[PFS PbP] GM zebeev's 6-01 - Trial By Machine (Tier 1-5) (Inactive)

Game Master zebeev

@Naruhito: It was from the death-knell explosions from the plasma skeletons.

Vhagor joins the fray. Without casting down his eyes, the priest strikes at the wicked construct.

Move action: move forward into combat
Std action: attack with trident
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Out of spells and unable to get into combat with the monster, Aldarion hangs back, looking for an opening.

Eredur uses his magical wand, wanting to help his comrades, even if he can't do much

Magic Missile Wand: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

MM wand 48/50

Is our GM OK?

Apologies! I've been traipsing around NYC for vacation, and our AirBNB's WiFi crapped out on me last night. Seems to be fine now, so I'm going to whip up a post before bed.

Aldarion hangs back from the fray, tentative.
Vhagor strikes at the Fearmonger, but his trident catches nothing but tattered robes.
Naruhito moves in to engage the Fearmonger, and finds himself an advantageous position.
Eredur strikes the Fearmonger with bolts of force energy from his wand of magic missile.
Hanzi simply challenges the Fearmonger to deal directly with him.
Meleren reloads his heavy crossbow.
Shechera then strikes true with her trusty dagger.

Attack, melee (dagger, sneak attack): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage, piercing: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Damage, sneak attack: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Round 2:
BATTLEMAP
(those bolded may act)

Setare
(NPC) Meleren
(NPC) Shechara (5/16 HP)
(Enemy) Fearmonger (16 DMG)
Aldarion (9/12 HP)
Vhagor (11/14 HP)
Naruhito (13/15 HP)
Eredur (7/9 HP)
Hanzi (39/44 HP)

Setare sees that she is now in a flanking position with Shechera and tries to use this to strike the construct.

Rapier attack roll, flank : 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 = 27
Rapier crit confirm roll, flank : 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9

Damage roll : 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

In case she is attacked she uses 'Opportune Parry' and parries by expending an AoO and a Panache Point (currently 4/5 and 3/5 after potential parry remaining)

Opportune Parry, flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 = 25

So if the attack roll of the opponent is lower than her parry roll of 25 then the opponent does not hit and she could potentially reposte)

In case she successfully parries she uses 'Reposte' as an immediate action to attack the opponent that attacked her.

Rapier reposte attack roll,flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 = 19

Damage reposte roll : 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Surrounded on all sides, the Fearmonger engages its defensive combat subroutine, targeting the highest threats.

Random target, Hanzi/Setare/Shechera: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Fearmonger - melee (slam vs Setare): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 - fail, Setare's parry triggers

Setare gracefully dodges the blow and counters with an attack of her own.

Random target, Hanzi/Setare/Shechera: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Fearmonger - melee (slam vs Hanzi): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 - miss

The machine flails about, unable to connect with its blows.

Round 2:
BATTLEMAP
(those bolded may act)

Setare
(NPC) Meleren
(NPC) Shechara (5/16 HP)
(Enemy) Fearmonger (30 DMG)
Aldarion (9/12 HP)
Vhagor (11/14 HP)
Naruhito (13/15 HP)
Eredur (7/9 HP)
Hanzi (39/44 HP)

Naruhito makes a step (5ft) flank with Vhagor and attacks Fearmonger as hard as he can with morningstar.

to hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Growling, Aldarion grows claws and moves around Setare to enter combat.

Claws Versus Robot: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 = 221d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11

Setare is completely astounded by the sheer power of Aldarion's attack!

Hanzi focuses his blade on the robot and targets the weak spot in the creature using his blade training to hammer the gap.

+1 Katana + Iajutsu Strike + challenge: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 2 = 241d8 + 4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 4 + (6, 1) = 23

If the metallic creature is still standing, Eredur participates to the onslaught from afar with his wand of Magic Missile

MM: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Well, that'll mark the end of the Fearmonger. It had 47 HP (and at 5d10+20, 70 would've been the maximum possible... 76 damage after Hanzi's iajutsu strike means no matter what, the thing is D-E-D dead.

Today's my last day in NY, so I'll be packing up and heading home. Within 24 hours, I'll have a debriefing of sorts and can start up on the chronicles, but there's no more obstacles in your way.

As such, you can all pretty much retrace your steps now that you're out of the security sublevel, and head back to the entrance of the Redoubt to make it back to Absalom.

"Poor thing never stood a chance, eh? Such typical mortal behavior: make things with the sole intent to have it destroy things. The world won't miss this creation."

When he retracts his claws, Aldarion's more hesitant nature reasserts itself. "Should we....aaaah.... search this place to be sure it's clear? I...I'd hate for something to jump out at us."

I guess we won't be attacked anymore. Then, my skills are divination are basic. Well done everyone anyway, that swordmanship was impressive.

By the time you make your way back to the surface, the sun has started to set. You're relieved to spot a campfire near the entrance of the Redoubt.

As you approach, you recognize the two Garundi men who drove you out in the caravan. The older man raises his arms in salutations, then speaks in accented Common tongue. "I see your party has grown by two! Luckily, there is some room in the back, though you will have to make due with sitting next to some rather pungent Mwangi-land spices. Apologies for any inconvenience this might pose." He doffs his hat to you all, as the younger man pours the remains of a teapot into the small cookfire, then kicks sand over the smouldering embers. "Back to Absalom, no?"

I'm working on chronicles at the moment, looks like I have everyone's pertinent information from the Recruitment thread, so it's just a matter of filling them out on my lunch break tomorrow.

Hanzi nods Our crew did well - all proper pathfinders now for sure! I am proud to have been their instructor this day. Give yourselves a round of applause - you deserve it!

I would love some feedback by the way - this character is intended to be playing down much of the time so I can play him as an instructor like this, but my worry is its overbearing and that too much of the spotlight ends up on Hanzi, so thoughts on how that played out would be much appreciated

Setare seems relieved "I am very happy that we are out of this thing. We ... we really did make it as ... as a team! And thank you Hanzi for your great in ... instruction! I hope to see you all again ve ... very soon!"

"Oh, great teacher Hanzi, thank you for your instructions!"

It was another experience. But we had a good, competent leader and a solid team.

Upon returning to the Grand Lodge, Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin is stunned into silence by your reporting. After a moment to collect his thoughts and feelings, he finally speaks.

"While I commend you for surviving a much tougher test than I had intended, you should have left and reported in as to your findings of the security level..." The Venture-Captain grabs the back of his neck with his meaty paw, and gives it a rub, as if it pains him to continue on. He then talks in a hushed tone; "... now that the official chastising is out of the way, I have to congratulate you on this remarkable discovery! We've always known the Redoubt was a vertiable fortress, but from all prior accounts, it was a ruin. As we speak, the Lodge is preparing an in-depth investigation and cataloging of the complex, and this is all thanks to you."

He then looks beyond you to the two bandits, Meleren and Shechera. "As for these two, I understand from your initial report that they were instrumental in escaping the Redoubt. Perhaps with your commendations and vouching on their behalf, they could hope for some leniency from the authorities..." he then looks over his shoulder, then back to the party.

"... but their path forward is beholden to you all. This report notes that all the bandits perished in an attack by a technological construct, no names to be had..." he points to the temple of his brow, then winks. "... a sorrowful end for such a sad lot..." the Venture-Captain then turns around and waves over his shoulder, walking back towards the impressive doors of the Lodge.

Chronicles can be found by clicking this sentence here.

In my opinion, theses two have suffered enough, and shown they were on the path of redemption. They fought side by side with us, loyally, and took their share of risk. I'm sure the authorities won't bother, they have enough real criminal to catch. Besides, even if the Pathfinders aim for the greater good, they don't always respect strictly the laws.

Eredur scratches his Lybna's head

"Yes, I would also pro ... propose to be kind and not judge Meleren and Shechera. They really ass .. assisted us and risked their own lives for ours." Setare says with a pleading look.

GM, I would get the Out of Tier gold for this

@Hanzi: Whoops, sorry about that. I've amended the sheet, which can be found HERE.

You all exit the Lodge with Shechera and Meleren - they have a thankful tone in their voice. "We will never forget your kindness, Pathfinders." says Shechera. "... tomorrow is a new dawn, and perhaps there is hope for us two yet."

Meleren nods in agreement. "Aye, some new purpose... something to escape the past." He looks back at the Lodge, then shrugs his shoulders. "... heh. Who knows, maybe my journey is with the Pathfinders? I've been a slave, and wanted nothing more than to break free and forge my own path. But I've seen the road that selfishness led me down. A greater good... maybe that's all I've needed. Fare thee well, Pathfinders. And my eternal thanks to you all."

Shechera, not one for words, simply bows to you all. "Gratitude."

Thank you all for indulging me and playing - I've got all of Season 6 thanks to the last Humble Bundle, so my plan is to work through the Year of the Sky Key, I'm just not sure if I'm going to do it in order (so far, so good, haha), or cherry pick through it. I know some scenarios are more popular than others, so it's just a matter of reading through another PDF and prepping. Hit me up if you're interested in another 1-5 tier!

I am interested in another adventure, just hit level 2

Yep! I'm in for more! I'd like to get Aldarion up and running!

I am interested for more!

I'm definitely up for more!

I would be glad to come along again if this party doesn't mind having Hanzi. I love being able to pass out that boon.

Of course Hanzi! ;-)