Chaosorbit's PFS PbP - #8-03: Captives of Toil (Inactive)

Game Master Chaosorbit

Enora also steps forward.

"I think that we are obliged to support the dwarfs and I will not leave anybody behind!"

"We will leave none behind."

At first Ranalus scoffs at the paladin's offer. "The plan will work. There is no honor in a pointless sacrifice."

Then he relents and speaks more gently. "I understand you seek redemption. But I believe the Father of Creation has a larger work in mind for you. And if not? The Pathfinder Society, for all of its faults, provides a home to many outcasts and exiles. For that reason they have my loyalty. You would be welcome there.

Now, let's get to it. If there are stragglers, we will carry them if we must. Or ask Wembly to summon something... "

"Dornalus should not seek the approval of another, deity or not. His actions should be of his own choice, not those forced upon him." he says to Ranalus before picking up some of the stragglers. "I'll carry as many as I can, but if comes to it, I will stop the slavers, perhaps with Dronalus at my side if it is his own desire."

"I have neither the ability nor the desire to force Dornarnus to do anything."

Ansha silently rolls her eyes at the whole lot of them. Let them do what they want--it's no concern of mine.

Ansha is apathetic to any choice here. For her part, she'll help the main body of dwarves, at least until her own life is seriously imperiled. At the same time, she's okay with the 'leave none behind' approach too.

"I have neither the ability nor the desire to force Dornarnus to do anything."

Menas shakes his head, "Not you. Torag."

1) allow Dornarnus to sacrifice himself in order to buy time for the stragglers (Menas Red)
2) leave the stragglers to fend for themselves against the duergar and ensure the safety of the rest of the dwarves, if thing go poorly (none)
3) leave no dwarf behind including the defiant ex-paladin. (Kalangkang, Enora, Ranalus, Ansha (sort of, but kind of 2))

Haven't heard from Wembly but 50+% are for Leave no dwarf behind. So that's good enough.

Dornarnus gives Menas Red a nod of respect, acknowledging that he would take his place or stand beside him to the end if need be. But after listening to the opinions of the others, he relents and agrees to do his best to keep the whole group together. Dornarnus delivers a impassioned speech to his fellow dwarves, about doing all they can to survive Nar-Voth. At the end of it, he leans to your group and says I hope this will work!

You press on for another half a day, when it becomes clear the time has come to put you plan into action. Natural blockades are used to your advantage, spells are cast, and every effort is put into place to delay the duergar forces. The dwarves press ahead working together to help those that are struggling move along as quickly as possible.

Everyone give me one skill check of your own, no aid anothers. You may use spellcraft or knowledge (arcana) to signify well placed and used spells; you can also use Disable Device, Knowledge (dungeoneering or engineering), or Perception to make good use of the natural terrain to your advantage.

Enora uses her arcane talent to signify well placed and used spells.

kn arcana: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18

Ranalus looks for the most advantageous spot to deploy the magical obstructions.
Perception: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (20) + 26 = 46

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (19) + 17 = 36

When the time comes, Ansha utilizes Ranalus' observation to anchor a wall of ice in an especially inconvenient spot for their pursuers.

Kalangkang explores the terrain to make the best use of it.
Know (Engineer): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

Sorry -at work. Wembly would vote leave nobody behind

Wembly tries to assess the situation as the duergar approach.

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Your plans seem to be working great the dwarves are retreating toward safety and duergar are being harried at every turn. The few duergar that make it past magical walls and traps are quickly dispatched by Menas Red detaining them while Dornarnus hammers home his revengeful anger. As you press on you spot a perfect spot to force a cave-in, that will completely cut-off the duergar forces and allow the needed time to escape from Nar-Voth.

Each of you give me another check to help trigger the cave-in: using Disable Device, Knowledge (engineering), Spellcraft or a combat
maneuver check.

Wembly does not have any of those skills...well actually spellcraft, +5 , so probably same result as below but trying to be creative since he rarely gets to use it.

”Great job everyone!! Totally awesome! If this was part of building construction, here is what I would recommend....we need to weaken a couple of the walls. Of course, this could make the entire structure unstable. I am not normally looking to hurt someone with demolition but trying to do it safely. But it is worth a shot. What do you all think?“

Profession architecture : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Sure Wembly, no problem

Ranalus has two scrolls of Bestow Insight that could be useful for a dabbler to cast on a more focused specialist. Feel free to use one if you want.
Ranalus draws upon his knowledge of traps.
Disable Device: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

"We need to put that thing here and that thing there!"

Know(engineering): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26

The enchantress conjures up scorching rays that melt away weak points in the tunnel.

Menas grapples the rock walls, attempting to force a cave in.
grapple: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (7) + 27 = 34

Kalangkang and Wembly point out the weak points to target to bring the tunnel down, although some of there advise seems contradictory. Ranalus's knowledge of traps helps make sure the cave-in is properly triggered, mostly siding with Kalangkangs assessment. As Menas Red applies force on the walls, Ansha and Enora use scorching rays to loosen rock in the critical point. The teamwork pays off as the tunnel collapses cutting off the duergar and perhaps even trapping them in the tunnel. A wild cheer goes up among the dwarves who are finally home free....

But wait the cave-in has attracted a massive cave lizard. it looks hungry. The dwarves begin running every which way to flee from the underground predator, it begins to stalk those on the move...you must act fast before it makes a snack of the panicked dwarves.

Yet another skill check. This time to fend it off you may use Handle Animal, Intimidate, wild empathy, Spellcraft or a combat maneuver check.

Spellcraft : 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25

Ansha masks another enchantment, hoping to drive the beast off without violence.

Menas grapples the cave lizard!
grapple: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (8) + 27 = 35

The answer to all of life's problems is to grapple them.

Ranalus tries to convince the lizard to go away. He is not very persuasive.
Handle Animal, Guidance: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 = 12

Handle animal : 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

”Well, I told you I was better at building things than collapsing things. But at this point ....RUN! I will try to distract it.“

I am puzzled how spellcraft helps with a lizard...but hey. What do I know?

Agree Wembly -- since this as written as a skill challenge and not something you can actually fight in combat, I added it to demonstrate the effect spellcasting could have in a combat since group is made up of mostly casters.
Kalangkang's check won't impact this check's result, so pressing on.

The lizard stomps around and gets a hold of the a few the dwarves, a couple are swallowed whole, while a couple more are torn apart. But finally Menas Red gets a hold of the beast and eventually forces its submission. Its a sour end to the escape, but nevertheless you've managed to evade the duergar raiders and bring the surviving dwarves the rest of the way to Janderhoff. Once there the mood is much improved, it would be jovial if not for the few loses.

There the dwarves rest, resupply, re-arm, and make their way home to Jormurdun via surface routes. You meet with Sandricaan, the wizard is relieved to see that you returned from their journey, and asks for a report on your experiences. As you retell the details he takes meticulous. Once you finish telling the tale, he bows his head in remembrance of dwarves who perished, A shame so close to saving them all, but Nar-Voth is treacherous, it's a testament to your skills that more were not lost. The families of the dwarves have sent these over from for you, gifts of appreciation.

An attached note that reads “May Torag’s shield protect you always.”

The gift is a pot of stone salve, an oil of versatile weapon, and a potion of righteous vigor.

A letter arrives from Sir Jorsal of Lauterbury. It thanks you for your bravery and quick action in rescuing the captives. The letter goes on to say that your efforts have proved that the dwarves of Jormurdun and Janderhoff can still count members of the Pathfinder Society as trusted allies.

Lastly, Dornarnus thanks you saving him and also talking sense into him.

I plan to atone for the deeds I committed under Thulmaga’s vile influence. Once I've fully atoned I'm considering joining the Liberty’s Edge to fight for freedom throughout the Inner Sea!

Major Colson Maldris writes as well to Wembly and Enora to congratulate them. His letter states that Dornarnus will certainly prove to be a valuable ally.

All in all a job very well done!

Enora is very proud of what the group has achieved and when they finally receive their debrief and it is clear that they were successful she is relieved.

”Team, it was a pleasure to work with such great professionals and I hope that we see each other again on another mission!“

Sorry I didn't post last check because paizo page didn't show me that there is a new post.

"Guys, until the next mission! "

No worries Kalangkang, the DC on the final check was 26. So only Menas Red succeeded, others were close. Needed 3 to succeed. Overall that was considered 1 incident (a few causalities) and as long as you had 2 or less you got the 2nd PP.

Aw, man, that's a bummer about the DCs. Ranalus had, as I said, two scrolls of Bestow Insight to share; Enora and Ansha could have used them to help each other with Spellcraft. Next time!
Ranalus wishes the paladin well. "May your god welcome you back," he says out of earshot of Menas.

You were all totally awesome!
Although I am sad about losing some of the dwarves.
That part really stinks. But I am glad we were able to help save most of them.

Wembly grins back at all of the party.