PFS 3-11 Quest for Perfection Part II: On Hostile Waters (Inactive)

Game Master Warped

Thanks for sticking with us, GM Kim! :)

"Zephri!" Dagat yells and sees Hyeon-ae go overboard. She disentangles herself from the mess of limbs to stand, hands still clutching her longbow. She notches an arrow and fires it at the goblin, hoping to take it down so they could go save Hyeon-ae.

Longbow: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Stand up from prone then shoot the goblin. This is assuming Zephri goes back to steer the ship again.

Zephri rushes back to the wheel, but the can only look at it in wonder. The boat seems to be stuck fast on whatever it hit.

Hyeon-ae's swim check: 1d20 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (15) + 2 - 3 = 14

Hyeon-ae is able to keep above the surface of the choppy water, but is unable to move anywhere. In frustration, she draws her longsword and swings it at the goblin treading water next to her.

Hyeon-ae's attack: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 - 2 = 20 Wow
Critical Confirm: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 - 2 = 1 Heh
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 Halved for fighting in water

She manages to slice the goblin deeply, and he stops moving and begins to float motionless in the water, drifting away with the current.

The remaining goblin tosses his net at the dwarven menace before him, fish flying everywhere.

Net touch attack: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 5 - 4 = 17

The net entangles Gorn as it wraps itself around him.

An entangled creature takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls and a –4 penalty on Dexterity, can move at only half speed, and cannot charge or run. If you control the trailing rope by succeeding on an opposed Strength check while holding it, the entangled creature can move only within the limits that the rope allows. If the entangled creature attempts to cast a spell, it must make a concentration check with a DC of 15 + the spell's level or be unable to cast the spell.

An entangled creature can escape with a DC 20 Escape Artist check (a full-round action). The net has 5 hit points and can be burst with a DC 25 Strength check (also a full-round action). A net is useful only against creatures within one size category of you.

The party is up! I don't see this encounter lasting much longer. I'll ask Jesse on what to do since we're really close to the end.

Group 1
Noorzad [prone]
Gorn [17/20 HP; entangled]
Dagat [5/12 HP]
Zephri [9/12 HP]
Hyeon-ae [3/9 HP; swimming]

Critters
Kijimuna 2 [4/13 HP]

Group 2

Noorzad heals Dagat, then stands up from prone.

I think that's all I can do this round, as far as # of actions; someone correct me if I'm underestimating.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Thanks for the heals.

Dagat moves to the bow of the ship and fires an arrow at the remaining goblin.

Longbow: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 7
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Gorn, secure in the fact that he's got a rope tied to the mast and the goblin doesn't, swings for the goblin.

attack: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 4 - 2 = 16
Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

"Torag smite thee!" He yells as he swings at the goblin from within the net.

Which is enough to drop the remaining goblin. It takes a while to free the boat, especially given your audience who tends to throw raw fishes and stones whenever there's a clear shot, but using a dorf-on-a-rope and a large enough stick, you are able to eventually dislodge the boat from the rock it was caught on.

You eventually make it to the Sea of Eels. From here, it will take three days to sail across the sea. The waters of the Sea of Eels are very different from those of the Tuunma River; since the large lake has no viable current, the Laughing Crow must rely on its sails and the wind to propel it along the water. Since there are virtually no obstacles that might impede the ship on its journey across the lake, you need not worry about making driving checks or possible mishaps for the rest of the scenario. Zephri takes on a fever and retires belowships until he can shake it off.

We're now at the end of the first day of travel across the Sea of Eels, two days after the Kijimuna ambush. Take your time to heal up before the final encounter. No need to waste wand charges. I'll start the final encounter either tonight or tomorrow.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

With Zephri indisposed, Dagat takes on the task of driving the ship. She has a pensive look on her face; this is the first time she has gone sailing in open waters in a long time, and it has brought up memories from her past.

She is distracted but the calm waters of the lake allows her complacency for the moment.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

The Kelish youth paces annoyingly, whistling occasionally, trying to distract himself from his continued imprisonment on this accursed boat. Late in the day, his peripatetic motions halt abruptly as he faces the bow, and he makes his way forward.

"Ships." First he says it to himself, low and in disbelief. Then he turns to Dagat, the pilot, and raises his voice.

"Ships ahoy. Sails on the horizon, Dagat. All eyes open."

"Stinking fish..." Torag groans as he floats on the boat across the river and onto the lake.

Once the others have healed, Gorn makes sure his rope harness will reach to the front and back of the boats.
perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

"Aye, Ah see the boats, Noorzad. Let 'em pray that they come in peace."

On the morning of the second day, the light of dawn reveals a ship some six hundred feet to starboard and fast approaching. Its banner bears a single upthrust spear, and its golden sails sparkle in the morning sun.

The ship is moving towards you at 160 feet per round. It will close the gap in 4 rounds if you do not attempt to flee from it. So let me know if you decide to stay and wait for it or try and flee.

Right now, Hyeon-ae is manning the wheel to pilot the ship. No piloting checks are needed since there are virtually no obstacles that might impede the ship on its journey across the lake. It also saves me from botting her for now. Hopefully she returns, as she'll be instrumental in the next scenario.

Knowledge, local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

"Lingshen markings and rigging." the bard says, matter-of-factly.

"Flee or fight?" Dagat asks, now focused on sailing the ship. "Choose now before they get closer. I say flee. We need only to avoid them and perform our task."

You may notice I didn't mention diplomacy. That's because we all know how any attempts at diplomacy end, so really, those two options.

"Noorzad, d'ya think ye can hold in yer bloodlust in the event they follow us a bit closer 'n we'd like? Ah'd like to avoid a pitched battle on the seas if Ah can help it."

Gorn goes to the mast and begins tying his harness around his armor... again.

Fighting a more experienced sailing crew may be very detrimental to our health. I vote (actual) Diplomacy, Fleeing, or fighting in that order.

Everyone looks to Noorzad, the knowledgeable bard who guards his secrets well. The silent Hyeon-ae seems to not care where the vote falls, and Zephri remains belowdecks, not taking to the open waters well. It seems as if the final decision remains with Noorzad on what the "proper" course of action will be.

To be fair, it's a barbed question. It's a matter of them catching up to you in 4 or 6 rounds, depending if you wait for them or try to flee. So you guys have up to 6 rounds of actions to buff (hahahahahaha) or attack the poor sailors on deck or whatever have you. Let me know when you're done with your actions. If you've taken 4, I'll figure you stayed and waited for them. If 6, I'll figure you tried to escape the bigger, faster ship with the markings of the ones you "diplomacised" with earlier. Nobody on the opposing ship will be taking any actions until they're closer, so it's on you guys. Except maybe taking cover if it comes to that.

Also, remember, you don't need to make pilot checks on the open water. There are no hazards to avoid.

Group 1
Boat [572/600 HP]
Hyeon-ae
Noorzad

Critters
Crew

Group 2
Dagat
Gorn

Again, for now, ignore the initiative and take your actions. The crew is doing nothing for now and will delay their initiatives until they're much closer.

I'll wait until Monday afternoon before the ship catches up to you guys, unless three of you post actions before then.

Rooting for lost causes here. *sigh* I'm fairly certain that this is three rounds' actions.

Gorn prepares himself, setting up his rope harness onto his armor... again. He readies his shield, but will not draw his axe yet.

Flee. Dagat won't attack unless they do or someone else begins. It looks like we'll get caught up anyway!

Dagat prepares herself for another confrontation, checking the arrows in her quiver and hands gripping her bow.

Just waiting on Noorzad and/or Hyeon-ae (I so hope she's still with us on this) to post some actions, if any.

Sorry, gang, weekend ate me.

"There is no profit in throwing our lives away unnecessarily, Gorn. I am not spoiling for a fight today. If they are friendly, that is good. If they are hostile...I have faith in my friends."

No worries. We've had a rash of tornados here for the last few days.

The ship's name, the Hailong, is now easily read as it closes with your own boat. As the ship gets closer, grim determination on the faces of the sailor's can be seen. None of them look friendly, especially as they finally pull up next to your ship and begin preparing boarding and grappling equipment.

Okay, ships are now side by side, and they're matching speed with you. Hyeon-ae will continue to steer the ship, unless she posts. Noorzad, you're up. The hostile crew will act after Noorzad's actions or Thursday(ish)

Group 1
Boat [572/600 HP]
Hyeon-ae
Noorzad

Critters
Crew

Group 2
Dagat
Gorn

Once Gorn sees them readying boarding equipment he'll yell out to them "What kind of fools are ye? Jumpin' over water ain't safe!"

A few stop in their tracks getting things ready to give an odd look at the dwarf before looking about and resuming their work.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Noorzad chimes in, loud enough to be heard. "Neither is assaulting a cursed ship - so they be fools indeed!"

With a wicked smile, he hurls a sleep spell at the sailors on-deck in hopes it will slow a few of them down, or intimidate them.

DC 14. Let's hope some of them roll as poorly as I do. :) To be specific, I guess I can target one of the squares between two of them so the 'burst' potentially hits two of them, right?

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Dagat does not make the first move, remaining wary of the enemy. They are more numerous and have the faster ship.

Still, her bow remains clutched. If they attempt to board, she will not hesitate to fire.

I'll assume that you cast on the two in the 10' radius burst template I have on the map right now.

Hyeon-ae keeps the boat on a steady course, but draws her bow in case of trouble.

One of the sailors falls to the ground, dropping the boarding equipment he was carrying. The rest, having gathered up the gear, start throwing grappling hooks and latch onto the Laughing Crow, pulling it alongside their own ship, before moving back to their original positions along the deck and rigging.

The forward hatches burst open as more dangerous opponents than the sailors surge forth. A Tien woman follows after two men coming through the further back hatch, armed with a scimitar and dressed in leather lamellar armor shouting orders to the men. Another man, armed only with a crossbow like the other two, comes out of the forward hatch.

Two of the men, presumably the ones who opened the hatches still stand half in, half out of the hatchways. They aim their crossbows and fire, the forward one firing at Dagat, the rear one firing at Hyeon-ae.

Soldier 2's attack on Hyeon-ae: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Soldier 3's attack on Dagat: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Soldier 2's critical confirm on Hyeon-ae: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Soldier 2's damage against Hyeon-ae: 1d8 ⇒ 4
Soldier 3's damage against Dagat: 1d8 ⇒ 4

The woman runs across the deck and leaps the small gap between the two ships, landing next to Gorn. She yells out in a strong voice, "Kluchuduun ingis", and a vivid cone of clashing colors springs forth from her free hand, catching Gorn and Noorzad in the cone.

Gorn drops to the deck in a bundle of dwarf, armor, and rope.

The other sailor follows suit, taking a running leap and landing on the deck of your boat next to Dagat. As he lands, he sends a flying kick at her temple.

Soldier 1's attack against Dagat: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

The wet deck keeps him off balance, however, and he slips just enough that he misses her completely as he lands awkwardly. And blew his stunning fist for the day...

The party is up! I'm not going to rush this at this point unless you guys want me to. I'll have them act again on Monday afternoon unless everyone posts before then.

Group 1
Boat [572/600 HP]
Dagat [8/12 HP]
Gorn [unconscious, blinded, and stunned for 4 rounds, then blinded and stunned for 4 rounds, then stunned for 1 round]
Hyeon-ae [5/9 HP]
Noorzad

Critters
Captain
Soldier 1
Soldier 2
Soldier 3

Group 2

Holy cow! We are super-outnumbered here, gang - even if there were more of us. How does the Society feel about surrender?

*twitch*

Yay color spray.

How did Soldier 3 hit me? I've got AC 17 unless you're using flat-footed AC I guess!
5-foot-step, shoot at captain, draw scimitar. I think I can hold a bow in one hand and scimitar in the other, and can use the scimitar but just can't shoot the bow unless I drop or sheathe the scimitar.

Dagat takes a step back and fires a shot at the enemy captain, hoping to end the fight quickly by taking out their source of morale. She then draws her scimitar, prepared to fight in close quarters.

Longbow: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 17 +1 from PBS, +2 from favored enemy.
Damage: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 20

Woah, woah, woah. I did the damage completely wrong. Ahaha. It's 1d8, not 1d20+8. XD

Longbow Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 2 = 10

Flat-footed AC, yeah. Just to make sure everyone's on the same page, the previous init order was just there so everyone had a chance to act as the ship moved forward. Nobody entered combat (ie - fired arrows or slung spells, readied actions, etc.), so everyone was still flat-footed. And there was no reason to expect the group attacking you now to suddenly appear. Also, you're not out-numbered. Right now it's a four on four fight, minus a dwarf here or there. The sailors on the other ship are just that. Sailor's. It doesn't look like they're entering combat at all.

Now, outclassed, maybe... Especially down a tank. I'm sorry, Gorn, but the scenario made me do it. I'm not a fan of using color spray against PC's. Such a broken spell. If anyone has smelling salts, though, that could drastically reduce the wait time. I'll check Hyeon-ae. She might have some.

Of course, a bard with multiple castings of sleep could end this fight just as quickly... Just hope that they fail their saves, or you just wasted some cure light wounds slots.

You are correct about holding a bow and using a scimitar. To go back to using the bow, you'd need to take a free action to drop the scimitar or move action to sheathe it. You did the same thing in the first scenario against the super-yeti if I remember right

Gorn twitches on the deck a bit. Perhaps he is having an unpleasant dream. Noorzad looks confused, and ready to give over the entirety of the Society's costly venture at a moment's notice. A bead of sweat slowly forms on his forehead as he notices that there is nobody between him and the deadly woman.

Dagat fires an arrow at the woman still shouting orders. Dagat only receives a deadly glare in return as the arrow fails to hit it's mark and buries itself in the railing next to her. Just to be clear, the only reason you missed is because she has cover thanks to the man next to her, giving her a bonus to her AC.

Group 1
Boat [572/600 HP]
Hyeon-ae [5/9 HP]
Noorzad

Critters
Captain
Soldier 1
Soldier 2
Soldier 3

Group 2
Dagat [8/12 HP]
Gorn [unconscious, blinded, and stunned for 3 rounds, then blinded and stunned for 4 rounds, then stunned for 1 round]

EDIT - Hyeon-ae does not have any smelling salts. Hopefully someone else does! If not, this'll be a long fight for poor Gorn.

*twitch*

Hey, Gorn gets to act like a rock!

Noorzad moves toward port as he targets the soldier aboard the _Crow_ with another _sleep_ spell.

Noorzad begins casting sleep again. Hopefully, nobody interrupts him again before he finishes casting it this time! Gorn continues his imitation of an anchor, but does poorly as he twitches every now and then.

Hyeon-ae fires an arrow at the captain now that she has a clear shot and sees no obstacles in her way.

Hyeon-ae bowmanship: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Her shot is wide and sails over the side of the ship, unfortunately.

The captain shouts at her men, pointing at Noorzad, "Tā zhùzào shuìmián zhòuyǔ shí, nǐ de gǒu! Shāle tā!"

After shouting out more orders, the captain runs up to Hyeon-ae, slashing with her scimitar as she moves. The soldier already on the boat runs over behind Noorzad, and angles a foot at his chest in a sort of standing kick. One of the soldiers on the other ship runs up to the railing and fires a crossbow at Dagat. The other soldier then runs up and jumps over the railing

and lands rolling on the deck of the Laughing Crow. He comes up into a standing position and fires a crossbow at Noorzad.

Captains scimitar attack against Hyeon-ae: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Soldier 1's unarmed strike against Noorzad: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Soldier 2's crossbow attack against Noorzad: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 2 - 4 = -1 -4 for Noorzad being in melee
Soldier 3's crossbow attack against Dagat: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

The captain looks furious as her soldiers perform abysmally, but grins as her blade sinks into Hyeon-ae's shoulder, and growls at her in Taldane, "Just give us the braid, worms, and you may leave with your lives!"

Captains damage against Hyeon-ae: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

...seeing that Hyeon-ae is now bleeding on the deck of the ship, she turns and repeats the order to the surviving members.

Group 1
Boat [572/600 HP]
Hyeon-ae [-5/9 HP; needs stabilize check]
Noorzad
Dagat [8/12 HP]
Gorn [unconscious, blinded, and stunned for 3 rounds, then blinded and stunned for 4 rounds, then stunned for 1 round] I'm putting you in the readied init order just in case someone has a way to get you out of your current state, but I don't think anyone does.

Critters
Captain
Soldier 1
Soldier 2
Soldier 3

Group 2

There's a spell template right above Noorzad on the map that you can use to place your sleep spell. It's a 10' burst template, and it'll be easier for me to see who all's going to be affected by your sleep spell. Should make it easier for you, too, to figure out the best place to put the spell.

Critters will act again on Wednesday unless Noorzad and Dagat both post their actions before then.

Neat tech, Kim -- template placed.

I have smelling salts but that does nothing for stunning. I can't move myself on the map at the moment, but I'm placing myself in front of Noorzad to shield him. Total Defense to give me +4 AC.

With Hyeon-ae fallen, only Noorzad and Dagat are left. The ranger sees him cast a spell and, hoping that it might somehow turn the battle to their favor, she rushes in front of him and brandishes her scimitar ferociously, protecting him from any attempts of harm.

A standing Gorn is better than one not standing.

Gorn twitches.

No, but it would give him a second chance for a save against the unconscious bit, cutting his down time from an original 9 rounds out of the combat to a possible 5 rounds out of combat. It was just a thought.

Finally, Noorzad's spell is completed in the middle of combat! Noorzad is so surprised by this turn events that he stands still afterwards, and performs no other actions this round, while Dagat moves... somewhere in front of him, maybe next to the soldier already next to him, forming a defensive shield of some sort.

Apparently, the spell doesn't work as well unless you have multiple foreign objects sticking out of your body.

The warrior woman runs towards Noorzad with fury in her eyes, swinging her scimitar as she closes the distance.

Captain's scimitar attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Critical confirmation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Damage to Noorzad: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

The final soldier jumps the gap between the ships and all of them run in to join the fight as well, throwing kicks and elbows at Dagat and Noorzad. The man standing next to Noorzad, decides, what the hell, and throws a flurry of blows at both of the two standing Pathfinders, slowly moving back towards his ship after doing so (5' shift).

Soldier 1 attack against Noorzad: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Soldier 1 attack against Dagat: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Soldier 2 attack against Noorzad: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 2 = 24
Soldier 3 attack against Dagat: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Soldier 1 damage against Noorzad: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Soldier 2 damage against Noorzad: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

And Dagat foils another stunning blow... grr...

Noorzad Fortitude save: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3

Noorzad is stunned! As he slides to the ground in a heap.

Looks like two players bailing on the game might be hurting us now. Some inquisitor spells might have helped, or a gunslinger against touch AC's, but alas. 3 monks and a magus don't help, either. It's up to Dagat now. She is the only hope for the Pathfinder Society! The critters will act again on Friday unless Dagat posts her actions before then.

Group 1
Boat [572/600 HP]
Hyeon-ae [-6/9 HP; needs stabilize check]
Noorzad [-2/12 HP; needs stabilize check]
Dagat [8/12 HP]
Gorn [unconscious, blinded, and stunned for 2 rounds, then blinded and stunned for 4 rounds, then stunned for 1 round]

Critters
Captain
Soldier 1
Soldier 2
Soldier 3

Group 2

Gorn twitches.

Yay color spray. It truly is a save or die spell.

4 on 1 and none of them are damaged? I don't think there's much I can do. I'll try stalling for time and hopefully get Gorn back into the fight. Though considering jumping ship.

Dagat shakes her head and says nothing. She brings her arms closer to her body and rushes past Gorn's unconscious body to jump onto the other ship, landing with a thud before maneuvering herself up deck.

Withdrawing, taking AoOs from the two monks on the bottom. Literally jumping ship. I'd take an AoO from one sailor over there if he gets one. Quick, what do I know about ships. Other that I'm on the other one. Where is the braid anyway?

The braid is with whoever was carrying it. I'd have said Hyeon-ae, but she hasn't been heard of for a while, so it's really up to you guys. Maybe Gorn used it to tie himself to the mast!

Soldier 1 AoO: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 2 = 18
Soldier 3 AoO: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 = 14

Unarmed Strike damage against Dagat: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Dagat tucks her arms in, runs for the side of the ship, but is struck by a low blow from one of the soldiers as she runs between the two. She falls to the deck, lying there, dazed and slipping into unconsciousness. Her eyes meet Gorn's, and she wonders what happened. How could the Pathfinders have met this tragic end? As the darkness envelops her, she sits up with a gasp. A dream! She lays in the narrow bunk she's taken to calling home for the last couple of weeks. Above deck, Gorn continues to yell at Noorzad about something or another.

The rest of the journey across the Sea of Eels is peaceful, with the exception of the grumbling dwarf. As you reach Shokuro, you rendezvous with a Pathfinder Society contact who is waiting to receive the Laughing Crow. From here, the group parts ways with Hyeon-ae and Zephri, as you begin your journey to Nesting Swallow, home of Je Tsuin, final living descendant of Li Yao, and the only one left alive who can reactivate the Braid of a Hundred Masters.

Luckily, the game was reported weeks ago! So this encounter was completely optional! But you guys wanted to finish the scenario... this was the final encounter, and losing two players didn't help at all. But it was all just a dream. Good night, sweet, sweet Pathfinders. And I hope to see you in The Quest for Perfection, Part III: How Many Ways Can Kim Skin a Bard! Title may or may not be accurate.

I thought Gorn had hidden it in the hold with the incense.

That's what that smell was!

Am I the only one here old enough to be making Bobby Ewing jokes?

Sorry, never watched Dallas. Had to google it, too.