Into the West (Inactive)

Game Master Simeon

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
can he tell from which direction? Can he see anything, he does have dark vision 60 ft.

Looking from Guujaaw to Zaranna, as he cocks his rifle, "Well, that can't be good, do either of you know any language that starts with a growl?"

Moving to the front of the group John Thomas whispers.
"None that don't end with a fight. Maybe I should take point. Shall we move in."

If the others agree John Thomas moves forward to see what is growling.

Zaranna laughs.

Nope, sure don't. But trying to keep an open mind. I'd probably growl too if I had just settled down and was faced with uninvited guests.

She nods to John Thomas.

John Thomas sees the passage extend in front of him and to the left. With his keen sight, Angus notices something disturbing. A decently sized pile of bones sits in front of the passageway to the left, a few human skulls visible among them.

'Human skulls that's not good.' Disturbed by what he sees in the shadows, Angus calls to John, "Beware John, the mound in front of the left passage is a pile of bones, human bones. Whatever we tried to talk to eats sentient beings." He looks at Zaranna, trying not to sound trite. "Or it lives in a very disorganized crypt."

Turning back to John, "Be careful, I don't see anything big to the lower left or the back, whatever it is, is probably to the upper left."
I realize that is obvious by the map, but I don't know how far John can actually see.

Hard to organize without opposable thumbs. Zaranna laughs again, and raises her bow as she follows the light-emanating armor into the lair of the unknown beast.

The party advances forward and sees a gruesome beast. It has the body of a lion with a long spined tail and great leathery wings. Most horrifically though, it has a seemingly human face, though with far, far too many rows of teeth.

'well, that's a conundrum, human like face, mismatched everything else.' Looking at the beast, Angus resists the urge to speculate as to what kind of fairytale monster they have stumbled upon. Cautious to shed blood he lowers his gun barrel slightly and asks in the same language, "Do you speak? Were explorers sent to map the area. Got no fight with anyone who hasn't started a fight with us. You interested in talking? Or do you prefer killing each other?"

How about a new diplomacy roll got influencing?
diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

how high is the ceiling?

I'm hoping that seeing it lets me make a knowledge check. Emphasis on its personality, culture, intelligence, that kind of thing

The player recognizes it, of course, and knows which skill to use :-)

knowledge arcana: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23

While the others speak John Thomas casually makes sure his shield is in front of him and smiles as best he can while adopting a defensive stance.

This creature is a chimera. They are incredibly territorial and have a craving for human flesh.

The chimera snarls at Angus and says, ”Hrrrrr. Leave. Hrrrrrrr. If not. Hrrrrrrr. I feed.” Behind the chimera, angus notices the glint of metal and most surprisingly, a seemingly alive humanoid on the ground, their arm pinned by a large rock.

'Is that a humanoid behind it?' Angus studies the creature for a moment, then wipes his brow, "It's hot in this cave, and I'll be happy to be on my way. But I'm going to need your oath that you won't be eating any humanoids. Because, there might be settlers coming. We can't be having them bushwhacked. You understand right."

studied target, that's a move action. I'm hoping to save the surprise round for the standard action, but if not I understand :-)

Will it have to squeeze to get to us?

Zaranna readies an attack. She will shoot when the creature refuses the oath or attacks, or when one of her other party members attacks.

Readied Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 1 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5 (counts as magic)

Guujaw will ready to throw a glitterdust on the Chimera should hostilities break out.

He'll also tell the rest (in a quiet voice) what he knows about Chimera

The chimera furrows it’s brow and snarls, ”Hrrrrr. I feed. Hrrrrrr. Where I. Hrrrrrrrr. Want.”

'A pity, but I'm not surprised.' Shaking his head, "That doesn't work for me. Sorry, I guess we'll have to finish this the hard way." As he issues his challenge, Angus drops his rifle and drawing the magical pistol, fires both barrels point blank at the beast.

I know we can take free actions during a Surprise round can he take a swift action as well? If so, please add + 1 to attacks and damage for challenge, if not he will issue the challenge in the first round. Also using veteran of battle for quick draw

attack: +1 double barreled Pistol (both barrels -4) St +1/+1, PBS+1/+1, DA-2/+4, PS, sneak attack.
attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 for damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 + sneak attack: 1d6 ⇒ 4
attack: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 - 2 = 18 for damage: 1d8 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 - 2 = 8 + sneak attack: 1d6 ⇒ 3
unbelievable, a one, so the pistol is broken, I assume the second shot is affected so the minus two to attack and damage has been added.

When the creature refuses the oath, Zaranna raises her bow and shoots.

Readied action, rolled above.

The manticore snarls as the arrow and bullet hit it.

Initiative Order:
Angus
Guujaw
Zaranna
Manticore
John Thomas
Kuruk

Activating challenge is fine. Angus, Guujaw, and Zaranna are up.

Zaranna shoots again.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

Well, I guess it was good to get both of those ones out of the way at the same time.

Unfortunately, she is overconfident and flubs the shot, hitting the rock wall rather than the creature.

"Blast, the pistol jams." Gritting his teeth, he quickly clears the pistol. Telling his magic bandolier, "Load left." as he loads the right barrel. Leveling the pistol at the monster he squeezes off both barrels at a time.

move action, quick clear (using one grit point) free action: load pistol(Rapid reload/cartridge) swift atction: load pistol (beneficial bandolier) attack: +1 double barreled Pistol (both barrels -4) St +1/+1, PBS+1/+1, DA-2/+4, challenge +1/+1, PS, sneak attack
attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 for damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 + sneak attack: 1d6 ⇒ 5
attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 for damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 + sneak attack: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Guujaw looks at the Manticore, hoping to slow it down.

Entangling Curse. Reflex Save DC 17 or entangled for 2 rounds

The creature snarls as it is struck by the bullets. It easily dodges the entangling magic. With that, it snaps its tail at the people in front of it, flinging several spines at Angus and Zaranna.

Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Spike 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Spike 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Spike 3: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Spike 4: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Spike 1 Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Spike 2 Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Spike 3 Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Spike 4 Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Both Angus and Zaranna will take 20 damage.

As he begins to reload his pistol Angus is not able to dodge the spikes flying from the creatures tail, "blast, didn't see that coming." As he loads the right barrel with a cartridge, he says, "Load left" to the magical bandolier. Leveling the pistol at the creature he fires one barrel then the other.

If John moves in for melee, Angus will 5 ft step north, but he doesn't want to get in the way of a possible 'charge'

free action: load pistol(Rapid reload/cartridge) swift atction: load pistol (beneficial bandolier) full attack: +1 double barreled Pistol, St +1/+1, PBS+1/+1, DA-2/+4, challenge +1/+1, PS, RA -2
attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 for damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 for damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
well, talk about unimpressive rolls

Well, looking back, we never got healed after the Drake battle, but we did rest, so I adjusted my HP up to 24 rather than 19 before taking the hit. That means I am thankfully not unconscious, just really low.

Zaranna is badly wounded, but pulls a searing arrow out and tries to get in another shot before dying or retreating.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + 1 + (6) = 13 (6 of the damage is fire damage)

We can assume you were naturally healed, it did take a while to get from the drakes to where you are now. John Thomas and Kuruk are up.

Moving into the chamber with the beast John Thomas keeps his shield hide, fighting defensively. Shield up he attempts to bring his knee into the side of the creature.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 10 - 4 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

+2 to AC

Okay. I'll add another 6 HP then.

"Enough of this. Lets see if I can blind the monster"

Guujaw will cast glitterdust at the far left corner of the Manticore, so that it affects ONLY the Manticore.

Will Save DC 17 or be blinded

I'll give Kuruk until tomorrow, and then I'll bot him.

Kuruk advances forward into the cave. However, under the hail of arrows and bullets the beast is beaten back. John’s knee connects with a crunch, and it falls to the ground.

Seeing the beast drop to the ground, Angus moves further into the cave. Quickly going toward the humanoid he saw; asking in the native tongue. Are you ok?"

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

To be certain John Thomas looks at the others before kicking the beast in the head one last time hoping to hear anything snap.

"Bloody bastard should have listened."

"Indeed it should have. Is everybody ok?"

I'm quite hurt, but still functional.

Let's not go kill anything else in its own den today. Zaranna smiles.

... Er, unless it is a Drake. I'd be up for that. Evil things.

calling over his shoulder, "I am also wounded, Let us see if the captive is injured as well."

A woman dressed in tattered Mexica robes lies on the ground, her arm caught by a rock. She does not seem concious, though she is breathing.

Moving toward the unconscious woman, Angus gestures the others forward, "She looks unconscious. John, Maybe you can lift the rock?" Angus looks around carefully to see the best way to help remove her arm or if he can see any other wounds.

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Angus thinks that her arm isn’t heavily wounded, though some blood around the edges of the rock suggests non-visible wounds. However, she looks stable and isn’t bleeding out.

Aaaaaaaand we’re back!

Leaning into the rock, Angus looks up at John, "Well come on John, just don't stand there, give me a hand. I don't want to roll it back on her arm." Waiting for John to join, he then begins to push.

str: 1d20 ⇒ 6crap, that's not even good enough for 'aid another'

Zaranna goes over to move the rock for Angus since he seems to be having trouble.

Strength: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Guujaw will take out his wand of Cure light wounds and give the woman a charge. Mostly to make sure that she doesn't die if the boulder rolls back on her

clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Stregnth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 Up your site. Your down for weeks and then do that!

Despite being the strongest of the group John Thomas simply cannot get a good grip.

Despite the ineffectual help of Angus and John Thomas, Zaranna is able to heft the rock off the woman’s arm. Guujaw’s healing courses through the woman and her eyes open. She quickly sits up and says in Mexica, ”By Tlaloc, where am I?”

'Where am I? huh, we were kind of hoping she could tell us.' Raising an eyebrow, as he shrugs and gives a smile, "We were hoping you could tell us." He offers the woman his hand to help her stand. "We are explorers, following the river in the great canyon. We saw the prints and cave, finding the beast." Nodding toward the dead Manticore, his smile widening, "And yourself, of course."

just influencing attitude
diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

knowledge: religion untrained, Tlaloc: 1d20 ⇒ 18

I'll be at a con from Thursday through Sunday. I'll try and check in when I can but no guarantees. Feel very free to Bot me if required

knowledge local: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27
one less if religion

"Greetings. I am Guujaw."

"The beast, right! It swept from the sky and took me by surprise. You say you are explorers. Who sent you? You do not look like you are Mexica, nor of the Five Branches." She pauses for a moment before muttering, "Teiuc, you must introduce yourself." She turns to Angus and says, "I am Teiuc, priestess of Tlaloc."

Guujaw recognizes Tlaloc as the Mexica god of rain, growth and fertility.

Angus smiles ”Where are my manners?” Taking of his hat, and using it he gestures towards the others. ”I'm Angus Elphinstone and these are my colleagues. We have been sent by These United States to travel to California on the west coast, exploring and Mapping the territory in between on our way.”

John Thomas nods his head and gives a lop side grin.

"John Thomas mam. With them but until then more of a barkeep and bouncer. Pleasure to meet you."

Darn boards are driving me nuts.

Zaranna introduces herself as well, asking Teiuc if she needs an escort back to wherever she lives, thinking that might be a good positive introduction to one of the Mexica settlements.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Just trying to be polite and likable, not trying to influence.