[Table Shieldwall] Daughters of Fury (Inactive)

Game Master Nathan Hartshorn

"Bad dog! Bad dog!"
Anthys attacks a hyena (Green) with his sap.
Attack, PA, Scion, Marcus Aid: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 8 - 2 + 2 + 5 = 29
Damage (NL): 1d6 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 4 = 9

Anthys finally starts getting their movements down enough to connect solidly with the side of one Hyena's head. It shakes itself before jumping back into the fray.

Vegazi steps forward again, trying to use the flat of her blade while glancing back at the downed Hyenas.

Slap!: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 4 = 21
Confirm slapping!: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 5 - 4 = 5
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Her blade vibrates and sings as it clongs off the head of the Hyena Anthys attacked, causing it to fall, very much unconscious, to the ground.

Order 3rd Round
Marcus, Elaril, Vindlér, Anthys, Vegazi
Hyenas [B: 0]
Berato

Marcus lashes out and interferes with the nearest Hyena, leaving it off balance to strike at Vegazi and open to an attack from Anthys.

Aid Attack vs. Green, Anthys: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Aid AC vs. Green, Vegazi: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
+5 to hit vs. Green for Anthy's next attack
+4 to Vegazi's AC vs. Green's next attack.

Order 3rd Round
Marcus, Elaril, Vindlér, Anthys, Vegazi
Hyenas [B: 0]
Berato

Elaril waves one hand and points with the other at the last hyena....

Ray of Frost
RTA: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Cold Damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Elaril can't quite get the right angle to hit the Hyena from over Anthys' shoulder. The hyena, in turn continues attacking despite being the last one left. It snaps at Vegazi, growling loudly all the while.

Snap!: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Marcus is able to redirect it at the last second, pulling it away from the half-orc.

Order 3rd/4th Round
Marcus, Elaril, Vindlér, Anthys, Vegazi
Hyenas [B: 0]
Berato

Sap slap, PA, Scion, Marcus aid,: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 8 - 2 + 2 + 5 = 18
Damage (NL): 1d6 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 4 = 13
Anthys winds up for a big swing. It isn't pretty, but Marcus nudges the hyena into the path of the sap.
Think an 18 should hit. Green was down before Marcus's turn, so I assume he meant to 5' step and target Blue.

Berato swings for the blue-eyed hyena:

MW Cold Iron Warhammer, Scion, Divine Favor, Fate's Favored: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21 for dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Vindler joins in the fray to take down the last of the hyenas.

Morningstar: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Everyone jumps in to down the last of the hyenas, which very quickly causes Vegazi to go and stop the others from bleeding out. Combat over!

Heal!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Heal!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Heal!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

She manages to stop the bleeding long before it would be fatal for the animals and breathes a sigh of relief.

Another hour of walking gets the group to the Vanyahara Ranch. Strangely, no one is outside as you approach the home.

"Hello?"
Anthys looks around for tracks.
Survival, Scion: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 = 19

There is plenty of foot traffic in and around the building. As Anthys calls out another voice echoes from inside, "Who's there?" An elven man warily makes his way out of the house, hands on pommels of a pair of swords belted at his waist. "I am Pelengren Dweomerhart. Can I help you?"

"Greetings, Pelengren. I am Anthys of Lastwall. Infantry, as you can see. I bring tidings from Arwyll Stead. Orcs and devils are attacking, and Terrin has sent us to gather the residents of the outlying homesteads to the safety of the walls of Arwyll Stead."

Pelengren drops his hands from his swords and says only, "Come inside." His home is well furnished and has various trophies lining the walls. Blades, talons, even the horn of what appears to be an extremely large rhinoceros hang in places of honor. He draws you into the bedroom where a clearly ill middle aged human woman lies, asleep. "This is my partner, Rosette Vanyahara. She's taken ill and I haven't been able to go out and collect the herbs needed to cure her. We'd be happy to head to Arwyll Stead, but I'd like for her to be on the way to recovery before that can happen."

There are a few ways this can be done. If anyone has access to a remove disease spell, you can cure Rosette outright. Failing that, anyone can spend 1 hour and attempt a DC 15 Knowledge (nature) or Profession (herbalism) check to gather the necessary herbs from around Vanyahara Ranch. Pelengren can gather the herbs himself in 2 hours if you agree to watch over Rosette and the ranch during this time.
Alternatively, someone with a spell component pouch can offer the necessary herbs out of hand. In this case, from now until the next time the party visits Arwyll Stead, anytime that person attempts to cast a spell with a material component requirement, there’s a 25% chance she doesn’t have the necessary material component on hand and can’t cast the spell.

"This is Filth Fever. Vindler, Elaril: do you recall which herbs are required to cure this? I'm afraid I did not pray for a spell of disease removal today. We'll have to do this the old fashioned way..."

Spell's aren't really my main schtick, so I'll go ahead and use some stuff from my spell component pouch. I have several scrolls that could be useful later too if needed, and that would get around the need for the components.

"Aye, if I remember my training from the field doctors aright, you can treat filth fever with powdered Barrow's Down root. Matter of fact, I think I might have some here in my things." Vindler pulls his spell component pouch from his hip and sets it on the table. After digging through the pouch for a moment, he brings out a small vial with a clean white powder inside it. "Here we go! Now, let me see here. Pelengren, fetch me a bowl and some clean water would ya?"

The elf brings out the requested materials, and Vindler dumps the powder into the bowl of water and mixes them together until it forms a thin, wet paste. He takes a bit of hard bread from his field rations, spreads the paste on it, and hands it to Rosette.

"'Ere ya go, miss. Have yourself a bit o' that, and that should get ya well on yer way. Wonderful thing, Barrow's Down. It's said it only grows on the grave's of the righteous, and its mighty useful for all sorts o' curatives and what not. The leaves even make for a decent substitute for sage if yer makin' a roast pheasant or some such. Least, that's what I hear from the lass from the mess back in Vigil. Anthys, ya remember her? Good young Miss Callianne? She was a fine lass!"

"I don't think she told me about grave-flower roast pheasant," says Anthys. He is not entirely sure that Vindlér isn't pulling his leg with that detail, but it could well be true. Anthys's knowledge of medicinal herbs is very limited.
"But, yes, Callianne was a fine cook and did give instruction about the field medicine you could do with flowers. Teas for stomachaches and so on."

Anthys reminisces a bit about the girl from the mess hall.
"Did you realize, Vindlér, that nobody ever flirted with her? I mean it might not be the way of most dwarves, but with young human men... well, the rumor we heard was that her mother was an inquisitor of Kelinahat. One of Lastwall's spymasters! And Callianne's name was a thinly-veiled homage to Kelinahat. True or not, a rumor like that will keep the infantry recruits from bothering your daughter. That Caydenite kid mentioned to a friend he was going to ask her out - and then he found himself assigned to the stables for a month by 'luck of the draw.'"

Pelengren smiles as Rosette eats the proffered food and sighs in relief. He turns and offers his hand, "Thank you. I'd hate to have adventured for so long with this beautiful woman just for one of us to be lost to disease. We will start our travel preparations immediately and should be within Arwyll Stead by the end of the day."

You continue on your journey to the next homestead as Pelengren and Rosette wave goodbye. Another hour into the trip you find yourselves passing through a small rocky gully with overhanging ledges. Something about this place feels off, but it isn't until a yowl calls through the area that you realize you're not alone.

There is a clatter from above you, followed by pebbles and debris falling down around you. Vegazi, Elaril and Berato notice the Dire Lion stalking you from above and are quick to act before it gets ready to pounce. Vegazi fires one shot from her bow at it, trying to scare it off if she injures it.

Thrum!: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3
Handle Animal!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Her arrow skips along the beast's head, drawing a startled yelp from it, but it continues to hover over you menacingly.

Order 1st Round
(Surprise Dire Lion)
(Surprise Vegazi, Elaril, Berato)
Dire Lion
Vegazi, Anthys, Elaril, Vindlér, Marcus, Berato

Vindlér should also get to go in the surprise round due to Lookout + Solo Tactics, correct?

Yes, and my initiative roll equals my initiative roll or my ally's roll -1, whichever is lower. Looks like we're pretty much going to be in a block, though, so that doesn't matter too much.

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Vindler shifts back to get in line with Berato to give Vegazi and Marcus more cover from the beast. He draws his morningstar and shouts out a quick command, "Elaril, get behind the line!"

Elaril quickly scoots around behind his teammates while he sizes up the great cat.

”Hmmmmm interesting.... I believe the cat is under some magical compulsion. Unfortunately I don’t have the appropriate magic to release it. I wonder if we are going to be having magical company soon.....”

Kn: Nature: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

Berato casts Bless.

With its initial target moving out of the way the Lion rushes down the steep sides of the cliff and pounces on the next closest target, Vindlér.

Acrobatics!: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Big ol' bite!: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 12 + 2 = 30
Claw!: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 13 + 2 = 24
Claw!: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 13 + 2 = 19
Damage bite: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Damage claw 1 maybe?: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Grab!: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38

The lion wraps its massive jaws around the dwarf's body and pulls him close.

Order 1st Round
Dire Lion [grappled] -3
Vegazi, Anthys, Elaril, Vindlér, Marcus, Berato

Nobody's got Liberating Command? Okay. Hard way.
Anthys draws his sword and attacks the lion.
"Sorry Vegazi, we can try to save it, but I can't hold back now."
Attack, Scion, PA, Bless: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 - 2 + 1 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

"Marcus, can you focus on helping Vindlér?"

I hate that stupid spell. it's crap unless the target has decent escape artist to start with...

"Ack! Curse your eyes, ya mangy beast! Let me go in the name of Abadar!" Vindler calls judgment down upon the lion, calling on his god to preserve his life against fang and claw. Then he turns his attention to smacking it in the head with a morningstar.

Swift action to activate a judgment of healing (fast healing 2). Then a standard to attack.
Vindler heals 2 points of damage back.
If I'm not mistaken, I can still use a one-handed weapon while grappled. Please let me know if I'm wrong and it has to be a light weapon or something though.

Morningstar, bless, grappled: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 7 Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

You are correct, but rolling 1s doesn't help.

Vegazi manages to mutter out a "Good" before sending another arrow at the lion.

Thrum!: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

Order 1st Round
Dire Lion [grappled] -22
Vegazi, Anthys, Elaril, Vindlér, Marcus, Berato

Berato casts stunning barrier, then starts taunting the lion with dad jokes.

AC 22: +1 stunning barrier, +2 shield wall (assuming lastwall phalanx is down from now on as I haven't seen it for a while now...)

@Berato: Lastwall Phalanx only applies against evil foes. I'll share it again with Tactician when we see some devils.

Elaril opens his mouth impossibly wide and lets out his signature silent scream.

Cast Ear Piercing Scream. Spend 1 AR to boost DC by 2. Fort Save vs DC 19 for half damage & no daze.

Sonic Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 4) + 2 = 8

Marcus draws his sword and lashes out, looking to interfere with the lion's bite, continuing to slash away to block its paws from getting to Vindler.

Aid Another Vindler's AC vs. next attack, bless: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10
+4 AC to Vindler vs. next attack. As an untyped AC bonus, I believe this will add to CMD if the lion chooses to maintain the grapple in place of full attacking.

Ready an action to Aid Vindler's AC vs. second attack from the lion. This should effectively let Marcus aid vs. the first two attacks made against Vindler, if he is attacked.

Free Actions: 5 ft step, draw shortsword
Standard Action: Ready Aid Another
Move Action: Aid Another
Current AC: 23

Fortitude!: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Yes, I believe you are right Marcus.

Elaril's scream draws a yowl from the lion, which in turn causes Vindlér to vibrate while still caught in its jaws. It then tries to clamp down harder, and uses its claws to rip away at the dwarf in front of it.

Maintain!: 1d20 + 18 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 18 + 5 = 24 Ha! The nat 1s come down on both sides of the screen.
Raking claw!: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
Raking claw!: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
Raking damage cause I don't know if Marcus' +4 improves V's AC above 26: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

The big cat pushes too hard against Vindlér with its paws and pops him right out of its mouth!

Order 2nd Round
Dire Lion -26
Vegazi, Anthys, Elaril, Vindlér, Marcus, Berato

Anthys continues to attack the lion.
Attack, PA, Scion: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 - 2 + 2 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

With Shield Wall and the aid from Marcus, my AC should be...
*Drumroll*
27!!! No raking for you, sir!

Finally free from the lion's clutches, and benefitting from further protection from his allies, Vindler continues the assault against the beast.

Morningstar, bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 = 13 Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

He then takes a step away from the lion, but keeps close enough to maintain the shield wall for Marcus and Berato all the same. All the while, Abadar's protections continue to mend the deep claw marks in Vindler's sides.

Standard to attack. 5ft step back.
Judgment of Healing active gives me 2 HP back.

Anthys' sword cuts into the lion's broad flank, causing it to leap just away from Vindlér's morningstar.

Order 2nd Round
Dire Lion -41
Vegazi, Anthys, Elaril, Vindlér, Marcus, Berato

Berato moves around the lion to flank it, then attempts to trip the lion on its back!

MW Consecrated Alchemical Silver Warhammer to trip, Bless, Scion, Flank; vs. CMD: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 16

Provokes an AoO from the lion for the move if he's not grappled vs. AC 22; if it's a hit the lion needs a DC 16 Will save to resist stunning barrier; similarly, the trip attempt also provokes an AoO if the lion has Combat Reflexes.

Swipe!: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

The lion swipes at Berato as he moves by, but moves aside quickly to stop him from knocking its feet out from under it.

Order 2nd Round
Dire Lion -41
Vegazi, Anthys, Elaril, Vindlér, Marcus, Berato

Marcus moves to disrupt the Lion from attacking Berato, then focuses on his own defenses.

Aid Another, Berato AC, Bless: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 = 11
+4 AC for Berato vs. next attack from Lion

Move Action: Aid Another Berato's AC
Standard Action: Total Defense

AC: 29

Seeing the east with which the lion shakes of the scream, Elaril tries a different tack coating the ground beneath it with Grease.

Cast Grease. DC 17 Reflex.

Reflex!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

The lion slips and slides a bit on the uneven ground, but maintains its footing. It has slowed enough that Vegazi takes another shot at it with her bow.

Thrum!: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10

An unexpected dip in the lion's shoulder causes her arrow to fly high.

Slowly being hemmed in, the lion lunges out at everyone, trying to get out of the circle of steel.

Crunch (M): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Claw (A): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
Claw (B): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
Damage vs Anthys if 28 hits: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Damage vs Berato: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

One of its passing claws digs into Berato despite Marcus' assistance.

Will!: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

The large and deadly nails cause Berato's spell to go off, making the lion jerk in place and seize.

Order 3rd Round
Dire Lion [stunned] -41
Vegazi, Anthys, Elaril, Vindlér, Marcus, Berato

Anthys recoils as the lion's claw cuts him, then looks around. Nobody is next to him!

He attacks the lion, then steps back into formation.
Attack, PA, Scion, Flanking, Bless: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 10 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 16
And it has -2 AC and loss of Dex for being stunned, so that might be enough.
Damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Vindler sees that Berato's spell has momentarily stopped the lion's wild thrashing, so he steps up beside Anthys again and joins the assault on the stunned creature.

Morningstar, bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 = 13 Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

5ft step, attack (OH MY GOD THESE ROLLS!)
Judgment of Healing continues to give me another 2 HP back.

It's ok. The Lion's AC is normally 15, but it is now 12 stunned.

Anthys and Vindlér tag team the lion and knock it unconscious. Combat over! Vegazi walks up to it and starts binding its wounds so it doesn't bleed out.

Heal!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Heal!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Heal!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

The size of the lion works against her and she is only able to stop its bleeding after ruining some of her spare bandages. "I know this was not your idea to fight. Rest easy, beautiful creature."

The rest of the trip is relatively uneventful and you make it to the next homestead unmolested. Outside are two adults who stop harvesting some herbs from a nearby garden. "Hello! I'm Ort Turner, and this is my wife Elizabeth. Who might you be?"

Anthys tries to help Vegazi bind the lion's wounds. He's impressed that the creature managed to injure him, although he's not too badly hurt. At 40/49 HP.
"First the hyenas, now this lion. Is it normal for predators to make such frequent attacks on groups of armed and armored people? Vegazi, do you have any idea what is going on?"
---
"Greetings, Ort, I am Anthys. Infantry of Lastwall and an agent of the Pathfinder Society. We come from Arwyll Stead. Danger is about - orcs, devils, and beasts more dangerous than usual. We are gathering up everybody to head for the safety of the Stead's walls."

Vegazi shakes her head, "They shouldn't be. If the lion was compelled it makes sense the Hyenas were as well. We need to be careful."

---

"Well that does sound dangerous. We'll get packing right away, but our children are out playing in the hills to the east. We're not going to be able to leave without Aram and Whimsey."

"Aye, no beast should be so bold unless it was desperate, or perhaps defending its young," Vindler agrees. "We'll have to see if we can find the one responsible for sending these creatures against us."

On the way to the next homestead, the dwarf heals the rest of his wounds with his long-withheld healing wand.

CLW rolls spoilered below

-----

"Don't worry, folks. We'll find yer tykes. You get started on packin' up!" Vindler looks for signs of the direction the children headed.

Survival, Track: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 = 19

This will require me to get to a different computer for map setup but...

Vindlér very quickly picks up on the children's trail, which winds up, down, and through the hills. You eventually find them playing in a dry stream bed very near to their home. Unfortunately a pack of boars has found you at the same time and prepare to charge!

Order 1st round
Vindlér, Vegazi, Elaril, Berato, Marcus, Anthys
Boars [R: 0, B: 0, G: 0]

After the lion Berato channeled twice - Vindler you may reduce the amount of charges accordingly: Channel to Heal: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 4) = 8 Channel to Heal: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 1) = 9

(Depending on the map) Berato (runs/charges) to put himself between the kids and warpigs.

If charge possible, vs. Flat-footed AC: MW Consecrated Alchemical Silver Warhammer, Charge: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 = 29 for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 silver and bludgeoning dmg; CONFIRM CRIT: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 = 14 for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (5, 7) + 2 = 14 silver and bludgeoning dmg.

Thanks, Berato! That means I only needed to use one charge to top myself off.
Remaining charges: 48/50
I'm going to wait for the map to get a better idea of where we'll be.