As midday approaches, the square in front of the stage continues to fill with people, until it seems like everyone in the small village must be here. At noon, with the ringing of a bell, a man--clearly a Razmiran priest, from his golden mask--exits a nearby house and makes his way to the stage, flanked by two guards in silver masks.
Position your tokens as you like on the map in Slide 5; assume the bulk of the rest of the square is filled with villagers.
”Razisus” | Male LN Medium (Garundi) Human Cleric of Pharasma 4 | HP 24/24 | AC 17, T 11, FF 16 | CMD 16| F +4 R +3 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +4; SM +8 | Speed 30ft (20 ft. in armor)| Channel negative energy 5/5 (DC17), Bleeding touch 6/6 | Active Conditions: None.
Skills:
Bluff +2 (+3 vs. characters who could be attracted to you), Diplomacy +9 (+10 vs. characters who could be attracted to you), Heal +11, Knowledge (local) +7, Knowledge (religion) +8, Sense Motive +8, Spellcraft +7
Oops, bless is only good for saves against fear effects. New plan!
When the bell tolls, Razisus begins by casting guidance on himself, then any other party members within reach. Spell duration = 1 minute A minute later, he repeats the process.
Edited above to reflect an intent to cast guidance only on those who don't have access on the spell. Although token is on map, placement is not final as it will be next to the largest concentration of PCs that don't have ability to cast guidance themselves.
Bless is only a save vs. fear, not charm/compulsion effects.
EDIT: Ninja'd by Raz. You got it figured out. :)
Shruti hangs near the back of the crowd with the man they were speaking to and with Tsuk Sach. As the priest comes up on stage, Shruti turns to the half-orc and speaks in a low voice to him, "This One worries that this priest will try to seize your mind. This One will do what they can to keep his influence out."
Using my Ward hex on Tsuk Sach, granting him a +2 bonus to AC and on saves.
Upon hearing the spectators may be under some type of enchantment, Polo is on his guard. He loads his bow and ask Razisus.. I'm not one for begging for the god's assistance but when magic is about I'll take any help I can get! Polo accepts guidance from Razisus.
Climbing up onto the stage, the priest scans the crowd, and his eyes alight on you. Razisus, Paemil, and Shruti all cautiously activate various protections as the priest begins to speak.
Guidance active on Razisus, Paemil, Lumi, and Polo; Ward hex active on Tsuk.
"Ah! My dearest children, it appears some stray lambs have wandered into our flock! Surely Razmir can uncloud the minds of these wayward souls."
With a flourish, the priest holds a shining scepter aloft with a malevolent grin. You catch a quick word that accompanies the motion.
Spellcraft DC 15:
The word seems to be an arcane activation word.
A moment passes... and then another moment... and nothing appears to be happening. The crowd begins to murmur and some kind of dark realization appears on the priest's face. "My congregation, dark forces conspire against us! Defend me from these miscreants! They mean to undo all the good work we have done!"
The priest quickly grabs at both guards to follow as he makes a hasty exit from the stage. The crowd begins to close around you, grabbing at you and trying to hold you back.
Escaping the crowd is not handled as a combat; instead, each PC has three rounds of actions they can take to break free and escape. Each round you may attempt a skill check, or cast a level 1 spell. You have a lot of liberty in which skills you may use, and I have some liberty in assigning bonuses to skills that are used in particularly creative ways. Each skill check represents one round of action, and a PC cannot use the same skill more than twice.
Two questions. Do you need separate checks for both Lumi and Paemil. #2, if Paemil uses an AoE spell (I am thinking entangle), could that offer bonuses to other PCs?
@Paemil: this task is based around PCs, so I would say that Lumi doesn't need to make (or even get) her own independent checks. Paemil's actions serve to clear a path for both at the same time. But I would also rule that she can use aid another actions to grant a bonus to Paemil's checks (i.e. you still get to mechanically benefit from her as a class feature).
An AoE spell will work to provide Paemil a success, but would not help the other PCs.
@Shruti: Concentration checks are not necessary to cast a spell.
hp 31/31AC 16|T 10 |FF 16, F +6|R +1|W +7, Init +0, Per +12
Sirius looks around dor an avenue of escape.perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17. Then using his burst of speed runs for it.swift action to get +30 speed for 1 minute.
”Razisus” | Male LN Medium (Garundi) Human Cleric of Pharasma 4 | HP 24/24 | AC 17, T 11, FF 16 | CMD 16| F +4 R +3 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +4; SM +8 | Speed 30ft (20 ft. in armor)| Channel negative energy 5/5 (DC17), Bleeding touch 6/6 | Active Conditions: None.
Skills:
Bluff +2 (+3 vs. characters who could be attracted to you), Diplomacy +9 (+10 vs. characters who could be attracted to you), Heal +11, Knowledge (local) +7, Knowledge (religion) +8, Sense Motive +8, Spellcraft +7
Razisus sighs as the throng of apparently enchanted townsfolk converge on him. He attempts to slip away towards a nearby building.
Yes, you can definitely get close enough to a building. To be honest, I'm not sure why they even included this map in the scenario; the mechanics of this section don't depend on PC positioning or movement; it's really much more of a theatre of the mind encounter. Don't worry about the map; focus instead on the skills/spells that you're using to escape the crowd and pursue the priest.
As stated before, you have a lot of liberty with this, so have fun using your skills!
As the crowd turns to face Paemil- he exchanges a quick and worried glance with Lumi. This could end very poorly, friend.
A dull green light washes over his hands, and the Druid motions upwards in a spinning gesture. At that, the grass and vines from around the amphitheater seem to come alive; reaching, grasping, and entangling those who would follow Paemil and Lumi.
As Tsuk roars at the crowd, Shruti works to aid his impressive nature by drawing a scroll from the case at their side and casting the spell upon it. "Stay still for just a moment, my friend. This One will make you even more terrifying to these people."
Sirius quickly looks about the crowd of villages, and notices an area where the crowd is less dense. He moves with accelerated speed, leading the way as he attempts to follow the priest and his guards.
Razisus follows Sirius' example, not as quickly, but still able to use his nimble moves to slip past the villagers and elude their grasp.
Paemil uses his influence over the natural world to causes the grasses and weeds in the area around the stage to entangle a group of villagers, giving both he and Lumi a clear path to move through.
Tsuk uses his natural ferocity to strike fear into the villagers, the nearest of whom draw back in shock as the half-orc shows the pain they'll face if they continue to try to grapple him.
Shruti begins casting a spell that ends up causing Tsuk to grow much larger; she follows in his wake as he clears a path through the crowd.
Polo takes advantage of his smaller size, using the chaos of the scene to slip unnoticed between people's legs.
Round 2
The priest and his guards continue towards the edge of the clearing, heading towards an alley; the crowd makes way as he continues to urge them to hamper your pursuit.
Having given himself a little leeway from the crowd, the druid attempts to find the shortest distance between him and natural cover. His hands quickly motion to his companion- Find way.
Perception:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Hopefully setting up an opportunity to use "survival" skill in round 3. I figured that I would need some amount of natural cover to be able to change direction and try to disorient the pursuers.
”Razisus” | Male LN Medium (Garundi) Human Cleric of Pharasma 4 | HP 24/24 | AC 17, T 11, FF 16 | CMD 16| F +4 R +3 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +4; SM +8 | Speed 30ft (20 ft. in armor)| Channel negative energy 5/5 (DC17), Bleeding touch 6/6 | Active Conditions: None.
Skills:
Bluff +2 (+3 vs. characters who could be attracted to you), Diplomacy +9 (+10 vs. characters who could be attracted to you), Heal +11, Knowledge (local) +7, Knowledge (religion) +8, Sense Motive +8, Spellcraft +7
Looking for a means to escape the crowd and for a better vantage point, Razisus attempts to secure a grappling hook to a nearby rooftop.
Ranged attack (v AC 5?):1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
"You are welcome to follow me, Fellow Travellers!" the cleric calls to the rest of the party. Then, confronted with the face of one of the encroaching crowd, he retorts, "You, sir, have no such invitation."
After tugging on the rope to make certain it is secure, Razisus tries to climb to safety.
Tsuk takes the opportunity to return the favour to Shruti. He reaches down and casts a spell on her. Glorious blessings upon you
Used my Glorious Presence domain power. "You can touch an ally and grant it a glorious blessing. For 1 minute, the ally becomes mesmerizing to her foes. This functions as sanctuary, except if the ally attacks an opponent, this effect ends with respect to only that opponent. This is a mind-affecting effect."
Shruti looks up at Tsuk and smiles, "Many thanks, my friend. Now let us make our way through this throng so we may catch the deceiver and take away his treacherous tools." Shruti follows along in Tsuk's large wake as he presses through the crowd. As they emerge from the mass of spectators, Shruti tries to go unnoticed behind the massive half-orc warrior.
continuing his stealthy maneuvering Polo moves closer toward the stage crossbow in his hands. He also keeps a close eye on the Razmiran priest.
stealth:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Movement is assumed with a successful skill check or spell; this encounter is really about the strategy of pursuit, which is governed by the skill checks and/or spells.
Sirius begins exhorting the locals to stand down and let him through without violence, and the strategy appears to be strangely effective on the mesmerized crowd. He continues his pursuit of the priest, keeping him and his guards in sight.
Razisus uses his grappling hook to catch the roof of a covered porch that runs along a couple of food stalls, and quickly climbs up, allowing him to move unimpeded above the crowd for a short bit. He jumps back down at the other end and is also in hot pursuit of the priest.
Tsuk, moving through the crowd in his enlarged form, is almost held back by a group of toughs that crowd around him. But he grants Shruti Gorum's glorious presence, further mesmerizing the toughs and drawing their attention away. His heavy feet pound past and continues his pursuit.
And as soon as Tsuk moves past, Shruti throws off their attention! She and Polo both dart and duck amongst the crowd, always finding some path behind turned backs to keep moving effortlessly.
It's only Paemil and Lumi who are unable to find a good path through the crowd, try as they might. The chaotic jumble of bodies is too foreign to the tiger; every apparent opening closes before she can get to it. Paemil, ever loyal to his feline friend, finds his eyes drawn to her and can't focus on finding his own path; the two find themselves slowed by the crowd, but are still only moments behind the other Pathfinders.
Round 3: Party up! Reminder, each PC can only use any given skill twice! Polo has used Stealth twice, but the other PCs have all options open.
With the crowd pressing in, and with Lumi about underfoot- Paemil ducks behind a tent, and quickly changes directions. He continues to weave and move in an effort to disorient his pursuers and get away.
Only Lumi's training and bond to Paemil prevent her from lashing out at the crowd around her. Sensing the need to escape, she stays by Paemil's side- helping him navigate the natural (and unnatural) terrain in front of them.
”Razisus” | Male LN Medium (Garundi) Human Cleric of Pharasma 4 | HP 24/24 | AC 17, T 11, FF 16 | CMD 16| F +4 R +3 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +4; SM +8 | Speed 30ft (20 ft. in armor)| Channel negative energy 5/5 (DC17), Bleeding touch 6/6 | Active Conditions: None.
Skills:
Bluff +2 (+3 vs. characters who could be attracted to you), Diplomacy +9 (+10 vs. characters who could be attracted to you), Heal +11, Knowledge (local) +7, Knowledge (religion) +8, Sense Motive +8, Spellcraft +7
As he pursues the priest, Razisus scans the area ahead, looking for a route that will allow him to best catch the apparent mind controller.
Tsak draws upon the power of Gorum to create a downpour on the crowd ahead of him. He hopes that this water will make them run for cover and out of his way.
Finding that the crowd is pressing close, even with the blessing of Tsuk's god, Shruti tries to divert the crowd's attention toward someone on the other side of the courtyard where they had all gathered.
"Look, a man has been trampled! Everyone stop and help him!"
Sirius attempts to keep the priest in sight, but loses him as he turns a corner. Hopefully knowing the direction the priest headed is enough!
Paemil, with Lumi's aid, tries to keep his sense of direction as they move through the crowd, but struggle amongst the pressing crowd.
Razisus, though, sights a shortcut through an alley that probably cuts the priest off. He points it out to the other Pathfinders, who start pressing in that direction!
Tsuk sends a gallon of Gorum's water into the face of a villager that was about to trip the enlarged half-orc up, sending the woman to the ground, gasping for air!
Shruti is able to distract a small group of teens that had been closing in, sending them in another direction so that she can continue her own pursuit.
Polo takes up the rear, almost succumbing to the crowd, but finds himself in the alley with the others, in hot pursuit.
Chase complete!!!
You round the corner out the alley, and see the priest and his guards beginning to load a wagon at the stables. The priest sees you and turns, leveling his scepter at you again, but nothing happens. Whatever magic may have powered it before has clearly run out. "Guards, defend me!" he yells, and both turn to you, brandishing longswords with slightly unsteady hands.
Please place your tokens behind the white line on slide 6
”Razisus” | Male LN Medium (Garundi) Human Cleric of Pharasma 4 | HP 24/24 | AC 17, T 11, FF 16 | CMD 16| F +4 R +3 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +4; SM +8 | Speed 30ft (20 ft. in armor)| Channel negative energy 5/5 (DC17), Bleeding touch 6/6 | Active Conditions: None.
Skills:
Bluff +2 (+3 vs. characters who could be attracted to you), Diplomacy +9 (+10 vs. characters who could be attracted to you), Heal +11, Knowledge (local) +7, Knowledge (religion) +8, Sense Motive +8, Spellcraft +7
Razisus moves forward, holding aloft the holy symbol of the goddess Pharasma. "Behold the symbol of a true deity!" he shouts.
He utters a quiet prayer, (casting detect magic) and tries to ascertain which of the cultists has the will-bending magic item on them.
"Drop your unholy sway on these people or answer to the true goddess herself!" warns the cleric.
Oops. Bad placement on my part. Can't channel negative energy without hitting a few party members.
Turning the corner, the small cat sees several more of the masked figures from before. Her back arches, and she settles into a crouched position, prepared to either flee or attack.
Demon humans. Not like master.
Her eyes follow Paemil's movements with interest, and before he is finished pointing, the cat understands her purpose.
Hunt! Flesh in mouth!
She springs forward toward the blue shirt, teeth leading her reckless attack.
Turning the corner, the small cat sees several more of the masked figures from before. Her back arches, and she settles into a crouched position, prepared to either flee or attack.
Demon humans. Not like master.
Her eyes follow Paemil's movements with interest, and before he is finished pointing, the cat understands her purpose.
Hunt! Flesh in mouth!
She springs forward toward the blue shirt, teeth leading her reckless attack.
Shruti summons a suit of magical armor to protect herself, then moves over beside Sirius. "You must be careful, my friend," Shruti says to the half-elf. "These men are radicals. They will do anything to preserve their doctrines, especially if they have been lining their pockets."
Polo sticks to the shadows as much as possible near the back of his group loaded crossbow in hand. stealth :1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 could someone move Polo somewhere behind the white line near some cover if possible? Also sorry bot’ the erratic play. I’ve been working 14 hr days this summer and it’s wiping me out
Razisus casts detect magic. His eyes glow briefly with the power of Pharasma as he begins studying his foes for magical auras.
Razisus:
In the first round, detect magic shows the presence or absence of auras. You detect magical auras on the priest and both guards. If you continue to concentrate into the 2nd round, you can learn how many auras and the strength of the most powerful aura on each.
Sirius enhances his weapon with occult magic, ensuring that when it strikes it will strike harder.
Paemil advances, ready to strike if any foe advances on him, and sends Lumi forward to strike at the guards. The tiger charges, having no difficulty tearing into the guard's leg and opening a deep wound.
Using the first of two duplicate posts for Lumi's attack.
Shruti summons magical protection, clothing herself in armor of force, while Polo stays at the back, trying to remain unseen.
The wounded guard turns his blade on Lumi, but the pain in his leg has him off balance and he's unable to connect. The other guard moves forward and strikes at Razisus, slashing his sword across the Pharasman's belly with a powerful sweep. (8 hp damage) Razisus falls to the ground, unconscious and bleeding!
The priest begins some kind of incantation, calling out to Razmir in a powerful voice. "Razmir, oh great and wonderful, send me your power to enchant these dangerous foes!"
Spellcraft DC 16:
He is casting sleep
Round 1 Bold may act!
Tsuk (Ward hex, enlarged)
Round 2 Bold may act!
Shruti (glorious presence, mage armor)
Sirius (lead blades)
Razisus (-8, unconscious, dying, guidance) need Con check to become stable! Polo Paemil (guidance)
Lumi (guidance)
Guards (blue -4, green)
Priest (red)
Tsuk (Ward hex, enlarged)
