[PFS_CORE_Aerondor] 00-03 - Murder on the Silken Caravan [Tier 1-2] PbP Gameday 4: (Inactive)

Game Master Aerondor

Swinging wide, Miriel turns the blade around and brings it again toward the goblin attacking Giovanni.

ECB attack northern blue goblin: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 = 221d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11

Free action maintain Bardic Performance.

Giovanni acrobatically...

Acrobatics to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

...avoids falling as he fails to dodge past the Goblin defensively. He ends his movement flanking with the Paladin and strikes.

Rapier: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 - 1 = 9

Oh, haha, you beat me by a minute!

In that case instead just 5ft me next to the Paladin and remove my flanking bonus. And I can't move myself on the map as I'm posting from my phone.

Miriel kills a goblin going for Giovanni, while Giovanni returns the favor killing the one going for the paladin.

To the north a goblin attacks Meredith.
attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
She easily avoids its scimitar..but as for the black shafted arrow directed at her by the hobgoblin
attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
She also avoids that with ease.

One of the goblins has a solid thwack at a drover, while the three to the south face off against the pathfinders
attack: 3d20 ⇒ (19, 19, 12) = 50
damage-Giovanni: 1d4 ⇒ 2
damage-Miriel: 1d4 ⇒ 1
The last hobgoblin drops his own bow and draws, slashing at Calvin

attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Status, (round 3) bold may post: inspire courage active +1 to hit and damage
Calvin - 6 damage; 1 NL, fatigued ;
Meredith - Endure elements ;
Kevan - (AOOs rolled)
Pimwrick - 3 damage; 4NL, fatigued
Miriel - 1 damage;
Giovanni - 2 damage; 2NL, fatigued
Bandits!
(end of round 3)

Continuing to protect her friends, Miriel slashes the goblin attacking Giovanni. "Get off him! Retreat you fools, you are defeated!"

ECB attack northern blue goblin: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 61d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

But there is just too much sand in her eyes, and she almost hits Giovanni instead.

Meredith tries to bash the goblin's head in with a knee covered in thorns.
Unarmed+1, Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 15
Wooden Fist Damage, Magic Fang, Inspire Courage: 1d3 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 6
Using my Wooden Fist ability, 4 more rounds today

If that slays the goblin, Meredith will move up to the northern hobgoblin. "You're mine!"

Calvin lets the follow thru from his last attack with his large sword spin him around then brings his sword strike upward to slash the Hobgoblin from knees to chin.

Two Handed Sword: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 1 + 1 = 24

Damage: 2d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 + 1 = 12

After see the hobgoblin fall he move to flank the goblins attacking the others yelling as he goes. "YOU SHOULD RUN NOW!!"

@Pimwrick I've been removing the dead figures. There were a lot to start with.

Thanks, I was just confused by the one with the red dot still being there.

Pimwrick tries again to take out the goblin in front of him, with a bit more luck this time.

Attack goblin furthest south in the row of blue ones. If he goes down, 5-foot step into his square.

Greatsword, fatigued, inspired: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Greatsword damage: 1d10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 1 = 9

Miriel has a swing and a miss, where as the formidable Meredith drops a second goblin in mere seconds, and advances on the larger hobgoblin behind it.

Calvin continues his own private bloodbath killing a second hobgoblin. Primwrick also rains down destruction, slicing a further goblin in two.

@Pim I may have forgotten to remove the dot, but other goblins moved up into the spot.

Status, (round 3) bold may post: inspire courage active +1 to hit and damage
Kevan - (AOOs rolled)
Giovanni - 2 damage; 2NL, fatigued
Bandits!
(end of round 3)
Meredith - Endure elements ;
Miriel - 1 damage;
Calvin - 6 damage; 1 NL, fatigued ;
Pimwrick - 3 damage; 4NL, fatigued

If the hobgoblin provokes, Meredith will try to grab it.

Free action maintain Bardic Performance.

Giovanni continues 5 feet forward into a flank.

Rapier: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 - 1 = 7

Looking up at Miriel, "It matters not should one blow miss so long as we, as a team, work together to make up for it."

He grins at the remaining Goblins.

"They only have their own interests at heart. We will prevail."

@Pim I may have forgotten to remove the dot, but other goblins moved up into the spot.

I get it now. I was focused on the red dot, and once I looked at the overall map, I saw you were already doing as I asked. And I like 'Pim' as a nickname for this character, hadn't heard or thought of that, surprisingly.

The giant cleric stabs at another goblin.

Attack Southern Blue goblin
Attack (EP, IC): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12
Damage (EP, IC): 2d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 5) + 6 + 1 = 14

Kevan and Giovanni finish off the southern horde.

The last remaining goblin makes a viscious strike at the camel in front of it. It looks like it might run, but appears more scared of the hobgoblin with a bow.

The hobgoblin itself drops its bow and swipes at Meredith.
attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Dust in the eyes. Not that he expects to keep them for long.

Status, (round 4) bold may post: inspire courage active +1 to hit and damage
Meredith - Endure elements ;
Miriel - 1 damage;
Calvin - 6 damage; 1 NL, fatigued ;
Pimwrick - 3 damage; 4NL, fatigued
Kevan - (AOOs rolled)
Giovanni - 2 damage; 2NL, fatigued
Bandits!
(end of round 4)

Oops, forgot about the camel there.

Kevan twirls the giant longspear around and stabs at the goblin.

Attack (EP, IC): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12
Damage (EP, IC): 2d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 4) + 6 + 1 = 16

With the nearby goblins slain, Pimwrick heads for the last of their assailants, blade swinging somewhat wildly in the blowing sands.

Move to spot on map, attack.

Greatsword, fatigued, inspired: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Greatsword damage, fatigued, inspired: 1d10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Calvin marches thru the sand to attack the goblin near the camels. "I TOLD YOU TO RUN!!!!" He screams as he drives his sword thru the creature.

Two Handed Sword: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 23
Damage: 2d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1, 5) + 4 + 1 = 11

Kevan destroys the first goblin, while Calvin takes care of the hobgoblin.

Suddenly all is quiet. Well, all apart from the wails of the drover and water salesman as they mourn the less of their companion and a camel.

Miriel runs to the downed drover and camel, looking if there is anything to be done for them.

Heal (drover): 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 = 16
Heal (camel): 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (20) - 2 = 18

"Why did they attack us, and press on so relentlessly? Such a meaningless loss of life", she laments the bloody battle.

Meredith nods to Calvin and turns back to the drover and camel.

If they can be saved, Meredith will use her Wand of Cure Light Wounds to aid them.

If they are beyond saving, Meredith kneels and makes a quick prayer.
"Mother Time and Father Sky, may these bodies return to the earth they were born from."

"This must be why our assistance was so easily secured. I imagine every caravan that comes this way must be a target."

Giovanni will offer charges from his own wand of Cure Light Wounds if necessary.

"We must find the rest of the caravan and determine their fate. The Accidental God may have a few more drinking companions this evening."

Calvin cleans his blade off on the hobgoblin on the ground then sheaths it on his back. Breathing heavily he gives Meredith a replying nod and walks slowly over to the others.

Looking at the drover and camel Calvin shakes his head as he falls to his knees. … my hesitation caused this … ”Can they be saved?”

Pim joins the others in attempting to help the wounded, saying, "I agree with Giovanni, we need to find the others, for our sake and theirs."

He also taps himself with his wand of healing.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 Back at full HP.

The goblins did a nasty job on the camel and the drover. Hokama seems if anyone more upset by the camels loss than that of the drover. He arranges for the supplies on the dead camel to be loaded onto those still living.

random: 1d20 ⇒ 1

With no real way to tell where the caravan went, the group heads off in a more or less north-western direction. You don't manage to locate the caravan on the first day, but just before nightfall you spy a fresh corpse, half buried in the sand.

May as well include three more fort saves against the head, DC 16,17 and 18

Status,
Meredith - Endure elements ;
Miriel - 1 damage;
Calvin - 6 damage; 1 NL, fatigued ;
Pimwrick - fatigued
Kevan -
Giovanni - 2 damage; 2NL, fatigued

"This does not promise well. Still more bandits around? We should go and find if there are some alive further ahead."

Do we still have the survival aid of +2?

Fortitude 16: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 = 26
Fortitude 17: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13
Fortitude 18: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12

The sands finally seem to win against her faith.

Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

NL Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4 Ouch.

Well, I was going to ask if the fatigued condition goes away when the NL damage does, but it's rather a moot point.

"I agree, Miriel," Pim says, a bit of worry in his tone. "I wonder if we can figure out how he died, or how long ago?"

Heal: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

Digging out the figure is not nice work. The Desert jackals have left a bit of a mess. However you discover a couple of things. Firstly it wears a rishy embroided Katheer vest, and below it is a crumpled purple fez. I tis the corpse of Mahmoud the weapons merchant.

Interestingly, he still has one of his fine pieces. A curved khanjar dagger. Buried in his back.

And yes, you can have the +2 from aid-another if you had it for the first check of he afternoon.

Meredith helps with the burial of the drover and the camel. She wipes the sweat off of her forehead. "Too many times have I done this. Perhaps that is my fate."

The day continues and Meredith continues to help people against the heat, although there is only so much she can do. As the night falls, she sees what is left of Mahmoud.

"Did the raiders get to him?" She ponders. "But stabbed in the back with his own dagger... Catching up to the caravan will be quite important."

"I don't know, Meredith," Pim says, trying to wipe off the sand and less pleasant stuff he's got on himself from digging out the body. "If the raiders killed him, would they have left this nice knife behind? I'd guess they're raiding for coin and valuables - this might have been something worse than just raiders. Definitely want to find the caravan now."

Just hitting FF here
The next day is an exercise in torture. Lost in the desert, with really only the relentless sun to guide you, at the least you have the water merchant's good - so death won't be fast.

Toward evening the air cools and the ground starts to firm a bit. In the distance can be seen some sun blasted mountain peaks. It must be the Zho Mountains. The Silken way passes through these mountains somewhere near the river.

"Look!" says Hokama pointing to an unremarkable peak. "Those Nose of Zhang. That marks a secondary pass that connects to the Silken way on the other side of the mountains!"

Fort Save DC 16: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 = 25
Fort Save DC 17: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 2 = 17
Fort Save DC 18: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Kevan manages to make it most of the day, but towards the end, the heat finally gets to him. he shakes his head at the death of Mahmoud. "You must have more than just weapons, you must have the skill and bravery to fight. Hopefully he went down swinging and the Accidental God will greet him with a warm embrace and a mug of ale."

As they get to the Nose of Zhang, Kevan smiles at the prospect of a river. "Hokama, should we camp for the night or try to press on into the mountains?"

The water merchant mops his head.
"I am not sure I would make it to the mountains in this heat. Let us camp here. Tomorrow will be a hard day in the mountains, hard but at least not quite as hot. But for now, let us camp."

I had 2 lethal and 2 nonlethal damage from before. Those both should have disappeared over the course of a night's rest.

Fort #1: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9 Nonlethal: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Fort #2: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 2 = 19
Fort #3: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 2 = 21

And the damage gets replaced anyways. Lovely, Lol.

"Hmm... The Zho Mountains. I think I've heard tales of them before..."

Knowledge (geography): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Pim looks longingly out at the mountains, wishing they weren't so far away, or that what lay between him and the mountains weren't so dry, hot and sandy. "I guess we rest," he says a bit glumly. "Maybe in the mountains my harmonica won't be so sandy..."

Nonlethal: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Another day, another Endure Elements.

Seeing that nothing can be done to save the drover and the camel guilt and exhaustion nearly push Calvin over the edge. He frantically searches the area for tracks of the others from the caravan but the sandstorm has erased any trace. After calming down into a sour mood he solemnly helps Meredith bury the drover and his camel. Riding the rest of the day thru the desert Calvin is hunched over his camel's neck.

When they find Mahmoud body Calvin just shakes his head. ”Gorum grant me your fury so that I may avenge this man.” That night Calvin passes out next to his camel.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The next day wears on Calvin the heat beats on his head and shoulders pushing him deeper into a hunched position while riding his camel. Just as he starts to believe that they are all going to die out here the mountain show on the horizon. "That is a welcome site. Now we can find the river and leave this desert behind us." he says while sitting up a little straighter on his camel. When the group stops to make camp helps unload the camels and set the tents.

random: 1d8 ⇒ 5
The night passes without incident.
Starting before dawn, the group manages to make it to the edge of the mountains before the true heat of the day begins. The walking is grueling. And hot. But compared to the desert it is like a spring breeze.
No need for fort saves in the mountains if you are not wearing armor or heavy clothes.

The canyon you follow through the mountains opens onto a wider vale, and should connect to the main route of the Silken Way not many miles ahead. However, your attention is arrested by a breathtaking sight: one wall of the mountain valley is occupied by a massive monument. A natural prominence in the red- and brown-veined strata of the rock walls ahead has been sculpted on a grand scale into a gargantuan idol depicting a man seated in the lotus position with a tall, pointed crown on his head. Though the years have worn the features of this sculpture into a nearly smooth finish with cave openings where mouth and eyes should be, there are enough details of face and clothing remaining to recognize the distinctive Eastern features and garb that the statue once bore. An eerie, forlorn song floats on the breeze that brings to mind a sense of bonegnawing loneliness.

Will saves everyone.DC 16

Picture of the shrine is in the map

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Pimwrick is nearly lost in the beguiling song when he lifts his gaze to look at the statue, distracting him from the eerie sadness of the music. "That's a big, big statue," he says. "I wonder where those openings go?" he adds, his halfling curiosity showing itself in spite of the harsh conditions.

Knowledge: Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

"Irori, Master of Masters. I do not know why the statue is here, or who built it. I've never heard Irori wearing a crown, either.
"

Miriel pauses to listen the music.

"This song, it is enchanting. Truly masterful, I am intrigued to find out who can produce so compelling art. Is it something beyond mortal music?"

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Knowledge, Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Kevan nods, it seems odd, but it does bear an uncanny likeness to..."[/b] he trails off as the song begins. "Oh my, that's wonderful..."

Meredith stretches as the sun rises. She quickly praises the sun and asks to be protected against the heat. She reaches to pluck the flower in her hair, only to realize it is now a prickly cactus. She flinches her hand in pain and smiles, curious yet amused.
Endure Elements ahoy

Meredith frowns as they come across the statue. "Why would you build such an eyesore in the middle of the desert? Should have spent your time building shelter than dedicating it to one person, god or no."

Will Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
At first Meredith thought it was just wind, echoing through the porous statue. But now that she had a moment to think, it reminded her of a song she heard when she was young, serving one of her master's parties. The guests remarked on the singer's beauty, but the elf told Meredith beauty came from within- if you feel beautiful, you are beautiful. It was nice to have a friend for that brief night until her husband arrived, told her to stop talking to gutter trash like Meredith, and whisked her away. Meredith heard of her murder a few weeks later.

A tear streaks from Meredith's eye as she remembers the tale. She wordlessly stares at the monument.

Will Save, including +4 for being a Bard: 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 1 + 4 = 24

Knowledge (anything) to identify the song: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Giovanni's standard grin suddenly turns sour. He quickly reaches for his Darkwood flute.

"Cover your ears! That song is not what you think it is!"

Begin countersong, everyone may use my Perform check in place of their Will save.

Perform (wind): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

I'll do the save for Calvin
wil: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Homaka, his dover and Atmar the slave boy all stumbled toward the strange structure, along with Meredith, Calvin and Kevan.
random: 1d6 ⇒ 5

From out of the sky a large bird plummets down and picks up Atmar, flapping up toward the "mouth" of the massive statue.

Giovanni can spy another of the creatures circling overhead, looking like it is about to dive too.

The song continues. (but no more will saves just yet)

Status, bold may post
Miriel - ;
Pimwrick -
Giovanni -
Meredith - Endure elements ; Entranced
Calvin - 5 damage; Entranced
Kevan - Entranced

Special Mechanics
Ledges on the statue are only 1' wide. You can move at half speed without issue, but to move faster will need to make a DC10 acrobatics check.
Fighting on the ledges will leave you flat footed.
The statue itself is easily cimbed (again DC10) but fighting while climbing will be most difficult (read: impossible, and remember, no dex bonus)

Sorry have had no time at work to post.

Calvin wakes feeling refreshed even thou his wound from the battle a few days ago still lingers. ... I hope the mountains are cooler then the desert ... He breaks his fast and helps load the camel up once again.

The day's ride thru the mountain are nice and as they come upon the massive monument carved out of the cliff wall he gaps in awe. "Never have I seen such a thing. Did men do this?" As his is distracted by the statue a song on the air catches his ear and he can not help but be draw to it.

"Hey, stop that!" Pim shouts at the bird that has grabbed Atmar, slipping his bow off his shoulder. He nocks an arrow, takes a quick calming breath, and lets fly at the huge bird!

I'm not sure where we are on the map, so I don't know what the range would be, but it shouldn't be more than one range increment. If it's somehow within 30', add +1 to hit and damage for Point Blank Shot.

+1 Longbow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
+1 Longbow damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

"By all that is beautiful, you shall not take my companions!" Miriel shouts at the bird. Following Pimwrick's example, she pulls out her longbow. "Shelyn ar melmë!" she calls the blessing of her goddess as she lets loose an arrow after the bird carrying Atmar.

Smite evil, just guessing, reduce the +2 bonuses if not

Longbow smite harpy: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 2 = 261d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

A Squawk, is followed by some very unbirdlike words as the bird-creature flaps up and away with Atmar...toward the top of the monument.

Giovanni starts to play his instrument. The sound is disharmonious with that of the birds, and breaks the enchantment... for the moment.

The second bird-creature, irritated with Giovanni's playing descends on him, striking out with a large club.

attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Bird1 is more than one hundred feet away, up toward the mouth of the statue.

The other bird-woman-creature, for a odd womans features they have, is abotu 40' up. Out of point blank range.

Status, bold may post
Miriel - ; SAVED
Pimwrick - SAVED
Giovanni - 7 damage; SAVED Singing (1 round used)
Meredith - Endure elements ;
Calvin - 5 damage;
Kevan -
Bird woman-pink: 13 damage
Bird woman-black: (40' up)

The map is a vertical layout map, not a horizontal one.

"Miriel, I think we have to stop shooting at the bird that got Atmar!" Pim cries out in frustration. "If we kill the bird, the fall will kill the boy for sure! Let's take out this one, and then climb up to get Atmar!"

Suiting deeds to words, Pimwrick draws back and sends an arrow flying at the closer bird-woman.

+1 Longbow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
+1 Longbow damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Miriel aims the bird carrying Atmar when she hears Pimwrick's warning. "Horrors, you are right! Poor Atmar", she realizes. She turns her aim to the nearer bird-woman and shoots another arrow.

Longbow attack black bird woman: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 201d8 ⇒ 8