During the event, it is possible for characters at one table to assist those at another with Aid Tokens. Each represents the assistance of allied Pathfinder agents who assist the PCs.
Once per encounter, any character at a table can use an Aid Token to assist the group in one of the ways described below. Once a table uses an Aid Token, one of the players then passes the Aid Token to a neighboring table for them to use. A table can only benefit from one token per encounter. Because there are a limited number of Aid Tokens, hoarding one means that somebody else doesn’t get to use it.
If a table receives an Aid Token and doesn’t need its benefits, they’re encouraged to boost its potency by expending some of their own resources or attempting a skill check. Boosting an Aid Token, including attempting a skill check, is part of passing that Aid Token to another table. A table can neither retry such a skill check nor boost an Aid Token more than once before passing it to another table. A table may boost a token even while in combat without taking any in-round actions; the scenario assumes the aid was granted before that encounter began. Using a boosted effect consumes the boost.
Some Aid Token benefits may only be used if already boosted by another table. An Aid Token’s benefits vary based on the table’s subtier, and these benefits can take one of the following forms:
Allied Offensive: A Pathfinder agent strikes a creature at the same time as the PC, increasing the damage dealt by one attack by 1d8 points. In addition, after the attack, anyone attacking the target is considered to be flanking it until the beginning of the attacker’s next turn. To Boost: Succeed at an attack roll against an AC equal to an Average skill check. Boosted Effect: +1d8 points of damage.
Burst of Healing: A Pathfinder agent heals all of the PCs of 1d6 points of damage. To Boost: Expend one use of channel positive energy or cast one spell with the healing descriptor with a spell level greater than or equal to your APL/2, rounded up. A PC must cast this spell, not simply activate a wand or scroll. Boosted Effect: +2d6 points of damage healed.
Timely Inspiration: A Pathfinder agent provides the effects of a bard’s inspire courage bardic performance for 3 rounds. In Subtiers 1–2 and 3–4, the competence bonus is +1. To Boost: Expend 3 rounds of bardic performance or similar ability. Boosted Effect: Increase the competence bonus by 1.
Provide Knowledge (must be boosted): Gain the benefits of a Knowledge skill check or Spellcraft skill check used to identify a magical item; the type and difficulty (Easy, Average or Hard) depend on the table granting the benefit. To Boost: Succeed at a Knowledge check of your choice, the result of the check (Easy, Average or Hard) should be noted on the Aid Token.
Provide Spellcasting (must be boosted): Gain the benefits of a beneficial spell cast by an ally as listed on the Aid Token. To Boost: Cast one of the following spells and note your PC’s name and caster level on the Aid Token: lesser restoration, neutralize poison, remove curse, or remove disease. Only these spells may be granted. Expending resources that produce the effects of these spells, such as a paladin’s mercy class feature, may also grant these benefits.
Orc Benefits:
Blenta Benefit:
PCs gain a +1 on attack and damage rolls against animals and magical beasts for the rest of the adventure.
Borbus Benefit:
Before attempting a Bluff, Escape Artist, Perform, or Sleight of Hand check during this adventure, a PC can decide to roll twice and take the higher result. Each PC can use this benefit once before the end of the adventure.
Bukog Benefit:
Each PC gains a +5 bonus on any Day Job checks performed at the end of this adventure.
Gekgaro Benefit:
Each PC gains the Nimble Moves feat until the end of the adventure.
Graffa Benefit:
Each PC chooses either the Acrobatic or Athletic feat and gains it for the rest of the adventure.
Kardook Benefit:
Each PC can use Martial Flexibility as a 1st-level brawler once before the end of the adventure; if a PC already has the martial flexibility class feature, she gains 1 additional use per day for the rest of the adventure.
Mirtgog Benefit:
At the start of an encounter, each PC can choose to gain the Precise Strike feat for the duration of the encounter. Each PC can use this benefit once before the end of the adventure.
As the group continues to move forward, the two approaching orcs leap down from the higher ground as they continue making their way towards the wagons. Both of them seem to stumble upon their landing and Orange howls in pain, clutching at his ankle!
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Magic Vestment (Shield and Armor), Delay Poison, Ant Haul, Life Bubble, Freedom of Movement, Death Ward, Shield of Faith, Eagle's Splendor, Bless, Communal Stoneskin, Twisted Innards, Heightened Awareness, Communal Spell Immunity, Communal Protection female | human | oracle 11 | HP 80/80 | AC 30, FF 25, T 18 | CMB +8, CMD 16 | Init -1 (+3) | Perception +16, -4 Opposed, Auto Fail Hearing | F +7, R +13, W +9 (+17 vs. Mind Effect) | Focused Trance 1/3 | Natural Divination 1/3 | Lore Needle 1/3 Spells: 4/7 1st, 4/7 2nd, 1/7 3rd 0/5 4th 0/3 5th
Katswiri is slow to react, unable to hear the approach that her companions have noticed. It isn't until everyone else starts moving that she realizes that the caravan is probably under attack, so begins following along as quickly as she can to get an eye on the attackers.
At last the chanting from within the cave ceases and a wizened but still formidable-looking orc moves out of the cave and adopts a defensive position near the top of the hill.
"Puny humans, surrender your supplies and we will let you flee with your hides intact!"
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Arbiscar is surprised by the orcs' leap, but he quickly reacts moving around the first one to leave a clear shot to his group archers.
+1 silver earthbreaker-PA:1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 1 = 27 Silver/Bludgeoning damage+PA:2d6 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (2, 5) + 5 + 3 = 15 Crit?:1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 1 = 14 Silver/Bludgeoning damage+PA (x3):4d6 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (4, 1, 1, 4) + 10 + 6 = 26
Once again the dwarf shows clear hatred by the orcs' kin with a powerful blow!
Male Chelaxian Ranger 3 | HP 31/31 (NLD 0) | AC 17 | T 13 | FF 14 | CMD 18 | Fort +5 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +5 | Perc +7
Seeing that Arbiscar has the orcs handled after the jump from the cliff, Marcus moves around the corner 30' of the path to get a shot at the next foe coming down the trail red. "We have more company!"
Once more Arbiscar makes mincemeat of an orcish foe, sending blood and bone flying in all directions! The other orc emits a yelp of fear and horror, his face turning a ghostly white. Marcus moves forward and fires at the orc that had just stepped out of the cave but the arrow whistles harmlessly past!
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As the last orcs perish or flee, the Twinhorns reassemble the caravan and gather the fallen. Night begins to fall, swallowing up the road and leaving the caravan stranded in a pool of torchlight. Medda stands atop the new lead wagon, blood dripping from her breastplate. She holds Ivvora’s hilt aloft and shouts, “Twinhorns! We are only two days from the stone circle and have two days until the winter solstice.” A nimbus of light begins to radiate from the hilt, illuminating the entire valley in bright light. “Abandon the wagons and carry with you what you need to survive. We must reach the circle in time, or darkness will consume us.”
The convoy may have repelled the orcs, but at an immense cost. More than half of the Twinhorn warriors lie dead, felled by orc axes and giants’ boulders. Should the Pathfinders encounter more trouble, few of their Kellid companions will be able to lend assistance.
@Table GMs: The “Devastated Army” condition on page 31 is in effect. This concludes Part 2.
“My Pathfinder allies, thank you for bringing us much needed support,” says Medda, the Twinhorn following’s spiritual leader. She stands beside Anok, her phantom and constant companion. “After the orc ambush sapped our supplies and strength, we pushed north to our winter home. We are only hours away from the stone circle and our encampment—if we are going to make it there by midnight, we need to press on. Once there, we will use Ivvora’s hilt to perform our time-honored ritual and keep evil from our lands.” Medda produces the small hilt of a broken weapon with only a fragment of its black metal blade remaining. “Let us move. There are dangers in these ancient woods: orc raiders, bears that topple trees, and worse. Stay in groups and don’t get lost.”
As the Kellids and Pathfinders reach the top of the hill next to the Twinhorn encampment, they notice splashes of blood and the occasional corpse dotting the landscape. Medda raises her voice, calling, “My brethren, our families are under attack! Secure the camp and drive back any who oppose you. Pathfinder allies, join us in defense of our home!” The landscape opens into a burned hillside where blackened trees stand like lifeless sentinels. A crude blockade shields the entrance to a natural cavern.
@Table GMs: You have until November 15 to run encounter H on page 32. If you finish early, you may proceed to encounter I on page 34.
Yes, this is a new day so everyone regains all uses of spells, special abilities, etc as well as heals whatever damage they might've taken. Please feel free to retroactively buff as you'll have a few moments before you move to engage these things :)
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After the orc ambush that left so many of your Twinhorn allies dead, you'd all hoped that perhaps the worst of the fighting would be finished - but it seems as if it's not to be. As you hurry towards the encampment, you see what looks to be some sort of hastily-erected barricade covering the entrance to a cave in the hillside - and multiple creatures banging and clawing at it in an effort to bring it down. However the sound of your approach does not escape their notice and they turn to face you, eager to taste flesh. You feel a chill as you take in the sight (and stench) of rotted flesh - these creatures are dead.
Please see Slide #9!
Knowledge: Religion (DC 10):
HUMAN ZOMBIES
For every 5 that you beat the DC, you may ask for one piece of information from this list.
Knowledge: Religion (DC 13):
SCRAMBLER NECROCRAFT
For every 5 that you beat the DC, you may ask for one piece of information from this list.
Male Chelaxian Ranger 3 | HP 31/31 (NLD 0) | AC 17 | T 13 | FF 14 | CMD 18 | Fort +5 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +5 | Perc +7
After hearing from Katswiri that the zombies are resistant to his arrows, Marcus focuses his fire on the other creature approaching red, hoping the arrow will be more effective.
Yes, I know I'm anticipating that I'm about to hear DR 5/slashing based on Katswiri's roll. I can ignore my team mate as cover, but I haven't taken account cover from rocks and trees to the target.
Putting your heads together, you quickly discern several things about the creatures you face. When tangling with zombies, their rotten flesh tends to succumb more easily to slashing blows than piercing or being crushed. Although they don't have any glaring weaknesses about them, they are undead and thus susceptible to damage from sources of positive energy. (DR 5/slashing; undead traits.)
The necrocraft is a more formidable opponent than the small horde of zombies but mainly due to sheer hardiness, likely from being stitched together from multiple corpses. They possess no special attacks, but they are subject to damage from all manner of weaponry as well as positive energy damage. (Undead traits.)
With all of that in mind, Marcus takes aim and fires upon the necrocraft! It's a tricky shot due to the distance and the scattered scrub brush between him and his target but even so he just manages to connect, the arrow sinking deep into the creature's shoulder as it lets out an eerie, rattling cry! Scritch decides to wait to act, hoping to allow the frontliners time to start moving forward.
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K. religion:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 K. religion:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
"Brrr.... I smell to dead" Arbiscar grumbles while he moves to the front around the brushes, his hammer with both hand, but showing clearly visible his holy symbol.
Eager to taste flesh, the zombies begin shuffling towards the approaching party and the necrocraft moves forward with a weird hopping, flapping motion.
"Braaaaains...."
"Braaaaains...."
"Braaaaains...."
"Liverrrrrr...."
As they approach, Esh steels his mind and readies himself for combat!
______
Deciding to stick to what's been proven to work, Marcus fires another shot at the necrocraft and pegs it square in the chest this time! The creature utters groaning cry as it flops to the ground...but then slowly climbs to its misshapen feet once more!
_______
Dekion, Arbiscar, Leepo + Scritch, Katswiri and Esh are UP!
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No worries, Marcus! And yes, I did apply cover (and a range penalty since longbows have a range of 100 feet) to that first shot and it still was a hit :)
Human Fighter 5 HP 56/56 | AC 26 T 13 FF 24 | F +8 R +4 W +2 | CMB +9 CMD 21 | Speed 20ft Init +8 Perc +3
Dekion is about to commend Marcus for taking one of the creatures out when it gets back up!
"Um, what is that thing and how do we kill it," he asks as he steps around the bush to establish a defensive line. Hoping to use some of the bushes to protect their flank, he readies to attack the first undead that gets close enough.
You asked us about the pre-buffs. Since a trick has no duration, I thought he could implement it on the beginning of the day since it is reasonable to think there is a battle on this day. However, if you wish me to use my standard, that's not a problem for me. :)
Arbiscar moves forward closer to the undeads and blesses himself with inspiring words of combat "These dead flesh will soon become inert flesh!"
Inspiring word warpriest blessing on himself for +2 morale bonus on attack rolls
My mistake Esh, still learning most of these Occult classes! Go ahead and take your standard action :)
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The group continues to close the gap between themselves and the undead horse. Katswiri readies a charge of positive energy while Arbiscar calls for a blessing from his deity and Dekion readies to attack the first creature that moves within reach!
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Human Fighter 5 HP 56/56 | AC 26 T 13 FF 24 | F +8 R +4 W +2 | CMB +9 CMD 21 | Speed 20ft Init +8 Perc +3
As Dekion prepares for the undead, he looks confused when Arbiscar walks past him. "Hey dwarf, I'm back here. Looks like you need to brush up on your tactics," he says somewhat irritated that his plan didn't work.
Human Fighter 5 HP 56/56 | AC 26 T 13 FF 24 | F +8 R +4 W +2 | CMB +9 CMD 21 | Speed 20ft Init +8 Perc +3
Just missed the 1 hr mark to edit. Thanks GM for OK.
He begrudgingly moves up next to the dwarf, rolling his eyes as he does so. He then readies himself again. "One of these days, running ahead of the rest of us is going to get you in trouble," he says while waiting for the undead to reach them.
The undead continue shuffling forward, stumbling around the rocks and scrub brush that dot the landscape. Orange, being in the lead, manages to close the distance between himself and Dekion and earns a mighty slash that nearly leaves it eviscerated!
Esh, for the life of me I couldn't figure out a good standard action for you that I was comfortable taking (or that you were in range to take) so if you want to post something retroactively for the previous round in addition to this round, you may!
Marcus moves up to get a better position, frustrated that the strange undead beast didn't stay down. Trying to put it down for good, he fires another arrow at it.
Though perhaps terrifying to the trapped and defenseless Twinhorns, the mob of undead begin to prove themselves to be woefully outmatched by the brave Pathfinders. Marcus raises his bow and finally brings the Red Necrocraft tumbling to the ground for good, while Esh and his double finish what Dekion started and finish off the Orange Zombie!
Dekion, I'm a little unclear on your post - are you readying another action?
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Round 2/Round 3
Marcus
Dekion (Readied Action?)
Arbiscar (Inspiring Word)
=======
Zombie Green
Zombie Purple
Zombie Yellow
Zombie Blue
=======
Esh
Leepo + Scritch
Katswiri
As Esh finishes off Orange Zombie Dekion decides to press their growing momentum and takes a few steps forward, swinging his sword at Green Zombie. With a *SCHLING* he cleanly separates the zombie's head from his body and it collapses, unmoving!
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Round 2/Round 3
Marcus
Dekion (Readied Action?)
Arbiscar (Inspiring Word)
=======
Zombie Purple
Zombie Yellow
Zombie Blue
=======
Esh
Leepo + Scritch
Katswiri
Deciding to simply wait and let the remaining zombies come to them, Leepo, Scritch, and Arbiscar ready to unleash hell. The poor zombies, only knowing that they long for the sweet taste of tendons in their teeth, obligingly advance. Blue Zombie is promptly obliterated as he attempts to clumsily charge at Arbiscar while Purple and Yellow close the distance to their targets but are unable to do any more.
_______
Dekion looks over at Arbiscar. "Afraid? No, I'm not afraid of some zombies. I just don't usually like to go rushing into things. Sometimes it's best to let them come to you," he says with a chuckle and a smile.
Male Chelaxian Ranger 3 | HP 31/31 (NLD 0) | AC 17 | T 13 | FF 14 | CMD 18 | Fort +5 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +5 | Perc +7
Although he knows his shot will be less effective against a zombie, he turns his attention to one of the remaining undead. He closes the gap, hoping to get more impact in the shot to help bring the undead down, then fires a shot at the southern zombie. yellow
Scritch moves in to watch her back, firing at the zombie to distract it rather than poke it for minimum damage. Then he uses claw and tail to look dangerous.
Aiding Dekion, then moving into a flanking position for Esh (+2 for each of your next attacks).
Though Marcus and Katswiri have some difficulty in striking the two remaining zombies, Dekion, Esh and Leepo combine their efforts and finally finish them off!
Combat Over!
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After a few moments, you hear a rattling sound and turn to see a small group of Kellids peering out from behind the barricade. They look young, most of them perhaps thirteen or fourteen winters if that.
"That was incredible!" one dark-haired boy declares. "You took those things down like they were nothing!"
"Dron's right," agrees a girl, smiling shyly. "We'd all be dead now if it wasn't for you."
