PbP GameDay 2: PFS GM Brew's Master of the Fallen Fortress (1-2) (Inactive)

Game Master Wicked Brew

It may be wise for us to regroup in the temple room below. This will give us time to formulate a plan for entering the room above and the stench won't be quite so bad. It will also give me the opportunity to retrieve my gear from the armory and perhaps Balenar can examine some of the things we found and see if his keen eye can assess the value of what is there.

Tarek looks at the ceiling above and addresses the group How many more levels do you think are above us? If there is just one then perhaps I could offer some healing energy to anyone that is injured.

Tarek, I agree that we should consider finding a place to rest and the level below us my be the best option. If I am not mistaken, I think there was at least a room or a corner that was pretty defensible. I know the icon for your god is quite valuable. I am not gong to get in between a man and his faith. If you sell, then I ask you share that with all of us. If you give it to one of your churches and shrines and then offer you a donative for it...the same....and if you keep it...well then don't lose it...

I nod to him with a bit of a wired smile on my lips, and happy for the chance to not have to wipe some unknown blood or other slime off my blade...I look over at the Ranger...while also appraising Kermit.

Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 taking 10 to study the frog and determine if it is safe to eat the frog legs or it is the poisonous kind, in which case I will ask Kat or anyone else if they want to lick its skin

El..what do you think....think we can roast up Kermit's legs here for a fresh meal while we rest?....The forest frogs in Cheliax that we ate during survial training tasted like roasted rabbit..

I pull my wasp waisted pugio out of its brass scabbard as I study perhaps what will be this day's main course of food...a fair and hopeful different meal from the usual marching bread laced with honey and oats.

Balenar steps up as the party discusses their options. He speaks to Tarek, seeming to feel most comfortable talking to him. I do not think setting up camp is a good idea. There is no telling how many of those trogs are in this tower, not to mention other beasts that the reptiles are able to somehow recruit into their ranks. We should ferret out what has taken roost here while we have the advantage.

Kat seems forthwith an ear as Balenor speaks to Tarek. I agree with him. We should try and press on for as long as we can.

I listen to the comments....while not having perhaps the offensive missile spells at my disposal...there was...as has..will always be the sword and the arcane ability to make it more deadly than the average steel blade...I nod at the advice offered..

fair enough...there is and always will be the sword

I agree with you Balenar. I had no intention of an extended stay in this smelly, reptile infested tower. I only wished to retrieve items I left below and thought everyone else could use that time to formulate a plan for exploring the next level. I do not know how many more levels there are and what we will encounter. If there was just one more level and you think the leader of these lizards may be there, then I could attempt to heal anyone that was injured. I just did not want to run into a situation where we must make a hasty exit and my pack is lost.

Balenar nods at Tarek's words. Understood, though I would rather ensure this place is secure before back tracking. I would hate to give anything left in this place an advantage if our presence is somehow discovered.

I say we keep moving. One, I ain't eating a frog. Two, further up is either empty so there's no harm in moving along, or it's not empty and we're giving more time to prepare. Besides, unless you can fly we have to come back down and then we can stop and pick things up. I'd like another look at that armory later.

If everyone wishes to press forward now rather than later, I can wait to get my things. We have gone this far without it so waiting a little longer will not hurt.

Tarek then looks towards the stairwell Are we following the same plan as before? Kat and Isador check the door, then peek inside and report back to the rest of us?

I would prefer not eating any frog either. Who knows what it has been eating and I can't imagine anything tasting good while the stink permeates through the air

You know..its a real shame that Kermit here is gonna go to waste....you all do not know what you are missing....

i place my blade back in its brass beaded scabbard and and look around with a chuckle...hefting my gear back up I then pull my gladius from its scabbard....

well no since waiting to draw my blade out...iit sems to be getting plenty of work with each door we open

Onward and upward it is then? Gods, I need to wash my armor. The best thing I did was trade in that chain shirt. This crap would never come out of all the chinks in chainmail. I’m going to have to get me a Cross bow……..speaking of which. Eloriand, how about handing back my sling. Caoilte looks distastefully at his axe. When we man a shield wall you really sort of train to hit men in armor. The armor basically holds all the blood and guts in, so you don’t get splashed so badly. Fat frogs, spiders and lizards, not so much.

That is part of why I love the range of my longbow. It does not always work out that I can utilize such range, but still...

The party prepares to delve what they believe is the final floor of the mysterious Fallen Fortress. Kat opens the door to the stairwell after determining it is unlocked and untrapped. She peers up at sees what appears to be an opening at the top of the stiars. Without climbing the entire stairwell, she determines the stairwell likely opens to the entire floor, ie there is no door at the top of the stairwell.

Looks like I'll take lead unless one of you stealthy types want it. Caoilte, waves toward the stairs. Hesitates for any takers for lead and steps on the first step with his shield up.

if there are any takers for the front I'll yield the way for them

Kat takes up the rear guard position, allowing plenty of room ahead of her for the others.

Isador steps forward.

I will take the lead... let me see if I can stick my head up enough to get a glimpse of what is in the room. If it is clear, I will will signal for everyone to come up but if I see any threats, I will come back to the bottom of the stairs and report.

Does everyone agree with this plan?

I can't believe we are leaving that freshly killed frog. Frog is good eating! Eloriand mutters something to himself about wasteful humans and shakes his head. After a few moments of listening to the banter, Eloriand walks up beside Caoilte and says I am am right behind the big guy. Lets go!

Tarek looks at Eloriand We can wait for you to take a bite if it will make you feel better about not letting it go to waste? He gives a slight smile and then addresses the situation

Speaking to Isador I have no issue if you go first, but I think we should all follow up the stairwell rather than wait for you to report what you see. I did not realize that there would be no door and the stairwell opened into the room. If something sees you then it will take us a few moments to react if we are at the bottom of the stairs. Let us not repeat what happened in the level below with the skeletons.

Tarek thinks for a moment Maybe just try a few hand signals to point out any hostiles in the room and their rough location. If anything sees you then I suggest moving into the room quickly so the rest of us can get into position. We don't want to get caught in that stairwell for too long.

Perhaps this may be a good time to offer guidance to each of you as we enter the stairwell. It will take about a minute to bestow the blessing upon you all.

As each person enters the stairwell, Tarek will cast guidance in the order they are entering. According to what I have read so far my guess would be: Isador-Caoilte-Eloriand-Havelockk-Balenar-Tarek-Kat
This would give 3 rounds for Isador to choose when to use it and each player after adds 1-7 rounds to their duration based on their order. Just remember to state when you are adding the +1 modifier to a skill check, save or attack. It is a one time use.

marching order looks good to me

Well, up and onward we go...not sure what awaits us, but my guess it will be something not totally friendly...if only I had some spearmint or tobacco leaves to chew on to help with the stench....Tarek, happy to take a guidance or blessings you got...Aroden is a bit absent these days]

Tarek, if Izzy is of a mind to scout then let's give him a chance to do so. Also, we really can't follow sounding like so many pots and pans banging together. If he gets spotted he can just run or jump back down here to us.

The party form sup and prepares to climb the stairs to the top and likely final floor of the mysterious Fallen Fortress. Isador climbs up the stairwell with the party on his heels. Izzy is able to just eek the top half of his head above the floor line of the next floor. He is able to make out a few things.

Isador turns to face the group on the stairs. The look on his face seems to indicate that he would prefer to have everyone at the base of the stairs where he could talk openly.

Isador points to his eyes and then holds up 2 fingers. He gives two quick hand chops indicating the direction of the foes.

He then pinches his nose, wrinkles his face and holds his hand up indicating a tall figure.

He then holds out his arms in a horizontal direction indicating a long shape. Curling his fingers he holds out both arms before making a snapping motion with his hands.

He gives a quick wave of his hand and steps aside to allow the fighters the widest berth possible; he will follow them to the top of the stairs.

Tarek has just found his new charades partner.

Tarek will use the +1 from his guidance for his save against the smell when the GM makes the roll and he will continue to follow in the order he is in

Havelockk will use the +1 on the stinker smell as well

I nod...while not totally sure what Izzy, means, I know it aint good and that its gonna be killing time again....I adjust my kit...tightening my belt....adjusting my pugio/dagger in the scabbard...I rest my back a the bottom of the stairwell...keeping only a water , a small oil lamp, matches, flint and steel and other light items such as my wayfinder on my person...I eye the tip of the conical tip of my gladius....and pull from my arcane pool of energy....fingers curl around the boxwood grip...fingers wrapped over my thumb to increase the strength of my grip...I nod to Caoilte that I am ready....ready to go over the top and into the fray...time seems to slow...each heartbeat a minute...every pore in my skin open and alive....

In a whisper.. lets do this....

Caoilte turns to the group with a ‘what kind of idiot am I dealing with here?’. Figuring Izzy would be stealing something if the room was empty Caoilte lifts his shield, grips his axe and pushes into the room.
Assuming I can cross the distance in the direction Izzy pointed
attack, battle axe: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

I'll also use the +1 on my save

Eloriand will use his bonus against the stink as well

Tarek readies his hammer as he climbs the stairs. As he passes Isador he speaks quietly I take it you saw a large Trog with an alligator or was it a regular Trog with a large overbite?

As he looks ahead he sees Caoilte rush up the last few stairs and into the room I guess the fun is about to start. If death awaits us then you better hurry before somebody takes your place in line Tarek moves as quickly as he can behind the rest of the group

The party begins its assault on the upper floor of the Fallen Fortress. Tarek calls upon the power of his god to grant the party strength to overcome yet another wave of trog stench. The party graciously accepts the blessing and steels themselves for the blast of stink that is surely forthcoming.

The party may advance is a single file up the stairs. Caoilte leads the charge followed by Havelock, Tarek, Eloriand, Isador and Kat. As Caoilte prepares to breach the stairwell, he distintly hears the sound of a hissing reptilian voice speaking from the floor above. He cannot understands the words, but they echo with soft hissing whispers as the creature speaks. He nods once, then makes for the opening.

As the party ascends the stairs, the expected stink wash envelops them. Due in no small part to the blessings of Qi Zhong, most of the party withstands the coming nausea. Eloriand, who appears particularly vulnerable to trog stench, and Kat double over as the sickness takes them.

The party emerges and sees a tall, confident troglodyte standing behind a throne of what was likely the former master of the fortress. At his feet crawls a white albino crocodile. The trog snaps out orders in a hissed language and points to Caoilte emerging from the stairwell. The croc looks to Caoilte and snaps at the air before beginning to move toward the warrior.

Initiative

• Trog
• Balenar
• Caoilte
• Eloriand
• Tarek
• Croc
• Havelock
• Isador
• Kat

The big trog continues to glare at Caoilte and begins to move his hands in a circular motion. He utters the unnervingly familiar reptilian hissing words. The party can see magical energy swirling around the twirling hands of the boss trog.

Balenar takes a position behind the party and begins to regale them with deeds of courage taken from the pages of the Pathfinder Chronicles. He is very skilled and his words ring true, inspiring everyone in the party. Balenar uses his inspire courage ability granting the party members +1 attack and damage and saves while he maintains the speech.

It's on! Boss fight. Party is up with the croc getting an attack smack bad in the middle of the round. Good Luck!

Kat attempts to fight through the urge to lose the contents of her stomach in a violent fashion and position herself where she can make full use of her range. While moving she keeps her eyes open for any potential traps or pitfalls.

Oh Frack.....a caster...

I scan the environment and I attempt to identify the magic being call upon...my own knowledge of spells beg used to to see if I can recognize enough to know what is coming....and even perhps counter-spell it.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Feeling the nausea overtake him, Eloriand bolts for the partial cover of the interior wall. He sheathes his sword and readies his bow with an arrow.

Tarek notices the Chief's actions. He move's a few feet closer and throw's his hammer at the chief in hopes he can interrupt his spell.

The big guy looks to be casting a spell. We may want to scatter a bit just in case. Tarek gathers all of his strength as he throws his hammer at his target

Isador moves to the top of the stairs and fans out to his left.

He seems a bit hesitant at the sight of the albino alligator but pulls his bow up to take a shot at the beast. He is about to let the shaft loose when he hears Terak’s warning about the spell. At the last moment, he opts for the other target and trains the arrow towards the large lizardman’s throat.

Desna, please let my aim be true!

Brew, I don’t know if you’re counting my room entry roll or not. I’ll proceed as though I didn’t get the attack before ‘game on’ was declared. But I fully accept the wiff if you call it that way.
I’ll get the caster and give you all a clear shot at the croc. Caoilte moves to engage the caster.
attack, battle axe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Huh? Well, I’d call bullsh*t on me.
attack, battle axe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

I am thinking we all will be covered in lizard bits after that swing

Caoilte, you cannot reach the caster trog in one move, and you cannot charge due to a throne being in the way. You options are to double move to close within melee range of caster or move and attack the croc.

I'll attack the croc.

Having no idea what nastyness might await, I press on towards the Trog...with my pilum in hand...I launch the weapon at it...my right regripping my blade's wooden grip the moment I launch the weapon....my arm following through to naturally grip it..

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

To my utter amazement the weapon flys gracefully well away from the creature....I close in to use my blade on it.

away from my comp, so I can not move my PC up, but will when I get home

Caoilte charges into battle, heading straight for the albino crocodile. The snarling and snapping jaw of the reptile does not frightened the seasoned warrior had his battle axe cleaves the thing in two. The dying halves of the croc writhe in pain and its blood spills across the floor of the chamber.

Eloriand, battling the stench of the boss trog, takes cover and readies his bow.

Tarek throws his mighty hammer at the trog, but it is wide of the mark. The hammer magically returns to Tarek's hand with a whistling zip.

Havelock throws a javelin that also misses the trog and advances to a tactical position.

Isador fires off a hurried shot at the trog, winging the creature. The trog snarls and continues its incantation.

Kat attempts to plunk the trog with a well placed arrow but her sickness ruins her aim and her shot sails wide.

The trog is able to finish his spell. Hundreds of tiny balled lights shoot from its claws like raindrops and they begin to scatter on the floor between Caoilte and Tarek. As the tiny magical spheres hit the floor, they begin to morph and change from glowing green balls of magical energy to thousands of small dark objects. Small hairy legs begin to emerge revealing the summoned creatures to by spiders. The spiders quickly morph into a swarm and begin to bite and crawl onto Tarek and Caoilte.

The boss trog continues his hissing magical incantations, a plume of fiire coils around its right wrist then plumes into a gout of flame that centers around the creature's right claw.

Tarek and Caoilte take 4 damage and Tarek is nauseated for 1 round (see below)

Balenar continues his rousing speech, continuing to inspire the party. He draws his blade and advances toward Isador's position.

Isador’s eyes go wide upon seeing the spiders emerge from the swirling energy on the floor.

Curse your foul magics…

Looking over Caoilte and Terak he quickly realizes that there is little he can do to help them other than press the attack against the mage.

Perhaps the death of the mage will dispel the spiders.

He swings his bow back in the direction of the feral troglodyte and lets loose another arrow.

Caoilte, angry, disgusted and in pain roars while movin to the north of the trog putting it between Havelockk and himself.
attack, battleaxe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Tarek attempts the swipe away the spiders as he backs away. He can begin to feel his stomach get queasy, his head starts to ache and his vision is slightly blurred. Overcome by nausea from the spider bites, he stumbles backwards out of the fray.

I must move out of combat. The nausea I am feeling will prevent me from doing anything useful for the party and I may become more of a liability. Tarek then stumbles and sways to a protective position around the corner of the wall until the feeling subsides.

not exactly sure what all the markings are on the map. Is that an inner wall on the map or just decorative markings on the floor? If Tarek can not move to his current location then just bump him out by 5 feet so he is at the corner to receive partial cover.

Is Tarek able to use his heal kit to try and cure his nausea next round? I am assuming the nausea is from repeated spider bites and from their venom. I know it is not poison, but I am wondering if similar effects can removed by successful heal checks

*I just read again that the duration is only one round so making a heal check would not make any sense in this situation

Did Balenar's words of encouragement help with saves or were they added in already for Tarek's fort save? Not sure if he would have succeeded, even with the bonus, but thought I would check

Completely forgot Balenar's +1 bonus, though not sure if it would help with the crit confirm or not. Depending on circumstance it would be the rolled 17 +4 (AB bonus) -4 (for shooting into melee which is presumed) -2 (for being sickened) +1 (Balenar's buff)... so it would be 16 (if shooting into melee) or 20 (if not, though since her init is at the bottom melee is definitely presumed) to confirm the crit...

Tarek continues to twitch and jump as if he still has spiders crawling over his body I thought my hatred was for only large spiders but hundreds of little,bitting creepy crawlies are now on my list too He finishes that statement with a few swats on the back and side of his neck and runs his fingers through his hair trying to shake free any unwanted passengers