[PFS_CORE_Aerondor] 05-08 The Confirmation (2016 B) (Inactive)

Game Master Aerondor

Durgan smashes the blob into bloblets. The acid stings his hands a bit, but he avoids getting too much on them.

The sound of Janira's voice starts to get a little more desperate.

You notice a faint light to the east. Quickly hurrying along, in less than a minute you find yourselves outside again in a moonlit night.

The light of the surface world above provides a welcome reprieve from the blue and green fungus of the caverns below, and light illuminates a stream whose water is hastened by runoff from a recent storm further up the mountains. A ledge to the west rises up to the nearby forest canopy.

Okay, tactical things. The western rocky "path" is above the trees, so you can shoot clearly from it. The river is quick, and if you want to swim it, the check is DC15. The "bridge" across is a log. You can move across at half speed with a DC7 acrobatics check.
Squares in green are rough terrain, and cost double movement. Janir'as words are still inspiring you.

“You vile beast! I know not what drives your black heart, but I shall not fail in my duty. I shall see you driven from this forest, back to the hills from whence you came!”

The minotaur is currently unaware of you.

Status, bold may post: Inspired +1 to hit and damage.
Lyana
Deluge
Volar
Kidrek
Durgan
Groosalugg
Janira
Minotaur

Kildrek will now cast Bless and head toward Janira!

"Janira! We will come to your aide!"

Lyana moves as fast as she can towards the bridge.

Double move.

Is the green area dense enough trees to provide cover on ranged attacks?

Groosalugg draws a javelin as he moves up, then throws it as far as he can at the minotaur. (-4 range penalty, +1 Bless, +1 Inspire Courage)

Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 - 4 + 1 + 1 = 4
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

If you are in the same square as a tree, you get cover from it, but not otherwise. Being in a green square can provide concealment to the people in the square.

The javelin unfortunately misses, no real surprise at range, but worth trying.

Status, bold may post: Inspired +1 to hit and damage.
Deluge
Volar
Durgan
Janira
Minotaur
Lyana
Kidrek
Groosalugg

"Come on Smiler, our halfling friend needs our help!"

Volar runs as fast as his legs can carry him. Smiler easily keeps up with him.

Deluge takes the high road and double moves, anxious to put some distance between himself and the scary pack that just tore apart that blob thing.

Durgan fishes out the potion of feather step, downs it, and shuffles closer to the combat.

"Leave our halfling alone, beastie!"

A bit of a dwarven accent slips into Durgan's Taldane as he shouts at the minotaur.

"Druid, see if you can use that scroll of entangle we found to slow down that thing!"

The team race forwards, as Janira tries to disarm the minotaur.
disarm,fatigue, inspire: 1d20 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 - 1 + 1 = 19

For a moment it looks like she has the minotaurs axe, but then it roars and swings at her.
attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Luckily for Janira, the Minotaur's disdainful stroke is poorly timed.
Status, bold may post: Inspired +1 to hit and damage.
Lyana
Kidrek
Groosalugg
Deluge
Volar
Durgan
Janira
Minotaur

Kildrek double moves. Don't forget about Bless!

Durgan runs forward at full tilt and leaps across the stream.

Acrobatics to jump: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

BTW did Janira 5-foot step away from the Minotaur at all? I didn't note her original position.

@Durgan Yes, and the Minotaur closed up on her again.

Groosalugg moves closer and throws another javelin.

attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 18
damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9

"Don't worry, Janira! We're coming to help you!"

"Druid, see if you can use that scroll of entangle we found to slow down that thing!"

I thought of that but believe it will hinder the PCs more than it will harm the minotaur. Since it is already next to the bard, it will keep pounding on her while we are prevented from closing.

I put up a 40' burst on the map that shouldn't interfere with the PCs. Of course it is your call as to whether or not you do it, just wanted to illustrate what I was thinking.

I put up a 40' burst on the map that shouldn't interfere with the PCs. Of course it is your call as to whether or not you do it, just wanted to illustrate what I was thinking.

That's actually a good idea. I guess its not too late to change my move. I'll have to take a move action to get at the scroll, but the range on that spell is pretty long so I'll do it. Change of orders. 5' step, retrieve the scroll and put an entangle right where Durgan said. Reflex save should be a meager 11 I think, but it is a minotaur!

And at the very least it will create difficult terrain for the minotuar, probably denying it a full attack on one round. If it becomes inconvenient you can spend a standard action to dismiss it.

Volar casts a spell to enhance Smiler's attacks then tells him "Go get that big horned bully Smiler!" Magic Fang on Smiler.

He then moves forwards nearer to Janira and the Minotaur.

Smiler moves as fast as he can towards the minotaur and tries to jump over the fast moving cold water.

acrobatics, jump: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

"Ooooooook!" he yells at the minotaur angrily as he lands in the water.

Double move.

You moved at least 10' before jumping, so you cleared 9 feet, or one square, and is just shy of the two squares you need. Acrobatics says

If you fail this check by 4 or less, you can attempt a DC 20 Reflex save to grab hold of the other side after having missed the jump.

Thanks for the clarification Durgan.

reflex save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

At the last moment Smiler grabs the bank of the stream on the opposite side.

Grossalugg tosses another javelin as he closes, this one hits.
Deluge pulls forth Janira's scroll and starts to read from it... The undergrowth around the minotaur starts to weave and wrap itself around his legs.
reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Unfortunately it pulls itself free.
Volar and Smiley quickly close the distance. Smiley tries to jump the river, but can't quite make it. Still, he manages to struggle to the bank on all fours.

Kidrek and Durgan also join the headlong flight towards the massive creature.

Status, bold may post: Inspired +1 to hit and damage. Bless
Lyana
Janira
Minotaur 9 damage
Groosalugg
Deluge
Volar
(smiley) prone.
Kidrek
Durgan

Lyana continues toward the Minotaur stopping just shy of the beast.

Double move a cross the bridge. Sorry for the delay. I have all three kids while the wife is out today.

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 = 15

No worries. Similar here, but we are having a Matariki party, which I'm supposed to be helping out at.
Janira steps back towards Durgan and tosses a tanglefoot bag
to hit: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 1 = 13
reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

He tries to break cut the goo off himself.
damage: 4d6 + 8 ⇒ (1, 2, 1, 2) + 8 = 14

He is almost free, but not quite.

Lydia, if you go into that square, there is an entangle spell and you will need to make a reflex save

Status, bold may post: Inspired +1 to hit and damage. Bless
Groosalugg
Deluge
Volar
(smiley) prone.
Kidrek
Durgan
Lyana
Janira
Minotaur 9 damage

Groosalugg moves up to throw another javelin.

The square I moved to is about half land and half water. Can I stand there? If it's solid enough, it's the only place I can get to that puts me within range to throw a javelin at the minotaur without a range penalty, and also without having to cross the river.

javelin throw: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9

Durgan draws a cold iron javelin, steps around Janira for a better shot, and hurls it at the entangled minotaur.

Cold Iron Javelin vs. entangled AC: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 1 = 12 damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

Lyana continues toward the Minotaur stopping just shy of the beast.

Double move a cross the bridge. Sorry for the delay. I have all three kids while the wife is out today.

[dice=Acrobatics] 1d20 -2

Lyana, you probably don't want to enter the area of the entangle, which is the red area.

Deluge moves forward and begins a Summon Nature's Ally spell.

Groosalugg and Durgan toss javelins at the minotaur. Both hit, though Durgan's is only due to the mess that the minotaur is wrapped up in.

Status, bold may post: Inspired +1 to hit and damage. Bless
Volar
(smiley) prone.
Kidrek
Lyana
Janira
Minotaur 26 damage
Groosalugg
Deluge casting
Durgan

Groosalugg and Durgan toss javelins at the minotaur. Both hit, though Durgan's is only due to the mess that the minotaur is wrapped up in.

Don't forget that the minotaur was still in the entangle at the end of Deluge's turn, so it needs to make another DC 11 Reflex save or be entangled.

Poor creature. This hasn't been a good day for it.
ref: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
It's still big, strong and ugly enough to keep the plants at bay.

Kildrek uses his time to try and move across the log and to the other side.

Acro: 1d20 - 7 ⇒ (8) - 7 = 1

He didn't make it.

Splash!

Swim check

Volar moves nearer to the action and leaves Smiler on his current task. Seeing Kildrek fall in the water he moves over to help him.

"Kildrek are you OK?"

Smiler climbs out of the water and moves over ready to hit the minotaur.

Swim: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (16) - 4 = 12

Kildrek's voice has an annoyed and yet embarrassed tone to it. I'm fine! I figured it'll be easier to simply wade across! Help the halflin'!

Kildrek swallows water and is swept down to the log bridge.

DC15 swim check, or probably the same in terms of climb to get out

I moved Lyana out of the entangle, as I doubt she meant to go into it. Lyana can take two rounds worth of actions this turn.

Seeing help arrive, Janira retires backwards a bit, he legs wobbly and her injuries obviously bothering her.

The minotaur finishes breaking the goo off himself. He steps forward and then smashes his axe into Smiler
2nd iterative attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8

The grass continues to try and wrap around him.
reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
But the large creature has little trouble avoiding it.

Status, bold may post: Inspired +1 to hit and damage. Bless
Lyana may act twice.
Groosalugg
Deluge casting
Durgan
Volar
(smiler) 8 damage
Kidrek
Janira
Minotaur 26 damage

Kildrek will try to climb out of the river.

Climb: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (4) - 4 = 0

He is failing miserably.

Summon an eagle. It should make short work of the distance and attack.

Then start another summon spell.

He shouts across the distance, "Feel the wrath of nature you lumbering ox."

Eagle attacks: +3/1d4 talon, +3/1d4 talon, +3/1d4 bite

Talon 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Talon 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Just noticed the Crit possibility:

Talon 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Durgan draws a javelin and hurls it at the far side of the minotaur, away from the animal companion. [ooc]Hopefully it is still entangled by the tanglefoot bag.

Cold Iron Javelin (inspire courage, bless): 1d20 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 13 damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

Does the eagle get the inspire bonus? It does not understand a lick of what Janira is spouting so I assumed not, but I figured it would pay to ask.

Inspire Courage is not language dependent, so it should get that bonus. It doesn't get the Bless, though, because it wasn't here when the spell was cast.

Groosalugg throws another javelin at the minotaur.

attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 26
damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 10

Wow - 3rd javelin in a row where I've hit for max damage. Went up by 1 this round, because I remembered Point Blank Shot, that I forgot last turn.

I've generally assumed that if music can sooth the savage beast, it should be able to inspire it as well. It's a supernatural ability afterall. Go ahead an include if it you want.

The Minotaur goes down under a flurry of claws, talons and javelins.

And likely a paladins smite too.

Janira looks at you with relief in her eyes.

"Thank you all so much! I though he had me there."

She looks suddenly tired.

"But... tell me all about what you found!"

And I thought you were going to finish soon, so I cut the chronicles last night.

Smiler prods the Minotaur with one finger. He looks disappointed that he didn't get to hit the creature.

Lyana recovers from her reverie and runs to help the others examine the dead beast.

The Minotaur is slowly bleeding to death on the ground. It's battered body pieced by javelins and claws.

Janira still looks keen on hearing your tale.

"Those caves were certainly not empty that is for sure. It seems that the gillmen seen nearby have been coming here as a form of pilgrimage for many years. There were carvings of various ways in which Aroden used to be worshiped in the past, and even a miniature carving of Absolom itself! It was all amazing to see!"

"We worked out small rituals that seemed to have power of some kind. Each of them had to do with one of the guises of Aroden. The ones written on the walls of the cave were different than any others we've heard of. We managed to make out four of the carvings, and figure out the ritual for three of them."

Durgan presents her with the various rubbings and notes the group collected.

"We met a gillman names Uori. He said his people come here to take thee waters in the cave, which he said are 'exceptionally pure'. He said they come on the nights of the full moon because the sun dries out their skin too fast during the day, and it is easier to see on nights with a full moon."

Janira, tired as she is, thinks that a rest in the cave may be the best idea.

After an uneventful night you head back, swapping stories with the little halfling. Once back at Absalom you are presented with Wayfinders and congratulated by the resident VCs and told there is sure to be a new mission shortly.

In this case, shortly turns out to be the next day.. Oppara.

Oppara