The Quest for Perfection — Part one (PFS PBP 3-09)

Game Master Rickmeister

Horatius bring Lynthara and Leiff something to eat and then spends some time sharpening his sword and dagger with a whetstone to calm his mind and focus himself. With that done he invites any who might be interested to join him in his morning devotions just outside of the camp. There he, and anyone who happened to join, goes through various combat forms and sparing motions. Finally he takes a few moments to survey the area and absorb the majestic views.

Returning to camp he packs and tightens his pack.

"Shall we start our ascent?"

Your two guides leave the hut they were sleeping, and start mumbling beteen eachother. They are clearly shaken up from the blood everywhere, and the gutted snow cat.

"We... No more go. You more go, we no more go.
Spirits of mountain no wanting us here. Snow cat bad omen! Bad omen!"

"We appreciate your assistance and concern." Horatius says doing his best to bow in local style. "Bad omens or not our mission calls us onward. We will trust to our shared strength to see us through any trials that may arise. I look forward to talking with you again upon our return. Until then may Erastil watch over your path."

Theor shrugs "I'm ready if we are moving out. Just to note, at least it looks like that cat was the one stocking the area so we shouldn't have to worry about another one, hopefully..."

Leiff heaves the large pack on his back...

"ready, let's go!"

With the consensus to move forward struck, Orri moves to the front with Theor and begins the new march with javelin in hand.

“I don’t know much about cats, but I think that one was the little one, which means mommy is bigger, if someone else is eager for a souvenir as well.”

While you are leaving, Hai Xuan waves you off as Xue Ho whistles a song while clearing the camp.

---

After traveling for 1 hour from the base camp, the mountain route takes you through a narrow valley.

The valley ends in a high rock wall. A large crack, forty feet up the wall, looks large enough to allow an adult human through.
Several small cracks and holes dot the entire surface of the rock wall. A rock overhang, ten feet above the gash, acts as a natural roof, sheltering the immediate area from the elements.

"Perhaps this is "the rock that hangs" our guides mentioned. It appears we'll be doing some climbing to reach the pass. It might be prudent to have someone skilled at scouting look ahead to see if the cave is occupied. Those smaller holes may well also provide homes for some type of creature."

As the group discusses Horatius removes his bow from its place on his back and prepares an arrow while keeping his gaze on the imposing rock face.

Within his ability, Thaurux would have recovered what was worthwhile or merchantable and transportable: the pelt, select cuts of fresh meat, bones.
Appraisal: 1d20 ⇒ 3
He would have offered to cook the most select piece of meat for breakfast or the days snack; he will offer the penis to the paladin in joke claiming it boosts virility.

"Haven't got much experience at scouting about the wilds, but i can climb and i have a trained eye"

Leiff drops his backpack with it's signature *thump* and start rummaging about it till he pulls out a lenght of rope. He snaps it a few times to check it's integrity. With a content nod he starts winding it across his chest from shoulder to hip.

"Should be long enough to assist us, i gander... if we can manage to secure it up there...

Another pair of eyes coming with?

While he waits for a reply Leiff looks at the rock face intently trying find the best way up there...

Theor moves over to Leiff "I'll take a look." Theor makes his way to the rock faces and takes a good look finding the best path up and making sure he doesn't see any immediate threats.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Once he feels content on the safety of the his climb he starts up the rock as best as he can.

Climb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Leiff follows Theor up the wall...

climb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Rather slowly and with little success....

Horatius keeps a sharp eye on the area surrounding the groups vulnerable climbers.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Well...not that sharp :)

As Theor starts his climb, something catches his eye.

Meanwhile Horatius is keeping an eye out on the area, as well checking that Lynthara is feeling better since her attack.

Leiff is trying to climb up together with Theor, but he quickly finds that Theor has taken the best spot to ascend, so he steps down and waits, giving Theor more room to climb up.

"Horatius,what do you take of this area. The predators and weather are not unlike my homeland, but are there things at play out of the norm?"

"It all seems natural enough. The mountain itself is beautiful but unforgiving as we have seen." Pausing he changes his focus from mundane sight to his Erastil granted ability to sense the innate wrongness of those creatures given over to evil.

Not sure how far we are from the rock but Horatius will Detect Evil

Lynthara will stay near the back of the group, and be the last person to attempt the climb. Without a rope, her chances of getting very far are minimal.

Leiff has a rope handy, he has observed Theor climbing. He will attempt to climb up following a similar route, and once up he attempt to fasten the rope somewhere. That way any heavy packs can be lifted up, and it will be easier for others to climb.

climb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

The differences between mountain and a ships mast and rigging seem to bother Leiff.

Thanks for the Horatius, as always! :-)
Waiting on Theor to continue.

”This will help you.”Breaking out his climbing kit. +2 to Climb checks
Thaurux stands watch at the bottom.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Before climbing Theor points out the small animal remains around the natural spring and the base of the wall. "Looks like something lives here..."

On his way Theor is very cautious of the open holes, trying to find some solid ground to take in the event something comes out after him.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Climb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Theor is climbing up, trying to find the best spots. Leiff is trying as well but the small pebbles and dust that falls down when Theor moves is blinding you, making you wait rub your eyes and wait for a minute.

As everybody is watching Theor make the climb (two successes) they fail to notice a strand of filament coming down slowly. They do notice however that Horatius is being grabbed by the neck, and dragged upwards, by the choking sounds he is making.

--
Please click this link, just imagine it's Horatius instead of a pretty girl ^^: LINK
You cannot see the creature though, only its tongue.

For a minute there I thought we had very different images of Horatius in mind :). Are we on initiative at this point? Rules wise can Horatius attack the tongue or is it grapple/escape artist checks?

that must be it! less dust on a boat!

As soon as Leiff notices the choking sounds he will check the source... Noticing the source is horatius he'll attempt to notice the strand and the source of the strand, as well as possible friends of said source...

(while drawing his sword)

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Yes, on initiative, but since i forgot to roll it everyone can declare their actiobs, and i'll incorporate them after my initiative roll (in the morning).

The sudden jolt upward is a disorienting shock but Horatius quickly moves into action. Grabbing hold of the filament with his left hand to try and keep it from choking him he drops his bow in favor of drawing his short sword and cutting at the thin line.

Attack vs Filament: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 - 1 = 8

So far Horatius has been grabbed and pulled up 10 feet. He has tried to draw his weapon and cut free, but failed at doing that.

Map is updated!

Without really thinking, Lynthara rushes over to Horatius and grabs hold of his boot.

"Hang on Horatius! Someone, cut him free or help me hold him!"

Thaurux turns quickly to Orri and offers him his kukri hilt up and crouches offering him to boost him. ”Do you think you can reach him in a jump?”

Leiff is looking upward to the holes in the rock above them... Slowly moving away from the wall to get a broader perspective...

5 foot adjust

He tries to judge the distance between him and the target.... grudgingly switching his sword for a short bow...

booh, to far away for my flare :(

If I notice Horatiusand the thing coming for me.

Theor tries to find some solid footing and get in a place to help Horatius.

If I don't notice Horatius

Theor continues climbing making sure nothing comes out after him.

Climb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Waiting for Orri..

"Let's do it." And with that Orri is launched upward like a human rocket.

Acro 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

The creature keeps pulling Horatius up, slow but steady. In the meantime everyone is trying to hit the filament, but nobody manages to succesfully.

Party up!

Theor tries to climb to get in a better position to help his fellow Pathfinder, still keeping an eye out for any other threats.

Climb-Accelerated: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 5 = 18
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Words of power flow from Leiff's lips as magic power is channeled to the arrow he picks from his quiver.

The arrow illuminates brightly while he nocks it...

I can see it's eyes up but the beast is difficult to spot. Time to mark our target...

standard action to cast light on the arrow

How far up is Horatius at this point?

Approx 20 feet up, at neck height ofc.

What is the DC on a climb?
With no true range option, Thaurux readies his rope and grappling hook, to throw . He stands ready to either toss the hook to a companion for use, or to drop it all to catch a falling companion.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

I'm not one to give the players the DC, sorry. You can attempt a climb check, or do something else.
Round 2: Still need to hear from: Orri, Horatius, Thaurux, Lynthara. Could you post asap or I'll switch to DMPC.

Theor has reached the top!

Still rising Horatius takes another slice at the filament holding him.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 - 1 = 8

Horatius cuts the tongue with his short sword, and even manages to soften the blow of falling to the floor some. He still makes some hard contact with his shoulder, and (not game mechanic) drop his sword as he pain shoots up through his arm.

Lethal falling damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6

Sorry GM, I really didn't understand how the map worked! Now I can see that we're "standing" at the base of the cliff, with Theor on top. I'm too used to the bird's eye view. The map even says side view, but I'm too dense to get it...

Lyn rushes over to Horatius and helps him up.

"Are you alright? I'm glad you got free! Hey Theor! Can you lower a rope and give us a hand up?

Theor takes some time to look around in the area he has accessed just to ensure their aren't any immediate threats.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Once he determines it is safe he'll try and find something to tie the rope around, otherwise he will brace himself and hold the rope while the others climb up.

Using my 50 ft of silk rope

Theor manages to find a spot where he can secure the rope.

DC went down, people can make climb checks should they choose to.

With the 8 eyes in view, Leiff let's the glowing arrow soar...

attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

nothing but air no doubt =)

Lyn grabs hold of the rope and starts to climb.

Climb: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

Are we still in init?