PF2: Playtesting til we just couldn't anymore (Inactive)

Game Master Wandering Wastrel

Badia snarls, her tongue lashing the air. Her face changes back to normal, and she leans heavily on her falchion. "Yeah, you better run!" she shouts.

More quietly, she says, "Ow."

Naadhira walks up to Badia and says "Sorry, I should've prepared better spells. But how about some healing to make up for it?"

She takes out the wand of healing and sends a wave of it towards Badia. It soothes her skin like a pleasant breeze and weaves the wounds together. The new skin is moisturized, which will probably leave the froggy in Badia happy.

Heal (S+V): 3d8 + 4 ⇒ (4, 7, 8) + 4 = 23
Spent 1 resonance and wand is now at 9/10 charges

Badia grins as the druid heals her. "Much appreciated! Perhaps our next fight won't be with big dog-beasts. Our erstwhile companion seems to have been scared of them to the point of paralysis!"

She smiles at Caraid to let him know there are no hard feelings.

"Badia, if you want I can give you another one."

"Aye, hit me again. Better be in top shape for whatever more dangers lie In wait!"

Naadhira nods and sends another wave to Badia. Sweat drips from Naadhira's forehead as she takes a swig of water. "That's all the magic I can funnel into this wand, and I don't have any spells for healing today, so be careful Badia."
Heal (S+V): 3d8 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1, 6) + 4 = 15

That's the last of her resonance for today. I'll look up what I can do with 0, if anything.

"Ha! It is our foes who should be careful! Lest I jump on their heads and stomp them into the ground like so many tiny ants!" Badia blusters.

"I'm no doctor, but let me have a look, just to check whether or not that oversized dog was carrying a rather nasty something with it, since it bit you and all that." The halfling has a gander, but quickly comes to the realization that examining living specimens is radically different from examining cadavers. Best not mention that part of your education, Alisti.

Medicine: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 to see if there's any sign of infection(s).

"Yes, please, take a look! I think it bit me right on my ass!" Badia undoes her belt and drops her pants, bending over to give the halfling a front-row view of her toned green backside. "What do you think?"

The meaty smacking sound of flesh connecting with flesh rings through the air when a pair of pants drop and a hand palm crashes against a forehead. Alistilae is half-tempted to summon forth more grim tendrils.

"I'm no doctor, but, yeah, you're good to go. Pull 'em back up because time is money and my time ain't cheap. Actually, it ain't for sale."

He then slinks off, back to their camels.

"You need to wipe more." Replies Naadhira. "We're in a race against time. We should get going."

"Right, no time to lose!" Up go Badia's pants, and the barbarian cinches her belt tightly. "Onwards!"

The brush, brambles, and trees have receded, replaced by a sandy flatland bordered by the winding tributaries of a river. The small river flows down from the slopes of Pale Mountain, cascading over a few small waterfalls. The widest fork of the river passes to the north of the sand flats, most of which are saturated with enough water to be packed hard.

It's about 2 miles to get across to the river; the going is much easier here and it takes you slightly less than an hour to cross.

The only thing of interest that Badia and Naadhira spot is a strange, low mound; but it doesn't seem that interesting, except by comparison with the rest of the sand flats you're walking through.

Lots of things suddenly happen at once: Badia, who is leading the group at this point, walks into a patch of sand that swallows her up to her waist - and then to her neck!

At the same time, a hideous-looking creature bursts out of the mound you had spotted! Its mandibles open wide and it sprays a foul, caustic mix over you all. (Everyone takes 12 damage, Reflex DC 17 for half; everyone who takes damage also takes 2 points of Persistent Damage)

Badia is submerged up to her neck so can't do much. She can take a DC 18 Athletics check to Swim to raise herself to being submerged only by her waist. Once submerged "only" to her waist, she can make a DC 18 Athletics check to move 5 feet.

Party is up!

Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

"This is why I stayed with the wagon!" Caraid yells as he is covered in foul smelling liquid.

Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Athletics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Athletics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Athletics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Badia cries out in surprise as she suddenly sinks into the quicksand. Before she can comprehend what's going on, the monster emerges and sprays her with acid. She howls in pain, but focuses on escaping from her predicament.

"No! You will not defeat me, sand! I am Badia the Leaper!" she bellows. Mimicking her totem animal, she swiftly swims to the surface, kicking her powerful legs. Then she swims for solid land, hauling herself out of the muck. She grits her teeth as she prepares to fight the big bug!

Three actions to get free of the quicksand!

Flat Check vs. Persistent Damage: 1d20 ⇒ 4

"Besmara's unholy bumps! What did I ever do to deserve this?!" It seems the halfling is not amused by the beast's acidic hello.

Action 1+2: cast Ray of Enfeeblement. Action 3: use 'telekinetic projectile' to get the damned acid off me as to lower the DC to get rid of the persistent damage to 15
Reflex save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Ray of Enfeeblement: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Flat check Resonance: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Naadhira weaves the magic in her staff of fire and prays to the searing heat of Sarenrae for the magic to be enough. She points the staff towards the creature (and away from Ali) and from it erupts a burst of fire. Then she quickly conjures up her shield for added protection.

DC 18 Reflex
Fire damage: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 6, 5) = 15
Success: Half. Nothing fancy.

Flat check acid: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Actions 1&2: Activate staff of fire
Action 3: Cast shield

Caraid hurries past Alistilae, letting out a loud roar as he does so, before slashing at the creature with his enchanted falchion!

1: Move, 2: Intimidate - use Assurance for a 22, 3: Strike.
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 Damage: 2d10 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 + (4) = 13

Ignore the last d6 if the intimidate isn't enough to frighten it.

Naadhira's staff lashes the insectile monstrosity with fire, and Alistilae's magic weakens it further - it strikes repeatedly at Caraid, but is unable to catch him with its mandibles. Cariad misses as well.

The acidic bile continues to eat away at Badia, Cariad and Naadhira.

Party is up! Badia is prone

Badia leaps to her feat, then rushes to flank the ankhrav with Caraid. She swings her falchion in a broad arc, slicing only the air.

Falchion, Flank: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 2 = 12
Flat Check: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Intim: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 Damage: 2d10 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (7, 2) + (5) + 4 = 18

Lose Persistent: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Caraid glares at the bug before slashing at it again.

Caraid, remember you get three actions each round. You could make a second attack at a -5 penalty, and do +1 damage on that attack due to the falchion's forceful trait.

"Finally you get someone drippin' with anticipation to greet you, Badia. C'mon, slice 'im up good!" Perhaps the key to victory was not in antagonizing the foe, but by inflaming his most rage-prone comrade.

Action 1+2: cast Ray of frost. Action 3: get out the healer's kit to treat persistent damage once combat is over.
Ray vs TAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Cold Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

I thought the save was an action...

Second Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 9 - 5 = 8 Damage: 2d10 + 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6, 10) + (4) + 4 + 1 = 25

The DC 20 flat check is automatic. You can take an action to wipe some of the acid off and reduce the DC to 15. Which if you did, it would stop the persistent damage since you rolled an 18. Probably better than a second attack.

Since that was my original plan can I go with that Oh Mighty One? Ignore the second attack and remove gunk to get the save down do DC15?

Naadhira now takes a moment to recall anything about this creature, before conjuring a bolt of fire to lob at it. Though not a particularly strong spell, Naadhira is sure the impact must of done something...

Nature +8 or Lore(Desert) +6

Ranged touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Flat check persistent: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Naadhira's spell hits, while Alistae's misses. Caraid succeeds in wiping the acid off, and lands a solid hit on the chitinous horror, but his glare fails to have any effect (not entirely surprising - the thing is bigger than a horse).

Badia misses. So does the Ankhrav.

The acidic bile continues to eat into Badia's and Naadhira's flesh.

Party is up!

EDIT - sorry! Naadhira recalls that this creature is an Ankhrav: an insectile beast known for preying on livestock and humanoids who tend herds. In addition to fighting with their powerful mandibles, these insectile creatures can spit a caustic acid at their victims. Ankhravs’ plans for attack are more calculated than mindless vermin. Their powerful jaws can also rip off or crush a person's armour.

Naadhira now takes a moment to recall anything about this creature...

...Nature +8 or Lore(Desert) +6

Badia continues to hack and slash the air, growing frustrated with her hit anything. She takes a moment wipe the acid out of her eyes, hoping to increase her accuracy.

Falchion, Flank: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Falchion, Flank: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 9 - 5 = 5
Flat Check DC 15: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Channeling Raquel Cailean's luck here. :(

Falchion, Flank: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 Damage: 2d10 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1) + (2) + 4 = 8
Falchion, Flank: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 5 = 17 Damage: 2d10 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 9) + (1) + 4 = 17
Falchion, Flank: 1d20 + 9 - 10 ⇒ (7) + 9 - 10 = 6 Damage: 2d10 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (7, 1) + (5) + 4 = 17

Without anything better to do Caraid lashes out again and again at the creature.

Alistilae fires away another telekinetic barrage but is left wondering if it's time to replace his lucky rabbit's foot.

Action 1+2: Cast Telekinetic Projectile.
Telekinetic Projectile attack vs AC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 2
I must be asking 2 much from the dice roller.

Naadhira launches another bolt of flame. A small singe.

Ranged touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Flat check vs persistent: 1d20 ⇒ 5

With a flanking assist from Badia, Caraid hits the beast solidly; it staggers back, shaking its head, before being fatally scorched by Naadhira's spell. It collapses in a heap, leaving only the stink of burning chitin.

With the combat over, you are able to give your attention to helping Badia and Naadhira clean off the acidic bile.

I can't face ten posts of Badia trying to hit a flat check. I'm going to house rule that a ten-minute period of cleaning up and bandaging will remove all persistent damage, and I'm going to add a note to that effect when I answer the questionnaire.

There is still time left in the day, so you press on. The tomb won't raid itself, after all.

Before they leave, Badia looks through the creature's burrow to see if there's anything valuable it's previous victims may have left behind. Then she leads the way across the desert, wary for any more patches of quicksand.

Naadhira is going to try to heal everyone before heading out. Her first two attempts are used in an aura of healing, while the last one specifically targets Badia who needs it the most.

Resonance check: 1d20 ⇒ 13 DC 11
Healing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Resonance check: 1d20 ⇒ 12 DC 12 Woot!
Healing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Resonance check: 1d20 ⇒ 16 DC 13
Healing: 3d8 + 4 ⇒ (1, 8, 2) + 4 = 15 For Badia

Gasping for breath, Naadhira finishes the healing process. "That should keep us going I think. Please don't ask for more, it's a miracle I've managed this much."

Badia jumps for joy as the magic restores her. "Naadhira, I could kiss you!" she exclaims. Then she pauses and regards the druid with an appraising eye. "Hmmm... Woukd you like if I kissed you? It might be nice..."

Naadhira replies without hesitation "Do not touch me. Thank you."

Badia shrugs. "Very well. Onward!"

Partially restored by Naadhira's burst of healing magic, you travel on. After an hour's cautious progress through the sand flats, you reach the point at which the land starts to noticeably slope upwards. A clear, fast-running river separates you from your destination; you will have to cross it somehow. On the opposite side of the river, you can see three crude tents made of hide and propped up with sticks, together with evidence of a large campfire. A set of fishing rods have been set up, their lines trailing unattended into the river.

You can also see two humanoid, hyena-like creatures resting by the fishing poles. They are not on guard and haven't seen you; they appear to be chatting idly to one another.

From your map, the river can either be crossed here or several miles further upstream, which is some hours out of your way.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Naadhira crouches down and whispers to the group "Gnolls. They're talking about how their cackle is late to return." She pauses for a second. "A group of hyenas is called a cackle, works for Gnolls too."

Badia snarls when she sees the gnolls. "Much as I hate these filthy mongrels, perhaps it would be best to avoid them entirely. No sense in wasting resources on an unnecessary fight."

"Don't wanna risk the rest of their group showing up. They could enslave us or worse."

"Just sneak around." Caraid offers. "I can lead, keep you quiet."

I have a feat for that! :D

With Caraid's assistance, you sneak away from the grumbling gnolls, making your way at length to the rising slope of the mountain. This is a treacherous climb, but Naadhira easily identifies an easy pathway that alternates between short cliffs (usually 15 to 20 feet tall each), shallow inclines that go on for 30 to 45 feet at a time, and walkable flatter sections. Even Alistilae has no trouble in keeping up.

About a third of the way into your climb, you come across the site of a battle. Strewn across the rocky ground are the corpses of a half-dozen gnolls who have been dead for 2 days, their bodies riddled with large bony quills and partially eaten.

It seems that the gnolls below will be waiting for their companions for a loooong time.

Naadhira will look around in depth to make sure that Spiny Norman will not be ambushing her any time soon. Then she will tell the legend.

"Hedgehogs of unusual size? I don't believe they exist!" Badia says defiantly. "Still, we'll keep our eyes open for oversized rodents!"

No hedgehog of any size presents itself, and so you continue your ascent. It's hot, it's dusty, and it's hot.

There's also dust...

...and, flying out of the sun, using the blazing light as cover for its approach, there's - a flying lion?

Its tail swishes, and a giant quill suddenly impales Badia! (Badia takes 13 damage) Another quill juuust misses Caraid as he ducks.

The flying lion swoops and soars, ready to make another pass... (No, not THAT kind of pass, Badia)

Party is up! No map, cos it's, you know, flying. It's 40 feet away from you pretty much straight up.

Badia howls in pain as the quill sticks into her. She draws her longbow and fires two arrows at the beast.

Longbow, Volley: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Longbow, Volley: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (16) - 2 = 14

Naadhira dives to the nearest cover and hunkers down while trying to recall anything useful about the creature.

Action 1: Stride to cover
Action 2: Take cover
Action 3: Recall information