Tundran's Tide of.. Series (Inactive)

Game Master heavydisking

Abdul was just about to ask if Gire had been hurt, but the sudden realization of a blaze in the making drew his attention elsewhere.

I just inputted what I saw on everyone's status lines for Init and Perc. If I've got it wrong please correct it on the map link for me. Thanks!

Bitter Plum and Itami both rush in to rescue what they can.

The box is on the small table to the west, right next to the body. You two can both roll Perception rolls since you're standing right next to the north table.

Round 1
Theophilus
Garren
GM
Bitter Plum
Abdul
Min
Itami

Theophilus and Garren are up!

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
S#*t, anyone seen the magic tree-person rock we're here for?

Theophilus moves up to get a better look at the hut, as he sourly begins fishing for his waterskin.

Move, Retrieve Stored Item

I corrected mine and Itomi's initiative

Garren runs in to the blazing hovel.
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
"O innocent elders, under the table I be seeing some loot. Grab what you can."
Garren respectfully yet quickly picks the body of the fallen fey and makes ready to run out of the hovel.
"If ye be hav'n the chance grab Hemzel's body and the mutts. The society might be liking a chance to use his raising to build a better rapport between he and us."

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Theophilus approaches the hut.

Garren collects the loot and turns to leave again. The dead fey is just outside the entrance. The corpses inside are Hemzel and his wolf.

Suddenly Bitter Plum is struck by something she can't see, trying to drive her into the flames!

improved bull rush: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Unfortunately, the creature which has waited for an invisible ambush is not able to get leverage on the old tengu. Now the creature is visible and surrounded by the party! He clutches a battleax and arrogantly laughs, "Gire is so useless. You should have heeded her pathetic warning. Now you shall all perish!"

Round 1
Bitter Plum
Abdul
Min
Itami

Round 2
Theophilus
Garren
GM

The party is up!

Hey, uh, Gire. Any other invisible friends we should know about?

Theophilus gestures and his morningstar whips from his belt to rocket at the suddenly appearing axeman.

Loosened Strand Telekinetic Blast: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9
Bludgeoning/Piercing Cold Iron: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7 Damage will also be dealt to my Morningstar on a hit.

Abdul moves into the hut, drawing his falchion.

He concentrate on starting a new bloodrage for a brief moment (+4 Str).

Perhaps you should have used your invisibility to just walk away.

Abdul strikes the creature with his blade, trying to knock it out.

Falchion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Nonlethal Damage: 2d4 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (1, 1) + 9 + 1 = 12 No attack penalty due to Blade of Mercy trait.

If the creature tries to step away from Abdul, Abdul will use Step Up if possible. While in a bloodrage, the DC to cast defensively increases by 2 in Abdul's threatened area.

”Oops, excuse me, dear…” Bitter Plum says as she feels someone knock into her. Turning to see her assailant she looks at him quizzically and asks, ”Were you… waiting inside of a burning building for us?”

She steps back, standing over Hemzel’s broken body and splashes sake on the fire in the corner to dampen it. She then scoops up the bloody manuscript with her other hand and deposits it into the ornate box. ”I don't suppose anyone else has a wineskin they don't mind giving up?” she squawks loudly, panic starting to rise in her voice.

---

Standard action to pour sake on the fire to the north. Don't worry, I checked and wine's not flammable! I've marked it with a little cloud/splash. I suppose it's too much to hope that there's enough wine to douse another square in some future turn? :)

Move action to put the manuscript in the box. If I can do so with the same action, I'd also like to scoop up the now paper-holding box as well.

Waiting inside a burning building for an ambush that may not even come? How foolish, unnecessary risks should be avoided. He should have started the fire the moment we ceased our aggression outside. Hot blood makes significantly less rational decisions. Annoyed with Bitter Plum's assailant, his eyes narrow. "Two can play your little game, and I guarantee I do it better," he sneers.

Itami snaps his fingers and disappears entirely. He takes hold of the items stored beneath the table and steps away from the table.

________

Thanks for doing that Garren!

Min moves up to stand in the doorway and lets out a raspy laugh. "HA! Foolish axeman! Your plan has come to nothing!" He casts a toppling magic missile spell! Damage!: 2d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 2 + 1 = 8 and CMB to topple!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 to trip!

"I didn't know there was anyone there!" cries a cowering Gire. She's staying out of it.

Theophilus' morningstar whizzes right past the axewielder.

Abdul crowns him with the flat of his blade, but its steel surface dulls the strike somewhat.

Bitter Plum empties her wineskin on the fire in the corner and puts the manuscript in the box.

Itami turns invisible and grabs the box from her!

I made a mistake last post when I said Garren picked up the treasures and not the body. I see what he meant now since he was still near the door. So Garren is holding the tiny corpse and Itami has the manuscript and box.

And yes @BP I think it would be one skin per 5 foot square.

Min blasts the ambusher but fails to topple him.

Round 2
Garren
axeman -8 HP 7 NL
Bitter Plum
Abdul
Min
Itami invisible

Round 3
Theophilus

Garren is up!

Garren tries to hide the shooked look on his face at the sudden appearance of the axeman.
Bluff: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
"Oi' ya sneaky little blighter!!"
5' step, draw pistol, fire
Pistol, Point Blank Shot, shooting into melee: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 22
Damage, Point Blank Shot : 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Confirm crit roll: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 20
x4 Damage if crit confirmed

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Garren blows the creature's mutated head clean off!

Combat over!

Among the debris in the hut are some ragged blankets and a holey bucket. With no more danger from invisible fey, they are able to keep the blaze under control until they patch the bucket and carry enough water from a nearby brook to eventually put the fire out.

Searching the axesman's body, they find a potion of cure light wounds to go with the breastplate and masterwork battle axe he has equipped.

Turning their attention to the manuscript, they find it to be written in a pidgin shorthand of common and Druidic.

Give me a Linguistics roll to decipher it. If you speak Druidic or cast comprehend languages then no roll is necessary.

Gire peeks around the doorway and shudders when she sees the newly dead. "I think you are safe now. Please- you must leave this forest before Cyflymder learns that I have let you live! Or else all of us will suffer the same fate as- as-" she breaks off in tears.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26 Min examines the manuscript as a reason to ignore the fey creatures.

Hey hey hey. Calm down. What the hell is a Siflimdr?

"Cyflymder is a great, bold fey who led this attack on Hemzel's home. He’s promised to clear the Verduran Forest of the scum who stole our heritage. Some fey follow him blindly. I believe he is just cruel."

Min is able to easily decipher Hemzel's journal, for that's what it proves to be. He learns the following:

- the lorestone is keyed to druidic circles, and one lies several hours’ travel north from the hut on a lake island
- a band of fey has recently been harassing Hemzel and threatening to destroy the lorestone
- Hemzel assiduously avoided exposing the lorestone to sunlight
- the sun’s rays striking the lorestone inside of a druidic circle disintegrates it

"Ah ha! I believe the place we're seeking is a druidic circle several hours to the north on a lake island. The fey can destroy the lorestone by exposing it to the sun inside of a druidic circle. We should leave immediately if we are to prevent its destruction!" Min tells the others!

Wow! You aren't nearly as du- You sure read that quick!

You coming, Gire? There's a better than even chance we end up killing.... Samflander?

Min stares at the ruffian. "I am the last scion of Xin-Barakhan, peasant. Mine is the blood that reshaped this world."

The old tengu brushes soot and smoke from her clothes as the fires are put out, cutting free Hemzel’s body. She drags the body out as the others examine the dead man’s journal. Piping up to weigh in on the lorestone. ”We are here to get that lorestone… Gire, is that the stolen heritage you speak of? If so, we’d be happy to try to make more peaceful arrangements to bargain for it. Maybe we can resolve things with this Cyflymder without any more bloodshed,” she says optimistically.

She takes a moment to pant with the hot work of putting out the fire and moving the body. She looks down at Hemzel’s blood coating her claws and sighs. ”Maybe I should just leave him inside for now. Unless one of you has a shovel, burying him might have to wait until later. Hey, 'last scion,'” she says to Min. "I don't suppose you could reshape the world into a quick grave or three before we go?"

I feel like peasant is a little rusticated for a proper urbanite Dancer like me, but don't worry, I'm a people person. I get that most nobs don't know whether they're coming or going half the time; I make allowances.

Theophilus quickly turns his back on Min to examine the work that Bitter Plum has been doing. I've got a hunch that Tusks over there might be a natural with a shovel, he says, pointing at Abdul.

Garren takes a moment to gently place the dead fey creature down respectfully along side the body of Hemzel. "Pleasure to be of service in stopping the welp." Garren finishes by reloading his pistol. "Now it seems like we 'av a headn' and I'm in accordance that we shant be wasting time but the feathered lady is right." Garren holsters his pistol "It bodes ill fortune ta be leaving a dead body or two; no offense to your late sister Gire, to be baking in tha hot sun or that oven of a hovel. We should make quick work to dig a few graves if we all help out." Garren finishes with a glance to last scion of whats-it-whos-it

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"No thank you, I won't be accompanying you to confront Cyflymder! Besides, like I said, I must remove her body to the First World. I have little concern for the druid or his mutt so do with them what you will.

Best of luck with finding the druid circle. And I truly wish you luck if you seek to parlay with Cyflymder. He is not the type to bargain."

If the party has no more questions for her, she collects her fallen sister and flies away.

Anyone want to do anything else here? I will move us forward next time I check in if there is nothing more.

Fey are such flighty creatures...
"A druidic circle? Let us be off then. We have no time to waste. The corpses will last a day, this lorestone will not," Itami concludes. He absentmindedly brushes smut off his clothes and hair as he checks the area around the hut.

"Let the druid burn. He's a nature lover; I'm sure it'll circle of life his soul, or whatever." Min gestures as if he could not care less what happens to the body.

As the party is exiting the hut to head towards the druid's circle, they are greeted with a loud high-pitched, "You there! Who are you and what have you done to Hemzel?"

It seems a band of gnomes has approached from the south while the party has been sorting out the fire and the diary. One gnome steps forward, evidently the leader. "You have destroyed his hut! Where is he?" he demands.

Minmaximus sighs loudly. "Peasant, deal with the gnomes. Talking seems to be your area of expertise."

"I may need a few pints after this" Garren whispers to himself.

Garren adjusts his gilded duster and approaches the group "Oi' take it easy. Firstly let me introduce m'self. I am Cap'n Garren Sundale. Myself and my compatriots here." Gestures with a hand towards the group. "Came upon this here hovel at the precise moment a large group of fey, if you could call'm large," Garren laughs quite loudly "just in the afters of sending Hemzel and his companion to meet Davy. Sadly we did no' arrive earlier to stop the brutality those blighters wraught. But we did send one of theirs up river too by yours truly. We saved what is left of the hovel and are in the process of performing last rights for hemzel and the wolf. What say you go your way we go ours and never see eachother again?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

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I am Abdul. To put it a bit more... plainly what Garren here is trying to say is that Hemzel was dead and his hut aflame before we'd even arrived. If it were not for us there would be nothing left of him or his companion except ashes scattered about by the wind. We can take you to him if you wish. Perhaps you would like to claim the body and return it to the land?

Aid Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Muttering with annoyance, Bitter Plum stops her work trying to find a good place to bury Hemzel and steps forward toward the gnomes beside Garren. “Now, Garren, there’s no need to be rude,” she teases. “My friends here speak the truth. We are Pathfinders, come to make our peace with Hemzel. When we came upon his hut, the fair folk had savaged it and him - check our weapons, you shall find not a bloody blade among us that put such savage wounds in him and his poor dog. And far from destroying his hut, we have saved it from burning down!” she squawks with a little indignance. “By the by, have you got a shovel we could borrow? Alternatively, it sounds like you knew him and would be able to give him a better funeral than we - and we’ve got other places to be.”

---

Diplomacy aid another: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

A bit taken aback by Bitterplum's jest Garren turns fully to face Bitterplum hiding a wink from the group of gnomes "Rude? Who me? I would never! If'n i were being rude they would be staring down the end o me barrel. But alas you're right I might've cone across as rude." Garren turns back towards the gnomes "Boys, please be acceptin' my deepest and most sincerest apologizes" Garren ends with a bow and tipping of his hat.

not sure if you would want another check but

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The four gnomes grumble and mutter and share looks between them. The speaker pipes up again, "Pathfinders? Hemzel said you lot were out to kill him. Why should we believe you, let alone permit you to leave here alive?"

Garren's gracious apology seems to stir him ever so slightly.

The gnomes started out as hostile. Garren's first roll even with the two Aids is not high enough to change that. His second could get there as it's DC 25.

Min sighs dramatically and gestures for the talky ones to continue, while he fingers his spell component pouch furtively.

'Cause who would rob a Druid? I mean honestly? Look we even brought gifts, we were trying to patch things up!

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 2 = 12

"Yes, we were selflessly hoping to patch things up with the druid. Selflessly." Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Is everything related to fey out here? Reckless. Beyond reckless, the lot of them. "Don't be so brash. If you believe we murdered him, what chance would you have against us? If we didn't murder him, you have no reason to fight us. Assuming you aren't just spoiling for a brawl, take a look around yourselves. Our tracks begin there, and the wounds upon the corpse matches a weapon the size of my finger," pointing to the evidence respectively as he berates them. If they will not see reason, they will meet their deaths as well. Wasteful in many ways, but if that is the price they are forcing us to pay, so be it.

"Now let us be on our way, we have more pressing matters." TIME IS WASTING! They have a head start on us already, we must make haste!

so so hard
Garren, feeling bolstered by his allies, steps up with a grand display duster billowing in the wind, head held high and standing proudly speaks again "We must be going and we leave you in charge of performing Hemzel's, and his companions, last rites as befitting a great and noble druid of his status. Thank you kindly for allowing us to follow our heading." Garren spins about on the heel of his boot walking towards the group of Pathfinders gathering thier proposed gifts, along with the string of Holly and Mistletoe around Garrens neck. He presents the gifts to the lead gnome "And yes; as Theophilus said take these and do what you deem necessary."

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Based on Garren's generosity and Itami's convincing words, the gnomes relent and visibly relax their aggressive posture. They begin exploring the slaughter inside the hut.

"It seems you are being honest- this damage was cleared inflicted by fey blades. Our gratitude for your respectful treatment of our dead."

The speaker goes on to identify himself as Boomroppel and explains that the gnomes had been working with the late Hemzel to protect the forest. "We would love to get revenge on the perpetrators of this carnage but I'm afraid we are too weak. Anyone who can do this to Hemzel would be just as deadly to us."

Her patience starting to wear as thin as Itami’s, Bitter Plum clucks at the gnomes, “Yes, yes, you're welcome. We were actually just about to make our way north you chase after the perpetrators. Now, unless there's anything else, Boomroppel, we really must be going. Swift flight of vengeance and all that.”

But uh, remember that the Pathfinders helped you and did not murder your friend. Did not murder him

A slight visibility of a perturbed nature shows briefly on Garren faces as he speaks "Alright folks let us be put'n wind in our sails." Garren begins checking his gear "My affects are in order. Now's the time to get steppin' fore we walk the plank ourselves."

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At least they admit to their weakness, there is strength in that. "It would be useful if you could give us any information about the area. Can't avenge your druid if we get blindsided."

"I've been ready. Lead the way, boy," he announces to Garren.

As they walk, Itami does his best to be in the middle of the group. No need to risk being a prime target, but I can't say I want to be any closer to the bird than I have to be...

Boomroppel begrudgingly replies, "Well, if you are going to attack the fey, I suppose we can provide you with a shortcut which will get you there a little more quickly. May the gods bless you." He signals to the others who begin a thorough cleanup operation.

Even following Boomroppel's directions, it takes a full night of brisk walking to reach the druid circle. The sky darkens as dawn approaches. The thick trees, brush, and brambles of the Verduran Forest finally give way to a glassy lake with a small tree-studded island just thirty feet offshore. An improvised bridge of mossy logs stretches toward the island from the near shore, though some of the trunks have tipped nearly vertical into the water, leaving gaps along the makeshift bridge.

Ok, I need to know what order you are going across the bridge on the new map. Footing on the slick log bridge is difficult (requiring DC 10 Acrobatics checks to move at half speed), and the gaps in it require either Swim or Acrobatics (jump) checks at DC 10 to cross. The lake is 10 feet deep.

Squishy wizard in middle, please!

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 on the slick log
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 to jump across gaps

Garren looks over the bridge commenting "I've been on worse."
Garren brings heading across second to last in line with the others pistol in hand.
Acrobatics -AC penalty: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 - 1 = 19
for balance
Acrobatics -AC penalty: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 - 1 = 15
for jumping
Deftly making it to the other side Garren let's out a "Huzzah!! Yup definitely reminds me o' when I was a cabin boy. Woulda fallen flat on me arse."

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Is it possible to just swim and avoid the bridge altogether?

Coming to the series of fallen logs, Bitter Plum stops and concentrates. The butterfly-shaped mark on her beak glows briefly as she casts a spell - suddenly her scaly legs seem to grow somewhat longer and bandier. “This may shock you whippersnappers, but I’m not as agile as I used to be back in the day. But this old crow still has a spring in her step!” Producing a long length of silk rope from her pack, she holds it out to the others. “There’s no need to be risky at this point - we should tie ourselves together so that if one of us splashes in the others can pull them out. Now, let’s see what old Bitter Plum’s got in her!”

Thus said, the tengu braves the logs first, doing her best to balance and hopping across the gaps as best as she can.

---

I’ll go first!

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (13) - 3 = 10
Acrobatics (jump): 1d20 - 3 + 4 ⇒ (9) - 3 + 4 = 10

WOOOOOO!

Theophilus rolls his eyes as he looks at the bridge. Don't worry, I'll show you all how it's really done.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Wow. Wish I knew how to trigger that on rolls I don't pass on a 1... lol

"Assistance in our task is appreciated," he informs Boomroppel, taking note of his directions. Everyone has their uses.

Being tied together only works if the big one doesn't slip... I have no desire to chain my life to those chances. "I'll grab on if I fall," Itami tells Bitter Plum and leisurely crosses the log bridges.

________
Calm down there Theo! With those rolls, you could almost just broad jump the gap :P As stated previously, Itami will be as close to the middle as possible.

@Abdul- Good question. I suppose it would be possible if you want to swim out around. Call it two swim checks instead?

Bitter Plum is the first to brave the log bridge. As she is crossing a crudely hidden snare trap springs at her!

BP reflex DC 20: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Ha!

Somehow the old tengu is able to deftly maneuver out of the way! But the snap of the trap has awakened a pair of tiny yet deadly-looking serpents who drop down onto B.P. and Theophilus!

Minmaximus perc: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Garren perc: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Theophilus perc: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Itami perc: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Abdul perc: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Bitter Plum perc: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Minmaximus init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Garren init: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Theophilus init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Itami init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Abdul init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Bitter Plum init: 1d20 ⇒ 17

snake init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

I placed everyone as best I could figure based on your posts with Abdul moving around to the side where he could swim across. He would be the only one to spot the snakes but the trees are too thick. So the snakes get a surprise round. BP and Theo can make AoOs only if they have combat reflexes. Also consider the snakes to be in BP and Theo's squares- there's just not enough room on the map. :D

snake vs BP: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
damage: 1d2 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1 + Fort save DC 9 vs poison

snake vs Theo: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
damage: 1d2 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0 + Fort save DC 9 vs poison

Bitter Plum is able to just dodge the snake's fangs, but Theo isn't so lucky!

Abdul
Theophilus DC 9 Fort save
Minmaximus
Garren
snakes
BP
Itami

Abdul, Theo, Min, and Garren are up!