flies towards the enemy.

Fire Blast: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 23 vs. touch
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 5 fire)

Adding PBS and Inspire Courage

The fiery blast from the pyrokineticist strikes the bear's head. The scorching of fur is coupled with the a high-pitched squeal of pain, as the stuffed bear head plummets into the water.

As if in response, a loud snort erupts from the nearby wood, followed by the hooves of a majestic beast, standing the height of a man at its shoulders and crowned with a many-tipped rack of proud antlers bedecked with yarn and ribbons. The beast heads down the slope and through the water with its head down--ready to gore the pyrokineticist with its adorned antlers!

Melee (gore): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Damage (P): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

But the elk fails to connect.

Round One Initiative Order Cont'd/Round Two Begins
PCs in bold may act

Blooming Flower
Bearlesslight
T'Shar
Elk
Pelagos
Kenji
Shenendril
Imjah
(Round 2)
Blooming Flower

Kenji shoots at the elk with his loaded crossbow when he sees that a battle has started.

Crossbow : 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Then drops his crossbow to the floor but keeps his scimitar in his right hand.

He drops his backpack to the floor.

GM, what kind of action is that?

With the threat appearing across the stream, Pelagos begins to trot over. As he closes, the glow emanates from his eyes again, but this time in the direction of the elk.
________
Move 20ft over, Detect Evil on the Elk

The decorations on the elk's antlers suggest to Shenendril that it is someone's pet. If it was just a wild beast, she might try to scare it off. But if it's attacking and being controlled by someone else, that likely wasn't an option.

She took out the tanglefoot bag she recovered from the unconscious form of that unpleasant woman back at the crypt and handed it to Belthelgior then leveled the nice crossbow that she also recovered from the unconscious form that unpleasant woman back at the crypt and fired the bolt she had loaded at the elk.

MW crossbow minus shooting into melee: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 - 4 = 9
Bolt Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Belthelgior takes the bag and zooms off, pausing just long enough to fling it at the elk before turning back around and rushing back behind his cousin.

Ranged Touch Tanglefoot Bag into Melee: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 8 - 4 = 8

On a hit elk is entangled and must make a DC15 Reflex save or be glued to the floor. Can break free with a DC 17 Strength check of deal 15 points of slashing damage.

Kenji shoots at the elk with his loaded crossbow when he sees that a battle has started.

Then drops his crossbow to the floor but keeps his scimitar in his right hand.

He drops his backpack to the floor.

GM, what kind of action is that?

Shooting=standard action. Dropping crossbow=free action. Dropping backpack=free action. Kenji still has a move action if he'd like to use it.

The champion does not sense evil while considering the elk.

The kitsune's bolt misses its mark, as does that fired by the sylph.

The tanglefoot bag lands in the water.

Round One Initiative Order Cont'd/Round Two Begins
PCs in bold may act

Imjah
(Round 2)
Blooming Flower
Bearlesslight - 5 HP
T'Shar
Elk
Pelagos
Kenji
Shenendril
Imjah

Imjah asks the spirits to bring forth an obscuring mist to conceal and protect him and his allies. Then he commands his frog friend to grapple the elk.

The frog hops over to the elk and attempts to latch on.

Grapple Check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

T'Shar and the frog (and anyone else on the edge of the mist) should have concealment from the elk, but it should not have it from them. They're still in melee and firing into melee, but now they basically have blur.

Still singing "Roy" thinks for a moment and then discharges his crossbow at the Elk whilst wondering where the creature that was carrying the head went

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Piercing Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

The tongue of the giant frog holds tight to the elk allowing the bolt fired by the kitsune to strike the creature, even though it is concealed within the magical mist.

A high-pitched, pleading voice can be heard within close proximity of the frog, "నా స్నేహితుడిని విడుదల చేయాలంటే మీరు చాలా దయతో ఉంటారా? అతను నాకు కొంత ఆనందాన్ని అందించడానికి మాత్రమే ప్రయత్నిస్తున్నాడు."

Moments later, the same voice, now sounding both apologetic and angry, can be heard emanating near the elk. "క్షమించండి, నా స్నేహితుడు. నేను కొంత ఆనందాన్ని మాత్రమే చేసాను, కానీ ఆ మండుతున్న సంపన్నుడు దానిని నాశనం చేసాడు. నేను ఉచితంగా పొందేందుకు ప్రయత్నిస్తాను, కాని నేను ఈ పెద్ద వేదించే ఒంటరిగా వదిలివేస్తాను - కనీసం కొంతకాలం వరకు."

Round Two Initiative Order Cont'd
PCs in bold may act

Blooming Flower
Bearlesslight - 5 HP
T'Shar
Elk - 6 HP (grappled)
Pelagos
Kenji
Shenendril
Imjah

BOTTING T'Shar as no post within the past 24+ hours

Upon hearing the mysterious voice, T'Shar appears to be considering his next move. (delaying)

@ T'Shar - You may post an action at any time with your new Initiative becoming that immediately after the last action posted. Alternatively, you may not act this round and keep your present Initiative order.

Elk, Grapple v CMD 14+4 for grab: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

The elk struggles, but is unable to get itself free from the tongue of the giant frog.

Corrected size of elk on map; creature is only medium size

Round Two Initiative Order Cont'd/Round Three Begins
PCs in bold may act

Blooming Flower
Bearlesslight - 5 HP
T'Shar (delaying)
Elk - 6 HP (grappled)
Pelagos
Kenji
Shenendril
Imjah
(Round 3)
Blooming Flower

Seeing his attacker is grappled (and not having a clue on Sylvan), the pyrokineticist gathers power and shoots his burning fire blast on the elk.

Fire Blast: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 15 vs. grappled touch
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 9 fire

Burning infusion, DC 13 Reflex to avoid catching fire (another 1d6 fire/round on his turn)

I'm following the logic on my character and avoiding player knowledge. Unless someone announces something to him... The pyromaniac will continue shooting his blasts :/

Elk, Reflex (DC 13): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
As the flames strike the elk, the scorched beast nearly collapses into the water, but it creates enough of a splash to quench the remaining flames.

Round Two Initiative Order Cont'd/Round Three Begins
PCs in bold may act

Blooming Flower
Bearlesslight - 5 HP
Elk - 15 HP (grappled)

I believe the elk managed to control the grapple. The frog's CMD is 15. Dodge adds one, but neither grab nor sticky evolution mention CMD.

I believe the elk managed to control the grapple. The frog's CMD is 15. Dodge adds one, but neither grab nor sticky evolution mention CMD.

You are correct, the grab entry only mentions CMB, so I incorrectly added the modifier. Fortunately, it changes little

RETCON
Free of the frog's tongue, the elk stumbles back.

Move action for 5 feet in difficult terrain so not to provoke. Corrected movement is updated on Map.

The elk is then struck with flames. As described previously.