[PFS_Aerondor] 05-08: The Confirmation (level 1 or 2) PbP GameDay 3 (Inactive)

Game Master Aerondor

Haha, its actually an obscure reference to a book series I used to love reading, where the Big Bad Evil Sorcerer gloats "Where are your oh so clever taunts now detective?", and the guy responds "You have Big Ears", before being blasted through a wall. Its amazing at the sort of things that stay with you!

Tophor plants his feet in the soft earth near the stream. Eyes locked on the minotaur, he raises his bow, firing hastily at the bulky creature.

MW Comp. Longbow, Flurry 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

MW Comp. Longbow, Flurry 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Eldon advances through the bushes and moves fast through the sand leaping over the river with his blade in one hand.
Acrobatics (jump): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Double move through difficult terrain and jumping

The pathfinders close in on the Minotaur, trying to distract it from Janira.

Tophors arrwos come close but don't hurt the beast.

Janira steps back, and tries to trip the beast
1d20 ⇒ 12

But without success.

The minotaur closes and tries to slice the annoying halfling in half with a single powerful blow.
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 5) + 3 = 13
She collapses on the ground, a massive cut to her torso.

Status: bold may act
Evan
Eldon
Jal
Tophor
Janira (13 damage), dying.
Minotaur

Janir's sacrifice continues to inspire you You are all inspired, +1 to hit and damage (last round).

Jal stares murder at the beast as he continues his rush down the slope and stumbles across the log. He hits dry land once again and breaks toward the minotaur.

Cant edit map tonight, but Jal is taking a double move down the slope and across the bridge.
Acro DC 7: 1d20 + 7 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 3 = 8

That should put him in front of Eldon, but still a good move action away from the Minotaur.

Can I successfully Charge from where I am?

@Evan, with a move of 20, I think you'll end up being short a space of movement unless your weapon has reach. Otherwise charge is fine.
@Jal - I moved you, remember half movement in difficult terrain.

If you think I'm short while charging, then I'm short. Won't bother charging in that case (due to dealing no damage and -2 to AC), will just single move and use the Total Defence action.

Eldon approaches the imposing beast until the point he is 10 feet away, out of the creature reach. He then starts saying arcane words.
spell failure 30%: 1d100 ⇒ 80
Suddenly, waves of arcane strings of multiple colors fly from his hand engulfing the beast back!
Color spray, will CD 15.

^^ I'm gonna need that spell to stick. :D

Tophor offers a prayer of contrition for the curse that escapes his lips, as Janira falls, and Eldon suddenly runs into his line-of-fire. "Watch it!"

Leaping across the stream, he draws a bead on the massive beast, and draws the hearty bowstring...

    Calm your mind. Focus. Breathe in... Connect with your target. You are one with the bow. Breathe out... and release.

The words of his first instructor rise from the depths of memory. Spirit still as a winter pond, Tophor looses an arrow with precision.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

MWLB+2, Perfect Strike.1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
MWLB+2, Perfect Strike.2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

*Perfect Strike = Roll attack twice, take higher result; lower roll = crit confirmation.

Evan continues to close on the minotaur while Tophor closes and shoots off an arrow that embeds itself deeply in the beast's chest. Jal also heads towards the huge beast.

It is Eldon who first brings a material advantage as he summons forth a vibrant burst of colour in the suprised creatures face.
will DC15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

It snorts in surprise, and turns, and closes with the Magus trying to rend him with its axe.

attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

The blow deflects off the armoured warrior.

Janira continues to convulse on the ground stabalise: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Status, bold may post.
All the pathfinders
Minotaur - 10 damage
Janira - 14 damge, dying

Jal spits out a curse when the magic fails, and he continues his approach. As the minotaur steps up to Eldon, Jal breaks the opposite direction, looking to find an undefended angle. Risking the brute’s reach, he darts in and slashes at its legs.

”Tophor!” he shouts out, looking for another opening, ”Sinulla mitenkään hidastaa tämä iso kaveri alas?”

Circle around to its western side (map updated), then power attack. (Inspire Courage has ended, correct?)
mwk longsword: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 - 1 = 14; +2 if Eldon's flank applies.
damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10

Current Status/Conditions: Barkskin
ACP: -3 (shield worn, light encumbrance)

Eldon side steps dodging the gigantic beast's axe and getting into a flanking position paired with Jal. "Tsik... so you do not appreciate my colourful art?" Closer to Janira, Eldon gives a look to her hoping to be on time.

He then calls for his deepest inner magic and focus it in his special longsword. The blade becomes suddenly shiny shed on magic. At that very same moment he attacks the horned beast with a fast movement of his right hand.
Dueling sword (+1 arcane) +flanking: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 = 15
Slashing magical damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

I would never have thought minotaurs had that strong will save!
5-foot step SE
Swift: 1 arcane point from my pool to make the dueling sword a magical +1 weapon for 1 minute
Standard: Attack the minotaur

Gah! I forgot to include Inspire last round. Oh, well.

Tophor muffles another curse as Eldon again blocks his shot. Repositioning, he sends another arrow at the Minotaur, which whisks past the magus' ear.

MWCLB+2, Perfect Strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
MWCLB+2, Perfect Strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

MWCLB+2, Flurry: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16   Edited action, since Eldon moved in my LOS right as I posted.

"Eldon! Watch your positioning!"

Unlike his friends, Evan doesn't waste him with words, preferring his hammer to do the talking. Switching his Judgement from Sacred Protection to Destruction, Evan steps right up, and sends his warhammer crunching into the Minotaur's side.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Destruction: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Get Rekt.

As Jal closes, the Minotaur lashes out
AoO: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
crit confirm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

The blow is a massive out, surely enough to rend the rogues head from his shoulders. However the unnatural toughness of his skin from the potion serves to keep it at least mostly intact.

damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4) + 3 = 10

Alas, the poor minotaur, fatigued from his long chase after Janira and surrounded by multiple pathfinders finds that he is unable to dodge the flurry of (somewhat lucky) blows that comes on him from all sides.

In a moment or two it falls.

Ouch, you guys do a lot of damage when you all hit.

Janira continues to choak on her own blood.
survival: 1d20 - 7 + 2 ⇒ (13) - 7 + 2 = 8 (15 damage,dying)

Eesh. That could have been far, far worse. O.o

Jal’s shield hits the ground as he claps a hand to his ravaged neck and shoulder. After a moment wobbling on his feet, though, he forces his eyes to focus on Janira. He staggers around the massive corpse, mostly dragging his blade, and collapses to his knees next to the halfling.

His voice is ragged through the pain. ”Evan … the wand … for Janira … now.”

yeap, x3 crit, not nice. For a second there I thought Mr Mino may live to round 2.

Wand #1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Wand #2: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Wand #3: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

As the beast falls prone into the floor totally unconscious, Eldon sighs relieved. "That was big! Are you ok Jal?" he then darts towards Janira's body and kneels in front of her trying to stabilize her wounds.
Heal (stabilize Janira): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

Once Evan brings the magic to close the wounds, Eldon sits finally relieved. "Wow! You are a hard one eh halfling!" smiling to the supervisor.

"That was a tough fight, and yet we did particularly well. We succeeded at flanking the beast only conceding him a couple of opportunities to attack us." Once Janira comes to conciousness, Eldon looks at the cave entrance. "Perhaps we should end exploring the caves. In the end we were send here with that task."

Well, we can do some fast forward here..

Evan takes out Janira's wand of curing and uses that on her to stop her dying.

With a pained look on her face she opens her eyes.

"My thanks pathfinders. Now that is what I call cooperation!"

You tell her of your exploration so far, and she seems very interetsed in the rituals. "Did you try any of them out? What about the other exit from the Gillman's cave? Where does that go?"

For someone who had been closer than most care to death, she seems to put aside her own poor condition remarkably easily.

"It's your call, but your final papers would look much better if you could answer those questions..."

And here from the OOC I assume you are heading back in to the cave of the gillman.

Of the slowly moving gelatinous cube you see no sign. Presumably it has squeezed down some small crack and into a cave the team cannot access.

Back at the model of Absalom in the middle of the pool, the Gillman has now left, presumably returning to his own people in the sea.

You are now in the cavern with the model city, and an unexplored exit.
The air near the unexplored exit smells old and stale.

Eldon follows the same rituals as made in the inscriptions drawings.

Then he follows the scouts into the new tunnel.

I'm sure Jal could use some healing from that wand as well, Evan.

As Evan heals Janira and Jal, Tophor scribbles some notes into his journal. "Next time, mind your positioning, Eldon. Arrow shafts would make for a gruesome hat."

Tophor updates Janira on the encounter with Uori, as they make their way past the gillman. Further on, his steps become softer as they venture into new tunnels.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Thats what the third charge was for...

The wand is 3rd level, so you can add +2 to each of those heals

How is Eldon trying to follow the rituals?

Eldon answers to Tophor's with a smile and didactic attitude "Indeed you were badly positioned. I perfectly gained the flank of the beast providing a clear and definitive advantage to our group and protected you from an attack. If you plan to fight with projectiles an never have cover, you better have a plan to surround the enemy and when your enemy charges over you standing alone in one flank."

When they arrive to the cavern, Eldon repeats Aroden deeds as in the carvings. He does the farmer, plowing four lines in a field of the city model. He plays the Scholar writing today's history and reciting to the party members. He plays the Shepherd, herding whatever figure inside the city model or otherwise his party members into a position out of the cavern. He plays the Soldier, lighting a torch and carrying light all over the Absalom model.

If nothing happens, Eldon just follows his companions.

Jal has been quiet since the minotaur. He always brooded after nearly being killed. Though, to his credit, he had asked after Janira's well-being and thanked Evan for the healing before taking point as they headed back into the caves.

Finally, back in the main chamber, he barks out a laugh at the exchange about tactics between Eldon and Tophor.

"Hells, maybe you're both right. There's not just one right way to shark at cards." He pauses to give Eldon an uncomprehending scowl as the man does his rituals in the water. "Now what in the name of Iomedae's iron-clad balls are you doing over there?"

Eldon smiles to Jal, then answers "I heard an interior voice telling me this was a good idea to try out. Do you like herding? You can participate!"

"Do I look like a shepherd?" He quirks a half-smile, "Plus, I make it rule to be wary of what the voices in people's heads tell them to do." He shrugs with a smile meant to be disarming, "I'm funny like that."

Jal looks towards the eastern, unexplored cave opening. Then he stalks over to it, taking a few moments to look and listen into its depths ... curious as to what exactly they're still in for on this trip.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

You guys let me know when we're ready to head into this other branch of the cave. Jal will—as ever—take point. A'scoutin' he will go!

Use these rolls when we head in there ... just trying to be proactive.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Eldon answers to Tophor's with a smile and didactic attitude "Indeed you were badly positioned. I perfectly gained the blah blah blah blah..."

"Silence, you foolish child. I'm working."

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

As Eldon follows the ritual of the farmer, the group feels the touch of a light divine blessing over them (lasts for 24 hours)

Completing this ritual grants all of the PCs
a +1 luck bonus on Fortitude saves against poison.

Nothing happens when he recites history however. There are no figures inside hte city as such, but there are lots of centipedes climbing around the place (that would be a handle animal check).

When he carries the torch around the city, the group again feels the slight pull of a blessing from the dead god.
Completing this ritual grants each PC a +1 insight bonus to AC if she has taken damage since the start of her last turn.

Do you want to try for the full set? They benefits are marginal, but completists sometimes like to do everything :-) Otherwise post that you are heading down that last corridor. <queue ominous drumroll>

Hey, nice job, Eldon!
I’m not all that interested in trying for all of them, but I can be patient and wait if someone else is.

Otherwise, Jal is ready to test the last corridor when everyone else is (feel free to use his previously rolled scouting skill rolls).

With it's low charisma Eldon prefers not to even try with the centipedes. Instead he follows the group into the tunnel, readying Janira's burning wand in his shield hand.

"Well, let's see if we can finish mapping the caves."

Otherwise, Jal is ready to test the last corridor when everyone else is (feel free to use his previously rolled scouting skill rolls).

Ditto.

Lets roll

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Jal nods and leads the group into the unexplored caves.

The cave’s damp air becomes increasingly stale as you
continue down through this tunnel, and as you approach
this area, the stench of decay grows increasingly evident.
The passage turns to the east and opens into a small
cavern littered with bits of broken glass, rotting pieces
of paper, and other unusable detritus. The body of a male
dhampir lies facedown toward the back of the cavern.

As the group enters, the bodies start to stir....
fate: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Little flesh remains, but three dead gillmen stand and stride towards the group..

Status, bold may post.
You lot
The skeletons

Um ... please tell me that enemy token is inappropriately sized,

"Welp, as a cleric up in Kaer Maga once told me," the Varisian quips as he sheathes his blade in favor of a morningstar, "... when dealing with undeath, break the bones and cut the flesh. Bludgeoning weapons, boys."

Sheath sword. Draw morningstar. And if a 5' step will get Jal to the front line, he'll take it.

Eldon advances the group and points the skeletons with Janira's wand. "Indeed, break the bone... or burn it down as I was told once by a wizard master." After pronouncing an arcane command word he waves the wand and tongues of fire emanate from the stick burning the air and engulfing in flames the undead.
Fire damage: 3d4 ⇒ (4, 2, 3) = 9 Ref CD 11

I don't have a clear idea where under the giant skeleton are the undead xD
But I guess I can somehow fire the wand while leaving enough space for the others to act.

Evan already has his warhammer out, so double moves to get himself out of the road.

Hmm technical issues with the map. There are three skeletons. All normal sized. Everyone double check where you are on the map and your actions please. Sorry about that, not sure what happened.

@Eldon, you will have to redo your move for sure

I checked the movement from my initial position, I think I arrive to the place I launched the burning hands.
Map updated
The left one might have +2 Ref cover, not sure how that works in this map.

With the map update, I'll not double move and instead simply single move to my new position, and take the Total Defence action.

@Jal and Tophor, I just need you to do your moves. Jal can move and get in a single attack if he wants.

I can't access the map right now, so someone help me out.

Jal's blade clatters to the cave floor. Morningstar now in hand, he dodges into position and tries to crush some bones.

cold iron morningstar: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 1 = 23
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 3 = 10

Two skeeltons melt under a rain of fire from the wand, while the third is quickly dispatched by Jal's morning star.

Your team rolling has been pretty epic I must say

Among the fallen bodies, you find a note written by the dhampir that details plans to start an army of undead made from the “fish people” who have been frequenting this cave.

On the necromancers body you find two other things of interest, a pearl and a ring. Both are magical.

Eventually you work your way back to the surface and find Janira looking quite a bit better. After you tell her of the model and the rituals she is even more fascinated, and "Can't wait to read your write up."

Back in Absalom your team is thanked for both your contribution to knowledge, but also for saving Janira.

And thats a wrap. You eventually work out that pearl is a pearl of power (1st level spell) and the ring is a ring of protection +1.

Chronicles will be up shortly.

Thanks for GMing this! It was really fun.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, thanks for playing. Nice to have a tidy group of fast posters, but not get bogged down in game mechanics either. A rare combination.

It has been fun so far. Thanks again, Aerondor. See you all in Tide soon. :(