PFS: Before the Dawn Part I, The Bloodcove Disguise (Inactive)

Game Master Mari Clock

"Well, that was close. I didn't see him slide that card, tricky bastard. Lets get this drunkard into bed so we can get him to work in the morning. I'm sure he will have quite the hangover."

"Maybe we should lock him in so that he doesn't get into any more trouble? We can't really afford for someone to stay here and watch him. We still need to track down the alchemist, as well as visit our local friendly traders."

After you get Raimondo down in bed, he passes out, you're pretty confident he won't even get up to go pee in the night.

As you are approaching the House Cartahegn trading post, you see surrounding a sprawling, two-story trading post is a mass of citizens and merchants alike. Some wear worried expressions and wring their hands, while others shout angrily at a well dressed young woman by the entrance.
“As I said,” shouts the Cartahegn spokesperson from atop a wooden crate, “all Cartahegn resources are needed to deal with this emergency with our sugarpress, and our storefront is closed for the remainder of the day or until management resolves the situation. We apologize for the inconvenience, but for now please return to your homes and places of business.”

As she climbs down, most of the grumbling mob begins to disperse.

"Emergency?" Wilhimina asks, pushing her way forward. "What kind of emergency? Need any help? I may be small, but I can get the job done!"

She glances at you, and your group, “Oh this ant situation in the sugarpress is dire! We’re losing thousands of pounds of sugarloaf an hour, and frankly I doubt we’ll be able to turn these clicky beasts back. We expended all the available sword arms just chasing the monsters back into the basement. If more ants show, we’ll surely lose the entire mill. I hope you aren’t here to buy food, because if Cartahegn must continue to devote all its resources to fighting off the ants, expect food prices around Bloodcove to triple overnight!

She sighs heavily.

“A shame we have no more soldiers. An idea came to me, you see—my housekeeper makes a sort of lotion that frightens bugs away, and I bet if someone dumped a load of it in the ants’ tunnel, it would keep them away until we could brick it up! You didn’t happen to bring any guards or soldiers with you, did you? If you were hoping to buy food and are willing to help us out, I promise you quite a discount in exchange for your services once we’re open again.”

Wilhimina starts jumping up and down. "Ooh! Ooh! Pick me! Pick me!"

"There is no profit in this but it will get us out of this hole faster I say we help."

"Oh, yes! Thank you so much!" Novaria, the spokesperson, escorts you to the basement stairs with a large, stinking sack of goo.

Take this lotion and dump it in the ants' tunnel. Once you're done, come back and we can get you whatever it is you need. One guard was able to tell me that they are mostly giant ants."

When you go in, after the humidity above, the stark dryness of the basement stands out as unsettling, almost as unsettling as the acrid smell and constant, methodical clicking emanating from the darkness. The remains of bags and crates lie scattered across the floor amid a sea of grayish dust.

Sugarpress Basement

You enter into General Storage.
This area once housed sacks containing charcoal, lime, and other dry materials used for processing sugar, as well as barrels of molasses left over from the refining process. The ants carried away the barrels of molasses and destroyed most of the dry goods containers, scattering gray powder across the floor.

Wilhimina looks around and shakes her head. "Somehow I doubt it's as easy as she said. Well, the sooner we start the sooner we can get done." She moves forward, and casts dancing lights.

Whisper pulls out some flasks from his ruck sack and puts them in his belt pouch for easy access, pulls his short sword and moves stealthily to the far wall.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Do we actually see the tunnel we're supposed to dump this stuff in? It's hard to tell on the map as it looks like there are two options.

Also, I can't move myself on the map right now, as I'm using my phone. Wilhimina should move 20' in. Sorry!

I believe we need to find where the ants breached the basement structure. I will move you.

Thanks!

"Hmm, pest control..." Balthazar quips after they're left in the basement, his Shackles accent gone. "Not what I imagined when I joined the Pathfinders, but if it gets us our supplies..."
He draws his dagger, and moves into the room.
Tried moving my token with the Drive App on my phone, only succeeded in erasing it somehow. Balthazar moves 2 squares along the northeast diagonal.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

You find two doors. I tried to keep them obvious on the map. Pick door number 1, or door number 2.

Does one door seem more disturbed than the other?
Edit: She'll continue to move up and look at them.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

Door Number 3! Door Number 3!

Marshala helps Wihimina search and will have put on vermin repellant on the way down if time permitted.
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Marshala, the vermin repellent is supposed to be put in the tunnels that the ants are using, but you have not gotten to them yet.

It doesn't matter how many times you look around, the room looks the same to you, the same two doors are there, looking just like they did before. There is not a third that magically appears.

And no one has an adamantine pick to make a 3rd door. Not that Cartahegn would appreciate an improvised renovation.
"Let's not get confused. Remember our training, choose a direction and stick with it."

I don't think Marshala meant the repellent we were given. I know you can purchase it from one of the books (probably UE).

"Well, when in doubt..."

Fate!: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Oh. Okay then. And... good choice!

You open the door to the Furnace Room:
This large chamber contains a maze of pipes and air ducts near the ceiling, but the floor remains clear aside from coal scattered from the chute along the far eastern wall. The ants broke through the flagstone floor in the northeast corner, and they have retreated to this room for the moment to guard the entrance to their tunnel.

Round 1
Whisper
Balthazar
Wilhimina
Marshala
Blue 0 dmg
Purple 0 dmg
Red 0 dmg

For simplicity because the way the rolls went, I'll just have all the ants go after the party.

Whisper enters the room and moves to engage the nearest ant (Blue).

acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 if needed for table on map.
short_sword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Sorry! The door 1 was at room 2, my bad in putting you through the wrong door.

Whisper misses the blue ant.

Rest of the party is up!

No worries on the door, it's not like we had our heart set on one over the other. :)

Wilhimina does the impatient gnome dance while waiting for Balthazar. "I was cramped on that ship for too long (no offense Marshala). Let's get in there and do this!"

Wilhimina charges into the room, pulling her starknives as she goes. "For Desnaaaaaa!" she screams as she attempts to stab the red ant.

Mwk Cold Iron Starknife: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 (counts the +2 from charging)
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Red Ant takes a point of damage!

"Aha! Take that you vermin. That'll teach you to steal from others!"

Whisper mutters in a low growl "Bloody priests, always so loud. Shouting an carrying on like some God is actually listing."

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

Wilhimina hears Whisper, and glances over at him. "They listen, and they answer. I hit, didn't I? The sooner we vanquish these foes, the sooner I can get back to adventuring, which pleases Desna!" She turns back to the red ant, content to keep stabbing (even if it takes a painfully long time with her damage output).

Whisper smiles and says "Well, I bet they can't help but to hear some of us." and turns his attention back to the ant menace.

"Arr! Canna be lettin' DESNA have all th' fun!" Marshala pulls out her Cold Iron axe as she moves to attack the Blue Ant.

Cold Iron boarding (battle)axe +5 (1d8+2/×3)

CI axe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
if hits:
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Alternate - since it took full movement to get to that spot, if Balth moves into it instead, she won't have an attack available so instead will pull out her wand of shield of faith and move towards the crazy gnome, whom she has determined is the most likely to get herself killed. :P

edit: Wow, I have angered the gods of virtual dice rolling

Glancing at Whisperer, "Grindylow hugs! 'e's a slippery fish, innit 'e?"

She's not crazy, just dedicated. It's totally different, her church told her so! :)

Balthazar grins at the gnome and pirate's fervor as he draws his crystal dagger.
"No, we can't let Desna have all the fun..." he chuckles. "Let's bring the pain!"

Balthazar double moves to flank the blue ant with Whisper, walking through the fire if it's small enough to not pentetrate his fire resistance.
I'm not one to stop others from trying to do damage!

Blue Ant will five foot out of flank and attack Whisper with a bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 if it hits does 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 points of damage, plus a grab 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
sting: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 if it hits does 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 points of damage please make a fortitude save

Purple Ant will move down to Balthazar and bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 if it hits does 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 points of damage

Red Ant will attack Wilhimina with a bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 if it hits does 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 points of damage, plus a grab 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 and a sting: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 if it hits does 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 points of damage and please make a fortitude save

Round 2[b]
Whisper
Balthazar
Wilhimina
Marshala
Blue [b] _ dmg
Purple _ dmg
Red 1 dmg

This should be easy for you guys, my virtual dice rolls always seem to suck.

Even with the charge that won't hit Wilhimina. Zealous gnome wins round one!

Whisper will acrobatics over to a new flank position on Blue and stab him in the thorax.... or someplace...

acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
short_sword: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 = 16
and if that hits...
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
sneak_attack: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Swift action to activate the arcane pool, attack, and 5 foot step one square to the north.

Wilhimina smiles at the red ant and waves her starknives around. "No, no, no. That's not how you attack. This is how you attack!"

mwk ci sk: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 if hits
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

regular sk: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 if hits
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Edit: crit confirmation: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 if confirms
crit damage: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

If this happens to drop the red ant, Wilhimina will 5 foot towards the rest of the party.

Marshala will take the flank position on the Blue Ant that Balth graciously provided and tries again.

CI axe: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 2 = 23
If hits
dmg: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Am on phone and can't move token atm

Depending on how much damage blue ant takes from Whisper and Balthazar, there might not be a blue ant left to hit! :)

It has taken 15 from them, assuming it took all of that. If Blue falls, then she'd attack Purple, sans flank bonus (she could reach it but will leave flank spot for Whisperer since ant probably won't move on its turn)

Blue Ant will attack Whisper with a bite 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 and if it hits does 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 points of damage

Purple Ant will attack Balthazar bite 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 and if it hits does 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 points of damage and will attack Marshala with his sting 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 and if he hits will deal 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 points of damage

Red Ant will attack Wilhimina with a 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 and if it hits does 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 points of damage, plus a grab attempt 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22. He will also sting 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 and if it hits does 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 points of damage and please make a fortitude save

Party is up! This is Round 3.
Whisper
Balthazar
Wilhimina
Marshala
Blue Marshala's last shot dropped him to 0, then his attack finished him.
Purple 7 dmg
Red 6 dmg

After Whisper's attack, presuming the ant still stands, he will Acrobatics away to attempt to negate the AoO, move just above the red ant, and stab it!

Whisper 5 foot steps for the flank on Purple, looks at Balthazar and rolls his eyes as he stabs the ant.

short_sword: 1d20 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 3 = 27
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
sneak_attack: 1d6 ⇒ 2

"Well then, I guess you get the hang of attacking now. But you didn't have to hug me you know. Really."

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Purple ant's stinger scrapes harmlessly against Marshala's armor. She steals a glance around to check-the gnome's been fighting 1v1 against red and looks like she might be injured, and
"Wee one, be trying ag'in! She calls as she takes a 5 ft step away from the ant and casts Liberating Command on the gnome.

Please retry Escape Artist as an immediate action, with a +4 competence bonus

Alternate, if gnome succeeded in escaping grapple on her own... , but seeing no one bloodied or lying on the floor decides to try to finish off Purple ant first.
Balth has again cleared out of a potential flank spot, except that he had apparently been standing IN A FIRE. Marshala realizes this just in time.
[Ooc]Electric, cold or acid shes fine with -but FIRE BAD! ;)

Against purple ant
CI axe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
If hits
dmg: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Sorry for the long alt - I missed that Wilhimina was grappled until I saw her post. If attacked again this round Marshala will spend a panache pt for the armor increase

She does not escape artist on her own, so Wilhimina can try again with the liberating command.

Purple Ant will attack Whisper with its bite 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 and if it hits does 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 points of damage and its sting 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 and if he hits will deal 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 points of damage.

Red Ant will maintain the hold on Wilhimina with a 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26. He will also sting her 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 and if it hits does 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 points of damage and please make a fortitude save

This is Round 4.
Whisper
Balthazar
Wilhimina
Marshala
Blue
Purple 11 dmg
Red 10 dmg

If Wilhimina's second escape artist attempt succeeds, the red ant will attack with the bite again.