Post Apocthulhu Pathfinder RAW

Game Master Michael Johnson 66

When Yingzen and Clean reach the fifth floor, they are met with a startling scene:

The entire fifth floor has been opened up, with walls removed to create a spacious chamber some 60 ft by 40 ft, and the ceiling has even been removed between the fifth and sixth floors, to make a 30 ft-high ceiling....

Five scaffolds are arrainged around the chamber against the walls, with ladders and platforms for workers to stand on as they demolish the fifth and sixth floors....

Four workhorses are positioned on the concrete floor, with sheets of plywood forming two work tables with circular saws hooked up four gas generators....

Spread out around this spacious, open area are 8 Morays, 2 otyughs, 2 monstrous ogres, and their foreman--a drider, like the Thing Under the Balcony on Lido Key--clinging to the ceiling 30 ft above in the center, hissing orders to the workers, who scurry around with debris or tools, laboring to finish opening this area up for some as-yet-unknown reason....

Marcus whispers to the group.

"I don't know what they're doing, but it can't be good."

He ponders for a moment.

"I wonder what would happen if we found a way to blow out the floor here..." he says with a grin.

A Knowledge (engineering) check would be appropriate here, or just a straight up Intelligence check if no one has ranks in that rather unadventurous skill....

Alas, I have Dungeoneering, not Engineering.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Math and physics were obviously not Marcus' strong suits. Must be why he settled for teaching Psychology. ;)

Intelligence: 1d20 ⇒ 13

yingzen hides as he looks around the floor trying to figure out whats going on

stealth: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (8) + 27 = 35
intelligence: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Ahh, right. How could I forget.
Blake follows in step with Yingzen, trying to shadow his footsteps.

Stealth: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27
Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34

The sight of the workers on the 5th floor catches his attention for a moment. Upon looking back to Yingzen, Blake curses in his own head at his idiocy for taking his eyes off the sneaky and stealthy Tengu. Within the space of a blink, Blake has now lost track of Yingzen. (unless he is sneaking through shadows, rather than obstacles. Blake being a creature of darkvision and obstacles, is always assumed to be using obstacles rather than shadows unless otherwise mentioned.)

Intelligence check 1d20 ⇒ 3

MJ scratches his head as he looks with uncomprehending eyes upon the scene before him....

Intelligence check 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (8) - 2 = 6

Daisy blinks, slack-jawed....

Intelligence: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Radsworth looks on with some interest, but is puzzled. Ultimately, it doesn't matter much what they are doing as long as they stop them from finishing it.

He takes a moment to remind the group of his earlier research.

Remember, there are two main threats here. The Master of the Tower and his second in command, who might actually be the bigger threat. Both resist most forms of elemental damage and have mind control abilities. I'm still holding on to my fog spell, but if I cast it use it as cover to keep them from targeting you. Daisy can locate you inside for healing.

He points at the Drider.

As for that, it throws lightning if it's anything like the Thing Under the Balcony. Don't bunch up in a line or its an easy victory for the thing.

Rad sighs.

"I don't have much available magic. Almost everything is earmarked for the demons here, though I have a ward against evil for you all, whenever you are ready."

When the group decides its time to attack, Rad will cast Communal Protection from evil. Everyone will get 10 rounds of Protection from Evil

These guys are gonna notice us any second now.... I say we hit 'em hard before they have a chance to form a counterattack....

Doubling back to the others, Blake offers the companions an exact count of the enemies and their general descriptions (due to his lack of knowledges) before quickly moving back up into a more advantageous position on the opposite side of the large room from where the group is entering from in an attempt to attack the enemies from two sides. (Blake will wait long enough for spell casting if need be, but will inform the group to wait a minute or two while he moves into position.)

As Clean sneaks off around the perimeter of the open area in preparation to attack, and Radsworth casts communal protection from evil on everyone, Daisy casts summon nature's ally IV to summon a dire ape....

Ooh! Ooh!

Marcus casts Resist Energy (Electricity) on himself. Sorry, I don't have Communal. If we have time, I can cast it on someone else who needs it, I'm just not sure who needs it most.

MJ pulls out a potion of fly and drinks it, giving him 5 rounds of flight....

Perception 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27

SO!! It seems we have uninvited guests, boys.... Let's treat them to our unique brand of hospitality, shall we?

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Initiative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Initiative 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Initiative 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Initiative 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Initiative 1d20 ⇒ 20

Morays go on initiative 9 (something's wonky with the boards....)

Initiative 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Initiative: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

Dat ogre.

Yingzen!
Mr Clean!
Otyughs (2)!
Mikey Jay!
Daisy!
Thing on the Ceiling!
Marcus!
Morays (8)!
Radsworth!
Ogres (2)!

TBD: Derrik!

Eeeeek! Squeeeeeeeeeak!

who is closest to me?

While I can't see you, I would guess I am the closest to you since I moved deeper into the area than anyone else has so far.

The area is about 60 ft from east to west, 40 ft from north to south, with a 30 ft ceiling.

The FOs are in the southwest corner.

The drider is on the ceiling at center.

The 2 ogres and 2 otyughs are close to the center of the floor, below the drider.

The 8 Morays are spread around the perimeter, with 2 near each wall, about 20 ft apart.

Can I get a description of the items in the area? the kinds of equipment being used, welding hydrogen canisters, that kind of stuff. I am a fan of using the environment to my advantage, especially when dealing with overwhelming odds.

There are four workhorses being used in combination with two stacks of plywood to form two large work tables in the middle of the chamber.... The ogres and otyughs are between these two tables. A circular saw plugged into a gas generator is at each table.

Two other gas generators, one near the north wall, the other near the south wall, supply power to four other power saws being wielded by Morays at each of the four walls, where they are cutting away interior wood-frame walls....

There are also four nail guns plugged into these gas generators, but these currently lay idle on the floor near the generators.

Finally, there is a propane barbecue grill in the southeast corner, on which one of the Morays is grilling some hotdogs....

yingzen sneaks up on the nearest moray

stealth: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (8) + 27 = 35

Blake snarls at the disgusting bloated spider creature. He slowly rises up to his full height knowing his shots would draw all eyes on him. He points his gleaming revolver up at the creature walking upside down on the ceiling as he shuts one eye and takes aim.He is just hoping that his allies can get to him in time to save him. The spider can cast spells though and thus makes it one of the biggest threats. It needs to be taken out.

Filthy, ugly, loud mouthed b!%@#... You need ta shut your trap.

1 grit for Up-Close and Deadly for the first shot (+2d6 precision dmg); -3 attack and +6 damage for Deadly Aim; -4 attack for 3rd range increment (This is assuming I am out that far and including the 30' up); and -2 for Rapid Shot.
1st Shot: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 for 3d6 + 15 ⇒ (2, 5, 5) + 15 = 27
Rapid Shot: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 for 1d6 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17
2nd Shot: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 for 1d6 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

1st Shot Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 for 6d6 + 60 ⇒ (3, 5, 6, 4, 6, 6) + 60 = 90

Mr Clean's shot takes the drider between her bloodshot eyes, and her head explodes! Her arachnoid corpse is dislodged from the ceiling and lands in the midst of the ogres and otyughs with a wet plop!

Both otyughs shuffle towards the southwest corner where the FOs are concentrated....

MJ greets the otyugh that thumps up to him with a flurry of attacks with "BJ"....

Powerful hack 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16 2d6 + 19 ⇒ (1, 6) + 19 = 26 plus 2d6 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9 holy....misses!
Powerful backswing 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 2d6 + 21 ⇒ (5, 5) + 21 = 31 plus 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7 holy....misses again!

Does the one shot take down the Drider? or did it take all three shots?

Pretty sure it was the one 90 damage hit. From a pure metagamey point of view they have a good chunk less HP than that.

"Damn, nice shot Clean!" Marcus yells with glee, as he watches the Drider's head explode.

He looks over to Marie who starts smiling and waving her hands like a conductor.

Humming "Flight of the Valkyries" under his breath he focuses his energy, and releases it in a wave to anyone nearby, speeding them up to near super-human levels.

Marcus casts Blessing of Fervor on the whole party, or as many as he can get with one casting.

Does the one shot take down the Drider? or did it take all three shots?

The first shot burst her head like a watermelon at a Gallagher show lol

Having delayed until Marcus cast his spell, the now hastened dire ape begins flailing and biting an otyugh....

Hasted bite 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Hasted bite 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Hasted claw 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Hasted claw 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

A total of 28 damage inflicted on the otyugh....

Good Kong! Go ape-shit on 'em, buddy!

Then the other two shots go to the second largest threat in the room. Probably one of the ogres or the otyughs, whichever is closer

Then the other two shots go to the second largest threat in the room. Probably one of the ogres or the otyughs, whichever is closer

Neither shot hits the otyugh Clean re-aims at....

The 8 Morays drop the saws and hammers they are wielding to tear down interior framing near the walls and climb down from the scaffolds, drawing their curve blades and advancing menacingly toward the FOs....

Both ogres gasp in shock as the headless corpse of their drider mistress crashes to the floor at their feet!

Roaring in rage, they grab their big great clubs off the two plywood tables and rush toward the FOs!

Radsworth!
Derrik!

Then round 2!

Eeeeek!

Blake grins at the stupefied expression with some satisfaction. He levels his revolver aiming right between the eyes of one of the gawking beasts.

Eat s#!t ugly.

On Clean's turn, full round action to use Targeting(Head) on one of the ogres.

1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28
for1d6 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Confusion if hits: 1d100 ⇒ 92

Kinyama is likely otherwise engaged ATM.

I like the builds, fluff, and RP so far, this is going to be fun! :)

I'm hawking this campaign because being sick in bed is boring. I'm psyched about this pbp. Playing Grimm kind of like a mix of Hunter S. Thompson, Walter White and Jeff Goldblum from the Fly.

I'm hawking this campaign because being sick in bed is boring. I'm psyched about this pbp. Playing Grimm kind of like a mix of Hunter S. Thompson, Walter White and Jeff Goldblum from the Fly.

Sorry to hear you're sick.

Thank you. I'm having fun with him.

Meds kicking in. Gotta go to sleep. I'm posting my action in a spoiler marked AFTER PRUE.

Nice move Lakra. Hilarious!

Koran, I have an enlarge person extract that would give you +4 strength, but it shaves 2 off of INT. I'm not sure how that would affect you. Could you imagine Combat Reflexes with Haste for the Hammer?
Wow!

Kermit will stick around for us, right?

By Cormac McCarthy standards, 80 bullets is a jackpot!

Kermit will stick around for us, right?

Yup. He's there to wait til you guys are ready to return to PB, which is a 6 hr ride.

Going well so far, I'd say-- you've killed 11 cannibals and sent the other 11 running back to their holes. That's 4400 xp already!

The cannibals were 2nd lol commoners worth 200 xp per.

Map of Lido Key.

Mephos could put him to sleep as well. Then we could find a choke point if they all attack us as a group again.

I'll try to come up with lots of classic-Lovecraftian titles for the monsters in this campaign, hence "The Thing Under the Balcony". LOL

Koran, do you want me to shoot him first, ask Mephos to cast sleep or just straight up rush him?

DM, are there any physical characteristics that will help us discern a cannibal from a survivor?

DM, are there any physical characteristics that will help us discern a cannibal from a survivor?

Not really. A tendency to chew on you? Lol

As you can see if u follow the recruitment board, I've decided to let two more players join, as I feel pretty confident that I can manage 9 PCs and an NPC (who might still be necessary as healer considering size of party) in this PBP format, things move slowly enough even for my almost-40-yr-old, pot-addled brain. Lol!

Hey DM, currently out of town at a family function, so my posting will be sporadic at best for a few days.

Also, are we tracking our own XP or are you telling us when to level up?

Hey DM, currently out of town at a family function, so my posting will be sporadic at best for a few days.

Also, are we tracking our own XP or are you telling us when to level up?

I'm tracking it, you've earned about 1/3 the xp needed to level up to 2nd.

So that this is settled before my turn comes up, I was gunna make a free knowledge check on my turn.... What would be the appropriate Knowledge for the beasty?

This encounter with the Lido Beach Horror should be super fun, but possibly super fatal for the marine team.

Looks like we will have a nice chase where the LBH swims after the pontoon, gradually gaining on it due to a superior swim speed, while the marine team tries to kill it by kiting it and rolling crits to hit it while its submerged (+8 cover bonus from water against ranged attacks made from above the surface)! Lol!

Hoorryy Sheeett Thats a bugger of a fight I hope Derrik Can help. Also I noticed earlier with the fight people had like.. Rifles and stuff at the beginning, Was it because you allowed their starting weapon to be a revolver, Shotgun or Rifle instead of the old weapons? And Also I was thinkin of taking the Blackpowder Inquisition.. though exotic Weapon Prof firearms seems useless... Unless it acts differently somewhat..

Hoorryy Sheeett Thats a bugger of a fight I hope Derrik Can help. Also I noticed earlier with the fight people had like.. Rifles and stuff at the beginning, Was it because you allowed their starting weapon to be a revolver, Shotgun or Rifle instead of the old weapons? And Also I was thinkin of taking the Blackpowder Inquisition.. though exotic Weapon Prof firearms seems useless... Unless it acts differently somewhat..

This is a "guns everywhere" setting, so firearms and ammo cost 10% of the listed price. Kinyama is a gunslinger so he starts with a free battered revolver, and Prue and Radsworth are both archetypes that start out with a free firearm I think.....

Derrik Stonesmith wrote:

Hoorryy Sheeett Thats a bugger of a fight I hope Derrik Can help. Also I noticed earlier with the fight people had like.. Rifles and stuff at the beginning, Was it because you allowed their starting weapon to be a revolver, Shotgun or Rifle instead of the old weapons? And Also I was thinkin of taking the Blackpowder Inquisition.. though exotic Weapon Prof firearms seems useless... Unless it acts differently somewhat..

This is a "guns everywhere" setting, so firearms and ammo cost 10% of the listed price. Kinyama is a gunslinger so he starts with a free battered revolver, and Prue and Radsworth are both archetypes that start out with a free firearm I think....

And as this is a modern setting, gunslingers and archetypes that begin play with a free firearm get a revolver, rifle, or shotgun rather than an ancient firearm.

Ahh Your Right, I was just wondering if Inquisitor got anything.. But it seems not.. In that Case I might just change The Inquisition or Perhaps actually use a Domain.. It wasnt super important to the character.. a few things become obsolete but thats the same for alot of things though... Hrm.. What to pick.

I mean unless there is like.. Exotic guns.. in which case the feat isnt useless again.

I mean unless there is like.. Exotic guns.. in which case the feat isnt useless again.

There are two .50 caliber machine guns mounted to the pontoon that require Exotic Weapon Proficiency (advanced firearms) feat to use properly.

HRM Well then I'll keep it. That would effectively make guns normal.. both sthose with exotic weapon Prof able to use guns better.. Okay

Hmm, didn't notice the discussion thread had been connected to this.

Well, as fun as this campaign looks I'm going to have to leave. I can stay to wrap up the fight (and maybe heroically sacrifice myself to save everyone else), but I'm stepping back my involvement in PbPs, and as the newest this one has to fall by the wayside. Michael, if you want you can feel free to keep Prue around as an NPC, or whatever you think best.

Hmm, didn't notice the discussion thread had been connected to this.

Well, as fun as this campaign looks I'm going to have to leave. I can stay to wrap up the fight (and maybe heroically sacrifice myself to save everyone else), but I'm stepping back my involvement in PbPs, and as the newest this one has to fall by the wayside. Michael, if you want you can feel free to keep Prue around as an NPC, or whatever you think best.

I'm sorry to hear you must leave, I like the way you were RPing Prue, but I understand, and will keep her around as an NPC for as long as she survives.

Thanks :) Has been pretty fun, but trying to not spend so much time online, and the pace of this one has been a bit difficult to keep up with :p

Thanks :) Has been pretty fun, but trying to not spend so much time online, and the pace of this one has been a bit difficult to keep up with :p

This is the first PbP I've ever participated in, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I really like the format, lends itself really well to RPG. So, this pace so far is fast as PbPs go? I would certainly consider slowing it down a bit, if it meant we could convince you to keep playing, but I understand if you're spreading yourself too thin. I've been getting some girlfriend aggro myself lately for being glued to my iPhone running this PbP. :)

I like Prue too. Apologies, I have been posting so much because I was off work. If it goes too fast we might decide on a time to post daily that works for us. I can usually post between 20:00 to 24:00 CST, GMT-6, daily.

Well, most PbPs tend to slow down after a month or two, at least the ones I've been in. The speed did contribute, but mostly it's other RL concerns, so no need to put the brakes on for me

Ya, I'm really pleased with all the interesting PCs and the way they are being RPed.
The Lovecraft horror setting obviously attracts the right kind of player to create a nice narrative with high quality RP, resulting in a PbP thread that I personally think would be a lot more fun to read than most standard fantasy campaigns.

This is my favorite one that I am playing in thus far.

This is my favorite one that I am playing in thus far.

Thanks, man!

I'm digging Dr Grimm, he's a cool cat. I'm imagining him delivering his lines like Hunter S. and it's cracking me up! :)

Fun to see alchemists and gunslingers in action, as this is the first campaign I've DMed in which anyone's played either of those classes. Likewise with firearms.

I have to say if anything its been a good read even the NPC's are enjoyable and have personality... and the constant threat of death from cthulhian creatures, cannibals and whatnot makes it that much better. Keep up the good work.. I hope Derrik survives

I have to say if anything its been a good read even the NPC's are enjoyable and have personality... and the constant threat of death from cthulhian creatures, cannibals and whatnot makes it that much better. Keep up the good work.. I hope Derrik survives

Thanks, I appreciate it, man.

Well the allure of advanced Firearms is pretty strong. A lot of people have mixed views on firearms, they're banned in my home group for instance, so a chance to play them here was nice.

Well the allure of advanced Firearms is pretty strong. A lot of people have mixed views on firearms, they're banned in my home group for instance, so a chance to play them here was nice.

Yes, gunslingers and firearms have been taboo in my home group too, mainly because they have been anachronistic in the settings most of our games take place in (I run a lot of classic swords n sorcery in Greyhawk), and also because they seem a bit OP. Perfect for this PbP, though. Hopefully they will be OP enough to save the PCs from being hopelessly outmatched by some of the monsters they might run afoul of.....

Hey DM, how does the rifle that Grimm picked up work? Is it bolt-action, or clip? If yes, how many to a clip? Grimm would also be looking for materials to fashion a crude silencer.

Hey DM, how does the rifle that Grimm picked up work? Is it bolt-action, or clip? If yes, how many to a clip? Grimm would also be looking for materials to fashion a crude silencer.

It's an old bolt-action hunting rifle, cap 1.

Should I roll as well.. because If I see the creature Pursuing them I will shoot as well... Though I would need Nat 20's

Should I roll as well.. because If I see the creature Pursuing them I will shoot as well... Though I would need Nat 20's

Yes, go ahead. You will be at increasing range penalties for most of the chase, so hope for 20s, and your penalties will be at -2, -2, -4, -4, -6, -6, -8, -8, -6, -6 (Cpt Kermit actually turns the pontoon so that it gets closer the last two rounds before it hits the beach).

Nice shooting, Prue! :)

Prue dished 20 (corrected after I realized its touch AC is actually 12+8 for cover=20), a damned good start.

Now Kinyama needs to light it up with the other .50 and Rad, Lakra, and Derrik with their ranged weapons, and you might defeat it before it can mangle anyone! :-D

WHELP I ate up all the bad rolls