GM Xynen's PFS Group (Inactive)

Game Master Xynen

I'm good with this marching order, though if Ollo wants to go first, I won't complain, either.

Talon pauses, looking at the structures.

Is there any arcane or religious meaning to the shrines?
Know (Arcana/Religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

As he considers, he scans for magic.

Detect magic on all rocks and caves in range of his current location.

Aarion is OK, if someone else would like to carry and use the found items. Anything that isn't claimed, Aarion will scoop up and place in his backpack. I am OK with wherever the rest of the group would like Aarion in the order. For now, I placed him in the back, to make sure the casters are covered in the event of a rear attack.

order looks good to me

Order is fine. Ai doesn't need any of the loot items, I might take the cloak, because I can do some...stuff...with it that could keep someone fighting. If that's the case, Ai is temporarily at +5/+9 for Will saves.

Before the party can progress onto the narrow path, Ai touches Talon's shoulder in a sort of embrace. "A, um...A gift, from the great lord Picoperi!"

Talon is "infected" with the Gift of Will mesmerist trick. You can use it to use my Will save (+9) on a Will save, OR +4 (my Charisma modifier) on an Intimidate or Sense Motive check. Enjoy!

Alright I've moved Ollo up, seems only fair to give him a shot at the next action after dangling him in the air for 4 rounds.

Talon knows from his various readings that these alters were made to ward off danger from the path, so that travelers my walk it in safety. However it looks as though the wards have not been maintained for a very long time.

You find just how ineffective they are, in fact, only a few moments later, when once again Ollo discovers the newest threat as he rounds the corner and comes face to face with a sickly looking humanoid. As soon as it sees Ollo it drops the carcass of whatever animal it had been chewing on and sneers at him, blood dripping from it's teeth, the foul stench of death rolls from it's mouth.

Round 1 Bold May Post
The Party
Bad Guys

I wish we weren't going straight into another combat, but there's not really opportunity for anything else at the moment.

Aarion holds his action until he has an opportunity to get a clear shot off. The corridor looks fairly thick with cover at the moment.

Sorry for the delay.. yes, Ollo will take the lead. That is fine with me.

"By tha gods, what be yer problem, ugly?!" Ollo exclaims, startled by the sudden appearance of such a beast. "Bah, yer breath could kill a goblin, and yer mother mates with orcs!"
He quickly draws his warhammer and brings it down towards the creature. Conscious if his team behind him, Ollo then takes a step, trying to open up more room to fight.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Damage?: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2) + 3 = 9

[ooc]Do I know what this thing is? Does it look like an undead or an animal? If applicable, K. Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Agreed. What is this? (Talon has Know: Arcana, Dungeoneering, Local, Nature, Planes, and Religion ... all at +6
Know (the above): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Talon wastes no time, stepping into the spot vacated by Ollo and delivering his own attack.

Move into position, attack.
Cold iron greatsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7; sheesh
damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 6) + 6 = 17
.
Scorp AA against Red
Scorp, AA: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11; success

The map isn't quite clear; can Narika get a magic missile to the enemy?

If Narika stands on the very edge of the path she should be able to glimpse the ghoul so feel free to fire. There's no risk of falling just from standing there so don't worry that you'll fall.

Ollo you recognize this creature as a Ghoul. Talon remembers a little more from his studies. The creatures weapons can carry a disease know as Ghoul Fever, perhaps worse still it's claws can also paralyze it's target for a few moments.

Narika leans around and points her wand at the ghoul. A ball of magic flies from the tip, striking the ghoul and doing 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 damage.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 5 - 4 = 8
Damage?: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Ai unloads her crossbow on the nearest ghoul, hoping to hit but prepared to miss. "Sorry! I don't have the right magic for this kind of thing."

Ollo swings but misses the abomination i front of him, as does Talonp. Narika fires off her wand and hits the ghoul with a magic missile. Ai fires her cross bow but also misses her target. Aarion delays. Red Ghould screeches as loud as it can and then attempts to bullrush Ollo off the narrow path, but is unsuccessful. Blue Ghoul, summoned by the call, comes round the corner but can't do much other than wait.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Ollo you can include an AoO with your next action.

Round 2
The Party
Red Ghoul -3 Damage
Blue Ghoul

Ollo sets his feet and pushes back against the ghoul as it tries to topple him over the cliff. He holds on, and swings his hammer, trying to disengage the creature.
Aoo: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Dmg?: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 6) + 3 = 13

Breaking free, he resets himself and mutters a prayer to Torag. Suddenly, his hammer glows with a blinding white light, diffusing a holy radiance over the ghoul.
Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Damage: 2d6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 2) + 3 + (5) = 15

Using one Blessing for Holy Weapon. For one minute, weapon deals +1d6 holy damage and bypasses evil DR.

Aarion continues to hold until a viable target becomes available.

Patiently the inquisitor watches up a head, looking to get a glimpse at what the group is engaged with. "What is up there? Are you guys OK, or should I push my way to you?"

"So, there's this man crawling across the Rahadoumi desert. He'd decided to take a camel ride, and his camel had broken its leg..." Ai, unable to do much of anything else, starts another joke.

Sorry, I'll delay. Nothing else to do.

plink! With a flick of her wrist, Narika sends another ball of magic into the enemy. This one does 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 damage.

Red Ghoul isn’t on the map. I’m assuming that means Ollo dropped it?

Talon continues fighting, yelling back to Aarion as he does. ”Ollo says it’s a ghoul! It’s tight up here, but if you can find room, I won’t turn down the help.”

Attack Red if it’s still up, if not, ready an action to attack Blue as soon as it closes.
Greatsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 1) + 6 = 10
.
Scorp, AA vs. the closest threat
Scorp, AA: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10; success.

"In order for the rest of us to get a poke at it, you will need to back up and allow the thing to enter our cave."

Aarion knocks an arrow and readies to take a shot should the ghoul move into a location where Aarion can see it.

Ollo obliterates the ghoul in front of him with one mighty blow. Aarion and Ai delay while Narika moves up and hits the next ghoul with her magic missile. Talon prepares to strike as the next ghoul moves in but his swing misses. Blue Ghoul moves up and attempts to bite and claw at Talon who just attacked it, connecting with his last claw. 3 Damage, Talon Give me a DC13 Fort Save of be Paralyzed for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 rounds

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Round 3
The Party
Red Ghoul - Dead
Blue Ghoul - 2 Dmg

Ollo kicks the dead ghoul out from under his feet, and lines up a shot at the next one in line. However, the hammer misses despite the holy power infusing it.
Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Fort, DC13: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Talon's eyes widen in fear as the realization of his predicament settle in. Needless to say he doesn't respond to Aarion.

Paralyzed: rd 1 of 4

Narika's action depends if Talon makes his save. If he fails and is paralyzed, she uses her move action to get out her wand of mage armor and uses it on Talon as her standard action. If he makes his save, she continues to attack with her wand of magic missile, doing 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 damage.

"...Anyways, he's been stuck in the desert for two days with his dead camel, and he's got to figure out how to get back to Azir. He's pretty sure he rode his camel north, but..."

Ai tumbles across the battlefield as she recites the next two lines of her joke, then fires a crossbow bolt that, surprisingly, makes contact with the undead monstrosity.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Crossbow: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 5 - 4 = 19
Damage?: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Ollo attempts to destroy another foe but his blow falls short, easily turned away during the confusing combat centered around the mouth of the cave. Talon stand exactly as he did when hit, frozen in place, mouth twisted in pain even while Narika bolsters his defense hoping to save him from a grisly fate. Ai uses the distraction to roll along the narrow ledge, deftly navigating the thin edge despite her companions in the way, almost more impressive is the arrow that flies from her crossbow directly into the gut of the ghoul who screeches in agony. Aarion continues to wait for an opening. Blue Ghoul, recognizing that Talon is no longer a threat turns it's fury in Ollo and hits the dwarf with one of it's claw attacks. Ollo takes 7 Damage and must make a DC13 For save or be paralyzed for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Rounds.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Round 4
The Party
Ollo - 7 Damage; Fort Save DC 13
Talon - 3 Damage; Paralyzed 3 More Rounds
Blue Ghoul - 4dmg

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 = 25 Using monster lore to I.D the Ghoul and determine its abilities. I am assuming with (25) it is safe to know that these things paralyze?
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 To see that Talon is not moving as normal.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 To determine that Talon is not acting as would be expected.

Aarion moves up and grabs Talon, then drags him back to a safer location. After maneuvering the wizard to a safe distance, Aarion glances back over at the group, to make sure no one else has been paralyzed.

Narika panics for a second. She can't safely use a wand because the enemy is so close, and can't move to where she can. She decides that she needs to protect Talon, so uses her want of magic missile, even though the enemy is so close.

1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

I believe this triggered an AoO.

Wand usage doesn't trigger AoO's, I believe. :)

Talon is correct, unless you need to roll a ranged attack within an enemies threat range, which magic missile does not require. You're in the same position you were last round and you didn't provoke then either.

"...He's not quite sure. So, he takes stock of his waterskin, and it's got nothing. He's heard camel water is poison, but..."

Ai's next shot once again misses, this time zipping overhead.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 5 - 4 = 5
Damage?: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Ollo feels the sting off the Ghouls wounds course through his veins, and even with divine help, is unable to resist. His hammer falls from numb, lifeless fingers as his body betrays him and he succumbs to the paralysis.

Aarion moves in to rescue Talon. Narika continues her magical assault as Ai shoots wide of her target. Ollo unfortunately succumbs to the Ghouls paralysis. Blue Ghoul attempts to continues it's assault on the party as it rounds on Narika, but is unable to strike the halfling as she deftly avoids it's attacks.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Round 5
The Party
Ollo - 7damage Paralyzed 2 Rounds
Talon - 4 Damage Paralyzed 2 Rounds
Blue Ghoul - 8Damage

*Gulp*

And by that I mean, GO TEAM!

Plink! Another ball of magic hits the ghoul, doing 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 damage.

Shield of Faith 0/20 rds.
AC 23 / T 16 / FF 18 / CMD 19

Aarion calls forth a spell of divine protection and then moves up hoping to draw attention away from the casters.

"Aye you heap of rotting flesh. Why aren't you rotting behind Pharasma's gates like the rest of the worthless dead? You should look my way, while I invoke your destruction."

Another one of Ai's signature shots goes wide, and she contemplates throwing the crossbow off the cliff as she continues muttering. "...He doesn't have much choice, so he fills his waterskin with water from the camel's hump and sets off in to the Rahadoumi desert."

Crossbow: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 5 - 4 = 4
Damage?: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Talon and Ollo don't do much of anything, poor guys. Aarion bolsters his and moves in to assist. Narika is a one halfling army, whittling down the ghoul bit by bit. Ai probably needs to oil her crossbow. Blue ghoul takes one swing at Narika, misses and falls over unconcious.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Combat Over
Good job guys!

Aarion I'm going to rule that you would have realized the ghoul was staggered and that you didn't cast your spell. I'd hate for you to have completely wasted it.

Let me know if you'd like to search/camp/move on.

We will be giving enough time for Talon and Ollo to recover. During the rest, Aarion will discharge 2 uses of his wand of cure light wounds.

Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 (On Ollo)
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 (On Talon)

Eventually, Ollo comes out from his paralysis and is able to respond and move. "Many thanks be to ye, Aarion. Is everyone else all right? We're doin well, and it does me heart good to see us taken' care o' each other as we are." Ollo then mutters a prayer of thanks to Torag, and picks up his hammer and prepare to move on.

"From what I can tell at a glance, it looks as if you and Talon took the brunt of it. I will attempt to check everyone more carefully, once I know you two are stable and well."

Aarion begins inspecting the rest of the group to insure they are healthy and ready to proceed.

Heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Narika looks at Talon. "Are you OK now? Things were pretty scary for a minute there. I didn't know how to help you other than protecting you a little against future hits. Sorry about using a spell on you without your permission."

By the time the ghoul’s touch fades, and control begins to return to Talon’s body, the fight is over. He nods thanks to both Narika and Aarion.

”You saved me. I won’t forget it.” He turns to give a reserved grin down at Narika, ”And you never need to apologize for using your magic to protect me … Narika,” he winks, ”the Ghoul-scourge.”

Aarion (and everyone, really), Talon has a wand that can be used to patch him up. Don’t feel like you have to use your own resources to keep him on his feet … especially not if we’re between fights.

Finally, he turns to Ai, a look of curiosity on his face. ”So, was that the joke? A dying man in a desert takes camel poison?” He pauses to try to gauge whether this is some way of poking fun at him, ”I don’t get it.”

"Anyway," he says, hefting his blade back up onto his shoulder, "I say we move on. There's much daylight left."

"Oh, this is the longest joke in the world.. I could keep going, if you'd like!" Ai falls into place to continue pushing on.

Talon gives her a long-suffering look. "I have a feeling that—if I said yes—I'd wish to be the dead camel by the end." He pauses, "Tell me, Ai. This Picoperi. Is it actually the supreme god of exasperation?"

"Oh, no! That title belongs to Cayden. Picoperi is only a minor god of exasperation." Ai pauses, then throws an arm around the big wizard and waves her hand at the expanse before the party. "Are you thinking of converting? I'll tell you all about him."

Narika almost explodes at Ai. Don't make fun of the Lord Cayden! I'm sure his protection, and perhaps the gracious protection of the Lady Sarenrae, are why we've made it this far!

Talon laughs at Ai's excitement, shying away from her hug. It's an odd moment in their current surroundings.

"Um ... no. He's got enough devotion from you. I'm pretty sure he'd find me a most boring follower, anyway." He shrugs over to Narika, "I'll thank any god who helps us survive our trials." Then he pauses, considering many of the gods he's read about recently, "Well, not any of them, actually."

Narika looks at Talon curiously. "Are you saying that none of the gods has your devotion or even respect?"

Talon frowns, "No. More than a few of them have my respect. What Iomedae, Sarenrae, Cayden, and many others do for Golarion every day is wonderful. What they stand for is powerful. Their existence is irrefutable. Many are worth respecting; some are worth detesting."

He shrugs, "For now, though, I guess I'm just not dedicated to any specifically. I'll make my own way in life. I'd think followers of Cayden would appreciate that mentality. It's what he did, isn't it?"

"Ah, I must have misunderstood what you said."