[PFS PbP Game Day 3] Master of the Fallen Fortress (Inactive)

Game Master Deane Beman

Open for dotting...the game will begin tomorrow.

Dot.

Present.

You are in Absalom, the mighty City at the Center of the World, and you’ve always longed to explore one of the countless ruins of failed conquerors that litter the plains outside the city’s walls.

You’ve heard rumors that one of the sealed siege castles has been laid open by a minor earthquake. Word on the street is that no one has yet entered the tower, which folks are calling the “Fallen Fortress.” What better way to start a life of excitement and adventure than by exploring its long-abandoned, dusty halls and perhaps claiming its ancient treasures?

You gather and introduce yourselves to one another and prepare for the journey to the Cairnlands, only a few hours from the city’s walls, where the Fallen Fortress lies open for exploration.

"Exploring a found tower? What a great introduction to the Pathfinder Society! I've heard fantastic takes. Can't wait to find out for myself," the human describes animatedly, cracking his knuckles as he does so. He was a bit older than most new members, lightly armored with only a dagger at his side.

"Can Krux smash broken tower? Me trade chains for new ram."

A hulking, well-armed half-orc with a broken tusk unties a portable ram from his pack and presents it to his new companions. It is without a blemish. A nodachi and heavy flail cross behind him to make a large "X". Five chakrams hang from his belt and a cold iron cestus dons his left hand.

"Me like making holes 'n walls an' skulls."

The ruined siege castle now being called the Fallen Fortress rises out of the churned earth of the Cairnlands. No doors or windows mar the otherwise smooth expanse of the tower’s walls. The tower is quatrefoil in plan; its eastern wing has largely collapsed, exposing the interior floors to the open air. Only the topmost level seems whole, though its eastern portion hangs precariously over the mountain of rubble left by the collapse. At ground level, the rubble frames a gaping hole in the side of the building that provides access to the tower’s darkened interior.

As you approach the tower, you are beset by a pack of starving wild dogs. Treat squares filled with rubble as difficult terrain.

Round 1
Katharina
Fahd
Krux
Durothil
Dog 1
Dog 2
Dog 3

Everyone may act before the dogs. Feel free to post your actions in any order and I'll resolve in initiative order.

Intro:

"Well met brethren, and sisteren ... urm, woman. I am Durothil, from Kyonin. As you can tell I do not have the way with words like others. I do have a way with my blade though, and I hope to soon unleash it upon the horrors this tower must hold."

Present:
"Get out of here dogs, before I slice you all in half and feed you to the carrion fowls."

Cannot access MAP at work - durn Internet filters. Move and attack if I can, if not move to within 6 movement squares. I am assuming that this is not a surprise round, and we get a full action.

Seeing the hungry dogs approach, Durothil springs into action drawing his curved blade from its sheathe. In one fluid motion he swings at the feral dog.

2-handed-curved blade: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Not the first impression I was looking for - whiffing on a stray dog. :(

At last, a real assignment.

A young human woman with noble bearing follows the others to the tower, the blue tinge of her skin and white blonde hair suggests some exotic origin, "It should be interesting. You all seem to be capable front-line combatants, I'll be assisting from the back if you don't mind."

* * *

Finally reaching the tower and coming across the hungry dogs, Katharina wastes no time moving into range to try to hit the closest one with a blast of cold.

Cold Blast (ranged touch)+Point-Blank Shot: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Confirmation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Crit extra damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

"Don't have doggy scraps. We food now."

Reaching down and retrieving his nodachi, Krux positions himself in front of Katharine and braces for a charge or readies for an attack if the rubble prevents them from charging. I am not sure.

LOL. I hope this isn't a bad omen as these were Krux's first dice bot rolls.

Don't see 3 1s a lot. Impressive to say the least. Better to get them out now.

Fahd fights over the rubble, and prepares a swift kick if a dog charges ahead and tries to bite him.

Move directly forward 15'.

Readied attack action 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Altered my turn to move action, moved on MAP, and ready action with my above roll if a dog gets close.

While Durothil, Fahd and Krux brace themselves for the oncoming canines, Katharina sends a cold blast to the lead dog and causes him to blink from existence. As the remaining dogs approach with some difficulty due to the rubble Krux nearly nicks his ear with his own weapon. Fahd has better luck and nearly knocks out one of the dogs with a swift kick to the head!

The party is up!

Round 2
Katharina
Fahd
Krux
Durothil
Dog 2
Dog 3 (-5hp)

"Tough luck, doggie. Run away and I'll spare you,"Fahd warns as he follows up with apunch this time.

Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Katharina moves north to get a better shot on the northern dog.

Cold Blast (touch)+P-BS and Precise Shot: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

2 handed curved blade: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Unsure of his footing, Durothil misses wide once again. Maybe he just doesn't want to kill the poor dogs. Or maybe he is rolling terribly

power attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
damage: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Krux slices at the nearest living dog unless it withdraws.

"We not food!"

Collectively our brave Pathfinders take down the remaining two wild dogs. Durothil takes a few practice swings with his elven curve blade...checking its balance (as well as his own!) Since dogs do not have pockets, or any other places to hide loot, the group presses on into the tower proper.

The northern wing of the tower seems to have escaped the worst effects of the collapse, but rubble still litters the floor and everything is covered in a thick layer of stone dust. Thick cobwebs cloak the ceiling and hang down the walls like gossamer tapestries. A single archway stands open in the southwest wall.

Even the most inexperienced adventurer knows that, where there are cobwebs there are spiders, and the fortress does not disappoint. A giant spider scurries from behind the rubble to greet the party; it does not appear to be in the mood to negotiate.

Fahd and Durothil may act before the spider. Katharina and Krux may also post their actions which I'll resolve them after the spider acts.

Round 1

Fahd
Durothil
Spider
Katharina
Krux

Fahd moves 30', and faces off with the spider.

Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Jumping into action, Durothil sidesteps his comrades and advances towards the spider. Hoping to avoid getting entangled, he swings.

"Stupid dogs. Let's see how this arachnid holds up. Kurgess, let me please hit something!"

2-handed curved blade: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Fahd moves in and finds out just how tough a spider can be...that does not stop Durothil, however, who discovers that its best to hold his weapon by the non-pointy end as he delivers a nasty gash to the spider's midsection. The spider in turn gnashes its fangs at Durothil, but its wound causes it to shudder in pain and his bite misses by a wide margin.

Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Krux and Katharina to close out the first round, then Durothil and Fhad may start round 2. Once again feel free to post in any order and I'll resolve actions in initiative order. There is a slight chance the spider may live to act again; it all depends on whether or not the dicebot likes you!

Fahd tries a spin kick to the spider's solar plexus.

Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Fahd, I took the liberty of moving your token adjacent to the spider.

Krux raises a very long, two-handed weapon with a slender but wickedly sharp 4-foot-long blade high in the air and charges toward the spider. He screams while pounding the ground like a raging bull.

"Guts for Gorum!"

rage, power attack, charge: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 = 15
damage: 1d10 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

Base AC 17 - 2 rage - 2 charge = AC 13

Thanks. Generally I post from either an iPhone or iPad, so I can't adjust my tokens. Appreciate anyone who is kind enough to give an assist on that.

Katharina follows the others into the next section, then attempts to blast the spider from around Krux.

Cold Blast + PBS -cover: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

The party handily takes down the oversized arachnid before it has a chance to strike again. A small cocoon hangs in the webs, holding the remains of an unfortunate dog that fell into the spider’s clutches. The desiccated carcass is still wearing its leather collar, which is studded with lapis lazuli stones and has a silver tag reading “Kita.”

Venturing into the tower’s west wing you find it mostly choked with rubble, but a door in the eastern wall is still accessible. The door leads to a stone spiral staircase that runs through the center of the tower. Unfortunately, the stairway is blocked with fallen rubble, making the tower’s upper levels accessible only by climbing the tower’s exterior walls.

Fahd takes the collar, hoping he might find someone who was mising their dog. Giving some closure would be better than them wondering about their pooch. "I might be able to scale the wall. Anyone particularly good at climbing?"

"I'm simply terrible at climbing. I hope one of you had the foresight to bring a rope." The slim kineticist says with a hopeful expression.

Krux presents Fahd with 50 feet of hemp rope.

"I didn't grow up around trees."

DM, I can take ten, I suppose? With my strength, that should be an auto but slow success. If so, I'll take ten and climb up, setting a rope for the others to follow me.

It's a DC15 Climb....taking 10 is fine.

Dogs, Spiders, and climbing. We'll, I'm not in Kyonin anymore. Time to show my worth.

"I'll try my luck. Look out below me in case I slip. I'd hate for you to be introduced to my back end so soon. Usually I know someone for weeks before I hit them with my butt."

Climb: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

With some good old fashioned teamwork Taking 10, lowering rope, Aid Another, etc... the Pathfinders manage to reach the second floor of the tower non worse for wear and end up in the crumbling remains of a room that now serves as an open landing for doors in the northwest and southwest walls.

Map updated...first person to post gets to pick either the northwest or southwest door!

1=northwest; 2=southwest roll: 1d2 ⇒ 2

This octagonal room is covered in a fine layer of dust. It’s clearly been abandoned for a long time. Krux and Fahd notice a crude trap that looks set to fire a javelin at anyone standing in front of the door to the northwest.

Durothil: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Fahd : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Katharina: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Krux: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

"Watch yourself! Last thing we need is a javelin flying at us?"

Ohhh lucky dice roll for once

"Is there any way we can sneak by that thing? I'm not a trap expert, so I'm afraid even knowing it's there, I might blunder into it."

The half-orc scratches his chin for a second and offers a suggestion. He is terrible with logic puzzles but natural forces make sense to him.

"Move away from door. Krux tosses portable ram on square. It's heavy as halfling."

A crude trap it may be, but as the portable ram hits the tile in front of the door a javelin flies through the air and implants itself in the heavy wooden door to the northwest. No Pathfinders were harmed; but surely if anyone or anything is on the other side of that door they are now alerted to your presence.

"Good catch." Katharina says with a nod as she waits for one of the beefier party members to go first into the next room.

"Well if anything was sleeping, they know we are here now. Better than getting a javelin in the belly though. Ha!" The muscular elf slaps the half-orc on the back.

"Krux, Fahd, cover me. Or something. No matter, time to slice." Swiftly drawing his curved blade, he cautiously advances into the room.

Racks for weapons line the walls of this chamber; above the racks hang various shields, pieces of armor, weapons, and standards on display. Most of the racks are empty, but a few weapons remain in place. A horrible stench fills the room as well, akin to the smell of rotten eggs mixed with the reek of an open sewer.

Two creatures stand waiting for you with javelins in hand.

Round 1
Durothil
Troglodytes
Katharina
Fahd
Krux

Durothil is up first!

"Just because you are evil doesn't mean you need to forgo basic hygiene. Alas, today you die."

Move and attack

2-handed ECB: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

ECB Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Or miss, come on :( My damage probably hit ...

The troglodyte that Durothil attacked drops his javelin and draws his club...then swings away at the elf fighter. The other launches his javelin at Krux before drawing his own club.

Attack vs. Dorothil: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Attack vs. Krux: 1d20 ⇒ 20, Confirm: 1d20 ⇒ 8, Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

You guys are up!

Fahd moves forward and swings at the closest opponent.

Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

I'm currently on my phone so I can't access the map. Katharina will move towards the enemies looking for a spot to use cold blast without cover penalties or being in melee range. If she can't reach a spot without cover penalties, please add the -4 to the roll below.

Katharina repositions herself in the room and tries to blast one of the lizardmen.

Cold Blast+P-BS: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

*Updated on map*

Katharina I moved you 5 feet so no cover. You are 20' away

Fahd I have you attacking the same as me, and Katarina attacking the one on the right w/ Krux when he goes

And if you haven't checking out the GMs nugget on the side of the MAP, you should. It's worth it. Very funny

Krux charges toward the northeastern lizard folk in a frenzied rage.

"Eat steel!"

rage, power attack, charge: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 = 19
damage: 1d10 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 1 = 18

+1 damage from Axe to Grind trait. Base AC 17 - 2 rage - 2 charge = AC 13
No cover penalty for Kat as Krux moved 10' directly north.