[PFS] The confirmation table 2, Feb-Mar 2017 (Inactive)

Game Master Chyrone

Open for the .

Dot

The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion:
"Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn."
The Pig’s Paunch is a run-down building with a faded sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar elven man stands high upon top of a large round table.

"Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat!"
With that, Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder.
"Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four
hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born.
But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree you each have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there’s no better time to see if you can handle becoming full field operatives.
Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix," he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach.

She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist.
Shaine continues, saying, "Janira here will be going with you on your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own Confirmation."

Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice,
"Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw another one enter the cave again a month later as my Confirmation stretched on.
A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillmen."

Master Shaine hops to his feet.
"Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillmen are up to in there. Oh, and you need to come back alive as well."

With these parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself.

Orin slowly lofts a brow and gives Janira a curious stare. "What's a gill-man?"b he asks in a gravelly voice.

"The gillmen are similar to humans in appearance. Except they have gills on both sides of their necks. They're not hostile by nature, and usually reside near or in bodies of water.
So seeing one enter a cave is quite peculiar."

"Maybe the cave has an underground river or lake? he suggests, trying to be helpful... I guess we'll find out in our explorations...

DOT

Janira nods.
"That could very well be a possibility."

Zorahas is intrigued by the assignment. He feels a little kinship towards the gillmen from Janira's description. "I have never spent much time in caves either. Is there anything special we will need? What kind of dangers might we face?"

"Or perhaps there was some other danger to the gillmen that you missed." Gunthur looks a bit apprehensive. "If we're required to go underwater, I'm not sure I have all the proper equipment. I'll have to consult with the equipment master."

Doran nods as he listens to the info hiven out.

Best to be prepared for anything...you never know what you may find out there. I have particular insight into fightibg the undead...so that is covered. I am ready to step off at any time. he says as he hefts hus pack on his large shoulders.

Alright, let's proceed. :)

"Just a quick note here. The details of the mission at hand," Janira says with an eager grin.
"After reviewing my mission reports personally, Master Shaine believes it is no coincidence that each time they entered the caves it was during a full moon, so it is also no coincidence that you have been called here now, just a day before the moon is full again.
We both believe that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important and what exactly the gillmen are doing in there."

"The caves we’ll be travelling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts. We’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot, crossing over the Cairnlands, taking the paths to Diobel, and finally making our way through the wilderness.
With any luck we won’t run into any of the local inhabitants. Once in the caves, we’ll need to work together to explore and determine whether any gillman are present or have been recently. Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves’ significance, too."

"Which brings us to the final question, for now, (cheerful smile) Have you everything you need? Ways to make light, provisions, ropes, healing.
Oh, and if you've any coin left to spare, antitoxins are no excessive luxury, you never know when going into the wilderness. Or something that melt stuff away, like acid or alchemical fire. So many things to fight off, coming prepared is quite a relief."

She picks something from her pack, and hands you all writing supplies and paper. (Anyone who doesn’t have it already, that is)
"Our reports stay most accurate as we write our findings on the spot as we go."

The young Chelaxian walks in the room, well dressed with the holy symbol of Ragathiel around his neck and the bastard sword of the Emperyal Lord at his side.
Greetings fellow initiates, he says I am Crisicus Hispaninius. These caves do sound very interesting Venture Captain. I am sure that we will be able overcome what ever is necessary in the success of our mission.

You're not in a lodge, atm. You're speaking to your pathfinder guide, Janira. :)
If you want to buy any extra items, just say so, and we'll take those along.

As the team progresses deeper into the forest, the trees towering overhead begin to shield most of what remains of the day’s sun and the vegetation beneath grows denser.
Janira pauses a moment and 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 get your own as well."

She flips open the device and holds it in front of her; the initials J. L. 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."

Most of the trees in this section of the forest have trunks that are too big for any creatures to share their space.
Sporadic patches of light undergrowth provide areas for creatures to hide while restricting movement for those passing through. A large rock outcropping to the east rises nearly 20 feet above the forest floor, and a small sinkhole to the northwest drops off sharply, descending to the ground 10 feet below.
1d6 ⇒ 3
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As you walk, there is slight movement along the ground. It hurries into your direction!
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Swarm, round 1

Crisius
Orin
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Snake swarm
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Doran, Zorahas
Gunthur, Janira

The way i've played swarms is like this.
Targeting the swarm's own touch AC = 150% dmg.
Targeting a random square it occupies = 100% dmg.
Hitting with alchemist fire vs swarm touch ac has the benefit of that extra 1d6 burning, and crit.

Orin steps back away from the swarm, behind as many people as he can get.

"I've got nothing to combat such a batch of creatures... and I'm not fond of snakes to begin with... Kill them! someone... please."

He readies an action to cast 'guidance' on the first person he sees with an alchemist fire to throw.

A swarm? Bugs. I know how to handle this as he pulls out a flask of alchemist fire/

Can he throw this round?

Orin casts his guidance on Criscius.

Based on Janira's recommendation, Zorahas buys a couple flasks of acid on the way out of town. Good thing, too!

When the swarm appears, he steps up, draws out one of his new flasks, and throws it!

ranged touch: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Yes Criscius, you can throw it.
Thrown splash weapons have a range of 10, though, and every increment takes a -2 penalty on the attack roll. Thrown weapons have 5 increments.
You'd take a -4 penalty on your attack roll, as is.

he will wait to move up next turn.

Orin bestows Criscius with a magical boon, who in turn retrieves a flask from his pack, and waits for now.
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The mass of snakes slithers towards the party.
Which quartet: 1d2 ⇒ 2

The snakes slither around the party's ankles, save for Doran and Gunthur.
Swarm dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 2
All but Doran and Gunther, a fort roll DC 12 please, or you are nauseated for 1 round.
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Doran, Zorahas
Gunthur, Janira

fort save dc 12: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

I want to confirm something. I assume the swarm didn't move enough to trigger an AoO from my reach weapon.

Gunther concentrates a moment (Swift Action, activate Arcane Strike) and swings at the swarm. Hoping for Tiny swarm

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

He then moves back a bit to hopefully draw the swarm towards him. "Everyone scatter! Some of you get behind me!"

Move back 15' or 20', try to set up an AoO if the swarm comes towards him

It is indeed a tiny creature swarm, but that attack doesn't hit its AC.

Sigh. My record of poor rolling on PbP continues...

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 Fort

Spread out so it cannot get all of at once! Doran shouts as he gets out a flask from his bandolier and prepares to toss it at the swarm

You guys have access rights to move your tokens.

Depending on his fort roll, Zorahas might have to change his choice of actions.

Orin moves out of the swarm and hopes those with alchemists fire can kill it off quickly... silently cursing himself for not having anything similar himself, he vows to equip himself with some as soon as the coin is there to do so. I've simply got to get a few of those!

Moved. I didn't notice the map link earlier. If anything is difficult terrain, let me know and I'll have to adjust.

"Crisius! Doran! Move behind me towards those two fallen trees! Don't worry about attacking it. Stay out of it's reach. Keep enough distance between us so that we can't both be swarmed."

fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 +2 if it's poison

Fort Janira: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Doran grabs a vial, as does Zorahas after a 5ft step away from the snakes, both preparing to throw it when there is space for it.
Gunthur makes a strong swipe at the snakes, but their quick reflexes prevent him from killing any of them...for now.

Janira starts an inspiring verse, about a famed whip wielding adventurer/college professor, who dealt with snakes, despite his phobia of them.

Inspire +1, +1 to attack & weapon dmg rolls.
"I'll be over here." She moves north, to keep her inspire within hearing of as many as possible.

Zorahas sees a space, and tosses his vial, dealing 3 dmg to the swarm.
It deals 1 splash dmg to Criscius too.
Doran, i take it you're waiting with your prepared attack until Criscius has moved? Roll for it.
======================
Snake swarm, round 2

Orin makes a tactical withdraw east.
Crescius
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Snake swarm (-3)
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Doran, Zorahas
Gunthur, Janira

acid: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 1 = 111d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Were you aiming for the square, or the touch AC of the swarm itself?

ah i forgot to specify...ill roll....even is square, odd is touch

coinflip: 1d20 ⇒ 19

The flask misses the swarm, and it lands on 1d8 ⇒ 8 a different square, dealing just the splash dmg to the swarm.

I moved you 5ft step, as you'd otherwise take cover penaly from Crescius.

Crescius
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Swarm (-4)
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Doran, Zorahas
Gunthur, Janira

Sorry, I was teaching last night and this afternoon. Let me take a look at the map

With a look of annoyance at the nagaji the fighter takes a 5' step backwards and throws his alchemist fire at the swarm's area.
1d20 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 11
1d6 ⇒ 1

Sounds like square AC, right-o.

Criscius blesses the snakes with acid, whether the hissing is the acid doing its work, or the snakes themselves, is hard to say.
-------------
Swarm (-5) heads to cover both Criscius and Doran.
Swarming: 1d6 ⇒ 5

The snakes are particularly vicious this time, sinking their teeth into the men's ankles and legs.
DC 12 fort vs nauseated guys.
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Doran, Zorahas
Gunthur, Janira

Move up, same attack as before

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Damage: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

I forgot, since this swarm consists of tiny creatures, entering your square will provoke. If Crescius and Doran were wielding a melee weapon, they both get an aoo.

aoo: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 181d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Doran hacks as he tries not to throw up

Doran hits the swarm for 3, due to their tiny-ness and slithery bodies.
Tiny swarms take 1/2 dmg from your attack.
He's distracted by the swarming on his legs, and becomes nauseated, unable to do attack.

Though able to take 1 move action.
Zorahas
Gunthur (will attack), Janira

Too bad i failed my fort save...i rolled my attack and was a potential crit....fml

AoO with bastard sword
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

FORT
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Will both people in the swarm right now act again before the swarm? If so, Zorahas will yell at them to get out of the way and ready an action to throw his other acid when they have moved away. Otherwise he will just throw it now.

Zorahas steps up a bit closer and tosses his other flask of acid towards the swarm of snakes.

ranged touch splash: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
acid damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2 or 1 splash
direction if miss: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Only Criscius acts before the swarm.
I can never hear 'the Swarm' again, without thinking Starcraft.

Zoraha's is spot on, and his flask of acid breaks, hitting the snakes for 3 dmg, but it splashes some on his comrades too. Janira's inspire deals an extra 1 dmg.
Direct hit, 15-%. Swarm at -9

Gunthur strikes at the snakes, and while his aim is true, it seems to have no effect.
Janira keeps up her inspire.
=======================

Snake swarm, round 3

Orin
Criscius (nauseated, can take 1 move action)
-----------
Snake swarm (-9)
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Doran (nauseated), Zorahas
Gunthur, Janira

Orin keeps his distance from the swarm, hoping to stay away from the snakes and that his companions can kill them quickly...

He readies an action to move up and touch anyone who pulls out an alchemist fire or acid and use guidance on them.

You'll have casted guidance as a prepped charge in that case.

Orin holds a blessing energy in the palm of his hand, a low glowing orb of blue light.

Criscius
---------------
-----------
Snake swarm (-9)
-----------
Doran (nauseated), Zorahas
Gunthur, Janira

Maybe I'm missing something, but you stated this was a Tiny swarm, but then you say my attack does no damage. Did I miss something? I thought weapons were half damage to Tiny swarms.