[PFS] GM Lithrac's Tide of Twilight (#3-05) (Inactive)

Game Master Cyril Corbaz

Aiva creeps forward, pulling her ukulele out so that she's ready.

Suin Ko blinks in the ambush, frowning deeply while drawing his scimitar. The elven woman may be dealt with, but she had the Cheliaxian pinned down. While he didn't particular care for the devil consorting kingdom the sins of the country didn't necessarily fall on to the man. He couldn't move to assist or even to past as it was however, so he redirected his attention to the crocodile and slashed downwards with his scimitar, holding it in two hands, the blade gleaming with Arcane energy

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 = 12

Cha-Ka misses the crocodile completely, probably upset about fighting half-naked. Suin Ko tries to gang up on the same target, but fails as well.

Tenaka's arrow, however, is able to pierce the crocodile's thick skin at last, soon to be imitated by his fierce cat companion rending through the leathery hide.

Ardisen, in a precarious situation, decides to bolster his defenses.

Aiva gets closer to the action and is ready to jest about her assailants.

Marodais gets closer to the wounded Chelaxian, ready to heal him.

The crocodile turns to the tiger, now the obvious biggest threat of those close to it. However, the cat is too quick in its moves to let his guard down.

Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 131d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Initiative - round 2
J (croc) (7 dmg)
>Castien
T (elf)
Cha-Ka (5 dmg)
Suin Ko
Tenaka & Waylander
Ardisen (8 dmg)
Aiva
Marodais
Castien can act!

Seeing Tenaka and Waylander damaging the crocodile fairly effectively, Castien switches targets and fires two arrows at the elf.

Full-round action: Fire two arrows at the elf (rapid shot)
Attack (Composite Longbow (+2 Str), Rapid Shot): 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 - 2 = 16
Damage (Composite Longbow (+2 Str)): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Attack (Composite Longbow (+2 Str), Rapid Shot): 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 - 2 = 21
Damage (Composite Longbow (+2 Str)): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

The elven woman screams as an arrow now protrudes from her chest, a wooden shaft taking her last breath. "Be cursed, werewolves..." she gasps at last, falling to her knees.

Since the first arrow is sufficient to fell her, redirecting the second arrow to the crocodile.

The second missile pierces the crocodile's skull, and soon the reptilian doesn't move anymore. It starts turning upside down, only to be taken away by the river.

End combat.

Cha-Ka swears in a couple of ancient languages. "I told her we weren't werewolves! Marodais, maybe if you can get to her quickly, she won't have to die." The next comment is added half under his breath. "Although I imagine she won't be pleased that we killed her scaly friend."

Cha-Ka tries to cross the bridge to examine the fallen woman, trying to see if she's beyond help and if not, if he can stop her bleeding.

Heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Suin Ko looked over at the elven woman across the river for a moment, sheathing his scimitar as well while moving. "We couldn't have called off the crocodile and try to subdue her, it would have taken a chomp out of most of us before we could have gotten to her." The Tiefling follows after Cha-Ka, walking over towards the woman to try and aid him with stabilizing the woman before she perishes.

Ardisen stands up and joins the others in moving towards the woman. As he grasps the wound she inflicted on him he snarls in pain for a moment and the idea of ripping her throat out with his bestial claws flashes through his mind. Thankfully, such thoughts are quickly surpressed by his remaining logic and morality.

"She's a misguided fool, but she may be able to help us. If you can wake her I might be able to get her to see sense and help us against the druids. Better bind her first, just to be safe."

The enchanter rubs his temples as he tries to concentrate and desperately maintain his sense of self.

"Aiva, it might help if you helped talk to her. She might empathise more with another woman if we can convince her we aren't werewolves."

Cha-Ka glances at Ardisen's transformation and coughs slightly. "Ahem. In regards to convincing her that we're not werewolves...perhaps you should not be the one talking to her initially." Trying to be diplomatic, he then quickly adds, "Although I'm sure once we calm her down some, it would help our argument if you then demonstrated that you haven't lost your senses yet, like those woodsmen back there." He vaguely waves a hand in the direction they had come from.

The transformed enchanter smirks at his fellow Pathfinders comment, masking his annoyance that the tengu would question his ability, regardless of his situation.

"And who would you suggest speak to her? Last time I checked neither you or Tenaka were the most socially capable, Marodais smells like a corpse and Castien has barely spoke this entire venture. Your options are myself, Aiva or Suin Ko and we're all under the effects of the spell. Now, I will grant you, that goes against us somewhat. But while bound she has no choice but to listen to us and I assure you that, having been raised in a country that uses deals with devils as part of its standard currency, I have no doubt I can sway a prejustice elf regardless of my 'condition'. Aiva, Suin Ko, if you feel you can help make my point, your assistance would be appreciated."

The Chelaxian turns his attention to Marodais, realising his insult.

"Sorry about the comment about your particular... scent. I'd appreciate it if you could see to my wounds and then rouse our attacker?"

As he waits for the woman to be treated, Ardisen closes his eyes and casts his mind back to his brief meditation in the calming waters of the cave back on the Isle of Kortos, hoping the memory will ease his mind and repress the primitive urges creeping into his consciousness.

Oh man, more people were affected than I remembered. I had only remembered that Ardisen and Marodais were transforming, haha.

Cha-Ka shrugs his shoulders apologetically. "I still think it might be best if you weren't the first thing she saw when she wakes up." He sheepishly rubs the back of his head. "Although a giant bird might not be much better. Maybe if she saw a fellow elf like Castien first, she'd feel better?" He quickly adds, "But you wouldn't have to talk if you didn't want to. Just...y'know, let her see you, so she doesn't immediately freak out upon waking."

The Tengu perks up, suddenly having an idea. "Or maybe you could wear a disguise! Or stand behind her, so she can't see who's talking to her?" His voice starts off confident and excited, but a note of uncertainty quickly creeps its way in. He seems to steel his resolve for his next statement. "Regardless, I think Castien should be the first person she sees upon waking, if possible."

Tenaka, I know you have at least the lower half of your face covered, so I'm not entirely sure how obvious it is IC that you're part elf. If it's still pretty obvious, Cha-Ka would also include you with Castien as options for initial contact. Although probably not Waylander.

Marodais shrugs, not offended. “I was’t aware that I had any special scent. Are you sure? It might just a case of heightened sense of smell due to this damned curse. I suppose it is possible, though … I do spend a lot of time with the empty flesh of the deceased. It takes quite some time to preserve it for eternity, you know?”

Following Cha-Ka’s suggestion earlier, he uses Cha-Ka’s wand to treat Ardisen’s wounds, then kneels down near the much fussed-about elf and examines her condition.

CLW from Cha-Ka’s wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
heal check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Under his breath he mutters ”How about we perform a little dance for her to put her in a good mood while she’s coming to...” After the tension of battle, he feels the maddening effect of the curse on his temper once more.

By the end of your discussion, the elf has bled to death and is now resting within the soothing embrace of Pharasma. Heal DC to stabilize is 15, so both rolls failed.

You continue your journey towards the heart of the forest in a relative silence, treading slowly but surely towards the end of your quest.

If you wished to heal your wounds magically, you may do so of course, I'm just keeping the pace.

Briar Henge is a bristling fortress. The compound is roughly circular and approximately 100 feet across. The walls are made of tangled thorn bushes twelve feet high, although the compound does not appear to have a roof. The only break in the prickly wall is a gap five feet wide and eight feet high. Hanging ivy covers this doorway and blocks the view of the interior of the compound.

As you arrive, you stumble upon a faerie of some kind and its faithful and loyal dog friend, whom she was patting when you caught glimpse of the eerie pair. The faerie turns to you, and frowns her tiny eyes with her angriest look for you.

Initiative - round 1
>Tenaka & Waylander
A
Ardisen
Castien
Suin Ko
Marodais
Aiva
Cha-Ka
Dog
Tenaka can act!

Briar Henge map

on tablet so cannot move my char on the drive sheet but tenaka will move forward and waylander will move 40 to get close to the dog

attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 = 15
attack: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

Tenaka was following the group as they made their way to the next location. He was a bit more silent after the elf had passed away and cursed the fact he had been to far away to stabilize her.

Now with the new threat he moved forward till he was within the 30" range and then readied his bow to see what the 2 were doing.

ready action that if they faerie or dog make any hostile attacks to shoot his bow. Seeing as I am not sure what time I can post again I have included the dice roll

Tenaka and Waylander move as brothers on the field towards the faerie and its dog with a menacing air. The fey immediately bursts into a giggle and disappears from view.

Initiative - round 1
Tenaka & Waylander
A
>Ardisen
>Castien
>Suin Ko
>Marodais
>Aiva
>Cha-Ka
Dog
Everyone except Tenaka can act!
By the way, Knowledge (Nature) is appropriate to identify the faerie.

Ok, going to assume that Marodais healed me with the wand before this. And that Cha-Ka put his armor back on.

Heal1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Heal2: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Muttering something about annoying invisible creatures, Cha-Ka charges forward, drawing his sword to strike at the still visible dog. [ooc]He can just barely make it that far.[/dice]

To Hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Cha-Ka's swing wounds the dog, which barks at his assailant in return!

Marodais casts guidance on Galondiir, knowing that the Elf is devastating with his bow and thus far more effective Marodais can do at range. Then he moves towards the entrance of the natural fortress.

"Is fighting necessary here?" he asks no one in particular."They do not seem aggressive ... I'd like to avoid having another misunderstanding."

Ardisen jogs up next to Tenaka (can someone double move me, I can't access the map at work.)

"It's not much of a misunderstanding when things keep trying to kill us without giving us a chance to explain ourselves."

Moved you.. that square ok?

"Granted. But I do not see that dog .. or that other thing trying to kill anything, do you? Where did it go, anyway? Was it some sort of illusion? We did not give them much time to explain their actions... which consist of little more than 'being here.' "

"Their true intentions remain to be seen. Trust me, under normal circumstances I would be much happier talking things out."

The enchanters glances down at his clawed and hair covered hands.

"However, we are far cry from normal circumstances and time is of the essence."

Tenaka was still tentative into attacking the dog or making any hostile actions. Instead he let his eyes gaze over the scene and tried to decide the best course of action and trying to determine the dog's attitude / actions.

Knowledge(Nature): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Handle Animal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Everyone except Tenaka can act!

*ahem*

Still waiting on Suin-Ko and Aiva to tell me what they're doing for this round.

With her ukulele in hand, Aiva begins to perform a gentle, soothing melody hoping to prevent hostility. There is no magic to the performance, aside from Aivas natural talent, it is simply an attempt to calm all involved.

Perform (strings): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

I'll add my Inner Beauty trait to this (I can do it after the dice roll) to increase the perform to 32!

yeah sorry about that. Was going over my char posting and thought I needed to post. My bad for jumping to conclusions!

Aiva's song doesn't seem to soothe the dog, in fact it defends itself against Cha-Ka.
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 201d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
It manages to bite the tengu's leg and tries to trip him... (6 damage inflicted)
Trip: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
... and is successful in his attempt! Cha-Ka now lies on the ground, in a precarious position.

Initiative - round 2
>Tenaka & Waylander
A
Ardisen
Castien
Suin Ko
Marodais
Aiva
Cha-Ka
Dog
Tenaka can act!

Waylander
attack, Bite attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Tenaka, Comp. Longbow +2, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot
attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 = 22
damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10

Seeing Cha-Ka in his perilious situation he urges Waylander on to assist the Tengu and let's the arrow that was on the bow string fly in the hopes it would strike true and well.

Tenaka's arrow cracks the dog's skull and the pet falls on the ground, lifeless.

A cry is heard coming from nowhere, both still amused by Aiva's performance and distressed by the death of the dog. The same voice soon starts uttering arcane words, but the creature doesn't reappear for now.

Initiative - round 2
Tenaka & Waylander
A
Ardisen
Castien
Suin Ko
Marodais
Aiva
Cha-Ka
Dog (dead)
Everyone can act!

Marodais invokes Lord Anubis' favor to Detect Magic in a cone centered on the gate to the druids' fortress. He plans to do this for a few rounds, trying to find out if there is an enchantment, a magical trap or something of the sort on the gate or in its vicinity.

If he should happen to pick up some trace of the disappeared creature - all the better.

Cha-Ka unsteadily gets to his feet. Holding tightly to his sword, he peers around, attempting to see where the small fairy went.

Move action to stand up. Holding standard action for now.

Castien pulls out his wand of mage armor and taps himself with it. A quick coalescing of magic, and it is done.

Move action: Draw wand
Standard action: Use wand

The enchanter pulls his crossbow out and loads it, fumbling with the bolt and mechanism as a result of his mutated claws.

While he concentrates on his spell, Marodais takes out the wand Cha-Ka loaned to him in order to be prepared to address the Tengu's wounds.

I forgot I also had a move action ;)

Move action to stand up. Holding standard action for now.

You can't "hold" a standard action. You can either "delay", which means all of your actions will be chosen at a later moment during the round, or "ready". Readying is a standard action allowing you to state a swift, move or standard action and the condition when it'll happen. For example, you state "I'll swing my sword at the first enemy to enter my reach".

Ok then, I'll delay.

With this initiative configuration, it essentially means you'll lose your action for this round. Everyone will act, then the faerie, then you will act at the same time you would have next round. If you want to change your action, you still can.

Ok then, I'll just take a second move action.

After standing up, Cha-Ka limps over to the rest of the group.

Unsure how best to proceed, Aiva maintains her performance, hoping that the death of the animal hasn't prevented a peaceful resolution to their encounter.

Putting another arrow on his string he waited for their foe to show itself and then hopefully respond in time and put an arrow between her eyes. At the same time Waylander made it's way back to Tenaka, ears flat on it's skull as it's eyes looked around

Tenaka is readying an action to shoot when their assailant shows itself

Just so you know, when you ready an action you can already roll it within a spoiler tag so that it doesn't slow the game down when the condition manifests. No need for this time, however, since you'll be able to roll both your readied action and your round 4 action in your next post.

The faerie shows itself when her spell goes off.

Cha-Ka, you can roll a Fortitude save DC 15. If you fail, open the spoiler.

The faerie then draws her tiny rapier and attacks Marodais, but her aim is apparently impaired by Aiva's jesting comments, thus the creature misses!

Rapier: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 1 = 91d2 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 2 - 1 = -1

Initiative - round 3
>Tenaka & Waylander
A
>Ardisen
>Castien
>Suin Ko
>Marodais
>Aiva
>Cha-Ka
Dog (dead)
Everyone can act!

Castien fires two cold iron arrows at the tiny fae, hoping to end this quickly.

Attack (Composite Longbow (+2 Str), Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, Firing into Melee): 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 3
Damage (Composite Longbow (+2 Str), Point Blank Shot): 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Attack (Composite Longbow (+2 Str), Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, Firing into Melee): 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 17
Damage (Composite Longbow (+2 Str), Point Blank Shot): 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Haha...this isn't going to be good.

Oh, actually that's really not that bad.

Cha-Ka gives a caw of surprise as he begins rapidly shrinking. He blinks in puzzlement, looking up at the fairy and then down at himself again. Then he mutters "I hope a minotaur doesn't show up. It might mistake me for a halfling and kill me."

Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, he looks intently at his target. Then with a flying leap he strikes at the creature before landing on the other side.

Cha-Ka makes the fairy his favored target. Also, the leaping jump is just flavor text + a 5ft step, not an actual jump.

To Hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 13 BAB +1, Str is now +2 instead of +3, +1 for being small, +1 for favored enemy
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7 Smaller weapon, +2 reduced strength + 1 two-handed + 1 favored enemy

Marodais maintains his concentration on Detect Magic further, hoping to find out if there are any magical traps or spells guarding the entry to the druids' fortress. He is aware of the action around him but has confidence in his companions to overcome the threat of the faerie.

Realising that a peaceful resolution is unlikely, Ardisen aims his crossbow and releases a shot a the creature.

Perception: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (16) - 3 = 131d8 ⇒ 5

Ardisen would have loaded one of the cold iron bolts, just in case.

Alright, I learned, or was reminded, that 5' steps don't cause aoos, so I'm moving Marodais a bit while he maintains his concentration :)

With one cold iron arrow, Castien takes the atomie out! As she goes down, she whispers words in a strange language. "Eich bod yn rhy hwyr, ni allwch atal y ddefod nawr."

End combat.

Marodais inspects the area at his leisure, but no magical aura remains save the small-sized tengu. The maze is open, yet chanting can easily be heard from inside, indicating that the ritual is taking place this very moment.

Castien, seeing the tengu's current state, weaves a quick spell to enlarge him once more then exclaims, "Qu-qu-quickly! Th-the ritual h-has b-begun!" With that, Castien runs to the entrance of the hedge maze.

Cast enlarge person on Cha-ka

"I s-see three p-p-paths in the m-maze. Let's s-split into three g-groups."

Assuming there are no objections...
He pairs himself with Marodais, Cha-Ka with Aiva, and Tenaka with Ardisen. "We c-can k-k-keep in t-touch with this sp-spell - if you hit a d-dead end or f-find the ritual, t-t-tell me, I w-will relay the m-message." He points at Cha-Ka and Tenaka, quickly casting message on them.

Also, Castien will follow the left-hand wall of the maze, if that matters. Perhaps Tenaka and Ardisen can go right, and Cha-Ka and Aiva straight?

In none of the 'rooms' can a living soul be found, yet the chanting continues, coming from the south.

Meanwhile, Suin-Ko decides to secure the maze's only door, wary of any fey who might come to stop you.

Castien whispers to Cha-Ka and Tenaka, "N-nothing yet. Heading further s-south." He ignores the goods and continues on.