PbP Gameday VII: PFS Scenario #8-22: Wrath of the Fleshwarped Queen [Tier 1-5] (Inactive)

Game Master Stiehle

Ash attempts to tumble past the two goblins in the hall, and strike at one.

Acro: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Unarmed Strike, Nonlethal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 111d6 ⇒ 5

He mutters something under his breath when he fails to do so. "Never been a dancer anyway, but ... Care to dance, you two?"

Come on, dicebot, play nice.

Players A & B both 'ready' a standard attack/5' step to switch places at the same time.

I'm not sure the above is legit, considering you usually need Swap Places teamwork feat in order to achieve this. It is - conveniently ;) - in this case, significantly extending the life and options of that alchemist boss. Hey, I get it: I'm sometimes attached to my NPCs myself and hate my players (especially barbarians) for one-shotting them, but in this case, poor Zzorn has been out of rage since the second room, and that Goblin lady came and put herself at the top of the stairs... Zzorn stepping up to her was fair and square methinks, and why would you deny her plunging death below, on the sands of the arena!! :) In short, she's had her fun in the sun already, don't you think? :)

I hate to be a rule lawyer, but it is legit. The teamwork feat allows you to do it without readying. If they both spend actions in their previous turns to ready a 5ft step, it's all good and well. Hell, it happens every other game with rogues and/or SA player characters. I only speak for mechanics now. The other part is out of my reach.

problem here is that there wasn't a space for her to move into to wait for the flesh thing to clear out it's own space; in turn based games things never happen simultaneously, unless you have a feat that breaks this rule of order

I think you guys are right tho: since you can move into friendly squares the flesh thing's ready action would go as soon as she left hers, thus creating a legal space for her to stop into. This movement of hers cannot be a 5-foot step though so would provoke unless she took the withdraw action

I've never seen that feat before, it's a good one! I'll have to think about it a but further - though I think Ash is right in that the feat simply grants a more powerful version of the 5' shift with readied action. Most GMs haven't had an issue (save for the once), and I've allowed the tactic in more than one of my own games as well, but now I'm interested to check the forums and see what others think - if this issue has been discussed. Also, I assure you Zzorn I have no problem with a player killing my NPCs quickly. Just look what you did to my poor skald! And you missed knocking the goblin queen from the ledge by only '1'... Still, I usually try and play my NPCs smart (as long as they have the capacity for tactical knowledge) and would never have them do something I wouldn't allow a player to do.

Chance quickly heals Vornsk with his wand after shifting his grip on the spear moments before she attempts a failed attack on the goblin in front of her and then shifts away with a deft tumbling movement. Roscoe swings suddenly, confident in his invisibility, but the flesh dreg shifts to attack Zzorn at the same moment and the ninja's eyes widen in surprise as his blade finds only thin air! Ash tries to tumble past the goblins, but fails to push through and receives a couple of slashes from their claws, though his armor protects him nicely.

Zzorn's powerful blow cleaves the creature in front of him, most of the disgusting flesh dreg sloughing off the ledge onto the sand below. The one waiting eagerly behind the queen goblin races past her protectively and bites at Zzorn, though the barbarian easily evades its gnashing teeth.

The winged goblins attack Ash, though the half-orc is only grazed by one of their talons - and he notes that the one that was burned seems fully healed now! The goblin queen grins evilly as Roscoe appears, his face frozen in a startled grimace, and she shifts her ranseur to slash at the ninja, though her efforts are hampered a bit by the flesh dreg in front of her and Roscoe easily evades the unwieldy weapon.

Player's Map - Slide #2

Party is up! Ash, your Acrobatics check failed (to move through the enemy square, it appears), which means you take the AoO and fail to move through them, so I put you in the square recently vacated by Vornsk. Let me know if I'm missing something though. And sorry Roscoe, the flesh dreg's flat-footed AC is 12. Was thinking that it also got a -2 to AC on top of that and my original thought was that you hit, but after double checking the rules for invisibility I might have been thinking about the grappled condition instead. You do get the +2 to your attack roll, but it looks like you added that already so despite its relatively low AC I think you missed.

Chance moves up and heals Zzorn with the wand.

cure light wounds wand healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Vornsk calls to the Mask of the Jade Nue and a smokey cloud eeks out of the edges. The smoke moves to cover the occultist blurring her edges as well. Activating distortation.

Torn between the bigger threat in the other room and leaving Ash outnumbered she hesitates slightly then steps into the hall before attempting to tumble through to the other side.

Acro: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Do I make a second Acrobatics roll or use the same roll to avoid AoO? If a second roll is needed, I will risk the AoO :). EDIT: haha, never mind. :p

"Ash back up to intersection," she whispers. So we can both target.

Silly online dice roller. Let's try that again, minus the movement.

Wakizashi + Bless, invis vs. flat footed: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 25
damage, sneak: 1d4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + (5) + 1 = 8

Ki 2/4

"Really!? how many of these things are there?!"

Zzorn slashes at the replacement creature that just wedged itself at the entrance of the corridor.

Masterwork Falchion, Bless: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13 for 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (1, 2) + 7 = 10 slashing dmg.

Ash nods at Vornsk's suggestion. "About that dance, uglies... I lead, you follow. Deal?", he retreats back towards the corner and waits.

Retreat action

Chance moves up behind Zzorn and heals him with another touch of his wand. Vornsk and Ash back away from the goblins, trying to lure them into the intersection where they can both fight the winged foes. Roscoe winks in and out of sight, the ninja utilizing his special brand of magic to strike unexpectedly and the keen sword slices clean through the flesh dreg, sending the last of the unnatural creatures down into the sand. Zzorn shifts to swing his own blade at the queen, but his weapon glances off her armor.

As expected, the winged goblins surge forward to attack Vornsk and Ash and the queen goblin has an open space now to swing her heavy polearm at Roscoe. But perhaps the goblins are tiring, because none of their attacks draw blood.

Player's Map - Slide #2

Party is up! Vornsk, I’m thinking you can’t move your own icon since you’re using your phone to post? I placed you back beyond the passage opening so that you and Ash can both target the goblins, presuming they would move up to attack, as that seemed to be your intention (and so they did!) I don’t recall you needing to use Acrobatics, because I think Ash was the one in melee combat with them, and he used the withdraw action to avoid AoOs. Zzorn, that attack would have missed with or without the cover offered by the wall corner, and I didn’t want to move you in front of her without your input since it didn’t matter either way.

Chance takes a move action to stow his wand of cure light wounds as he is in an ideal place to aid others with his long spear.
Seeing that the fire-breathing goblin seems to be better protected than most, he thrusts out at her in an attempt to confuse her and give Zzorn a better chance of hitting her decisively.

attack to aid another: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 - 4 = 11

I took the -4 for the hard corner. Also as a reminder, Chance is helpful, so Zzorn will have a +4 rather than the standard +2 on his next attack roll vs. the Queen goblin.

Yes, moving was definitely fine since she's a caster and Zzorn would normally be in her face

Thankful for Chance's distraction, Zzorn attempts to step on the Goblin Queen and block her escape!

"Let us HOP past the Goblin Queen! if you know what I mean!!"

Zzorn attempts ta Breaker Rush Overrun past the Goblin Queen, Bless, Improved Aid Another: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 + 4 = 26 vs. goblin CMD for 3 pts. of bludgeoning damage and target is prone if exceeds CMD by 5.

If successful Zzorn stops his movement in the square right past her

My plan was to tumble passed the goblins and get flanking. The acro failed so... I made a new plan & moved. :)

bashing blue: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8, dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Is there enough space to land in a "half" square? The triangular one next to the queen?

If that's possible that's where Zzorn would go to enable sweet flanking for Roscoe! :)

Ash will try to get past the goblins as indicated by the arrow. Next action will depend on the success of that tumble. Either way, one of them would get a slap across the face. I'll add fluff once that acrobatics roll is resolved.

Acrobatics vs CMD+5: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

If successful, Unarmed Strike, Nonlethal, Flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 = 201d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + (4, 3) = 8

If I can't tumble past, deduct 2 from the attack roll and the 2d6 from the damage roll. I might add some free actions (Intimidate) after that. I'll definitely add fluff, so let me know whether I tumbled past them.

Chance distracts the goblin queen as Vornsk strikes at the winged goblin, missing it. Roscoe delays, waiting a split second for Zzorn to makes his maneuver even as Ash tumbles past the winged goblins, striking at one (Red Goblin) and taking it down!

When Zzorn charges at the goblin queen she (Overrun reaction - step aside 01-50: 1d100 ⇒ 83) foolishly tries to block the barbarian and pays the price for her arrogance! Knocked sprawling and injured by the impact, she struggles to her feet and drops the heavy ranseur, clawing at Zzorn in vain with her talons as she screeches. "I am Quen Zoagusk! I am the chosen one!" In the Goblin tongue. To the south, Vornsk is able to fend off the attacks of the surviving winged goblin as well, the creature also cursing and screeching foully in its own tongue.

Player's Map - Slide #2

Party is up! Roscoe, I've moved you up to the queen take your attack for this round (as well as the coming round) and an AoO as the queen tries to get on her feet. Sorry, you can't flank her unless Zzorn backs up and the Queen follows, allowing you to get a diagonal flank. Zzorn, you can take an AoO as well. If your attacks kill her before her attack, I'll undo the damage. Ash, feel free to fluff up your post, as your tumble and attack worked perfectly! If you're wondering about that percentile roll, because pbp on this board has die rolls that accompany posts, I will sometimes randomize an opponent's action so that my knowing what a player does and whether he succeeded has no bearing on my NPC action. That's why I rolled for the Overrun reaction.

Seeing he was successful the first time, Chance shifts a bit and attempts to aid another again to assist Zzorn's attack roll (he should also get a flanking bonus).

attack roll to aid another: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 2 + 1 - 4 = 10

I don't know what it's saying, but it sounds mean and I don't want it to breath fire on me. Get it!

"What a Chance!"

Zzorn AoO with MW Falchion, Flank with Chance, Improved Aid from Chance: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 + 4 = 24 for 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (3, 1) + 7 = 11 slashing dmg.

"Queen Zoagusk? chosen one? I'm a buff of heraldry and never heard of that house!"

Standard Action: Aid Another Roscoe for +2 to his next attack vs. AC 10: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 = 12

"Roscoe, would you do me the honors to deliver the final blow to the Zoagusk Dynasty?"

Last Round Wakizashi + Bless: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 = 26
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Last Round Wakizashi + Bless Crit?: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Seeing the barbarian use his size to knock the goblin queen down, Roscoe moves to gain a tactical advantage. "Nice Zzorn!" yells Roscoe as he presses the offensive in a flurry of attacks, flashes of silver bursting behind the motion blur of wakizashi strikes.

This Round, wakizashi + Bless + Assist: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 20
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

AoO, wakizashi + Bless: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

I'll try... sadly prone doesn't deny dex :(

"Aaaand-a ONE...", Ash remembers his bouncer days, when he was watching the dancers practice. He tumbles past the two goblins into the corridor.

"...and-a TWO...", he slaps one of the winged goblins, and proceeds with the counting.

"... and three and FOUR!"

He hits the goblin in a rhytmical fashion as he counts.

Unarmed Strike, Flank, Nonlethal: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 = 191d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + (3, 1) = 5
Unarmed Strike, Flank, Nonlethal: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 = 191d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + (1, 1) = 7

He seems satisfied with himself once he is done. "Good tango, Vornsk."

These dice, though.

"Where go Tan?" asks Vornsk in her accented way. She swipes at the goblin.
I remembered bless!: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 10, schnikt: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Ash and Vornsk finish the goblin in the corridor south, while Chance, Zzorn and Roscoe deal grievous wounds to Zoagusk. Still, the goblin queen isn't finished and she continues to slash at Zzorn with her wicked talons, though the barbarian easily evades her claws.

Claw Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 vs Zzorn's AC = Miss!
Claw Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 vs Zzorn's AC = Miss!

Player's Map - Slide #2

My bad guys have been plagued by poor rolls. Finish her off, folks!

"You have vigor, So Called Queen! I'll give you that! AAARRGH!"

MW Falchion, Flank with Chance: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9 for 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (2, 2) + 7 = 11 slashing dmg.

"Oh my... it is hopeless!! you.. are stronger than US!!!"

Chaine puts on his best pretend scared to death face and starts backpedaling!

Bluff: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10

5-foot step back

Vorsnsk conjures another shadowy hand and closes the door in this hallway again. "Tat jungle may still breat," she says not knowing what dangers may still be down there.

Then the tiefling runs through the narrow passage back to the sand.

Chance again attempts an aid, this time to aid Roscoe as Zzorn stepped back.

attack roll to aid another: 1d20 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 1 - 4 = 14

He then moves down the stairs a bit, giving Ash room if he wants to come up and join.

Swift Action Vanish - Surprise Attack.

Roscoe disappears in a haze of bluish-black smoke as the scent of sulphur begins to fill the room. Striking from the Queen's weak side, he reappears and attacks with Striking the Spark.

Wakizashi, Bless, Aid, Invis vs. Flat Footed: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 19
damage+Sneak: 1d4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + (4) + 1 = 9

"Ah, you got this. Shout if you're in trouble.", Ash peeks around the corner, looking at the group of pathfinders surrounding a single goblin. Knuckles at the ready, he stays put next to the flying ones, in case they decide to spring to life.

Zzorn's attack is off the mark, and again Roscoe strikes like an adder, slashing her badly with his curved blade. Blood running freely down her body and cursing and shrieking like an angry harpy, the goblin queen turns and viciously attacks Roscoe, but he easily fends off her blows.

Claw Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 vs Roscoe's AC = Miss!
Claw Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 vs Roscoe's AC = Miss!

Player's Map - Slide #2

The dice do NOT like the goblins! Party is up!!

After seeing the goblin slash at Roscoe, Chance will try another aid another. This time to give an AC boost.

attack roll: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 - 4 = 9

Sadly, the hard corner defeats his attempt.

MW Falchion, Bless, Power Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 - 1 = 12 for 2d4 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 7 + 3 = 13 slashing dmg.

"Stay still, and adopt a regal position, please!" teases Zzorn, his attack missing the mark.

Vornsk moves under the queen and points the wand at her whispering, "Bruler!" 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Ref DC 12 for half. Please adjust my avi on the map not to hit an ally. :)

Now that Roscoe has the queen's attention, he makes one last attack before slowly starting to back away, hoping that she'll follow.

Wakizashi+Bless: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 = 27
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Wakizashi+Bless Crit Check: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 = 15
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Vornsk and Roscoe combine to finish off the queen goblin! On her body is a magical cloak as well as a few other items of value.

Beyond the door through which the winged goblins came as the party intended to circle around is a library that has mostly been destroyed by fire, though they are able to find a few interesting volumes that contain information on fleshwarping and wrath magic that appear quite old and likely valuable.

The office of the goblin queen includes a makeshift throne made of books, which seems quite odd for a goblin - though perhaps it was proof of her bravery or some such. The sacred boulder of the Rocksmasher's tribe is also found here.

With the hallways now empty of goblins and any treasure not nailed down having been appropriated, the Pathfinders make their way back to Julian, and the priest confirms that the wrath energies blocking his ritual have been effectively dissipated. After a few hours' more rest, Julian seals the magical energies within the ruin, preventing it from taking another champion like the goblin Zoagusk and rendering it safe for future exploration.

Departing the caves, Tide Watcher and the other Shoanti meet up with the Pathfinders and thank them for their great service and promise to continue friendly relationships with the Society.

This ends the adventure, though feel free to RP your own thoughts and actions on the conclusion if you'd like to do so. You have all met the primary success condition of defeating the three major goblins (the chemist, the skald and the queen) as well as the secondary success by recovering the books in the library. Congrats, and I will have your Chronicle Sheets up in the next few days. Watch for the link I'll provide in the Discussion tab. Hope you all enjoyed the game!