[PbP Game Day IV] 6-98 Serpent's Rise [CORE] (Inactive)

Game Master Scott Young

"Arminaldi" steps forward and waves the Pathfinders over. "I want you all to see this," he states. From behind him, Marnarius awkwardly tells his tale of woe, supported by The Professional.

The bored-looking man seems to believe the story, but both the woman and the archer appear to have their doubts. "You're not allowed in here right now," the woman begins. "The speeches are starting, so you'll need to head back outside to the north grounds." The tall man frowns and almost imperceptibly tightens his bowstring.

Bluff: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Don't be mad at us ! We only try to help a man in need. Very well, we will go back outside.
We know the exit.

Rataji shakes his head. That's just cold. It's like we were Aspis agents or something...

bluff: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25

Ya. English verb tenses can be a pain. :)

Mine too ! As french is my native tongue english gender are very hard for me to use :P

I love the fact that I'm playing PFS with folks around the world... :)

1d20 ⇒ 16
1d20 ⇒ 1
1d20 ⇒ 5

The archer relaxes a little, but the woman stays resolute. "Sorry, it's not my call... Kreighton Shane is in charge of those of us who have the... honor... of patrolling the halls during the festivities. He's been known to drive more than one Pathfinder insane when they've disobeyed." She motions behind you. "Please, just head back outside. I'm sure your friend is fine." She considers Marnarius with a frown. "Especially without help from that one."

What do you do? It seems clear you won't be able to bluff your way past them. Also, note that the distractions outside - the speech, the loose animals, etc. - won't last forever...

Would this be a chance to use 322's special distraction to maybe bypass this encounter? I hate to use it this early, but it seems we need it?

This is one reason I paused after the rolls were made initially... since half of you failed the rolls, you could have used it to grant them re-rolls. Unfortunately, since they've already arrived, you won't be able to distract them from you now. You still have options, though.

How could we known that half of us have failed those rolls ?

This post made the rolls, and gave 322 a heads-up that people weren't doing well.

I am not trying to argue one way or another but at that point I do not see that we had even rolled any checks. Had we?

I rolled for everyone in the first spoiler, and then gave you (what I thought was) a "hint" in the spoiler that things had not gone well. Alas, rewinding now is not possible, but you need to visit several locations in Skyreach, and each one will require this sort of movement roll (highest of Disguise or Stealth), so your distraction retains its value.

Also note that Skyreach is mostly deserted at this point, so that it is unlikely that anyone would respond to a raised alarm in a timely fashion.

At least Zurnzal is appearing to be someone else :)

"So, you really need to head back outside, folks," says the bored man. "Not that I mind conversation, but Shane is a bear when you don't follow his instructions."

What do you do?

322 seems to be waiting on the others to choose an action.

Zurnzal moves in close to the woman, and says "Thanks for setting us straight."

Then he punches her.

Attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 6 + (2) = 15

Well, that was not as stellar an attack as I was expecting...

I will roll initiatives and get the order together, and then people can post their actions.

Initiative order: Shoriraj, Bellock (NPC), Zurnzal, Marnarius, Rataji, Joliryn, 322, Yute (NPC), Zem (NPC).

Round 1

UP: The Professional, Zurnzal.

Everyone: I will post a summary of actions taken thus far, and then say who is "UP". When you are up, you can post your intended action, and then I will do another summary of the actions. Nothing actually occurs until I do the summary post, but you can base your actions on the posts ahead of you if you want. Please don't move yourself on the map, but describe your motion - it's important for me to know where people are at any given time.

Are we in a suprise round ?

The professionnal target Zem, hoping to knock him down quickly.

Sap attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
non lethal damages: 1d6 + 6 + 4d6 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 6 + (1, 1, 4, 4) + 8 = 30

if hits Hampered: All of the target’s speeds are reduced by half (minimum 5 feet), and the target cannot take a 5-foot step.

Nope, there is no surprise, since everyone is aware of one another. That's what initiative is - who reacts first. You see Zurnzal about to act and move slightly faster than he does. But it is Zurnzal's action which triggers combat, so it starts first. See the next post.

Also, everyone please note the map (which is linked at the top of the page as well) - you're in a narrow corridor, and it will limit your possible actions. Zurnzal, the woman is actually behind the other two, so I've altered your action accordingly.

Round 1 (partial)

Zurnzal/"Arminaldi" strides forward to the others. "Thanks for setting us straight," he tells the Pathfinders, and then punches the archer in the face. The archer doesn't see it coming, and takes the full force of the punch to his nose with a grunt.

The Professional, ready for this, dances forward and clubs Zem over the head with her sap. The arrow falls from his bow and he staggers back against the wall, barely conscious.

Bellock loses his bored expression instantly, and draws his short sword. "Well, this should get us back in Shane's good books!" he crows. Acrobatics: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25 He jumps up onto the wall next to The Professional and tries to vault past her, but she manages to interpose her sap and block his passage, though doing no damage. dice=AO]1d20+11[/dice] A pout crosses his face. "Fine, you can be first," he sighs dramatically, and slashes her for 2 damage.

shot sword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Marnarius, you are up! Declare your actions please.

Oops - sorry, EVERYONE is up! For some reason I was thinking Rataji was one of the names I used for the Patfhinders... go ahead and declare actions all!

322 casts Hold Person on the woman (Zem?). Stay and watch what Arminaldi requires us to do.

DC16 Will save.

With the corridor effectively blocked, Joliryn will cast scorching ray at Bellock.
ranged touch: 1d20 + 9 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 9 - 4 - 4 = 7 -8 for into melee and around allies. Ouch.
fire: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 3, 3) = 16
ranged touch: 1d20 + 9 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 4 - 4 = 16
fire: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 3) = 11

[dice=arrows]1d20 + 10; 1d20 + 5; 1d8+9; 1d8+9

Marnarius looks to the filled corridor and with a quick move draws his bow and fires two arrows against Bellock. He isn`t an easy target ...

English in PbP is weird because we tend to write in the third person present. Stories can be told in that way, but writing in that way is rare. Your first correction was right, but it also applies to the other two verbs in the sentence as well. Thrown is changed to Fired because Thrown is typically only used of things that are actually Thrown with an arm. Bows, crossbows, guns, catapults, Etc. are all fired. Hope that helps!

Rataji opens his mouth in what appears to be a scream, but none can hear it. Except that caster. An ear-piercing explosion of sound rocks her world.

DC 16 fort for half of damage: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 3) = 6. If she fails she is also dazed for a round.

Round 1 (continued)

Marnarius fires a pair of arrows at Bellock. The first hits, but the second is a near miss.

Rataji opens his mouth in what appears to be a scream, but none can hear it. 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 The woman claps her hands over her ears and winces in pain as the silent scream echoes in her mind.

Jolyrin casts scorching ray at Bellock. Unfortunately, she can't quite get a clear shot, and both rays pass harmlessly by.

322 casts a spell on the woman (Yute). "Stay and watch what Arminaldi requires us to do. 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 The woman freezes for a second, but then shakes her head. "Sorry, girl, you'll have to do better than that!"

Yute, the woman, raises her hands and invokes words of power. "Fulgendum amicti!" A burst of shimmering golden dust bursts in the center of the hallway, showering everyone but 322 with a fine glowing dust that adheres to every surface.

Will save - Marnarius: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Will save - Rataji: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Will save - The Professional: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Will save - Jolyrin: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Will save - Zurnzal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Marnarius and Rataji suffer no ill effects beyond being coated with the glittery dust, but The Professional, Jolyrin, and Zurnzal all get some in their eyes, temporarily blinding them. Save each round to shake it off; you can roll it in your action so you know what to do.

Zem, badly injured and not thining straight, fires an arrow at "Arminaldi"/Zurnzal, triggering attacks of opportunity from both Zurnzal and The Professional.

Zurnzal: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
The Professional: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Both attacks connect and drop the archer before he can take two steps.

End of the round - The Professional is up!

Shohiraj blindly tries to hit her opponent.

Sap: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Hit >50%: 1d100 ⇒ 5

But fails at her attempt.

Will Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 and is still blind.

Round 2 (partial)

The Professional blindly tries to hit her opponent, but fails at her attempt.

Bellock turns ashen as his comrade falls under your fury. "Arminaldi, you bloody backstabber! Master Shane, Master Shane, we're being attacked!" He steps back and fires an arrow at Zurnzal/"Arminaldi" (for 15 damage), and then drops his bow and draws his short sword.
short bow, versus blind: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 = 17damage, sneak: 1d6 + 3d6 ⇒ (1) + (4, 4, 6) = 15

Zurnzal, Marnarius, Rataji, Joliryn, 322, you are all up!

Attempting again to hold the woman 322 release a little more of the power granted her from the void. Casts a Second Hold Person - DC16 Will save.

Zurnzal flurries against Bellock, trying to first trip him, then punch him.

Trip: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 13 - 2 = 13

Punch: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 13 - 2 = 30 Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Will save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Joliryn unfortunately is still blinded. She will hold her action for now.

magic missile: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2, 4, 2) + 4 = 14

Rataji readies a spell and waits for Glitter Girl to cast her next spell.
Readied action: when the caster casts next, magic missile her face

Round 2 (continued)

Zurnzal flails blindly at the man in front of him, still unable to see with the golden dust in his eyes. Trip - Miss chance, 01-50 is a miss: 1d100 ⇒ 86Punch - Miss chance, 01-50 is a miss: 1d100 ⇒ 61 Will save - Zurnzal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 The trip attempt fails, but he lands a punch squarely in the man's breadbasket. He still can't see, though.

Marnarius delays for a moment.

Rataji readies an action.

Jolyrin does nothing for a moment, trying to clear the dust from her eyes. (You get a save at the end of your turn, not the beginning, so you can either act blind and then roll, or delay and not know what your roll will be.)

322 calls upon the void to caress the woman spellcaster, but she manages to resist again. Will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Yute begins to cast another spell, and Rataji gifts her with a bolt of magical force to the face. damage: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4, 2, 3) + 4 = 15Concentration check, DC 27: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 Her fireball spell fizzles as she cries out in pain. She ducks backa round the corner and disappears down the hallway.

1d20 ⇒ 3

End of Round 2! Marnarius and Jolyrin are on delay and can jump in at any point.

The Professional is up!

Unable to see the flying Yute Shohiraj tries to hit the last opponent she could attack.

She moves towards Bellock and attacks.

Sap: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Hit if >50%: 1d100 ⇒ 80
damages (NL): 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Is Yute using components in her casting?

That woman can roll some saves! :(

For everyone, we'll use the miss chance as The Professional did: 01-50 is a miss, 51-100 is a hit.)

Choon: Yes, Yute is using verbal, somatic and material components in her spellcasting.

Round 3 (partial)

The Professional flails around with her sap, managing to connect a glancing blow with Bellock, and tries to clear her vision, but all she can see is a golden glow.

Bellock returns the favor, stabbing The Professional with his short sword, doing 11 damage. He then darts backwards, avoiding attack, and ducks around the corner. "Master Shane, Master Shane! Invaders!" he screams, his voice getting higher-pitcher with every syllable.
short sword (vs no Dex, -2 AC): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19damage, sneak: 1d6 + 1 + 3d6 ⇒ (2) + 1 + (5, 2, 1) = 11 Acrobatics: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

Everyone is up, although from where you stand you can only see the unconscious archer laying at Zurnzal's feet.

as a level 7 rogue with uncanny dodge, The Professionnal can't loose her dexterity against an invisible opponent (but still have -2 to her AC), so no sneak