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

Game Master Cyril Corbaz

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Seeing what is before them and hearing the voice from Castien he responds. "Only some benches here with openings to the left and the right from where we entered, there is a satchel here that I will take with us, we will go to our right from where we entered." And with that said he would relay the info to Ardisen as well, point to the right and would wait for Ardisen before moving. Before moving he would also make sure that there were no hidden surprises in the area before them

placed my char to indicate the way we are going to prevent confusion, not moving anything else yet till GM gives the ok

Ooo! Ooo! Linguistics check! (Linguistics for some reason is my favorite skill. Because I like knowing tons of languages)

Linguistics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Sometime before rushing in to the maze.
"Castien's right! The fairy creature says the ritual has started. And...ummm...Marodais, do you think you could help me out with this?" He waves at the gash in his leg that the dog gave him.

After entering the maze and splitting up.
"Nothing here but some chests that we should look at if we manage to defeat the druids."

By "South" do we actually mean "East" which is apparently the down direction? Or do we actually mean South? I'm going to go for the NE exit because it seems like that's closer to the direction the sound is coming from but if that's not the case I'll take a different exit.

Cha-Ka starts to take the North-East exit. "There are 3 exits here. We're taking the Northeast one." As he approaches the chosen exit, he allows his sword to drag slightly, leaving a clear gash in the ground to indicate their path.

You're right, South is East. ;)

I'll leave a chance for everyone to post at least once before you enter the room, so I'll move onward tomorrow.

This wide area on the east side of Briar Henge has a roughly circular shape. Four tall, thin spires of ancient stone thrust up from the ground at irregular intervals like malformed teeth. To the west, two thicker stones are capped with a third horizontal stone, forming a crude gateway. A thick piece of charred bark is suspended in this gateway by a web of crackling energy. The crackling energy pulses outward from the bark into the dolmen stones, and from there into the ground.

The Pathfinders manage to coordinate their effort and arrive at the same time. Four chanting druids now turn to them with an agressive look, though some cannot suppress a grin as they behold the nature of the beast that has overcome some of you.

The druids all cast spells to enhance their quarterstaves with sylvan magic!

Initiative - round 1
Briar Henge Druids
>Tenaka & Waylander
>Cha-Ka
>Castien
>Marodais
>Aiva
>Ardisen
Everyone can act!

Of course, Marodais obliges Cha-Ka and heals him with his own wand before the group enters the maze.

cure light wounds on Cha-Ka from Cha-Ka's wand: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Entering the druids' inner sanctum, he focuses on the feelings of dread that Lord Anubis creates in mortals. With a silent prayer - and considerable effort to keep the intruding bestial thoughts at bay - and the appropriate gestures, he channels the feelings at the North-Eastern druid.

((casting Cause Fear))

Next time could you indicate the DC, please? It appears to be 14, right?

Will, DC 14: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

The druid starts sweating, an uneasy glint in his eyes, but remains strong in the face of his possible death. Shaken for 1 round.

I'm sorry, will do that next time. DC 14 is, unfortunately, correct. Also, I rolled a d6 instead of a d8 for CLW on Cha-Ka ... fortunately, that was enough :)

What race are the druids Lithrac, sorry if that's already been clarified.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Despite the bestial rage clouding his mind, Ardisens keen intellect is still able to read the maical currents the druids channel.

"They're enchanting their weapons."

Also, was this within an hour or our encounter with the elf? Just curious if my Mage Armour is still up?

Feeling the end of their task and hoping to return to her normal form, Aiva quickly draws her ukulele and begins to perform, mocking their foes for underestimating the Pathfinder Society and their shortcomings in being unable to complete the ritual before they arrived.

For a moment, in her music, she is able to forget her transformation.

The druids take –1 penalty on attack and damage rolls and a –1 penalty on saves against fear and charm effects as long as Aiva continues performing, she has Lingering Performance so it lasts for a two further rounds after she stops.

Castien, seeing the druids so close, casts a quick spell on one of the druids' weapons, coating it in a thick layer of grease.

Standard action: Cast grease on the shillelagh held by the druid to his southwest. Lasts 2 minutes, and requires a DC 15 Reflex save now, as well as each round it's used, or it drops.
Also, Castien has an 18 AC, in case it comes to that.

The druids are human, and it's been way more than 1 hour since the river encounter.

Aiva's caustic lyrics reach the druids' ears, thus rendering focusing on their fighting and maintaining the ritual a more difficult task.

Reflex, DC 15: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Thanks to Castien's spell, one of the druid's enchanted quarterstaves slips from his hands and falls onto the ground.

Initiative - round 1
Briar Henge Druids
>Tenaka & Waylander
>Cha-Ka
Castien
Marodais
Aiva
>Ardisen
Tenaka, Cha-Ka and Ardisen can act!

Castien: You should modify the AC in your header with the current buffs, it makes things much easier to track. Thanks!

Comp. Longbow +2, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Animal Focus Tiger +2 Dex
Attack, Comp. Longbow +2: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10

Seeing the danger they were in he send Waylander forward so he could prepare for his attacks in the next round. At the same time he moved forward, knocking an arrow to his bow and then unleashing it. At the same time when moving he activated Animal Focus Tiger

The arrow pierces the druid's armor by an inch only. The ritualist winces, obviously badly hurt by the missile.

Ardisen moves into postion to gain line of sight to their enemy and smiles at his luck. Chanting an arcane ritual, one that he has rehearsed a hundred times, he attempts to enchant the nearest druid. With the final incantation he unleashes the spell hoping to cloud the druids mind and buy them some time.

Ardisen will target the southern druid with Daze, Will Save DC 14 (due to his reduced Int).

Hoping to quickly take down the druids, Cha-Ka moves towards the one that Waylander is facing, swinging his blade at her.

To Hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Crit Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
*whistles* Man, if that confirms, I'm going to be sad I didn't go after one of the uninjured ones. Not that I could have reached someone else though.

He calls back to the spellcasters in the group. "Would knocking down that piece of wood help disrupt the spell at all?"

It doesn't confirm, so you can rest easy! ;)

Cha-Ka's masterful strike finishes the druid, who falls to his knees and attempts to say something before collapsing.

Ardisen casts a cantrip at another druid, but the latter resists!
Will, DC 14: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

The southernmost druid suddenly doubles in size and attempts to crush the tengu's skull with his massive staff, now almost a trunk.
Shillelagh, court bard: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 - 1 = 53d6 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (3, 5, 6) + 5 - 1 = 18
Fortunately for Cha-Ka, the druid's aim is poor, and the oversized bludgeon misses completely.

The druid without a weapon quickly decides against picking the slippery staff and moves to gain (an aptly-named) clear line of fire... to project a conjured flame on Castien, but the flickering flame misses its mark.
Flame, court bard: 1d20 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 - 1 = 91d6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 - 1 = 4

Finally, the shaken druid also doubles in size and smashes Castien with his enormous shillelagh, but the elf deftly dodges the blow.
Shillelagh, court bard, shaken: 1d20 + 3 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 - 1 - 2 = 123d6 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (5, 1, 4) + 5 - 1 = 14

Initiative - round 2
Briar Henge Druids
>Tenaka & Waylander
>Cha-Ka
>Castien
>Marodais
>Aiva
>Ardisen
Everyone can act!

Waylander, Bite
attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Waylander, Claw1
attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Waylander, Claw2
attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
attack, confirm crit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Tenaka, Comp Longbow +2, Point Blank Shot, Precise shot, Hunter aspect
attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 25
damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10

Seeing the change in the druids he snarled for a moment before putting another arrow on the string. Waylander took a 5 foot step forward so he was next to Cha-Ka and then unleashed his full attacks on the enlarged druid at the same time Tenaka let his arrow fly.

if what I think is correct, that is one shredded and pierced druid...

Castien, rather concerned by the size of the now giant shillelagh draws on the power of his arcane bond to cast grease on it, as well.

Standard action: Cast grease on the enlarged shillelagh. DC 15 Reflex save to not drop immediately, and each round it's used. Lasts 2 minutes.
Casting Defensively (DC 17): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 2 = 17
Not an action: 5' move, as indicated on map

Ardisen curses in annoyance as his foe resists his spell. Seeing the enlarged druid and his smaller companion baring down on Marodais and Castien across the clearing, the enchanter dedicates all his attention and effort to knocking out the pair.

Ardisen will spend the full round casting Sleep on the two druids closing on Marodais and Castien, Will Save DC 15.

If that druid's still alive, Cha-Ka will make it his favored enemy and attack. If it's already down, he'll move to the other small druid and attack that one instead. Unless she's asleep, in which case he'll go after the other big druid.

Cha-Ka swings mightily at one of the druids.

Subtract 1 from both of these if against a druid who he's not right next to.
To Hit: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d10 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8

Waylander's fury brings down the enlarged druid - the tiger rends the ritualist to shreds within mere seconds. Tenaka redirects his arrow to the next target, hitting his mark, and Cha-Ka finishes the job by slicing the druid's throat.

Castien takes a step back to cast his spell and takes precautions not to let his guard down. The druid's massive shillelagh is now coated in grease as well!
Ref: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
The bludgeon falls on the ground and comes back to its normal size.

Only one druid is standing, and it is weaponless. He's furious and unwilling to surrender, though. Will he escape the arcane lullaby? Cha-Ka: sleep has a 1 round casting time, thus it will come into effect next round, just before Ardisen's turn.

Initiative - round 2
Briar Henge Druids
Tenaka & Waylander
Cha-Ka
Castien
>Marodais
>Aiva
Ardisen (casting sleep)
Marodais and Aiva can act!

Marodais is happy with the Situation as is ... he is having trouble averting his gaze from the hovering piece of bark.

Finally, he gives Lord Anubis' guidance to Castien once more, keeping his prepared spells for an unforeseen emergency ... to Marodais' knowledge, portals are made for creatures to come through. And that goes twice as much for portals glowing with magic energy.

Castien receives +1 on his next skill check, attack or saving throw. Then Marodais moves a bit further back.

Seeing that the group seem to have the situation in hand, Aiva maintains her performance.

Not much for me to do but let you guys finish this.

The druid attempts to recover his weapon, fails a first time to succeed on the second try...
Ref save, DC 15: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Ref save, DC 15: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Will, DC 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
... only to fall asleep a second later as Ardisen's spell takes effect. The druid is unable to resist the lure of a sudden nap.

End combat!

With the fall of the last druid, the ritual immediately comes to an end. Instantly, Nature doesn't seem so ominous anymore, and the fury dwelling inside the chests of Aiva, Ardisen and Marodais is soothed. In time, their animalistic features will fade.

The Atavistic Splinter awaits, crackling with ritual energy, lying on the dolmen.

Castien, careful to wrap the splinter in his cloak rather than touch it himself, retrieves the thing and sticks it in his pack. "Let's g-get out of h-here b-before that one w-w-wakes."

EDIT - Can we take a little time to look through satchels, bags, and crates on our way back? Also, we were planning on stopping at the logging camp.

As Castien grabs the Atavistic Splinter, the energy surrounding the artifact delivers a painful jolt to the archer.
Electricity damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6
Ref, DC 13 for half: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Castien takes 3 damage.

The Pathfinders are then able to bring the Atavistic Splinter back to Wispil, then to the Pathfinder Lodge with their treasure in tow. On their way back by way of the logging camp, the surviving loggers greet you as heroes, thanking you for removing the terrible affliction. Venture-Captain Brackett accepts the Atavistic Splinter and promises that the Pathfinder Society will put the artifact to good use in the upcoming Ruby Phoenix Tournament in Goka. As for Aiva, Ardisen and Marodais, the curse that took hold of them is soon only a bad memory.

This is the end of the scenario! I'll send the PMs for the Chronicle Sheets this evening. I hope everyone had fun playing this scenario!

What was in the chests? Another great game Lithrac, gets Ardisen to level 2 too. You running another one?

In the chests was stuff for the now-outdated faction missions, so it's completely irrelevant now.

As for a new scenario, I've posted a recruitment thread here. Feel free to apply!