The Red Arm of Absalom - Ongoing Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master GM Red

"If I could make a decision, I would stay somewhere slightly cooler. Near the pier, where the wind blows freely across the sea." Oh no, was I too forward?

"Um, if you asked me about it."

"The climate in Absalom isn't too bad or are you looking for even cooler than that? I must admit it gets a bit stuffy in the summer but you make up for it on the back end in the winter months. The sea air is nice but pretty terrible to deal with when reading... not to mention the bit of 'stink' that comes from the docks when its hot." Mr Peppers looks out over the horizon and takes a deep breath "We won't be Pathfinders forever, someday we'll retire I hope it ends that way and spend our wealth doing as we please. I'm hoping to find a cushy job advising someone with far too much wealth, maybe being their Arcane advisor and protector. Someday if we ever run across a renegade wizard you'll be happy I'm by your side."

Later on that day...

After a bit more walking towards the mountains Mr Peppers mentions about maybe stopping for the night and asks Uesugi to use his outdoors knowledge to set them up in a nice spot.

With the bile cleansed from the forest clearing and the wolverine defeated, Uesugi finds a hidden glade not far from off the trail suitable for a night's rest. After building a fire, Team Red Arm takes turns staying watch through the night for anything threatening, whether goblin, plagued creature, or otherwise.

1d100 ⇒ 84 Having just as much luck as the day before, little happens overnight, and you are once again gently awoken by the light of the sun, only this time with some overcast skies. With another day of travel through the woods behind you, you realize you should reach the goblin camp by tonight if you continue at your current pace.

With Paizo still being unpredictable, I'll go ahead and move this on to the next area while I can!

The path through the woods twists and turns for what seems like forever. About half of the day passes as you trek towards the camp, and there's no mistaking the goblin camp in the distance as you catch a glimpse of the patchwork steel fence up on a mountain cliff.

Nearby, you come to a set of crumbling stone walls that mark the site of what was once a small cottage, but is now merely a ruin. The remains of a garden, now in disarray, surround the dilapidated and collapsed cottage.

Another quiet night. Another good morning.

Sirettis speaks with Isa for a bit. "I felt like I was sleeping for hours."

She prepares her spells with Isa before eating breakfast.

"Another day in paradise right?" Says Mr Peppers as he gets up holding his back and doing some stretching. "I don't understand the love for sleeping on the ground. Bedrolls don't seem to do much in the comfort department, but it was for sure softer than that cave yesterday." He eats his standard breakfast of aging bread and fruit spread and nuts while studying his spellbook for the morning.

A thing! I see a thing!

Seeing the remnants of society ahead of them Mr Peppers will try to stay somewhat quiet and hidden, a bit of traditional Elven heritage shining through. Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 while he eyeballs the old ruins Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5, his hand resting on his ironwood wand.

Cup stretches, exercises her animals with a game of fetch, allowing the tiny parrot to race the puppy. Then she spends a little time reading her tome of epics. "Mister Peppers, at some point would you be willing to talk to me about spellbooks and how you study them? I would love to learn more about how other arcane casters learn their spells."

As they reach the ruins, Cup is out, whip in hand, Unseen Servant already cast.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

She is small, so her feet make hardly a sound while she moves. She points to the cottage, and gives the others a questioning look. Should we investigate?

Gallix wakes with a long, drawn out yawn, and sets about his usual morning work of putting together his mutagen for the day. With that complete, he searches through his pack for a while, then comes up with his waterskin in hand, a disappointed look on his face. "Damn. Didn't pack any booze. Shoulda at least gotten a skin of wine before we left town. Ah well." He sits down to eat a light meal and pulls one of his less interesting cigarettes from his pocket and lights it up for a morning smoke.

On the road again...

Gallix grins broadly as he spies the glint of sunlight on the crude metal fencing of the goblins' camp. "Finally!" he says in a raspy whisper.

As they come up on the ruined cottage, Gallix follows the lead of the others and tries his best to approach quietly.

Stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

As far as I remember Gallix with Mutagens/Cognatogens, if you didn't use them they're still good the next day, etc. I'm pretty sure extracts are that way as well, unless you prepare another in their slot.

Seeing Cup buff herself up for the situation, Mr Peppers decides it would be wise to do the same and mage armor's himself.Can never be too careful with your health. He'll also detect magic after his initial eyeball scan.

PS, Mr Peppers agrees to show Cup the basics about spellbooks tomorrow morning.

Sirettis casts Mage Armor and Comprehend Languages as they approach the goblin camp.

She and Isa take a quick look around the cottage.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Isa's Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

"Gallix-san, a good cup of tea goes a long way.
If it's the stronger liquid you want, you'll have to wait to get back to Madame Po's. Her sake was to your liking, was it not?"

When the ruined cottage comes into view, D. takes more careful steps.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Searching the ruins, Cup and Gallix unearth a small metal box hidden in the foundation of the cottage. Mr. Peppers is pleasantly surprised to detect a strong conjuration aura emanating from within the metal box.

As they're rummaging through rocks and piles of leaves, Isa, Gallix, and Cup, notice a camouflaged colorful plant with long, thin leaves and bright pink pistils as it emerges from underneath the foliage and points its harmless-looking leaves towards Gallix's face. I mean, just look at it.. How would anyone think that pretty flower is dangerous?

Cruel Garden
Sirettis, Uesugi, Cup are up
Pretty flower of death
Gallix, Mr. Peps, D, Longjing

Hmmm...I wonder if this thing has any value as a reagent...

Looks like you're right about the mutagens, Peppers. I was getting it mixed up with the extracts, which appear to become inert after a day.

Any self respecting alchemist would consider anything and everything to have high value as a reagent... you just need to figure out for what!

Another corpse flower, perhaps?

Knowledge(Nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

"Gallix, it's trying to grab and suffocate you- be careful!"

Sirettis lets her hair fall down to her knees and come alive. "At least fire and cold work."

Cup sings.

♫ Where have all the flowers gone?
Watch out, Gallix!
Where have all the flowers gone?
Off to grab you...
Where have all the flowers gone?
Smashed by Gallix, every one
When will they ever learn
When will they ever learn?♫

Inspire courage

At the approach of the plant Uesugi spurs Yurei into the beautiful patch of garden.

katana '1hand'+p.a: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 1 + 1 = 25
damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 13
katana '1hand'+p.a: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 1 + 1 = 20
damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 10

Yurei bite+p.a: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 - 1 + 1 = 15
damage: 1d4 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 10
Yurei hoof+p.a: 1d20 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 + 1 = 16
damage: 1d6 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 2 + 1 = 9
Yurei hoof+p.a: 1d20 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 + 1 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 2 + 1 = 10

Before it can act, Uesugi cuts the pretty orchid into a neat pile of multi-coloured leaves and stems.

Combat is over before the creature can act again!

I believe the proper saying is: nothing left but stems and seeds man

He then wastes no time in investigating the glowing box. "You guys keep checking the place out while I have a look at this sexy little beast..."

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31 -2 to that if its not to ID

The box pops open to reveal the source of the magic - a magical feather that Mr. Peppers identifies as a bird feather token.

"Ah. Well, then." Sirettis's hair shrugs. "Good job. Hopefully the goblins didn't hear our approach."

Good lord, Uesugi! Come in a clear house why don't you?! Well done!

After Uesugi slices and dices the plant to shreds, Gallix picks up the remains and stuffs them into a spare vial in his alchemical kit. Maybe I'll take this back to town and study it with Majara. See if there's anything fun I can add to the old cigarettes here...

Mr. Peppers excitedly examines the feather, and Gallix sits back to watch him enjoy his first taste of magic other than the party's in several days. He can tell the elf is completely beside himself with interest. Sirettis' foreboding comment brings Gallix back to the moment, however, and he turns to look toward the camp. "Do you suppose we should get ready for a fight now or wait until we're a bit closer?"

"The better question would be: should the goblins soil themselves now, or wait until we are a bit closer."

D. takes a quick look from where he is, in hopes nobody is trying to sneak up on them.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

D doesn't notice anything dangerous nearby. Though visible in the distance from your current position, the base of the mountain where the goblin camp is located is still a few hours of travel by foot from the ruined cottage. If you continue at your current pace, you should arrive as the sun is setting.

Mr Peppers spends as much time checking out the new trinket as the group allows, within reason anyhow. "Interesting little bird trinket. Once used you can send a written message to someone, could come in handy. Its only one use though." He stuffs it into his dry bag with his books and takes a few notes from the site before they head on out.

"Probably a good place to rest if we didn't want to assault the goblins at dusk. I can see well at that time of day, same with D here, but I suspect Uesugi and Gallix may have some issues. It also looks like we may need to make a climb of some sort, which sounds terrible. I'm no climber."

"I am fine with an assault at night, but the goblins can also see during the evening. Who knows how much time we have left until Nixa..." She shakes her head.

"We've got lights, don't we?" Gallix says, obviously ready to make a move against the camp. "I've got my wayfinder to give us some light, and I'm sure one of you magic types can call up a bit of illumination for those of us who can't see as well in the dark. We can wait until we get close to light up so we don't lose any chance of surprise."

Cup nods. "Let's go do this now, then." She mounts Oolong, so that she won't slow the party down. "If these gobs have been eating bile, we need to eliminate them all and save Nixa. But first...." She pulls out her lucky number wand. "Let's get some insurance."

Roll a d20, everyone!

Lucky Number: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Lucky # is...?: 1d20 ⇒ 5

"There will be no doubt. The infested goblins will be dispatched, and we will rest in our beds tonight."

Lucky number: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Gallix smiles as Cup motions the wand toward him. "Thanks, Cup. If this is going to be anything like the other night, we'll need all the luck we can get. Once we get in there, you make sure you stay safe, alright?"

Lucky Number: 1d20 ⇒ 4

"Thank you, Miss Poshkettle."

I didn't realize we were hours away from the goblin camp...can I save that Comprehend Languages until we get closer?

Mr Peppers nods in agreement. "I guess we go today, good thing I've still got quite a bit left in this little wand" As he pulls out his little blaster wand and hefts it to test the weight. "Yup about half full still."

Lucky Number: 1d20 ⇒ 4 "Thanks, here's to hoping we won't need it!"

Mr Peppers then goes through his pack and belt pouch once more to double check his gear and supplies, and have a snack while we're here. He looks up with a bit of a troubled look on his face "Does anyone have rope? Or stuff for climbing? I've got nothing, rope's too damn heavy to carry around."

Uesugi waits until Madame Poshkettle taps everyone else with her wand.
"We fight on their ground on their advantage. I would not agree to this if the child was not also in danger."

Lucky Number: 1d20 ⇒ 8

"I have nothing for climbing either but I do not intend on sneaking in. We will go through the front but be cautious. Spirit let us ask Isa to be our eyes for now. And little dragon, you must be quiet as we approach this place."

"Rawwwwwwwwwwk! Nothing is quieter than a dragon!"

With the light of day nearly extinguished, you finally approach what appears to be the goblin camp situated on a stone shelf on the eastern side of a mountain. Soft light filters through the branches of the forest, which is still and silent. A rough platform formed of interlocking hexagonal stone columns rises thirty feet above the forest floor. A rickety wooden staircase attached to the side of the cliff leads to the top of the platform, which is covered by a ramshackle collection of boxy wooden buildings surrounded by a patchwork steel fence.

Map shows the staircase leading up to the entrance. The stairs begin at the northern end of the map and you are currently within the trees to the south.

Sirettis casts mage armor, comprehend languages as they approach.

"Isa, take a look around the camp. Tell us if you see a human there."

Isa flies overhead to take a look at the camp with her limited vision.
Low Light Vision only.
Isa's Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Gallix lights his mutagen and inhales. He exhales and a stream of red smoke escapes from his nostrils as his musculature once again increases dramatically. With the transformation complete, he draws a potion from his pack and holds it ready, waiting to drink it until the last moment. "Ready when you are," he whispers to the others.

Using my mutagen. +4 Str/-2 Int and +2 Natural Armor for 20 minutes. Readying my potion of Shield of Faith.

Turning to look at the barbarian "When Isa returns we will move." Uesugi leaves Yurei untied and whispers something in her ear. Removing his equipment he leads her over to the cover of some of the trees. Leaving his katana sheathed he takes out his bow testing the string and waits patiently for Isa to return to her companion.

Sirettis loads her crossbow and waits for her beloved bird to return.

Gallix nods back to Uesugi and replies.

D. was taking a sip from a small flacon he had gotten at the inn.
Filled with tea, Gallix's pronunciation of Tien causes him to spoil some...

"Gallix-san, the pronunciation's accent is a subtle one.
While i am certain in my guess what you -meant- to say, those two accents translate to something else."

"What you said is....-streak- when the time is ripe."

Gallix's head tilts to the side, a look of confusion on his face, as D offers his correction.

There's that -2 to Int from the mutagen for ya!

It could be... :)

Isa does not notice a human in the camp. She does notice several crudely made buildings lit by torchlight, and an opening to a cave at the northwestern corner of the camp. She can make out several goblins standing in the yard, idly picking their noses.

Since it's just about night, before your next action, let me know what you will use as your light source if you don't have darkvision.

Cup has low light vision. When darkness falls, she will be sending dancing lights ahead.

She turns to the others. "Do we want some distractions? I could create a silent image to set the goblins checking out another side of the camp."

Mr Peppers eyes up the rickety staircase heading up the hill and sighs. At least I'm not wearing any heavy armor.. oh ya armor... He pulls out his ironwood wand and summons in his shimmering chain shirt, then tucks it back away, and making sure his 'little blaster' is in easy reach.

"I can cast light on something as well when we're ready. No offense, but it would best be on Gallix or Uesugi since you're better at dealing with goblin 'attention', not to mention your human eyes are less evolved than ours. Just say when and I'll light one of you up so nothing needs to be carried, unless you want it so."

Seeing Gallix's tricks Mr Peppers will detect magic on him and nod approvingly. "Very interesting, Barkskin will serve you well, and whatever else that other thing is too I guess?"

Mr Peppers will also let everyone know of his spells for the day that may come into play: grease, shocking grasp and color spray, as well as daze and light. He gives a brief description of each, along with a bit of an eye roll for anyone unfamiliar with what they do.

Mr Peppers holds up a long pale finger in an 'aha! moment and pulls out a ivory wand. "This wand! Right when we're ready to attack let me use it on you Uesugi, it will help your sword strike true against anything with evil in its heart. But once cast it will last merely 1 minute." He then scratches his chin and continues "Hopefully I can get the holy words correct on the first try, Paladin wands are difficult to master for anyone else."

Mr Peppers has a very very embarrassed look on his face if we delay long enough for him to get the wand to work.

An illusion would be great. Maybe a smokecloud we know is fake? Sirettis has darkvision.

"Thank you, Isa."

As Isa dives back down from atop the cliff and flutters above Sirettis, you hear some ruffling in the trees to the north. The origin of the sound seems close - too close. It feels as if whatever is making the sound is standing right next to you.

Cup, in particular, notices the sound, but as she turns to look at where it may be coming from...

Shortbow vs FF: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 121d4 ⇒ 4
Shortbow vs FF: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 51d4 ⇒ 2
Shortbow vs FF: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 141d4 ⇒ 3
Two arrows pierce through the dusky sky aimed at Gallix, but both land in the dirt next to his feet. A third one follows, catching the peak of his shoulder and opening up a bloody gash across it.

A small voice shouts from up in the trees in Goblin,
"Longshank ambush!! Hehe! Get em, boyz!"

Ambush!, Surprise round
Cup may act
Goblins red, green, and blue
Mr. Peps

The goblins appear to be about 15 feet up in the trees, balancing precariously on the branches

Damn! Double ninja'd on my bless weapon edit... guess that ain't happening yet!

Cup sighs. "So much for distracting them..."

Instead she does the best thing she can do... sing.

Song coming later!