[PFS] PbP GameDay IV: Wind Serpent's 6-08 The Segang Expedition

Game Master Harald Schlang

For some odd reason, however, the real baron acts as if he hadn't even noticed the illusion or the strange creature appearing below. "Falroun! I'm coming to save you!" He calls out and climbs five feet down the ladder, half-jumping / half-falling down the rest of the distance to the forest floor and grunting as he lands on his injured leg.

Any chance we can use sense motive or spellcraft or something to determine WHY the baron is acting this way. I am considering letting loose with a firebolt on the Baron to shock him into sanity, but hesitate without more than a wild guess to back up my choice. I can just see Guy being thrown ito jail for life for assaulting a Baron.

There are no obvious signs of enchantment on the baron (I've rolled Sense Motive checks for anyone who could plausibly make them), but his behavior is odd enough that if you want to target him with any antimagic spells you may have, I would not object to that. If he is somehow enchanted, a firebolt (on the baron in any case) is unlikely to help, though, and I think Guy would be aware of that.

You could try using spellcraft, but since you didn't see any spells being cast on him, you would have to study his aura with Detect Magic for three rounds to get more than general information, which can be a lot of time in the middle of a fight.

Seeing Cleo loose arrows toward the other side of the barons position, Lissanya curses before leaping from her perch.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Nonlethal Falling Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

The impact is jarring but doesn't stop her advance to the barons side.

End turn. Very poor positioning, hopefully Varis can get down in time to help.

"Bomande, please, do not leave me to die here!" Again, it is Falroun's voice, but the words seem come from the direction of the strange beast, perhaps the bushes behind it.

"Don't worry, son, I'll distract it from you." Bomande hurries towards the bushes - and the creature - as fast as his injured leg can carry him, pulling a curved knife from his belt that you've never seen him use for fighting before, despite having his loaded musket on his back.

As soon as he comes in range, the creature loses no time in stepping out of the bush and snapping at the leg that Bomande is already limping on, tearing a big chunk of flesh out of it and causing him to drop prone with a scream.

Round 1, Current Initiative Count 8.6, it's Varis' turn.

Remember, it's dim light on the clearing unless someone activates a light source, giving anyone without either Darkvision or Lowlight Vision a 20% miss chance due to concealment.

Slightly weary from the day's travels, Varis was almpost asleep when the commoction started. Hearing the count plead for help and then see two barons (he surely must have been sleeping still ?) climb and fall down from the trees was enough, and the tengue took to jumping from the high platform as if it was nothing - spreading his rudimentary wings and shouting "Do not fear my friends! The creature will feel my blade!" before landing slightly shakily on the ground below, as if he had tried an aerial maneuver that didn't quite work out as intended.

In the process he ignored the heavy crossbow laying besides him and drew his rapier, ready to strike and rushes forwards as far as he can get.

Glide to fall safely: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Glide movement: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Gedulan squints at the creature, studying it. "That's no tiger!" He exclaims. "That's a friggin' Crocotta! Don't listen to what it says - that thing's voice can mess with your head! And it likes to bite at the legs to bring you down, just like a wolf!" He throws down the rope ladder of the northern machan and attempts to get down to the forest floor so he can get in reach for throwing his bombs at the beast. Unfortunately, he climbs too hastily and gets entangled in the ropes, crashing down rather unceremoniously onto the forest floor with a groan.

Round 2, Current Initiative Count 22.2, it's Cleo's turn.

In order to better be able to tell apart who is still on the machans and who is on the ground, I've added a little "leaves" icon to everyone who is on the forest floor.

Round 2

Cleo swears strongly in Sylvan and attempts to line up yet another shot from her longbow.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Cleo takes careful aim at the Crocotta and lines up a shot at the creature's hindquarters, since they don't move about as much as the neck and head, with which it is snapping at the baron. She lets her arrow fly and it bores itself deeply into the creature's left rear flank, leading to a surpised yelp, followed by an angry growl.

That's a hit, since from your elevated position, you can avoid the penalty for shooting into melee by aiming at the creature's rear.

Round 2, Current Initiative Count 20.1, it's Guy's turn.

Guy, if you remain standing where you are now, the Crocotta has cover from you (+4 to its AC).

Guy eyes the drop with a wary eye, still feeling the bruises from his last attempt to climb UP. Well, here goes nothing!

first 10 feet: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

Hmmm. climbing DOWN is a lot easier than climbing up. This is easy!

second10 feet: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0
Guy has no idea how it happened. One second he was descending with grace, easily placing one foot after anther, the next he was whirling cartwheels through the air...

acrobatics: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12 to try to land sensibly - not so much.

... until the all-to-familiar sensation of impact hit him and another *whooosh* explodes from his tortured chest.

oh, god... oh, god... I think I hate ropes...

Not sure what to do with damage or if he even took damage from the last fall when he attempted to climb up. Let me know the damage and I'll update Guy's stats. Also, whether he is standing or lying down as I assumed.

Lissanya spares a glance to see if Guy is alright before calling out. "Varis, give this monster something to think about if you would." Staring down the shaft, a brief prayer crosses her mind. Goddess, let the baron lay long enough for my arrow to pass.

Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Freebooter's Bane on the Crocotta only gets Lissanya, Gedulan, and Varis for now, +1 to hit/damage. Pretty good shot, but if that thing keeps rolling high we're in trouble.

Falling 10 feet gives you 1d6 damage. Technically, Guy wold also have gotten that from falling while climbing up, but we'll say you were still close enough to ground level when you failed those climbing rolls to not take any. Regardless, since he took lethal damage from the fall, he's lying down.

Guy's falling Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Maybe her goddess has heard Lissanya, or maybe she just gets lucky, but the baron actually does stay down long enough for the Sylph Ranger's arrow to find its target, where it cuts deeply into the Crocotta's shoulder, and lodges itself between the shoulder blades.

The baron seems to have regained at least some of his mental faculties as, after seeing the Crocotta getting hit by two arrows in close succession, he abandons his original plan to stab it with the curved knife - insteand using quick jabs with the knife to try and keep the creature's snout with the razor-sharp teeth at bay.

Bomande goes to Total Defense.

Not really being deterred by that, the beast tries to grab another good chunk out of Bomande's flesh. However, the baron's jabs actually manage to create a shield of swings that the Crocotta is unable to pierce without getting harmed itself - for now. "Quit struggling, Bomande!" The creature growls, now in the Baron's own voice, which makes it even creepier. "I remember you. This time, you die, just like your friends!"

Round 2, Current Initiative Count 8.6, it's Varis' turn.

Gedulan curses loudly, stands up, and pulls a potion of Cure Light Wounds from his belt.

Round 2, Current Initiative Count 22.4, it's Cleo's turn. Varis is delaying. Please remember that you can also post moves ahead of your turn if you already know what you want to do next.

Round 3

Cleo fires another arrow, praying silently that the Crocotta's durability is running out.

At least they didn't have to find an actual tiger later.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Guy's actions are simple. Stand up and rush over 30' which is as far as he can get in one move action.

Another of Cleo's arrows strikes true, drawing a low growl from the Crocotta, which still refuses to divert its attention from Baron Bomande. The hatred between these two nemeses, it seems, is very much mutual.

Meanwhile, Guy moves toward the location of the battle undisturbed, with the Crocotta still far too absorbed in murdering the baron to care about the unarmored human approaching it.

I've moved Guy to where I think rushing over 30' would put him, but if you intended to move to another position, feel free to adjust it.

Round 3, Current Initiative Count 17.4, it's Lissanya's turn. Varis is delaying.

Lissanya continues to maneuver closer, angling for a clear shot past the baron.

Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Extra Crit Damage: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (8, 3) + 8 = 19

Uh...sorry?

I've moved Guy to where I think rushing over 30' would put him, but if you intended to move to another position, feel free to adjust it.

I'm afraid you gave him a double move since I had already moved him. I'll put him back whare he belongs."

Uh...sorry?

Don't be. ;)

I'm afraid you gave him a double move since I had already moved him. I'll put him back whare he belongs.

Okay, thanks - sorry about missing that.

This time, Lissanya's aim is flawless, hitting the Crocotta straight in the eye - a perfect killing shot that couldn't have been more precise if it had been carefully lined up from the safety of a hunting blind.

There is a final spasm, and then the creature drops, as if struck by lightning from the heavens.

Baron Bomande needs a few moments to register what just happened, and then, despite the pain clearly visible on his face, crawls over towards the fallen beast clutching his knife, prepared to give it a coup de grace if needed. But there isn't the slightest movement coming from it anymore, not even breathing.

Who's injured besides the Baron and Lissy? I need to make channel rolls.

I'm fine

Cleo keeps a tentative eye, being the only one remaining on higher ground.

"Baron?" she calls cautiously "Is everything alright?"

Channel for Baron: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Channel for Lissy: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Lissanya takes a knee, watching for any other dangers that might appear. "It is done, Cleo. The baron has his revenge." she calls back.

"I'm a little worried about the Count. Seems that if this creature had a vendetta, one of the best ways of striking back would be to... Well, let's just say I'm worried. And if it was able to mimic his voice so well, that suggests that he observed the Count at some point."

Guy can get everyone together near the baron for the channels, so they all apply to everyone.

At first, there is an ominous silence in reply to Cleo's request, but then the Baron raises his voice, though it is clearly still strained from his injuries, "I... have been worse. You killed it before it could do any more harm - thank you for that. Can't believe I fell for some cheap magic trick like an amateur. Or that I ever mistook this thing for a tiger to begin with."

He thanks Guy for his channels and then drinks a potion from his belt in addition to that, healing enough of his injuries to get back up on his own two feet. "That blasted critter must have been watching us at least since we left the main trail. Let's hope that that is how it knows Falroun's voice. Because otherwise..." He just takes a deep breath and shakes his head.

"Falroun? Are you there?" The Baron calls out into the night, but gets nothing in return except some parrot screeches and rustling in the underbrush.

"Maybe those of you who can see in the dark could take a quick look around to make sure it hasn't dropped off Falroun anywhere nearby while I secure this 'Crocotta' so some other critter won't eat it before the porters can get to it tomorrow. And then we'll hurry to the lodge outpost to check up on Falroun."

"If he is out there, I will find him." Readying another arrow, Lissanya rises and moves out into the brush. Her sight was more than adequate to pick out the tracks of the creature. Finding a body was the real challenge.

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Taking 10 on Perception for a 17, if it matters.

Following the creature's tracks proves to be quite a difficult task, despite Lissanya's darkvision, mostly because it turns out the creature has hooves not unlike an antelope's. That may be the reason why no one managed to find its tracks so far, it's very easy to mistake them for one of the many antelope tracks running everywhere along the stream unless one looks extremely carefully.

But after turning over every log nearby without finding any trace of the Count, Lissanya comes to the conclusion that wherever Falroun may be, he is probably not anywhere near the clearing. With the baron also being finished in the meantime, you decide to leave the clearing behind and head toward the lodge outpost.

The Urapangi Lodge

You hurry back to the lodge outpost as quickly as the baron's leg will carry him. The last portion of the trail leading to the outpost's palisade is lined with burning torches, and to everyone's great relief, you can hear Count Falroun hailing you from the outpost's watch tower. "Bomande, Pathfinders, thank Sarenrae it's you! I was getting worried that something might have happened."

"Oh, something happened alright." Bomande replies after you have entered the palisaded enclosure, and Falroun has descended from the tower to meet you, giving the Count a quite unexpected bear hug. "We got the critter, though it very nearly got me as well. But that's a long story, and first I need some food and a good night's rest. Just let me say that I've never been so glad to see you, Falroun!"

You can all get a good night's sleep at the outpost. With the Baron's hunt concluded, there should be nothing more preventing you from heading out into the lowlands for the monkey temple you came here to inspect in the first place the next day.

The next morning finds Baron Bomande up early and in good spirits. "So, I suppose you will go looking for the Segang temple then, today?" He inquires during breakfast. "As you may or may not know, 'Urapangi Lowlands' is really a euphemism for a rather nasty freshwater swamp. I know a bit about the area, so I could come along and help you find the way to the temple, if you wish. Although, of course, from what I've seen so far, I have little doubt that you would do just fine on your own."

To make your way to the Urapangi temple through the swamp, you party needs to succeed at a Survival check. Since you're on good terms with the baron, you can take him along as a guide if you wish, letting him make the check for you. Otherwise, one of you (probably Lissanya) will have to roll the check, while everyone else can try to support.

"I think we should make a go of it alone. We can come back and get you if we fail to find the temple, but I suspect our ranger friend will have no problems. After what you went through, and the fact that your future son-in-law will be here, I think it more appropriate that you stay. Besides, it may just end up being a week of note taking and I think being subjected to that just might make us your new nemesis." He adds the last with a smile.

"After all, you have so much to celebrate, Baron! The hunt was successful!" adds Cleo cheerfully. "Take your time, we'll find the temple just fine."

Survival Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

"We should be fine, as long as there are no monkeys." Lissanya agrees with a wry smile. "Tigers and snakes, no trouble. Monkeys, an entirely different story."

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Best. Ranger. Ever.

The baron nods to Cleo, and laughs at Guy's and Lissanya's comments. "I think I've faced enough nemeses for one lifetime. Wouldn't do to add any more. I wish you all the best for your expedition, then, and godspeed. May Erastil guide your steps, and your bows, and protect you from evil monkeys."

Raiders of the Lost Temple

After departing from the lodge outpost, you quickly find that the baron has not been exaggerating with regard to the Urapangi Lowlands. Not only is most of the place a horrible bog where you have to mind every step lest you sink into some swamp-hole that will swallow you whole, but the air is also alive with stinging insects that would probably take an even keener interest in you if you had to spend the night there.

With Lissanya's expert guidance, however, you manage to avoid the worst of the dangers of the swamp, and she also finds a fairly direct route towards your destination, so that by early afternoon, you find yourselves standing in front of the lost temple of Khiben-Said.

The temple is almost completely overgrown by thick vegetation, and only bits and pieces of its brown sandstone exterior are visible from the outside. The jungle around the temple looks extremely dense and nearly impassable. Steep stairs lead up towards a passage leading into the temple interior, and between the creeping vines that cover most of the exterior wall, you can see the weathered figures of monkeys in various poses on the temple frieze.

Please check out the new map in Roll20. In case you're wondering where your PCs are, since everything is black, try scrolling all the way to the right.

The lineup works for me

Works for me as well.

Good to go. Lissanya will take point unless Varis wants to.

Since there's been no veto from Varis, let's just assume Lissanya is taking point. Are any of you carrying light sources? Otherwise, there is dim light inside the temple due to the vegetation filtering the light falling in through the windows.

You ascend the stairs and pass through an open archway into the temple's entrance hall. Columns line the walls of the room, each decorated with a high-relief carving of a monkey in a different pose. Some of the monkey sculptures sit serenely in meditation or reach out with their hands as if to deliver blessings to the viewer, while others adopt more naturalistic poses. The floor is littered with decaying plant matter and mud, and the stench of rotting muck pervades the area. On the opposite side of the room, there is another archway leading north deeper into the temple.

Just as you have finished taking your first look around, you hear rapid steps, followed by a trio of humans running in through the northern archway. They look like locals, from their facial features and the bronze tone of their skin, and one of them is carrying a hemp sack over his shoulder. The apparent leader of the group, a pretty young woman with angular tattoos, speaks while her companions reach for their axes. "Out of our way, foreigners! We'll kill you if we have to!" She snaps at you in Common.

There's a new handout in Roll 20 called "Asvika" with a portrait of the opposing group's leader.

Cleo moves to the side so that the trio may pass.

"You look like looters. Why should we let you by?"

Guy bravely responds, even as he semi-consciously shifts out of their way.

"I don't have a quarrel with you, unless you make one." Lissanya's tone is low, bow ready. "What are you fleeing from?"

"Well, look at the pot calling the kettle black!" The tattooed girl retorts to Guy. "At least our ancestors were the ones who built this temple in the first place!"

She and her two friends take a few more steps towards Lissanya who is still blocking the exit, while the one carrying the sack throws occasional nervous glances in the direction of the northern archway. "Suppose I could tell you what's back there." The leader says, "But only if you let us leave first."

What Guy wants to say is "Whatever it is, we can deal with it - and you," but he doesn't have the guts.

Instead, he says", that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. How can we let you leave first and THEN have you tell us anything? "

We are obviously dealing with morons here, so why not see just how stupid they are...

"I have an idea! Why don't you leave your bags here, tell us what is following you, and when we catch up with you later we will give you your bags back? " Or maybe if I stall them long enough whatever it is will catch up and then we can clean up after these doofuses blunt the attack! I cant stand looters - no appreciation for knowledge.

Anyone with a decent intimidate want to try their luck here?

"You could just, y'know... step aside?" The tattooed girl's patience seems to be running thin. "Like hell we're gonna leave our bags here for you to make off with them! You let us leave with our stuff, or you'll find out what's there the hard way."

"Keep making those threats and you'll see how the hard ways stings." Lissanya retorts archly. The woman's bluster was beginning to grate.

"You could just, y'know... step aside?" The tattooed girl's patience seems to be running thin. "Like hell we're gonna leave our bags here for you to make off with them! You let us leave with our stuff, or you'll find out what's there the hard way."

** spoiler omitted **

Somehow I just knew the irony would be lost on her.

"...Is this really worth killing over?"

"Seems like to your friends it is!" The looters' leader snaps at Cleo. "We just want out of here. We gotta eat, and you got no more right to this stuff than we do!"

"We are Pathfinders. We preserve artifacts for STUDY! You are looters who pile artifacts into a bag, run around banging them all together, breaking half of them, all so you can have a bigger horse or house or party or... whatever! Where's the glory, the honor, the good in that! You remind me of the Aespis Consortium. There is no way I'm letting you by so you can sell these half broken things to people who will squirrel them away someplace nobody can study them from."

"I'm going to give you a choice. 1) You may join us and hand the loot over to the Pathfinder Society. There will be remuneration, perhaps not as much as you would have gotten, but some. 2) You may drop the bags and run - your safest bet. Or 3) You may fight us and probably whatever is chasing you and probably end up dead."

Guy turns to the others and says,

"Anybody with me?"

intimidate: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Guy doesn't seem very intimidating on his own, but it's enough to support Lissanya, and I'm giving you another diplomacy roll at +2 for the speech.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

"We don't break things... broken things don't fetch a good price!" The girl protests, but she looks taken aback for a moment buy Guy's words, then turns to her accomplice carrying the sack.

After she exchanges a few sentences in what sounds like Vudrani with him - from the tone of it, he is protesting and she's talking him down - he sets the sack onto the floor with a frustrated gesture.

"Fine!" She tells you, again in Common. "Take our stuff, and we're out of here! Maybe we'll come back for it once the golden devils have eaten you."

"We'll be watching our backs. By the way, option 1 was your best choice, but to each their own."

Guy literally shudders after the confrontation. That was WAY out of his comfort zone - but dang it, they pushed all the right (or maybe wrong?) buttons.

Do we hear anything coming? Is there time to secure/protect the artifacts?

"So we can be your cannon fodder? No thanks - if I were you, I'd be worrying about your front, not your backs, when you're going in there." The young woman retorts before hurrying outside with her fellow looters, now fresh without loot.

There's no indication of anything coming so far. The looters leave quickly, assuming you let them, and you can pick up the sack, which contains a beautiful holy symbol made from coral, several large, painted tiles decorated with semi-precious stones, and an exquisitely crafted golden apple. The holy symbol is one you've seen in the book the Count gave you - it belongs to Ragdya, the monkey god.

"Hmmm. Interesting."

Guy pulls a book out and flips through it.

"Just as I thought! This holy symbol belongs to Ragdya, the monkey god, and we can probably expect other connections in this place for what it is worth. Could someone else carry these?"

Guy will not prevent them from leaving, though he was tempted to insist a body search. That probably would have been going too far.