[PFS] The Orphan's Lodge - The Tide of Morning (Inactive)

Game Master Zizazat

The air grew still as Venture-Captain Dennel Hamshanks rolled into a meeting room deep inside the Skyreach, his jowls flowing and his enormous axe clanking against his thigh. The man’s black eyes scanned the room. “You lot? The Orphans?” Hamshanks chuckles. “Well, maybe you’ll surprise me."

“Your boat leaves in an hour, so I’ll be brief. I'm sending you back to Andoran. One of the Society’s contacts sent us an interesting little nugget this morning. A druid named Hemzel swept into Augustana’s Civic Library last week, demanding his right of research. Our contact learned that Hemzel acquired a lorestone from somewhere in the Verduran Forest. Heard of such a thing?” Hamshanks paused expectantly and spat again. “Of course not. I suppose you've heard of druids, at least?" He looks pointedly at Gert. "And their crazy stone circles? Well thank Gorum for that. Lorestones are somehow connected to them—supposedly they can bestow you with all of the knowledge of the druids. We’d like to know how, so we want that stone and you’re going to get it for us." Hamshanks points at Gert, "'Cept for you sweetheart. You're staying here."

Confused Gert looks at Ana and Liam shrugging a little as her hands turn upward with confusion. "So, the Society wants this druid artifact, but you aren't going to send a druid along?" She puts her right hand to her forehead, dragging it down her face as she sighs.

"That's right girlie. You're staying here. Hemzel's already no fan of the Society. A Society druid showing up and asking him about his little find?" Hamshanks whistles and then motions his thumb across his throat. “Unfortunately, the Society is not a friend to Hemzel. He’s the self-declared protector of the Verduran Forest inside Andoran’s borders and some of our more eager explorers have angered him and his little band of gnomes. He’s sworn a blood feud with the Pathfinders."

“Break out your skills of persuasion and get me that lorestone. Do what you need to—sweep the floors or plant some trees for the old man. Something nice—let him know we’re there to study and not to slash and burn.”

"Well? Scoot!" he waves his hands at the Orphans.

Wulf takes the curt briefing in stride. The Society treated him as well as any other employer. And if the risks were great, well, so was the pay. He remains quiet during the briefing, and speaks with his friends afterwards.

"I guess we won't be getting loads more information from old Hamshanks. This mission doesn't sound so bad though. Let me get some extra gear before we head out, though."

I'll look over possible purchases here. Will probably want a Wayfinder at least.

Sounds like antitoxin and vermin repellant are called for here. Liam?

Dotting for now, will post a bit later!

I already made a bunch of vermin repellent for the last game, so I think everybody except Veviane already has some.

Everybody add an antitoxin to your inventory (if I'm counting correctly, this means I made 5. If Arcad shows up some time in the future, I can make him some then). In addition, Veviane, add an alchemist's fire and a vermin repellent to your inventory.

Liam gives Gert an apologetic smile. "Try not ta be gettin' yourself in ta too much trouble now."

"Well, I guess this means we'll be keeping our Pathfinder status on the down low. And I probably shouldn't be the one ta be talkin' as I'm not big with the lyin' or diplomacizin'. If ya hadn't noticed." Liam grins sheepishly.

He stops to ponder for a moment. "Do ya think he might enjoy some of those yellowcap mushroom thingies that we found? Not sure if there're any 'round here abouts though."

Also, GM Mark Garringer- I think you did an awesome job of working Gert out of the situation in the scenario set up. :-)

.

Veviane merrily steps inside the room, greeting her fellow Orphans with mirth. "How good to see you all again, my brothers and sisters! I trust your journey to Andoran was an exciting one? I've read Liam's record of the events with great interest, though Master Zey kept me in Skyreach to help me understand and use my full arcane potential. I received my mother's wintry powers from her Irriseni origins, and Master Zey think there's a way to control them. Additionally, I've been learning about some new emerging factions in the Society, and it seems we're about to face a phase of turmoil... and opportunity."

"Anyway, it looks like we're going to Andoran! I'm so glad, though it's a shame to see you stay here, sister."

The witch hugs Gert's warmly, then adds "You stay safe. We'll be back soon enough, don't you worry. "

-Posted with Wayfinder

Muck and stone, mud and trees. Both have mushrooms.

It all seems very logical to Ic. Stuck between a frown and a smile, he is sad to see Gert go but lightens up at the appearance of Veviane. Gert already knows trees.

Anaristiel sighs briefly upon hearing that Gert won't be joining the group, but her disappointment is short-lived. She gives Veviane and Gert both hugs, then readies herself to leave.

Are we waiting for everyone to finish their purchases in the discussion thread?

I was yeah, but should have called direct attention to it also :). I'll get things moving along tonight!

The Orphans set off to their waiting ship, heading back to Andoran and into the Verduran Forest. The first day of travel takes the Orphans near the forest, and the second day is mostly spent traveling through the forest following Hamshank's map. The third day promises more of the same, but Wulfren is reasonably certain that you are getting close. As the sun sets on the third day of travel in the Verduran Forest, the welcome sight of a puffing chimney—Hemzel’s home, according to the map—reveals itself atop a hill.

Smoke rises lazily from a chimney set atop a small, round wooden hut just over a steep hillside covered in thick vines and brambles. “Too late, too late for Hemzel!” a high voice cackles from behind the hut. “Gire, finish them!”

Hemzel's hut is on a raised hill, and there is a path that leads up to it. Trying to get up without going on the trail requires climb checks (DC 10, difficult terrain). I've put a marching order based on my own ideas, but if you want to change it I'll do that before moving on.

Hemzel's Hut

I think the marching order looks good.

Marching order is fine with me as well.

After the voice behind the hut's call to action, you hear a loud shout of "Infrangere" Standing on the east side of the hut you see the blurry form of something elven as it points at a rotting stump near the front of the hut. The stump explodes in a shower of wood chips and spiders! What seems like an endless number of spiders begins pouring out of the remains of the stump!

Round 1:
Blur
Gire
Ic
Anaristiel
Liam
Wulfren
Swarm
Veviane

The blurry figure says "DoitGirefinishthemforthenewgloryoftheempire! then quickly moves toward the back of the hut!

From somewhere in front of the hut on the west side a very small voice says "Foolish bigones, they will die like old Hemzel." A moment later a small, black and grey fur ball flies through the air landing in front of the door to the hut, transforming into the form of a bat! The small voice says "Guard."

Everyone but Veviane may act!

Map updated

Ic throws his alchemist's fire at the spider swarm

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 61d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Liam pulls some alchemist's fire from his bag with his tail swift action, moves forward, and likewise chucks it at the spiders.

To Hit: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 - 2 = 1

But he misses horribly.

Miss: 1d8 ⇒ 7 I believe this means it lands 10 ft to the East of the spiders.

Wulfren takes aim and shoots over his friends at the bat!

Musket, Point Blank, Cover?: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 22
Damage?: 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

-Posted with Wayfinder

Confirm?: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 12
Extra Damage?: 3d12 + 3 ⇒ (10, 7, 11) + 3 = 31

-Posted with Wayfinder

Anaristiel draws and throws an alchemist's fire at the swarm as well.

Move action: Retrieve alchemist's fire
Standard action: Attack swarm
Attack (Alchemist's Fire): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Damage (Alchemist's Fire): 1d6 ⇒ 4 (+50% for swarm = 6)

Miss roll for Ic: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Both Ic and Liam try to douse the spider swarm with alchemical fire, but miss their targets. Ic's manages to splash on the bat just before Wulfren blasts the thing right out of the air!

Anaristiel takes a moment longer to check her aim and scores a direct hit on the spider swam incinerating most of it!

The remains of the swarm pushes forward covering poor Ic with their hundreds upon hundreds of tiny, poisoned bites!

Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5 plus DC 11 Fort save vs. Poison and separate DC 11 Fort save vs. nausea.

Veviane is up!

Veviane imitates her companions by retrieving the flask of alchemist's fire Liam gave her and throwing it onto the swarm of spiders.
RTA: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 201d6 ⇒ 6 +50% = 9!

The swarm now occupies the same square as Ic! :) Sorry if the map placement caused confusion.

Does the swarm only occupy a 5-ft square? If so, Veviane readies her throw to set off the moment Ic moves out of it. However, I seem to recall spider swarms to occupy 4 squares (10 ft. space).

Ah, my bad. 10' space it is! So both misses would have done 1 splash damage to it as well. You can easily hit part of it and only get the splash on Ic. That's more than enough to finish off the swarm though.

Veviane lobs a flask of alchemist's fire scoring a direct hit and finishing off the nasty spider swarm! Ic is splashed by some of the flaming hot liquid though and takes 1 point of damage.

Round 2:
Blur
Gire
Ic
Anaristiel
Liam
Wulfren
Veviane

Again from the west side of the hut a tiny voice can be heard, "Loud man killed bat. Too bad Thaven will slice his skin open. The stench of the burning blood will consume you all!" Another grey-black ball flies through the air landing near the door of the hut producing another bat!

All PCs may act!

Itsy bitsy spider Ic almost silently sings as the spiders approach.

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

All crawl down. Ic seems unaware of the danger, until the first spider hits.

HEUGHAAARGH! he lets out an ear-piercing wail, and manages nothing but a panicked run for the exit.

Ic is bailing- I'm assuming I'm still nauseated this round?

Liam chugs an extract of shield and moves to one side of the bat, provoking an attack of opportunity but setting himself up to provide flanking for anybody who wants it.

Wulfren moves up the path past the bat, and pauses to reload his musket.

Veviane takes a step further and tries to put the bat to sleep.

Slumber hex, Will DC 15

Anaristiel moves to flank the bat with Liam and thrusts her longspear at the creature.

Move action: As indicated on map
Standard action: Attack bat
Attack (Longspear (2H), Flanking): 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15
Damage (Longspear (2H)): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Ic - yes nauseated through the end of round 2. The poison also takes it toll doing 1d2 ⇒ 1 STR damage. You get a round 2 save as well or take another 1d2 ⇒ 2 damage.

Due to its size, I don't believe it gets an AoO.

Bat Will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 *success!*

The bat seems to be unfazed by Veviane's attempt to force it to take a nap.

The diminutive creature manages to avoid Anaristiel's spear, even with Liam's help!

Thus continues the rampage of the hardest to kill bat in the history of Golarion!

Round 3:
Gire
Bat
Ic
Anaristiel
Liam
Wulfren
Veviane

Liam hears the small voice again, very close to him "Will you feel the fires hellspawn? Can they burn your sinful flesh?"

The bat flies forward and tries to bite Anaristiel's face! Now occupying same square.

Bat bite vs. Anaristiel: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 *miss*

All PCs may act!

As the bat approaches, Anaristiel attempts to knock it away.

AoO (Cestus): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Damage (Cestus): 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Then she steps toward Liam and swings at it once more.

Not an action: 5' step as indicated
Standard action: Attack bat
Attack (Cestus): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Damage (Cestus): 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Veviane attempts to curse the bat with ill luck, then cackles to mock the bat's doomed existance.
Curse of Misfortune, Will DC 15, then cackle as move action to prolong the hex.

Wulfren steps up across from Ana, then draws his sword with his free hand (holding his musket in one for now). He swings at the bat!

Cold Iron Longsword, Flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"Hey now, I weren't the one tryin' ta kill some poor druid. I'm also not tha one hidin' like some bloody coward." Although he tries to hide it, Liam looks a little hurt from the "hellspawn" comment.

"I think you lot have got that there bat handled right 'nuff. Although there might be some invisible blighter lurking about. I also seem ta recall someone dashing behind the house, so I'm going ta check that out. Back in a tick."

With that Liam dashes out of sight.

He's going to circle around the house clockwise, looking for either a dying druid or that blurry guy who was there earlier. Right now I have him doing a double move, but if he see that the druid is in trouble, he'll head that way to help. Or move to confront the blurry dude if h sees him.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Anaristiel punches the bat in the face! Knocking the creature to the ground, dead.

Veviane, Wulfren, and Liam's actions will be rescinded based on new information. There are no visible threats but you all still have Round 3 actions, though Liam's course of action seems reasonable in any case.

Gun in hand, Wulfren will look for an entrance and move into it. If he finds one within his normal movement range, and an enemy is visible, he will shoot.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Sorry, got a little crazy with the covering the hut interior. The door is just west of Anaristiel, plainly visible and closed.

Liam's going to stick with his action of circling the house.

Veviane move in front of the door, and gets ready the moment the door opens.

Since the cestus attack that dropped the bat was the AoO as it approached (since it's a Tiny creature, I get an AoO for it entering my square), I'm assuming Anaristiel has an action as well?

Ana opens the door and casts a quick orison.

Move action: Open door
Standard action: Cast detect magic

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Ic feels the poison taking its course, and panics, saying: No! No! Don't let them get mister feathers! as he runs up to Wulfren.

Liam moves around the back of the hut, but catches no sign of the moving blur. He does, however, notice faint wisps of grey-black smoke that seep out of a few different cracks in the hut.

I moved Wulren to cover the door which he would plainly see baring my map misunderstanding :)

Veviane and Wulfren ready actions as Anaristiel opens the door and attunes her vision to arcane powers (you sense the presence of magical auras). Ic shakes off the spider poison and joins his friends.

As the door opens, grey-black smoke rolls out. The inside of the hut appears to be engulfed in a growing fire. At the far end of the hut, a body lies on the floor.

Because of the way the want to handle the fire spreading, we'll stay in imitative order; and also because of...

Round 4:
Gire
Ic
Anaristiel
Liam
Wulfren
Veviane

Anaristiel hears the end of small, soft arcane words. West of the elf, fluttering off the ground a tiny, winged woman appears briefly out of a chromatic shimmer. She points her little hand at Anaristiel and a bust of pink energy flies out quickly engulfing Anaristiel from head to toe! She then again vanishes in a chromatic shimmer.

Shimmer location added to map.

Anaristiel a Will save if you please.

All PCs may act in Round 4.

Wulfren rushes into the hut, skirting the table, and inspects the body for signs of life.

Heal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Will Save: 1d20 ⇒ 11 (+2 vs. enchantment, immune to sleep)

As the pink energy wraps around Anaristiel, she beings to shrink! The elf quickly grows smaller until she stands just under 3'!

Wulfren bends down to check the body for signs of life, when he suddenly feels hands behind him pushing him forward toward the desk and on top of the corpse! However, his attacker is unable to budge the sturdy musket master!

Surprise bull rush: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 vs. CMD *fail*

Veviane gets ready to curse the winged woman the moment she appears.

Anaristiel, heedless of the flames burning in front of her, rushes in and thrusts at Wulfren's attacker with her longspear.

Move action: As indicated on map
Standard action: Attack Wulfren's attacker
Attack (Longspear (2H)): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Damage (Longspear (2H)): 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Oh sorry Anaristiel, I thought it but didn't type it. :) When you when down in size, you went down to 'small' so your weapons go down a die as well. Since you rolled max though I'll take it as a 6 instead for a total of 9.

Little Anaristiel rushes into the fray and stabs the angry fey-looking humanoid, though it seems less effective than anticipated.

Round 4 (fire round 1):
Gire
Ic
Anaristiel
Liam
Theaven - 4 damage
Wulfren
Veviane

Ic and Liam may still act for Round 4!

Oh, right - I got the strength taken care of, forgot about the weapon.