PFS PbP Gameday 3 - 5x08 - The Confirmation [DLS PFS] (Inactive)

Game Master Bardez

Ob speaks, "Sure glad I picked up this ioun torch at the grand lodge. It comes in handy during times like these. Are we making good time towards those caves Janira?

During the previous evening, Morād passed Celeb a wand and said, "Don't get too happy. Not every wound is worth healing, especially if earned foolishly."

He then took out a long pipe and started smoking something foul smelling while sharpening what seemed to be an excess of knives and other blades. "Sometimes you have one shot at downing a foe. A sharp blade can be the difference between which end of the gutting you're on." He offered to sharpen any blade anyone wanted sharpened.

While in camp, Celeb removes his armor, then busies himself with cleaning and polishing his armor and weapons. He checks his bowstring to be sure there's no damage before unstringing his bow.

Having no bladed weapons, Celeb politely declines Morad's offer.

As the camp dies down for the night, he separates himself for an hour or so to commune with Erastil, then returns and sprawls out his bedroll next to a fire.

It's been quite some time since he has walked so far in a single day. His feet are aching and he is sure he will be stiff in the morning.

After a restful night, Celeb wakes and again takes time to speak with his patron. He then dons his armor, gathers his weapons and gear, and sets off with the group.

Normally, Celeb will perform his daily prayers without his armor and only taking his warhammer. In the event they are in a situation
that requires more caution, he may opt to wear the armor at all times.

Do we have provisions for the trip provided by the society? If not, I will need to try to hunt as we go.

"Janira, how close are we to the caves?"

The Society has provided enough rations for a week, which Janira carries.

With the prompting of the initiates, Janira pauses a moment. "We're getting close, and should be there within the next few hours." She pulls out an intricate silver compass emblazoned with the Pathfinder Society logo: the Glyph of the Open Road. "I received this wayfinder when I successfully completed my Confirmation. Should we be successful on our journey, you will have an opportunity to get your own as well." She flips open the device and holds it in front of her; the initials J. G. are engraved into the inside of the device's lid. After studying the compass inside for a moment, she remarks, "We're on the right path. We need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead."

Encounter time. I will have a map up shortly (tonight) with tokens available for use, so that you can place yourselves on the map. The assumption is that Janira is in the lead, but I'm not married to it since she stopped to get her bearings.

Map is up.

Unknown to Janira, the direct route she laid out to the cave entrance takes the group through the hunting ground of local predators. As the Pathfinder initiates pause to gather their bearings, two winged creatures resembling an amalgam of horse and bird encircle the group. As they are about to make their first strike, one of the creature's claws crushes a fallen, rotted out tree limb, claiming the attention of most of the gathered initiates.

Nikolai listens intently to Janira as they travel, nodding in agreement when she mentions things he already knew, and 'ooh'ing and 'aah'ing at the things he didn't.

When they made camp for the night, the gnome quickly made friends with the caravan. Before going to sleep, he lays out a small collection of knicknacks and doodads of uncertain function, does a quick inventory, then packs them back away.

He watches intently as Janira uses her wayfinder, fascinated by the device.

Nikolai tends to stay in the middle-rear area of the party. And a 3! By this rate I'll get to a 20 in 16 rolls or so!

Ob looks towards the strange creatures that are intent on making him and his friends a meal. You've picked the wrong group. He ponders briefly what the creature is:

He then steps 5' step next to the old man and readies an action to blast the first one to get in range.

(Assuming they approach), presumably against creature 2 as it is just after me in initiative

Ob fires off a blast of freezing energy at the creature, but it manages to strike aimlessly in the sky.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Niles loads his crossbow.

Garret stands by, unaware of the monsters.

I'm happy where I am.

The knowledge roll is that of arcana; Ob appears to lack a rank in knowledge (arcana) and thus could not attempt the knowledge check

Upon noticing the snap giving the two of them away, the second of the two beasts moves to attack a target, hunting. It moves (to P-17), taking flight and charging to attack the nearest enemy in a direct line (Ob) with a gnashing bite attack.

Creature 2's attack roll: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 2 = 24 => auto-hits Ob; critical threat
Creature 2's attack critical confirmation: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 2 = 13 => does not confirm.
Damage to Ob 1d6 ⇒ 1 (B, P, and S damage)

The creature easily gets a bite in around Ob's wrist after dodging the poorly executed defensive blast, but the entire maneuver costs it the weight of the strike, inflicting minor damage.

The creature charged, so -2 to its AC until its next turn.

Nikolai is bent over a particularly interesting ordinary plant, furiously scribbling notes and sketches in his journal, oblivious to the approaching creatures. When he finally notices them, they've already proven hostile.

"Oh cool! What are these?" he asks, as he drops his pack (a free action, reducing his encumbrance to light) and fires a blast of crackling energy at the beasts.

Priority target is unengaged, using a move action to mitigate burn and use extended range if greater than 30'.
If both enemies are in melee, he will target the closest one, then draw his longspear as a move action.
Kinetic Blast: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 71d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4: targets Touch AC.

Seeing the creature dive to the attack, Celeb moves to O21, jumping up on the log to get a clearer shot (going for partial cover if possible) at the beast attacking Ob.

longbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
with cover: 16
with partial cover: 18
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Dolgrin will draw his longspear and let out a dwarven grunt as he steps forward (5ft step to P19) and stabs at the strange creature.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

All the while shouting "By Torag's beard what are these eldritch horrors?"

Dolgrin's attack is a firm hit. The beast recoils and its grip on Ob releases quickly.

I talked with Caleb, and he'll just take the move, and save the attack roll for next (full, non-surprise) round.
Caleb makes his move to O21, jumping up onto the log.
Jump up to log, DC 8 (4 x 2 ft'): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 (Success)

Janira, watching as the beasts attack, attempts to identify the creatures. Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
"We're being attacked by hippogriffs! Younger ones, from the look of them. These are territorial magical beasts, so I doubt they will let us pass without a full fight!" Janira begins an speech, inspiring courage: "Let us remember the sacrifice of the fabled Yasmin bint Faroud, favored of the Ten, who gave her life distracting Zythrustianax, draconic scourge of the Society, so dozens of junior agents could survive. Her act of benevolence is the epitome of cooperation within the Society." This is a bardic performance; +1 morale to saving throws, +1 competence on attacks & damage.

As soon as Janira begins her speech, the first ceature beings a flying charge to M17 and attacks Janira.
Creature 1's charge attack roll: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 2 = 14; miss

Niles readies his crossbow with a bolt loaded and prepared.

End surprise round. Round 1 begins.

A bardic performance is in effect for the party; +1 morale to saving throws, +1 competence on attacks & damage.

5' to O17. Draw Wakizashi. Attack creature.
Wakizashi: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
If he happens to do down before my action, I'll move to L16 for the flank on the other instead.
sneak attack: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Ob curses as the beast breaks free from his arm, Foul arse for brains horse birds. We're not food! He then moves back 5' step and blasts the beast with the fury of the elements.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 = 12 No Cover, have precise shot
Cold Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

"Aww, they're so pretty. Shame about the talons." Garret magically pulls a fist sized rock from the ground and propels it at one of the beasts.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 4 = 8

5' to N20, attack Creature 1

As the shaped earth telekinetically flings towards the magical beast, the rock spins and twists toward the beast's beak, striking a crack therein.

Ob's blast shoots past his attacker's head, as the hippogriff narrowly avoids the elemental blast (the charge took them down to touch & normal AC of 13; ouch). In doing so, the beast steps forward (5' to O18) and attacks with its beak and claws:
Hippogriff 1's bite attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Hippogriff 1's 1st claw attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Hippogriff 1's 2nd claw attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The hippogriff flails wildly at the hydromancer, yet being distracted by the near-miss moments prior, it fails to land a single scratch on its elusive prey.

Addendum: 5' step to Q18 to provide Janira with flanking.

P18, I think. Moved.

Nope, Q18, longspear has reach. ^_^

Well, then. The little guy has a long, pointy stick at his disposal. Hadn't noticed that. All's well.

If this is posted in time, switch Celeb's target to the one at M17 since the other is surrounded already. If not posted in time to switch, no problem.

Given that it has been 24 hours, I am presuming that Dolgrin goes into Delay.

Morād lightly steps (5') into a flanking position (at O17), following up with a sneaking blow to the hind legs of the beast that the Pathfinders have surrounded. He makes a clean strike at the hippogriff, deeply cutting and leaving a gaping wound, his blade's cut ever the more deep due to the treatment by whetstone.
Solid hit, 12 damage

Using Caleb's attack from surprise round
Caleb, from his higher ground, has a clearer shot with only a slight obstruction. He attacks the other hippogriff, loosing an arrow that strikes along the creature's back.
5 damage, due to Janira's +1

I will prefer any of Dolgrin's posts in initiative and re-insert him at the best possible initiative slot. Nikolai has action, then GM will take a few actions for Janira and the less-wounded hippogriff.

Niles moves up and fires a bolt at the nearest hippogriff.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6, Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Sorry about that, ended up being super busy, I peeked in but it's a little hard for me to tell who's turn it is. Do you have any indication other than the initiative spoiler further up the page?

Dolgrin will grunt and step back 5ft step to Q19 before stabbing at the critter again.

Longspear: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11

Celeb smoothly nocks another arrow and sends it after the the first. targetting hippogriff at M17

Longbow: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 - 2 = 6 grrr...
Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 = 10 of course...

He then looks around for any more of the beasts.

Garret plucks another rock from the earth and sends it flying.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 4 = 6
[ooc]5' step to L20, attack #1 again.

Nikolai tries again to shock the hippogriff, while harrying it with his spear.
Kinetic Blast: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 1 = 231d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4 -4 for firing into melee, Touch attack
"Ha!" he shouts as the charge passes through the unlucky creature. "Lighting strikes the hippogriff!"

Dolgrin's spear makes a few wild thrusts, before piercing the hippogriff's neck. It lets out a foul screech as it falls.

Nikolai's kinetic blast targets the remaining hippogriff. A wave of shock ripples through the beast and it growls as a bit of smoke can be seen emanating from its beak.

Janira, seeing that only one of the young creatures is left standing takes a small step backward (5' back to M19), and lets her whip lash at the creature, aiding in the attack as she continues the inspiring performance.
Janira's whip attack for aid another: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 = 22 (aids)
She continues rallying the initiates: "As Durvin Gest, exemplar of our Society, saw through the treachery of the fabled Lens of Galundari and chose to hurl the terrible lens down into the neverending Nemesis Well, so you, his noblest heirs, shall stand steadfast against deceit and error, surrendering nothing but your burdens, and falling nowhere but on our foes!"

The remaining hippogriff steps (5' to N18) and continues an assault on Janira.
Full attack:
Hippogriff 1's bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 (hit; potential critical)
Hippogriff 1's 1st claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Hippogriff 1's 1st claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Hippogriff 1's bite critical confirmation: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 (totally landed a critical hit)
Hippogriff's bite damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Hippogriff's bite critical damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Total of 6 damage to Janira

Janira winces as the eagle-headed horse grasps her shoulder, but tears herself loose.

Niles makes an attack that appears to be shot form a loose balance; Janira, seeing this, casts a spell:

With the added tactics of Janira, Niles' crossbow bolt lands firmly, grzing the spine of the creature. It howls in pain as it collapses, and ceases movement within a few short moments.

End of combat

Janira inspects the Pathfinder initiates, offering healing to Ob and any others grazed by the hippogriffs before treating her own injuries (full HP back to everyone, from cure light wounds, as needed).

"Congratulations, initiates! You have performed admirably for your first battle as Pathfinders. Effective cooperation, indeed!" She looks to the sky and then looks over the group. "We must pack up and be on the move, if we are to reach the caves by dusk. I am certain that if any gillmen are to enter, it will be tonight; we must reach the caves before nightfall!"

As the group proceeds through the forest, there are fallen trees, overgrown shortcuts, streams, pits, and unexpected nests to avoid.

Please make a Survival check.

Dolgrin takes a bit to catch his breath.

"Even more dangerous than I though out here. Give me a minute before we continue."

Dolgrin will spend the minute required to will his phantom into existance.

Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Torag's fist silently coalesces into existence.

Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Very nice blind roll. Wanna lend that to Nikolai?

With Dolgrin in the lead, the Pathfinder initiates make their way through the forest, finding small clearings and makeshift shortcuts to regain time, and swiftly manage the obstacles of the forest.

Eventually, the dense forest opens to a wide clearing at the base of a sheer cliff. Thick vines cover the surface of the cliff stretching 30 feet overhead. "Here! The cave entrance is behind those vines," Janira says with a broad smile as she walks to the cliff's face. She pulls back several layers of vegetation to reveal a narrow crack in the cliff's surface. "This is where I saw the gillmen enter."

As she motions toward the aperture, the surrounding woods come alive with the sound of small animals fleeing some unseen danger and a large creature crashing through the undergrowth. The halfling worriedly remarks, "Quick, take cover before whatever it is spots us!" As if she'd summoned the creature with her words, a massive horned monstrosity emerges from the trees. Standing eight feet tall on a pair of cloven hooves and wielding a tremendous axe, the bull-headed creature roars with unbridled anger when it spots the group.

Wisely assessing that a minotaur is beyond her charges' capabilities, Janira screams, "A minotaur! There’s little chance we can stand against it. Take this bag," she continues, pulling off her backpack, "and head deeper into the caves. Finish your mission. I'll lead it away from the caves, lose it in the forest, and join you as soon as I can. Now go! GO!" She heaves her backpack into the cave, casts a spell, and darts off toward the minotaur before turning to lure it away.

The nearby cave entrance is only 5 feet wide.

What to you do?

Deferring to Janira's authority, Celeb knocks an arrow and stands guard at the side of the cave, providing cover if his allies choose to enter the cave.

Not exactly happy to leave the halfling on her own, Garret nevertheless follows her instructions, grabbing her bag and moving deep enough into the cave to allow the others room to enter.

After the hippogriffs are defeated, Nikolai stows his longspear and recovers his pack, before inspecting the fallen creatures.
He plucks off several choice feathers before attempting to harvest a talon (Heal: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18) if anyone approaches during this time, the gnome shrugs and quips, "Waste not! Besides, I could get some cool inkpens made!"

Nikolai watches, fascinated, as Torag's Fist materializes."Wow! How'd you do that!?" he asks Dolgrin, his mouth hanging open.

When the minotaur appears, the gnome utters a soft moan as the sheer size of the beast registers. "I don't like it..." he mutters, then asks Janira, "Are you sure you can evade that thing on your own?"

Morād doesn't even let her finish before he's into the cave, retrieves her pack, and is assessing the cave for the best place to hide until the rest of the party enters, if they are lucky enough.

Ob follows Janira's counsel and the rest of the group's actions. "Run as fast as your halfling legs can carry you Janira." He enters the cave, despite wanting to use his mastery over ice to trip the beast and give Janira a better head start.

Dolgrin will quickly move into the tunnel.

Torag's fist pounds his chest and attempts to stare down the Minotaur, but his master's will pulls him into the cave.

"Here, who can light the way? I have a lantern if we need."

Niles picks up a small rock and casts Light. "Save your lantern oil. We might need to light things on fire later."

As the Pathfinders make their way into the caves, the minotaur can be seen chasing Janira through the trees, fighting its way through the dense undergrowth. The roars of the minotaur, crashing of trees and taunts by Janira slowly fade as the pair move out into the distance, Janira baiting the minotaur away from the rest of the group.

As Garret and Morād both lay claim to the pack that Janira dropped, they overview the contents.

The cave is damp (which increases the DC of all Acrobatics checks by 2), and the tunnel varies between 3 and 10 feet wide (averaging out to around 7 foot width and height). Water can be distantly heard, a rushing of rapid waters. The walls are patterned with blue-green luminescent fungi (that provide dim light). Occasionally, petroglyphs —most depicting marine animals or spiral shapes— appear along the cave tunnel walls, though with relative infrequency. Each petroglyph seems to shelter more of the fungi than along the rest of the cave walls, making the carvings glow slightly brighter than their surroundings.

The narrow tunnel twists and turns for several hundred feet before slowly opening to a wider passage. A large hole spans the cave's width and stretches ten feet down the path. At the bottom of the pit lies a small bundle of cloth.

The hole is 20 feet deep, with rounded walls to eliminate edges. The pit fills the tunnel's width; there are no easily accessible means to bypass it. PCs may make Knowledge (dungeoneering) or Survival checks for additional information on the pit.

Torag's fist will check out the pit.

Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

"I have climbing gear if we want to try to do this the hard way, or we can all jump it and save the bother."

"Well, who wants to carry the pack?" Nikolai asks the group as he struggles to see its contents as they're handled by the tallfolk. "I've got enough trouble with my own, but I'd be happy to hold a cure potion to pour down one of your throats if we run into trouble."

As the party traverses the caves, the gnome lags behind the others, fascinated by the glowing fungi and the glyphs they cover. He proceeds to sketch as many as he can in his journal while keeping up with the group.

"Ooh!" he utters as they approach the pit.

"I have climbing gear if we want to try to do this the hard way, or we can all jump it and save the bother."

"My short legs are going to have issues jumping this. Besides, there's no spikes or..." He trails off as he quickly surveys the pit. Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 "Traps down there. Lets go check out the bottom!"

Garret sets his torch ioun stone to floating about. "I can take the bag, mine's empty anyways. Hmm, what a lovely pit." He leans out, peering into the abyss.

Know Dungeon: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23