PbP Gameday VII - Heroes for Highdelve - GM NOWRUZ #5 (Inactive)

Game Master noral

I may be confused on the story. I thought there where two kids who went up here who where the ones who where picked to get the blossoms, and two kids who where kicked out and banned from the festival.

You look at the two hooded figures that are sleeping and realise that these are Richelle and Tolwin.

Torgen scratches his head as he looks at the kids. Went back and re-read what happened, got mixed up when the other kids came back.

Welp.... looks like we got the kids right here... I don't suppose we'd be lucky enough to find that amulet on them?

He begins to pat down the kids looking for the amulet.

If not, we better wake one up... I'll go ahead and check out the cave real quick.

Torgen will walk into the mouth of the cave to get a better look while someone works on waking one of the kids up.

Each of the kids has: potion of cure light wounds, mwk arrows (5),
tanglefoot bag (2), thunderstone (2); Other Gear leather armor, longbow with 20 arrows, longsword, 48 gp

The pendant is not to be seen.

Torgen moves to the cave.

"Let's shed some light on this situation," says Myrtella, casting a spell of enlightenment on the tip of her crossbow.

Do you all move to the cave?

You move to the cave entrance.

This rock face towers nearly 30 feet and is punctuated in the middle with the dark opening of a cave mouth.

As you enter, the dank scent of moss hangs heavy in the air as the gloom in the cave thickens. Some daylight filters in to the mouth of the cave (the entryway is in low-light), but the caverns receding deeper in on either side are completely dark.

Orzworth, having stayed with the captives, puts one of the potions in his backpack and holds the other out to Torgen. He then shakes Richelle. As she returns to consciousness, he asks, "What were you doing?"

”Who ... who are you people!? We ... we can still ... hurt you?! she says but it is clear that she lacks the morale to really continue to fight.

"Tell us what happened kids. Take your time. We want the full story. We're the best chance you got if you need someone on your side to explain things to the townsfolk when we come back."

Diplomacy, take 10: 10 + 8 = 18

Richelle looks at the sleeping Tolwin and she clearly is uncertain how to take this speech.

"Look, I ... I want us build our own path, ok! But ... but where should we go? We have nothing except of this here and now ... now we can never go back to Highdelve." she says and it is obvious that he seeks a solution quite desperately.

"We ... only know that the tiefling and his mother wanted to conduct a ritual and unleash something on the jubilee to distract the townsfolk so that he could do something ... we do not know what. And we also do not know where his mother is ... she has been in the cave for ages now with this amulet we stole. Please ... we just stay here and wait for you, ok? Who are you?? Please?!?" she pleads.

"We are Pathfinder Agents that happened to pass in this town when we heard of your disappearance. Your friends and loved ones are worried about you. Yes, what you did was a mistake, but you're coming clean now and there's time for us to fix it. We'll speak to the Mayor and let him know that you regret everything, and that you've been manipulated by that tiefling and his mother. In exchange, I need you guys to stay here nice and safe, and don't go anywhere. We will need you as witnesses that you were not the bad persons in this story. Deal?"

Richelle starts speaking to Tolwin completely forgetting that he is asleep.

"Tolwin, this is the Pathfinder we heard about! So it is true!" she says to him and wants to hold his arm.

Then she realises that Tolwin is asleep and sighs.

”We know of a Pathfinder called Dreng ... we have a letter where our father mentions his name. Maybe you can bring us to him when this is all over?“ she pleads.

Richelle sighs again.

”We will stay here. I promise!“ she says with a quivering voice.

"We'll gladly bring you to Dreng. Besides, he owes me money for a bottle of wine..." says Myrtella, winking at Richelle.

Before you leave she looks up from the floor and speaks up.

"Just be careful ... in the cave - it's a giant! For sure! I've only read about them before. Feran and his mother said they are preparing it in that cave. It looks weird, though. Two heads, and these mangled limbs. It smells horrible. But the cave was so dark, we couldn't really see it well. I was the one who got up close to it. Be careful!" she says.

Dwarves know that he is talking about an Ettin. If any of you want to roll knowledge(nature) please do so.

Torgen growls.

A bloody Ettin. Two headed ugly behemoth... things are dangerous. We'll need to be careful.... let me lead.

He turns and begins to march into the cave.

"Should we perhaps come back tomorrow? my magical abilities are now depleted. I don't have wands and potions of healing either..."

Orzworth knows people sometimes go beyond the truth in times of stress. He listens carefully as he watches Richelle tell her story to the party.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

If Charlemangue (sp?) is willing to patch me up with his wand of Infernal Healing, I'd be fine to continue.

"I'm sorry gents, but I don't feel comfortable going against a giant with no backup magic, sorry," says Myrtella, with a tone of finality that is enforced with her starting to unpack her bedroll. "We rest, and put a note near the entrance to make it appear that the tiefling and the two kids went gathering supplies in the woods, and that they'll be back in the morning. We camp in the hut down there, with no fire. And we bring the two kids for protection. Sounds good? Torgen, can you hide the tiefling's body in the bushes half a mile to the west? As for the watch order, since I can see under the stars just fine, I'll take the middle watch. Orzworth, you take first watch. Torgen, you take the morning watch."

Torgen follows instructions, treating the tieflings body perhaps a little rougher than necessary.

Unless the GM advises otherwise, I can't really see a reason to force ourselves on and leave one of our players unable to do anything. 5 minute adventuring day is a pain. :(

It is your decision. Just the facts: The gold dragon suddenly left the town during festivities. Someone is conducting a ritual in the cave.

Charlemagne happily uses a charge of his Infernal Healing wand on Orzworth.

whoops sorry guys I lost track of the plot and urgency of the mission. disregard last post : Myrtella suggests we run inside the cave asap

Torgen will follow then.

Orzworth thanks Charlemagne, then proceeds into the cave with the rest of the party.

Myrtella, don't forget you've still got Bardic Performances, even if you're out of spells for the day.

Again ...

You all move to the cave entrance.

This rock face towers nearly 30 feet and is punctuated in the middle with the dark opening of a cave mouth.

As you enter, the dank scent of moss hangs heavy in the air as the gloom in the cave thickens. Some daylight filters in to the mouth of the cave (the entryway is in low-light), but the caverns receding deeper in on either side are completely dark.

How do you want to deal with light, and what is your marching order/algorithm as you proceed into this cave?

Can you also place your icon on the map please.

"Torgen and I can see a ways in the dark and can go first," states Orzworth as the party prepares to head further into the cave. "Myrtella, Charlemagne, can you provide your own light?"

Icons transferred to new slide in no particular order. Since Torgen wanted to go first, Orzworth is happy to be second in "line". Do we go north or south?

Myrtella casts dancing lights and send the orbs forward into the cave to illuminate it. Myrtella sticks to the dim light zone (blue zone on map) and makes stealth checks.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Charlemagne flips open the ubiquitous compass with the glyph of the open road hanging from a chain on his neck and it casts light a short distance. He holds it in his hand, looking down at it as he says, ”I got myself one of these when I joined the Society. Make things official and all.”

Gesturing at the small serpentine creature with the glowing rune on its forehead who's currently coiled slightly around his leg, ”Lalla can see just fine in the dark though. She’s a rather sneaky little girl, too.”

These cramped corridors smell like fungus and rot.

Ridges on the map represent sloping passages downward. Squares that are sloped are difficult terrain.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

"Perhaps there will be time to explore more thoroughly after we resolve things. There are sounds of violence further in," Orzworth says.

Moving quick i.e. stealth/recon.

perception Charlemagne DC13: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6
perception Lalla DC13: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
"Hear something do you, Lalla and Orzworth? I wonder if I'm a tad deaf myself. If that's the case, Lalla: back to Elysium with you for now, sweetheart. I'll call you back when it's safe." Dismiss Lalla

After a few minutes of stealthily moving through the caverns and exploring, you hear the loud *snap* of a chain breaking, followed by a bellow of triumph and loud, thudding footsteps.

Suddenly, a large, two-headed beast comes into view, wielding a nasty-looking flail in one hand and holding the dead, crushed body of an aged woman in the other hand.

Perception Ettin : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

You may all make Stealth checks (or take those you already rolled). If you all hit DC 14 and above you all have a surprise round action and can already take a standard or move action before I roll initiative.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Coming into view of the giant, Myrtella tries to move quietly, fighting her flight instinct, and casts lullaby on the giant in an attempt to make it unaware of her fellow Pathfinders' approach.

10-foot radius burst; Range 120 feet; Will Save DC 14: Any creature within the area that fails a Will save becomes drowsy and inattentive, taking a -5 penalty on Perception checks and a -2 penalty on Will saves against sleep effects while the lullaby is in effect. Lullaby lasts for as long as the caster concentrates, plus up to 1 round per caster level thereafter.

Stealth: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0

Torgen is a dwarf. In armor. He is not quiet.

COME TO ME YA GREAT BEAST! I'LL SHOW YA HOW A DWARF HANDLES YOUR KIND!

Ha ha!! ;-) Ok Torgen! Please give me the weekend and I will start this battle! Fun spell Myrtella! You can cast this spell on your turn in Initiative.

Initiative

ini (Charlemagne): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
ini (Myrtella): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
ini (Orzworth): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
ini(Torgen): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

ini +1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Please note that it is dark in here. I assume you have a light source but those without low-light vision have problems due to concealment 20% at range.

Round 1

Myrtella immediately starts casting a spell but the Ettin can shake off the effects.

Will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

1. Myrtella, Charlemagne -> GO!
2. Ettin
3. Torgen , Orzworth

#Ettin: 0 Damage

Orzworth.:
Torgen:
Myrtella:
Charlemagne:
Eidolon:

Myrtella casts grease on the squares underneath the giant Ref DC 14 - see square with green border on the map

Myrtella casts grease on the squares underneath the giant Ref DC 14 - see square with green border on the map

Hi Myrtella, there was no surprise round so casting ‘lullaby’ was your round 1 action. If you still want to cast grease in round 2 please do so but the Ettin will move on it’s turn.

Ah, ok. Lullaby in round 1 - got it. Does this mean that those of us stealthing are not spotted by the giant due to his -5 to perception? (if he fails his save); thank you

Ah, ok. Lullaby in round 1 - got it. Does this mean that those of us stealthing are not spotted by the giant due to his -5 to perception? (if he fails his save); thank you

Hi Myrtella, before the first round started you heard the Ettin and the Ettin heard Torgen so all parties are prepared and there is no 'surprise round.' I made the Ettin's save vs. your lullaby spell and he succeeded with 19 (see above). So you can decide your 2nd round action when it is your turn in round 2. I hope this helps.

Charlemagne -> Go!

Charlemagne gets behind his armored ally, then focuses his concentration and gets ready to summon some extra-planar help.
Ready to use SMI SLA to summon a Celestial Eagle behind the ettin (to give our melee guys flanking) when it approaches (25’ range on my summon); I put an eagle token near my own.

The Ettin moves forward and looks at you with a hateful smile.

Double move.

Now you also realize that the ettin is obviously not well as it moves strangely and has symbols carved into its flesh which clearly wounded it.

YOU ARE ALL UP!

Torgen steps forward.

I'LL SEND YA TA THE NINE HELLS WHERE YA BELONG!

warhammer: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Torgen gains +4 AC versus giants, which I think a ettin qualifies. :) Now I just have to actually hit it. >.<

"Let us put this one out of its misery. It is clearly suffering," says Orzworth gravely. He moves forward next to Torgen to block the creature's advance, then swings at the creature's leg, his fist moving unbelievably swiftly.

Unarmed strike, Stunning Fist: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Crit confirmation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Bludgeoning damage (including crit): 1d6 + 1d6 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (6) + (3) + 3 + 3 = 15

Well that was... unlikely. Mechanically, Orzworth will move into his current position through his allies's spaces to avoid an AoO, then use his Stunning Fist to try to stun the ettin (Fort 13 negates).

Torgen moves up to the Ettin and uses his long training in fights versus giants to dodge the attack of opportunity when he approaches the giant with his long arms.

Flail: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Flail damage, two-handed: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Myrtella grabs her mandolin and begins to play a fast song!

inpsire courage: +1 to hit/dmg, +1 to saves vs. fear; 5-foot step back.

Discussions here please.

Maps and handouts link is at the top of each page. Also, who is Zarek?

Sorry for the Zarek! Orzworth looks just like Zarek!

Hi guys, I have to leave on an emergency vacation for two weeks so I will not be able to post starting Sep 29.

Sorry but that just came up a couple of hours ago.

I will probably be able to continue the games where I am only a player as I can use my mobile for short posts but GMing means I need my computer and thus I will continue this game only on Oct 15.

As announced. We will pause the game until Oct 15. Thanks for your understanding. ;-)

I thought the game was paused... what the heck? :P

Not that we're complaining, mind you.

Hey all, it's my birthday tomorrow and I'm having a party tonight which I'm busy getting ready for. I'll try to post this afternoon but it probably won't be until tomorrow evening.

You have my authorization to party like it's 1999.

Have fun!!

So there's the two children of the Pathfinders (Richelle and Tolwin) who loaded the ballot boxes and were banned from the festival. Then there's Kara and Kameer, who were the fairly elected Bloomgivers brought back to town after being attacked by Richelle and Tolwin. Does that make sense?

Yes!! And the kids of the Pathfinder are Tolwin and Richelle ... sleeping in front of you.

So this surprise round happens only if everyone makes the stealth check, or is participation in the surprise round decided by making/failing the stealth check?

Also, I'm pretty sure we discussed having Torgen and Orzworth in the front and Charlemagne and Myrtella in the back.

Sorry, I only moved the tokens to the scene but you can position them as you see fit.

Yes, no Surprise round.

It has been my understanding that cover would prevent an AoO. Have I been misreading this section? Specifically, these points:

You can’t execute an attack of opportunity against an opponent with cover relative to you.

If any line from this corner to any corner of the target’s square passes through a square or border that blocks line of effect or provides cover, or through a square occupied by a creature, the target has cover (+4 to AC).

That is completely true but not for creatures with reach that use this definition:

—-

Big Creatures and Cover

Any creature with a space larger than 5 feet (1 square) determines cover against melee attacks slightly differently than smaller creatures do. Such a creature can choose any square that it occupies to determine if an opponent has cover against its melee attacks. Similarly, when making a melee attack against such a creature, you can pick any of the squares it occupies to determine if it has cover against you.

——

So you wouldn’t have cover. :-(

Yes, but even if it chooses its lowest corner, it still has to draw a line through Torgen to get to the upper corners of Orzworth's square. Remember that it is the square Orzworth is leaving, not the square he is entering, that we use for determining AoOs.

Please forgive my poor drawings, but I've added a yellow square to represent the location in question and a white line to show how even from that bottom corner, the line has to go through Torgen's square to get to all of Orzworth's squares.

Edit: Glad to see this is just an academic discussion now.

Hi Torgen, can you provide your details for Chronicle Sheets please.

Thanks

Torgen? Chronicle Information? ;-)

Boon rolls!

GM: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Charlemagne: 1d20 ⇒ 13
Myrtella: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Orzworth: 1d20 ⇒ 6
Torgen: 1d20 ⇒ 12

No luck for us! ;-)

Yes, My apologies. I thought this was a full module, not a short mission, didn't think we'd be done so quick! Still was a fun little romp.

Player Name:Matthais777
Character Name for Assign: Vivien
PFS# 176948-14

I will have chronicle sheets ready until the end of the week I hope!

CS SHEETS HERE

Much appreciated GM Nowruz. Thank you for running this.
Regards,
Myrtella

Agreed, much appreciated!

Much thanks! Not every adventure you get a ride on a benevolent dragon :)

Thanks everybody!

What do you think about the boons?

They're great! nice if you have a familiar or companion! :)

Yup! I'm super excited that my crocodile companion get's some gold Oomph!

Yes, but even if it chooses its lowest corner, it still has to draw a line through Torgen to get to the upper corners of Orzworth's square. Remember that it is the square Orzworth is leaving, not the square he is entering, that we use for determining AoOs.

Please forgive my poor drawings, but I've added a yellow square to represent the location in question and a white line to show how even from that bottom corner, the line has to go through Torgen's square to get to all of Orzworth's squares.

Edit: Glad to see this is just an academic discussion now.

Orzworth!

I accidentally found a text clarifying our AoO situation. You were moving through a friend's space and we believed you had cover. Movement through a friend's square never provides cover as it seems.

Moving Through a Square

Friend
You can move through a square occupied by a friendly character, unless you are charging. When you move through a square occupied by a friendly character, that character doesn’t provide you with cover.