PbP GameDay 2: PFS (module) Fangwood Keep (3-5) with GM Endless Forms (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

Ash and Theo easily finish off the dog!

Out of combat!

In addition to the three sets of double doors leading east, west, and north, the party also easily locates two secret doors in the northeast and northwest corners.

Ash will check each door for traps and listen at the door to notice signs of movement on the other sides (to keep it simple, taking 10 for all of them and using guidance...perception 23 for everything)

Ash whispers;"Check the secret doors first?"

"Does not appear they have raised an alarm yet." Little Foot says quietly. "But is only a matter of time. Gotta be a shift change sometime."

He lets the gnome pick the target, though if they hear anything behind any of the doors, the plan might change.

Assuming no immediate alarm... search/loot and stash the bodies again!

The dwarf will volunteer to open whichever door comes first, doing so as stealthily as possible every time.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

How are these rooms lit?

"Listen, we gotta be more careful here. If we start making noise, this is gonna be a quick end. Let me stick with you, Theo. I can make people go to sleep, talk 'em out of their minds, and things of that sort. I figure I can cut off a lot of the fightin' before it starts."

Garen helps Theo to stash the bodies.

Maaarv helps with stashing the bodies as well. "Can't have them all out in the open, no sir." He wipes his hands on his trousers before pointing Theo towards the secret door in the NW.

"I say we try these secret doors first - if that's alright with you, my fine dwarven friend."

The party inspects the rooms behind the two secret doors and finds them to be packed floor to ceiling with racks and shelves filled with a wide assortment of weapons. The western locker contains primarily one-handed melee weapons, while the eastern room contains two-handed and ranged weapons, including halberds, battleaxes, and light and heavy crossbows with a plethora of bolts.

The party notices secret doors in the northern walls of each of the armories.

Masterwork or just regular weaponry?

Also, does it look like the current residents had access to these armories? Or were they unaware of them? Not sure if there'd be tracks or signs of activity in here. Survival: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 if it helps

Ash will check the two newly found secret doors (take 10 for 23 perception - using guidance)

"Man...the people here really, really love their secret doors..."

Maaarv replies to Ash, "Indeed - maybe it says something about their nature - to have such a need for secrets." He moves from one of the secret stash rooms to the other, browsing through the armor and weapons that are available.

"Well, the concern before us now is whether or not we should continue through one of these secret doors, or try one of the more conventional portals."

Detect magic on the armories

Little Foot scowls at the choices before them, shrugs slightly, and goes for the secret door in the Northwestern armory.

He will suggest closing the other door into that same armory behind them, to prevent sound from carrying more then necessary.

When the time comes, Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23. It'll work one of these times, damnit!

Farg follows the Dwarf to the secret door and examines it.

Stealth1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Perception for traps 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Garen stands up and looks out for the likel incoming guards patroling.
Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

None of the weapons are masterwork and it does not look like the current residents have been using them. Vinnie finds no magic in the room.

Ash finds no traps on the secret doors.

Little Foot and Farg open the door to reveal a library. Low bookshelves line the northern wall of the room. Two freestanding bookshelves fill the center of the room, but nearly all of the books have been taken off the shelves and are strewn haphazardly over the floor, along with dozens of pages of notes. In the southern part of the room, a double staircase leads down to the first floor, while double doors allow exit to the south.

Ash will check out the library for traps/other hidden dangers

Perception: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 1 = 26 Using guidance

If he thinks it's safe he will move in and take a quick look at the notes.

"Someone looking for something." The dwarf observes dourly, though quickly losing interest in the room if there are no obvious threats there.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

"Best left until later while we still have no alarm." He tries to keep people from getting distracted by the paper, making his way back to the previous room once folks have had a cursory look.

? West doors from the prior room next?

Oh ya, and forgot I was injured by the dog! He'll also zap himself once with his wand of cure light wounds: Healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Ash and the others deem the room safe and step inside for a quick look. A cursory glance over the titles reveals that most of the books kept here are on the history of small-unit tactics and various philosophies regarding the art of war. A few detail the history of Fangwood Keep, while others are on the history of Molthune, Cheliax, Lastwall, and the Shining Crusade.

After looking through the papers and books on the ground for about 3d10 ⇒ (3, 5, 7) = 15 minutes the party notes that the one who made the mess was looking for information about some sort of "arcane engine" supposedly built in a series of hidden chambers beneath this very tower. Many of the notes in the margins make reference to an incredible and priceless "power source".

"An arcane engine? How fun...and it's in a series of hidden chambers...big surprise there...every other room here seems to be a hidden chamber. do we want to continue looking here or go back down the secret staircase to ground level and look for another secret way down? Can't hurt to make sure there's nothing up here that could come after us before we go down though....What do you guys think?"

Appraise (long shot..but why not): 1d20 ⇒ 2

Appraise, with guidance 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 = 20

"This book could fetch a good prize so I'll hold on to this." Garen stoops down to pick up the book and stow it in his pack.

"As Arcane Engine? The it is in our best interest to be stopping this form happening isn't it?"

"We're supposed to be clearing out the riff raff, not searching for magical doodads, so best to finish up here first." Little Foot says, with a frown. "Though if its Vos that was looking for it, we'll probably have to go down there to find him eventually."

"Don't want no hobs at my back, regardless."

Next door when ready! (double doors going west from the room to the south)... And for posterity: Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Hmm that sounds interesting. Let us continue further downward then!

Garen heads for the doors as well. Hammer in hand readied to smash potential enemies upon door being opened.

The western door is locked.

one of your lock picking types will have to see to that!

Garen makes way for their lock picker as he attempts to hear what's beyond the door.
Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Maaarv steps up to the door. "Alright, let's try this again. Maybe it'll go just as well as before." Maaarv nudges Theo aside and kneels in front of the door.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Maaarv's first attempt to unlock the door is unsuccessful. After a few moments, however, he is able to pick the lock.

The large private chamber before you is vaguely partitioned by beams that span the ceiling east to west. The northern half of the room contains a double bed and easy chair, while a large wardrobe and table with chairs occupty the south. An enormous wool carpet lies in the center of the room. Two sets of double doors allow egress from the quarters: one to the west decorated with carvings of oak leaves and acorns, and a much plainer one to the east.

As the door swings open, you see three people standing at the ready: two hobgoblin sergeants and a man in a red tabard over etched half-plate. The man already has a horn to his lips as the door swings open and he immediately lets out a blast as he sees the party before him.

After letting out his blast, Vos drops his signal horn and draws his bastard sword (a shield is already strapped to his other arm). He points it at Maaarv and shouts out a challenge, "Your blood will run through the stones for this offense!"

intimidate to demoralize: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

The two hobgoblins draw whips as they step forward and try to put Maaarv and Theo on the ground.

trip on Maaarv: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

trip on Theo: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Initiative:

1. Vos and the hobgoblins
2. Ash, Theo, Farg, Maaarv, Vinnie, and Garen

You guys are up!

Vinnie smiles at the man in charge and gestures at him while murmuring words of magic! Casting oppressive boredom! Will Save DC 20 or be affected for 4 rounds!

Flat footed, that would have tripped me, but for Dwarven Stability! Go race traits!

GM: Vos has half-plate, what sort of armor do the hobgoblins have (sorry for asking all the time, but helps me decide if I should power attack or not out of the gate.)

Little Foot curses in Tien, then growl, "Watch our backs." before moving swiftly into the room to engage the nearest hobgoblin.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 as he goes in, in case they laid down some other surprises.

melee power attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16, for 1d10 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 damage

Maaarv will be shaken for 3 rounds.

Maaarv's eyes go wide with fear as he gets called out by the man in the red tabard. With shaky hands, he prepares an Explosive Bomb at the scary man.

Ranged Touch, PBS, Shaken, Out-of-Range: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 7

Well that didn't go well.

Miss Roll: 1d8 ⇒ 3

The bomb lands just to the south of the man.

Splash damage 8 points. DC 16 Reflex Save for half.

Ash will cast produce flame and listen for signs that others are responding to the sounding of the horn as he takes a step back.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

Knowledge (Nature) with Monster Lore, hobgoblin 1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 3 = 17
Knowledge (Nature) with Monster Lore, Vos 1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 3 = 25

Garen attempts to bring to mind any particular facts about their foes and inform his companions accordingly. Charging the nearest Hobgoblin, Garen swings his heavy hammer at it.

Long Hammer Charge with PA 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 - 1 = 162d6 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (5, 4) + 5 + 3 = 17

Farg steps into the chamber with his Longspear hefted tightly in both hands and attempts to scewer one of the Hobgoblins.

attack PA1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12Damage1d8 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

The hobgoblins are wearing scale mail.

Will: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

Vinnie bores the Lieutenant out of his mind so that he forgets he is supposed to be fighting you.

Theo moves into the room and swings at one of the hobgoblins but it jumps out of the way.

Ref: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Maaarv's bomb flies off course but still singes the man.

Ash summons a ball of flame.

Garen recalls that hobgoblins have darkvision but are otherwise unremarkable; Vos is a human. He then charges into the room but again the hobgoblin leaps out of the way of the attack.

Farg stabs with his longspear but is equally unlucky.

---

Will: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3

Vos continues to drool in boredom.

The hobgoblins reposition themselves as they draw longswords in their other hands and attack!

mwk longsword on Farg: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

mwk longsword on Theo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Initiative:

1. Vos and the hobgoblins
2. Ash, Theo, Farg, Maaarv, Vinnie, and Garen

V: 4 dmg, bored 3 more rounds

You guys are up!

Heh, doesn't help that none of us rolled in the double digits!

Theo continues to swing at the hobgoblin, while slowly working his way towards Vos.

melee power attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 = 19, for 1d10 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 damage.

Attack, then 5' step west

Maaarv is shaken for two more rounds.

Maaarv is still a nervous Nellie in this fight, unable to shake the bad man's threat even though the man seems to be just drooling and standing still. Maaarv decides to draw the extract of shield he had prepared and quaffs the drink.

Garen reverses his grip sending his hammer back in the other direction, undetered by the agile Hobgoblin leaping out of the way.
Long Hammer PA 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 1 = 242d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 + 3 = 12

Ash bravely walks into the room and throws a ball of flame from his hand towards one of the hobgoblins (H1 if still standing, otherwise H2 ..if both happen to be down already..throwing at Vos I guess)

to hit touch AC (a still standing hobgoblin or Vos): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 using pbs, precise
Fire damage if hit: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Farg elegantly sidesteps the Hobgoblin and drops his Longspear to the ground retaliating to Hobgoblin attack with tooth and claw.

Claw PA1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 Damage 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Claw PA1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 Damage 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Bite PA1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 Damage 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Edit: Crit Confirmation 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 Crit Damage 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Theo strikes the southern hobgoblin!

Maaarv takes an extract to cover himself in a magical barrier.

With a backswing, Garen takes out the hobgoblin hit by Theo!

Ash throws a ball of fire square in the face of the remaining hobgoblin!

With feral brutality, Farg then takes down the hobgoblin!

Initiative:

1. Vos and the hobgoblins
2. Ash, Theo, Farg, Maaarv, Vinnie, and Garen

V: 4 dmg, bored 3 more rounds

Vinnie is up!

Vinnie smiles at the human's drooling stupor. "I have several exes who say I have that effect on women, but I guess I'm branching out. Best knock him out. I'd like to have a word with this one about why hobs are camping in this fort."

No action save gloating.

After Vinnie's quip the man tries again to raise his sword

Will: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15

but it just doesn't seem that interesting any more.

Fortunately for him, his call has rallied several allies to his side. The door behind him flies open as a hobgoblin archer (green) steps through to aim an arrow at Theo!

composite longbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Meanwhile, the door back in the center chamber opens to reveal a female hobgoblin (pink/purple) who deftly skirts around the pillar to approach Maaarv from behind, raising her fists in an attack posture as she goes.

Initiative:

1. Vos and the hobgoblins
2. Ash, Theo, Farg, Maaarv, Vinnie, and Garen

V: 4 dmg, bored 2 more rounds

You guys are up!

Garen seeing the new allies heading in, proceeds to bash the man in half plate.
Long Hammer 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 162d6 + 5 ⇒ (5, 5) + 5 = 15

Maaarv takes a careful step backwards and quickly shakes up a Frost bomb to throw at the female hobgoblin.

Ranged Touch, PBS, Shaken: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 8
UGH!

Miss Roll: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Maarv misses again with his bomb, but manages to splash the bomb on the floor next to her.

Splash Damage 8. DC 16 Reflex for half.

Moved Garen up to where he can take that swing.

Little Foot winces, as the arrows strikes home, but steps forward to attack Vos while the man still is under the grip of Vinnie's spell.

Melee power attack vs favored enemy: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24, for 1d10 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 2 = 16 damage.

"Farg, cover the back!" He calls back as the new foe closes in on Maaarv.

Ash throws a ball of flame of Vos..that will teach him to summon help.

To hit touch AC Vos: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 pbs and precise
Fire damage for Vos: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

..but misses horribly before taking a few steps away to the side of the room.

Farg moves back out of the chamber and bites the Hobgoblin. However it seems the Tiefling is out of luck for today.

Bite PA 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 Damage 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Thanks Theo.

Vinnie smiles and points at the hob with the bow! "Take a moment, will you?" Casting daze on him! Will Save DC 18!