Ith's PFS pbp (Inactive)

Game Master ithuriel

Spells: Light, Spark, and Resistance. Endure elements (cast on myself), bless, burning hands.

Hmm, these look good.... Fog doesn'tneed them now though....Heatstone 20GB, and a Cold Weather outfit 8GP.

Kovar looks at Fog and nods his head with the same irritated look. He then looks over to the ape that has gathered so much attention traveling through the city streets. Handing him a banana, Don't worry friend, it will all be ok. He pets the ape on the nose while preparing to enter the circle.

"That Monkey is a bad reminder of the museum. Does it have a name? And a boards alias ;)

Wadi eyes the big ape uneasily, thoughts of the last mission where he nearly met his demise in his head. "I don't care what he is called, as long as he helps protect us. I have a bad feeling about this mission..."

No additional purchases. Wadi already has a set of cold weather gear from an earlier mission.

Anashka eyes Kovar with some concern on learning that he has adopted an ape after the events of the museum. Maybe the curse lingers on? she worries, but it seems like the kind of thing it might be best just to keep an eye on. She offers a tired smile, but does not move to extend any kindness to the ape.

"It just so happens I have a some heavy winter clothes I saved from a diplomatic trip to Irrissen. I think they might just come in handy now. Don't leave without me! I won't be long." That said she makes her way home and a side trek through Gods Market to find some scrolls- just in case the mountain cold turns out to be more than everyone expected.

By the appointed time she meets up with the others in a highly polished new breastplate painted with a single thorned rose stalk twisting up from around the side to a bloom just above the sternum. Over that a heavy fur lined cloak and boots, and layered heavy coat and clothing in white and ice blue. And this time she bears her glaive.

Despite the heavy layering in Absalom's subtropical climate she doesn't seem to be in discomfort.

5 scrolls of endure elements. One already used for her.

Tal heads to the apothecary recommended buy the lodge. He plunks down a sack of gold and walks out with 3 potions of lesser restoration. (-900 gp]

Aye Father Grim, it does look a bit strange doesn't it. But I've come to respect the monkey and their kin. Something binds us together.
As for his name? Well, my last two companions have met poor ends. I figure a mission first before I name him. He shall have to prove himself first.

Both Kovar and the Ape sit outside the teleportation circle, and share a banana.

"Just so long as you don't call him Fog." The dwarf grins, and takes a seat.

One by one, the party steps into the teleportation circle; there is momentary blinding flash of white light, a sensation of falling, with wind roaring by your ears, and then suddenly, you are somewhere else: At the edge of a wide, grassy plain, littered with boulders, whilst in front of you, rising to meet the sky, is what can only be Mount Antios - a truly enormous mountain, its crown bedecked with a white cap of snow.

I will take Survival checks to identify a good means of ascent.

Survival Check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Kovar and the Ape take a look around. They spare a moment to take in the beauty of this legendary mountain.

"Wow that was a neat way to travel, wasn't it? I'd like to be able to use something like that for myself one day. That ruled," Alie chattered ate she went through the transportation magic.

"Yeah, quite a blast...I think." Wadi shivered as he started putting on his heavy winter clothes, clearly uncomfortable with the cold environs. "Looks like this will be a nice trip" He adds gazing up at the mountainside.

Going forward, I am going to need a general marching order. Who wants to be up front? ;-)

After spending what seems like an eternity looking around, Kovar eventually finds the ghost of a narrow track in between the freshly fallen piles of scree, and the party slowly makes it way up the face of the mountain.

The track winds back and forth, but is mercifully free of snow and ice, although you can see, glancing up to the Crown, that that is a 'pleasure' you will experience all too soon. A cool breeze blows through the air, but thanks to your warm clothing, it provides not a jot of discomfort.

Around four hours into your journey, you are just beginning to get used to the sun glaring off the speckled stone of the mountain, unobstructed by clouds or plants more dense than low mountain scrub, when you espy a rock-slide ahead, covering much of the natural pathway, narrowing the trail to less than two arm spans wide. Opposite the rockslide, a sheer drop falls away, giving a clear view of the mountainside below and the vast Tandak Plains to the west and south.

I will take Acrobatics checks at this point...

Kovar and the ape will slowly work their way up the rock slide, careful not to enter free-fall into the pretty Tandak Plains!

Kovar: 1d20 ⇒ 11
The Ape: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 The Ape has a climb speed of 30' if that matters

As Kovar starts to make his way over Wadi calls out, "Wait a moment Kovar. We should rope ourselves together just in case."

"Exactly, Wadi! Some of us have shorter legs, and might need a bit of an assist to make it past that drop," she agrees, looking down at the long fall that might await an unlucky adventurer.

Kovar motions the Ape over and starts to tie the rope around his waist. Dont worry, its to make sure they follow us. Kovar says as he pets the ape gently on the shoulder.

"That sounds like a plan." Fog says.

Acrobatics: 1d1 - 3 ⇒ (1) - 3 = -2

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Tal looks over his shoulder at Kovar's ape and silently wonders how they would have gotten the wolf up the mountain.

Awaiting rolls from Anashka, Wadi, and Alie ;-)

Based on the actions people have posted, I am currently assuming that general marching order is something like (from front to back) Talhaearn, Kovar/Ape, Fog, Wadi, Alie, Anashka...?

Mrching order sounds fine. I was waiting to see if we would get some sort of bonus for being roped.

Alie clinches tight to the rope the ape was steadying her with. Dont look down!

Acrobatics 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Wadi gulps as he now realized just how afraid of heights he was. Noting Alie's strategy of not looking down he attempts to follow that advice.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

While Kovar tried to make out the trail Anashka spent a few moments chanting from a long scroll to ensure the cold would not be a problem for the group. "That's better isn't it?"

The glaive makes an awkward walking stick due to its length and going around the rock slide proves to be tricky. Ana has barely started at all when a loose rock underfoot sends her tumbling...

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 1 - 3 = 0 Ohhh yeeeaaahhhh! I was going to suggest aid another's but Anashka won't be aiding anyone and no amount of aid is going to help that.

Doh. Climber's kits are the obvious thing we forgot on a mission where we knew we had to climb a mountain.
Fog - Endure Elements (self cast)
Kovar - Endure Elements (self cast)
Ape - Endure Elements (Kovar's scroll ?)
Anashaka - Endure Elements (scroll)
Alie - Endure Elements (Ana's scroll)
Wadi - Endure Elements (Ana's scroll)
Tal - Endure Elements (Ana's scroll)

With simian grace, Talhaearn and Kovar's ape surge forward, tugging the others in their wake. Wadi picks his way over the loose scree easily, and Kovar, for the most part, manages to avoid falling over.

Alie, on the other hand, falls over, whilst Fog and Anashka completely lose their footing, and would have pin-wheeled over the edge, to impact on the Tandak plains far below, if not for the rope tying the entire party together.

Just before Talhaearn reaches the other side of the narrow section, however, the ground gives way beneath him, threatening to dump him, Kovar, and the Ape into a pit studded with jagged rocks...

I need Reflex saves from the three affected targets.

At the same time, an axe scythes down from a boulder up above the trail, carving a ruinous path through those who are behind the pit.

Axe on Anashka: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20, for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 damage.

Axe on Alie: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15, for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 damage.

Axe on Wadi: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30, for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 damage.
Crit confirmation: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (4, 7) + 2 = 13 *ADDITONAL* damage.

Axe on Fog: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24, for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 damage.

"Eek, what was that? Is everyone alright," the gnome screams as she was nicked by the large axe. She turns around and sees the others had a worse time of it.

Feeling the ground give way Tal instinctively jumps to to regain his footing.
Reflex (Trap Sense, Evasion): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Kovar yells at the Ape Jump! before following Talhaearn's lead.

Reflex Save Kovar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Reflex Save Ape: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

With Elven grace, Talhaearn manages to leap forward just as the ground gives way beneath him, managing to make it to the other side.

Unfortunately, doing so jerks both Kovar and his Ape off balance, and they both fall into the pit, each landing on several spikes.

Kovar: 1d4 ⇒ 3.
Ape: 1d4 ⇒ 3.

Kovar, falling damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3.
Kovar, Spike #1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19, for 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4.
Kovar, Spike #2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11, for 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6.
Kovar, Spike #3: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23, for 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6.

Ape, falling damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4.
Ape, Spike #1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17, for 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4.
Ape, Spike #2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24, for 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6.
Ape, Spike #3: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23, for 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3.

To add insult to injury, as they land at the bottom, several waterskin bladders rupture, soaking them in concentrated animal musk.

Just as quickly as it was broken, silence returns to the narrow path across the hillside, disturbed only by the groans of the injured.

As the scent wafts upward, Alie scrunched up her nose. "Ugh, that smells terrible! We can give up on any hopes of surprising anything with that stink following us around! Are you all okay down there?"

Wadi glances around him uneasily and asks, "Who do you suppose set this trap? Was it to just capture meals, or is it to defend his lair?" He then reaches into his pouch and pulls out his infernal healing wand. "Do we have time to rest up here or should we press on?"

Use wand of Infernal Healing (Fast Heal 1 for 10 rounds.)

Both Kovar and the Ape groan with pain after falling into the pit. Kovar pukes after the musk overcomes him. The Ape doesn't really see the issue and starts to sniff around the pit. Kovar wipes his mouth and helps the Ape look around for any hidden passages or methods of escape.

Ape Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Kovar Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

If all else fails, the Ape has a climb speed of 30'
Kovar is 28/38 HP, the Ape is 19/32 HP

With Kovar coaxing it, the Ape is easily able to scamper up out of the pit.

Good job Ape! Hey Tal, you can throw down that rope so that I can get out of here? But you might want to hold your nose. There was a bit of an incident!

Climb Skill: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Or take 10 if able, and trying to use the party rope

Taking 10 is fine.

With neo-simian grace, Kovar scrambles up the side of the pit, joining the others.

Well it looks like I found the smelly stuff again. At least I know my role in this party!

Kovar and the Ape tend to their wounds, mostly cuts and scrapes. Kovar then takes out his wand of cure light wounds and tends to the Ape, then himself.
Everyone else ok? Then lets move on.

While waiting on the party, he takes off his Hide Armor and tries to get the soaked oil out it.

W:CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
W:CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
W:CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Three charges, Kovar and Ape are fully healed.

Waiting for other people to react/heal.

Alie is only down two HP, so she's going to carry on as is.

Nearing danger, Alie realizes she needs to protect herself. She pulls her wand and gives herself protection from her enemies. "Wadi, want a Mage Armor spell? Looks like we are getting ready to enter a tough spot."

Assuming Wadi accepts the offered wand, 46 charges remaining.

Wadi nods gratefully as Alie touches him with the wand causing his body to shimmer slightly. "Yeah. Best be ready for the welcoming committee."

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

After the axe swipes past Fog, he checks that nothing else is coming at him, and then retrieves a wand and uses it on himself.

"A bit elaborate for half way up a cliff, isn't it?"

As he waits for the others to be ready to move off, he looks around carefully.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

The party waits for several tense minutes, expecting the *other* shoe to drop at any moment... but all you hear is the mournful howl of the wind; you appear to be utterly alone on the side of the mountain...

"Ok, lets keep moving."

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Acrobatics: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (2) - 3 = -1

Rolls just in case. Only just noticed, I typoed my last acrobatics check. I'm never getting up anything rolling 1d1 !!!!

At Fog's urging Tal starts moving again. Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16, Trapfinding: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

Kovar and the Ape will start to look around and try to find a safe passage up the rest of the mountain.

Perception Kovar: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 Perception Ape: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Survival Kovar: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Kovar and his ape carefully chart the party's course up the mountain, whilst Talhaearn keeps an eye out for any further... 'surprises'. Fortunately, he does not spot any.

The progress over the next eight hours is grueling; the mountain seems to grow taller with each passing breath, the trail narrower, and the drop uncomfortably higher.

Just as night is beginning to cast its pall across the mountainside, the path widens into a mostly level field of scree between steep slopes up and down from this altitude. A rock formation juts out of the mountain thirty feet overhead, creating a natural shelter some fifteen feet deep and forty feet wide where the remnants of at least one past campsite remain, protected from the harsh elements.

At this point, I am going to need Fortitude saves from everybody, versus fatigue from the thinning air...

Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

"Looks like a good place to stop."

Fog wanders around, looking for cracks in the wall, or other places nasties may sneak up on us.

"Who wants the first watch?"

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

"Well, looks like we aren't the first through here. Seems like a good safe place to stop."

Fort. 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

So, it's agreed, we are blowing all the good rolls on the environment checks, and dieing to Kobalds in the first encounter? ;)

That's what it looks like!