[PFS] GM Harker Presents: #3-19 The Icebound Outpost (Inactive)

Game Master Justin L. Warren

Brayden will likewise lend his talents in evaluating the scrolls.

Leaning over the arcane writings, he speaks to the professor and the elf. "Study is indeed important, even for those of us who don't cast spells. These three scrolls are Cause Fear, Charm Person, and False Life. But of more concern to me - where are the leaders of this company. They departed, perhaps we can find a clue as to where they went, then pursue and defeat them."

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Brayden, do you have a way to cast Detect Magic? I don't believe you can identify the magic items otherwise.

A small point of clarification, Likha's gender is female, while Meenashdu is male.

While many-armed, the statuette does not appear to be a likeness of Likha. It's small size makes it somewhat easy to carry.

The statue of Meenashdu probably weighs near 1,000 pounds, but up to four of you can carry it if you use the twine as handholds.

Brayden does not identify anything else of interest as he looks around the room.

Identifying magic items and Deciphering Scrolls both use Spellcraft, but with different rules and DCs. Identifying a magic item after casting detect magic can be accomplished with a Spellcraft check, DC 15+caster level. Deciphering scrolls uses Spellcraft by itself, without detect magic, and has a higher DC (20+spell level).

PRD entry on Spellcraft

The professor continues his counter-clockwise circuit of the complex, squinting his eyes while he searches for secret trapdoors or other things that they may have missed.

"Oh, ahh -- a little help?"

Evenstar continues searching along with her companions. If there was a secret door or any hidden opponent, they would find it.

Take 20 perception for 26

I had overlooked that rule about scrolls and Spellcraft mostly thanks to Read Magic making it unnecessary.

Is the group going to do anything with the statue or are you just going to go room by room to see if you missed anything? Are you splitting up?

Turning toward the others, "Shall we put these holy statues back in their rightful places? This one-" pointing to the statue below the desk, "is rather large, but I believe several of us working together can put it back correctly."

While discussing options with the others, Brayden pauses by the desk then picks up the spellbook and tucks it in his backpack for later examination.

"Let's do this together." the oread proposes. "This idea is as good as any, and it makes sense to me."

With those words, Basalte joins Brayden and a few others to move the large statue back to the shrine dedicated to Meenashdu.

Mel does his best to help move the statue as well.

You'll need four people to move it, so we need one more volunteer. Moving the statue requires both hands.

It takes a couple of minutes to take 20 on perception, which the statue carriers probably don't want to wait for as they lug the object around. I'm ok with taking 10 if aren't carrying the statue, or you can seperate from the group and take the full 20.

Evenstar steps up to help move the statue.

Jasmine would just take 10 total 16

The circle on the map is the statue. If you are carrying the statue, you can place it on the ground as a move action. Just dropping it can be done as a free action, but you risk hurting the other people still carrying it. Also, if you were carrying the statue, you'll need to draw your weapon(s) again, since the statue requires both hands.

The group moves from the central dome of the temple back into the slave room with no trouble, albeit slowly thanks to the heavy statue four of you are carrying. Once you move past the room with the slaves, Basalte sees standing in the courtyard a half-orc woman who is glaring menacingly with two kukri's drawn.

Player Initiative
Basalte Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Brayden Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Evenstar Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Jasmine Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Melufiuos' Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Professor's Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Initiative (Round 1)
Melufiuos <= UP
Evenstar <= UP
Half-Orc
Brayden
Jasmine
Ratfolk you can't see yet
Basalte
Professor F

Melufiuos and Evenstar are up!

"Drop your weapons, and we will accept your surrender. Otherwise, your fate will be the same as your lackeys," Evenstar states.

She slowly sets down the statue, then draws her weapon.

off to a long day at work, so posting in advance

Brayden like wise carefully lowerd the statue (and delays if necessary for us all to lower it at the same time). Pulling a strange vial from his vest, Brayden drinks it, causing his body to grow and twist with a newfound strength.

move action - lower statue, standard action - drink strength mutagen

The whole time carrying it, Mel had been complaining about how the rough rope hurt his burnt fingers. But he managed to carry his share of the weight anyway.

I am sooooo sorry y'all, but I've been playing Mel as kind of impulsive. I've retyped my actions several times already. I even toyed with making him try to flirt with her. But in the end, I think Mel has to drop the statue. Sorry, it's what he'd do. :(

The young elf is startled by the appearance of another threat. Before he can think, he has let go of the rope holding his end of the statue and reaches for his bow.

* free action - drop statue
* move action - draw bow
* swift action - burn arcane charge
* standard action - fire bow
Can I really do all that? This isn't a surprise round, right?

Bow: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 = 22
dmg: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Well, at least I didn't roll a 1 and shoot Basalte in the back of the head.

Brayden and Basalte, please make strength checks to compensate from Melufiuos abruptly dropping his end of the statue.

After carefully lowering her side of the statue, Evenstar attempts to convince the half-orc to surrender while simultaneously preparing herself for battle.

Melufiuos lets go of his end of the statue, draws his bow and fires. He hits the half-orc woman in her side.

"Surrender? After what you did the others, that's bad comedy." The half-orc replies, grimacing from the pain of Meluifiuos' arrow. Sheathing one of her kukris, she throws a chakram at the closest target, Basalte. Her aim is extremely off, however, and it bounces harmlessly off the side of the dome.

Brayden tries to maneuver his side of the statue without harm to himself, then drinks a mutagen which, perhaps ironically, gives him more strength.

Jasmine, you're up

Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Despite the sudden leaving of their unreliable carrier, Basalte makes a great show of strength to compensate!

strength check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Jasmine will lower her heavy crossbow and take a shot at the enemy.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 121d10 ⇒ 10

With brute strength, Brayden and Basalte manage to keep the statue from falling on them.

Jasmine's crossbow bolt is unable to hit, as its target side steps the projectile.

From the behind the half-orc, further in the courtyard, comes a droning flute tune that appears to invigorate the kukri carrying woman!

Initiative (Round 1-2)
Basalte <= Up
Professor F <= UP
Melufiuos <= UP
Evenstar <= UP
Half-Orc
Brayden
Jasmine
Ratfolk

Basalte, Professor F, Melufiuos, and Evenstar are up.

The professor hobbles forward, wondering at the latest attack.

"More Aspis? My there's so many about here..."

Waving his wand about, he once again works to inspire the party with his errr, charisma.

Cast Bless from wand.

Mel hurries to lose another shaft at the half orc before she gets into melee.
bow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
dmg: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

-Posted with Wayfinder

Mel, although this current attack will miss, I believe you forgot to roll sneak attack damage for the first round. Feel free to do that if you still wish.

Oh sorry. Didn't realize I could do one there.

sneak attack damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

-Posted with Wayfinder

Evenstar steps in front of Basalte, who is still holding the statue, and takes a swing at the half-orc.

"Don't say we didn't give you a chance to give up," she says.

Bardiche Power Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 1 = 18 for Bardiche damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Basalte slowly and carefully puts the statue on the ground, having the utmost respect for the magnificent stonework. Then he draws his falchion as he moves towards the kukri lady to meet her in battle.

Hrmmm. Lamashtu-wannabe...

From what I gather, she only has one kukri out, right?

Professor F blesses the party, while Melufiuos' second arrow misses. Evenstar then advances and strikes the half-orc with her bardiche. Immediately after the human fighter's attack, two shuriken come flying towards her from a Tian man formerly hidden 20' up on the nearby wall and wearing ninja garb! Luckily, neither projectile hits her.

The half-orc woman attacks Basalte with her kukri, but is unable to pierce his armored exterior. With a flick of her wrist, she re-draws her second kukri.

Initiative (Round 2)
Basalte
Professor F
Melufiuos
Evenstar
Ninja
Half-Orc
Brayden <= Up
Jasmine <= Up
Ratfolk

Effects
Bless: +1 to attack rolls and fear saves.

Brayden and Jasmine are up!

Jasmine, seeing two projectiles fly towards Basalte, she moves forward towards the fray.

free: drop bow and get dagger from wrist sheathe. Move action(s): either (a) next to Basalte and Evenstar to melee attack half-Orc or (b) if I can hide in a shadow coming around the corner I will throw a dagger at the ninja?

stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
melee on half-orc: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 111d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

ranged, sneak: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 81d4 + 3 + 1d8 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (2) = 6

depending on how Jasmine's action is resolved, Brayden will either move to the square between Basalte and Evenstar, our to the square on the far side of Basalte - where I have currently placed him on the map

The bulked up Brayden moves to Basalte's side and swings two-handed at the half-orc.

morningstar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

"Look out!" Evenstar shouts as the shuriken nearly hit her.

Jasmine, the shadows are not dark enough to use as a hiding spot.

Jasmine quickly assesses the lack of a good hiding spot and moves into the fray. The knife-master's dagger is deflected by the half-orc's studded leather.

Her armor provides little protection from Brayden's Morningstar, however, as the alchemist slams it against her. The severely injured half-orc only seems to be still up on her feet by sheer force of will.

The ratfolk cowering behind the column continues to play a jaunty tune on his flute.

Initiative (Round 2-3)
Basalte <= Up
Professor F <= Up
Melufiuos <= Up
Evenstar <= Up
Ninja
Half-Orc
Brayden
Jasmine
Ratfolk

Effects
Bless: +1 to attack rolls and fear saves

Basalte, Professor F, Melufiuos, and Evenstar

With the half-orc nearly defeated and difficulty aiming a blow past her companions, Evenstar moves toward the other enemies.

It sounds like the ninja is 20' above where I've ended. If I can't reach the ninja, I'll swing at the rat.

Bardiche Power Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 for Bardiche damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

With the ninja out of the reach of her weapon, Evenstar swings instead at the ratfolk. Using the column between them, the ratfolk is able to avoid Evenstar's deadly attack.

The professor squints at the field of battle and his gaze finally settles on the ratfolk with the flute.

"I do say, you look quite familiar... could you come here, just for a second?"

Cast Command on the ratfolk to 'approach' the professor. DC14 Will.

Professor, you need to be able to see the ratfolk in order to use that spell on him. At your current position, the wall blocks a visual. You'll need to move at least to the square directly southwest.

Works for me.

Absorbed in the twin tasks of avoiding attacks and playing his flute, the ratfolk shrugs off Professor F's spell.

Basalte raises his massive blade to finish off the Aspis half-orc. Feeling the orc's end to be nigh, he succumbs to his fury.
Rage, 1st round, 5 remaining today.

"This is when the lights go out for you. Say hi to Pharasma for me. AGHHHH!"

Falchion, bless, rage: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 172d4 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 6 + 2 = 14

Current AC is 18, Will save +4 total.

Mel moves up behind Basalt and then fires his bow at the ninja on the wall, "Come down here and fight like a man!"

bow: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 16
dmg: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Somehow I bet that does not hit :(
That's OK, if he's still alive next round, I'll knock him off the wall with color spray.
5'10" tall elf + 15' spray can hit 20' high ninja. Right?

Basalte's mighty blade resolutely ends the half-orc woman's life with a wash of blood.

Melufiuos' arrow flies true to lodge itself into the ninja, who grunts quietly with pain.

In response, the ninja drinks a potion and disappears!

Initiative (Round 3)
Basalte
Professor F
Melufiuos
Evenstar
Ninja
Brayden <= Up
Jasmine <= Up
Ratfolk

Effects
Bless: +1 to attack rolls and fear saves

Brayden and Jasmine up

Jasmine, tries to pinpoint the location of the annoying ninja, but cannot figure out for the life of her which way he went. She decides that discretion is the better part of valor.

full round action: go total defensive

AC is now 20, FF is 17

Anyone else know which way the little bugger ran off to?

After say that, she moves to the opening behind her, and uses the time to hide, and take up a position to better defend herelf.

stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

your going to defend your elf? Oh how sweet ;)

-Posted with Wayfinder

yes...from behind the wall lol

With the hope of taking at least one of the Aspis agents prisoner, Brayden swings again at the half-orc, trying to incapacitate rather than kill her. "We need more information, take one alive."

morningstar nonlethal: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 18
damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

She's already dead, Brayden! :)

Yes, the half-orc is extremely dead. Please select other actions, Brayden.

Unfortunately, due to a storm, the power is out at my house and to the desktop computer where I store my PDFs. Until it returns, my posting will be less frequent. I've been told it could take anywhere from this afternoon up until a couple of days.

no worries, hope it come back sooner rather than later :)