Saga of the Sages

Game Master Nathanael Love

Penthesilea joins Dmitri's barrage and hurls her own incendiary flask!

Alchemist's Fire (PBS, Range): 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 - 2 = 24
Fire: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Hopefully *1.5

Penthesilea joins Dmitri's barrage and hurls her own incendiary flask!

Alchemist's Fire (PBS, Range): 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 - 2 = 24
Fire: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Hopefully *1.5

That's a critical threat.

Most swarms can't be crit iirc, but sure, just in case:
Confirm?: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 - 2 = 6
Extra damage?: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Round 1
Dmitri throws, burning away some of the bugs.

Drea steps back and activates their shield.

Pehtesilea throws, burning more bugs. Swarms are indeed not subject to critical hits

Pirro moves and readies.

Nardic throws to splash.

The seemingly relentless scarabs roll over Dmitri
Swarm Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 Will also need a Fort save vs. Distraction DC 13

Turn order:
1. Dmitri
2. Drea
3. Penthesilea
4. Pirro
5. Nardic
6. Scarab Swarm
7. Zarisha
8. Kenji

Damage done- 15
Dmitri- 16/17

That brings up the party; I know Kenji is out, but swarm seems out of his wheelhouse so I will assume he withdraws.

Drea uses their free hand to pull out an alchemist’s fire flask of their own and readies to throw it once Dmitri moves aside.

Standard action - draw alchemist’s fire. Move on map and continue holding shield.

Despite the many bombs, the scarabs beetles rush up on him, he takes a nuisance bite or two, but mostly the onrushing beetles make him feel sick, nearly losing his lunch as the swarm overtakes him. Backing up, he wipes the bugs off him as rapidly as possible, having no time for anything else.

Fails the Fort save, so is nauseated for 1 round.

DC 13 Fort: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Pirro steps forward as Dmitri emerges from the cloud of scarabs and tosses his ignited alchemist's fire into the swarm.

Alchemist's Fire, Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 3 1d6 burn next round

Round 2
Dmitri moves back.

Drea repositions and draws an alchemist's fire.

Pirro throws, hitting the swarm, but the scarabs stay together to fight on!

Turn order:
1. Dmitri
2. Drea
3. Penthesilea
4. Pirro
5. Nardic
6. Scarab Swarm
7. Zarisha
8. Kenji

Damage done- 19
Dmitri- 16/17

Pending Pentehsilea/Nardic before the bugs

"Urgh. Tenacious, aren't they!"

Nadric reaches down into his bag and fishes out an acid flask that he bought a while ago for who knows what reason. He hopes it will serve him well now, and after taking a small step backwards to stand next to Dmitri he hurls it toward the far corner of the swarm in hopes of avoiding splash damage to any of his teammates.

Attack, PBS, one range increment: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 - 2 = 12
Acid damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Round 2

Nardic flings the acid, and the splash of the acid finally dispels the scarabs!

You check the granary and find three skeletons (inanimate) stripped of their flesh, and an adamantine heavy flail.

Going to assume you want to finish the last outbuilding here before turning back inside.

You check (B7) and find it to be an empty (save the sand that seems ever present here) guard quarters similar to the room you fought the death dog.

Moving on to (B8)it appears to have been a servant's quarter- but three of the servants are still here as animate skeletons!

Turn order:
1. Penthesilea
2. Zarisha
3. Dmitri
4. Pirro
5. Drea
6. Kenji
7. Skeletons
8. Nardic

Looks like everyone but Nardic goes before the skeletons

Pirro concentrates on pulling Zarisha in from the Ethereal Plane as the new threats are exposed.

Zarisha moves to the side of the doorway, ready to attack the first of the animated dead to emerge. "It is time to return to your repose," she moans.

Form: Ectoplasmic: DR 5/slashing

Kenji moves into the room.

”This place is haunted ... so many undead ... just horrible. Don’t worry. We will release you ... “

Dmitri rushes into the room full of skeletons and stabs/skewers the first one.

Dmitri dueling sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Dmg, slashing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Penthesilea slides forward, taking the cleanest shot she can manage in the cramped confines.

Longbow @ Red: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 = 27
Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10

Crit: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8
Extra Damage: 2d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7, 4) + 4 + 2 = 17

Drea marvels over the adamantine heavy flail.

"I would be honoured to use this," they say in a trance.

I'll use it if no one disagrees.

The sylph unlatches the scarab shield from their forearm and then follows the group into the next room where the skeletons animate.

I'm assuming I had time to equip the weapon and unequip the shield before we went into the next room.

Drea drifts to the front of the melee and tries out their new weapon.

Melee Attack, Adamantine, Bludgeoning: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 241d10 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Round 1
Penthesilea sends a well aimed shot at one skeletons skull, crushing it to dust/

Zarisha moves.

Dmitri hits, but his slashing weapon fails to damage the skeleton.

Pirro manifest Zarisha.

Drea cracks the skeleton with the newly picked up flail, and crushes it.

Kenji moves.

The last skeleton claws at Dmitri:
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Turn order:
1. Penthesilea
2. Zarisha
3. Dmitri
4. Pirro
5. Drea
6. Kenji
7. Skeletons
8. Nardic

Dmitri- 13/18

That brings up Nardic for round 1, then everyone else for round 2 with one skeleton remaining.

Kenji moves forward and strikes with his greatsword!

MW Greatsword , power attack: 1d20 - 1 + 7 ⇒ (11) - 1 + 7 = 17
Greatsword 2H, power attack : 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 5) + 9 = 18

Penthesilea nocks an arrow to her bow, then seeing what seems to be left after Kenji's mighty swing, relaxes her draw.

Dmitri rubs his wound in pain, cursing softly under his breath. "Blades not so effective against the skeletons," he says make a mental note. He might have to invest in a different secondary weapon if they kept poking around in ancient ruins.

Zarisha phases through the wall, leaving a silvery film on both sides of the wall. Only she finds that she has no access to the remaining restless dead. "So long as they are put to rest," she moans.

Form: Ectoplasmic

"Quite true," Pirro answers Dmitri. "That is why I carry a staff with me."

Delay until something happens that might need to be reacted to

Kenji's swing crushes the final of the skeletons, and you are freed up to move on again.

Moving back across you have the other side courtyard (B3) to explore, of you can take the stairs to the next level. . .

Kenji walks in the direction of the other side courtyard.

”Let us hope no more undead await!!!!“

Perception : 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

"Or at least some more vividly describable ones!"

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Drea placidly lowers the adamantine flail and nods at the others.

Pirro follows after the blazing ifriti.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 +1 more for haunts/incorporeal

The western side of the estate forms an L-shaped yard mostly given to sand, sun-dried earth, and the ancient husks of dead trees. Stone benches line the walls of the yard, and a large tiled pool sits in the southwest corner, dried and partially filled with sand. A short flight of steps leads between a pair of pillars to a set of stone doors in the west side of the house. At the north end of the yard stands a squat stone building with columns at every corner.

As you enter, a giant scorpion eagerly clambers out of the pool, hungry and looking for food!

Round 1

Turn order:
1. Zarisha 17
2. Nardic 16
3. Drea 15
4. Dmitri 13
5. Pirro 13
6. Penthesilea 9
7. Scorpion 8
8. Kenji 6

Everyone but Kenji before the scorpion's first turn.

Knowing its his job to protect the others, Dmitri moves up to face the scorpion, his blade held high and proudly.

He moves south to fact the threat, then takes a ready stance, in case the bug comes out of the water, and wants to play.

Move 20' as indicated. Ready action to attack if the scorpion comes within melee range.

Dmitri blade: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Zarisha moves towards the over-sized arachnid with an inaudible sigh.

Form: Incorporeal --> Ectoplasmic (DR 5/slashing) on Pirro's count.

Pirro concentrates on pulling Zarisha out of the ethereal plane as the phantom moves into position.

Drea strides forward wielding the adamantine flail.

"This place is teeming with pests," they exclaim.

Move 30 feet. Attack.

Adamantine Flail Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 211d10 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"Why is it always bugs?!"

Penthesilea hops up onto one of the benches to get a clearer field of view and looses an arrow.

"Kill it before it does anything awful!"

Longbow (PBS): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 = 26
Piercing: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 1 = 11

Round 1

Zarisha positions herself to attack.

Drea and Dmitri miss.

Pirro manifest Zarisha who misses.

Penthesilea's arrow strikes the scorpion.

The scorpion lashes out, trying to sting and bite Drea:
Bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Sting: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

But misses!

Turn order:
1. Zarisha 17
2. Nardic 16
3. Drea 15
4. Dmitri 13
5. Pirro 13
6. Penthesilea 9
7. Scorpion 8
8. Kenji 6

Scorpion- 11 damage done

Pending Nardic and Kenji in round 1 now, then Zarisha-Penthesilea for round 2.

Kenji charges forward and strikes with his greatsword!

MW Greatsword , charge, power attack: 1d20 - 1 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (14) - 1 + 7 + 2 = 22
Greatsword 2H, power attack : 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 5) + 9 = 16

Zarisha steps forward to pound on the scorpion's carapace.

Slam: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
B: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Slam: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
B: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Form: Ectoplasmic (DR 5/slashing)

Dmitri moves behind the others, who have lined up such that he cannot get in with his sword. He readies an attack if the scorpion moves within his range.

Dmitri readied: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Dmg, if hit: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Wow, a creature with AC 22 at level 2? That’s rough.

Drea looks in disbelief as their attack glances off the scorpion. Resolute that victory is theirs, the sylph attacks again.

Melee Attack, Adamantine Flail: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 101d10 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

”We should flank it. Pirro, can you make Zarisha go around to the other side of this foe?”

"You could ask her nicely yourself," he replies.

I'm not sure what that gray rectangle is supposed to represent.

**tsk**

Penthesilea tuts as her companions manage to get in the way of her shot, hopping down off her bench at the prolonged battle-line presents her with a perfectly clear corridor.

Longbow (RS, PBS): 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 - 2 + 1 = 25
Piercing: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4
Longbow (RS, PBS): 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 2 + 1 = 9
Piercing: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8

Confirm?: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 - 2 + 1 = 19
Piercing: 2d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 5) + 4 + 2 = 12

Think the rectangle is the tiled pool, which is filled with sand.

Round 1
Kenji steps up and smooshes the bug mightily, making a crack in its carapice but it continues to fight on.

Round 2
Zarisha misses, then hits the bug and it slumps to the floor dead.

The choices for forward now are into the Crypt/outbuilding or back to the stairs to the second floor.

Round 1
Kenji steps up and smooshes the bug mightily, making a crack in its carapice but it continues to fight on.

Round 2
Zarisha misses, then hits the bug and it slumps to the floor dead.

The choices for forward now are into the Crypt/outbuilding or back to the stairs to the second floor. And yes, my understanding is the rectangle is the pool.

Kenji is relieved.

”Let us proceed. Upstairs??“

"Yes," Pirro agrees. "We can save the crypts for last once we're certain of our strength."

He releases Zarisha partially back into the ethereal plane.

"No sense in letting something creepy and crawly get at our backsides - let's head on up!"

”It matters not to me so long as the history of this place is duly recorded,” Drea muses as they gaze at the heavy flail in their hands.

Since it sounds like consensus, Dmitri leads the daring band of Pathfinders back into the main house and upstairs.

Secretly, he is a bit relieved to not be going into the crypt, there are enough undead and bugs up here, who knows what to expect down there.

This balcony wraps around a twenty-foot-square opening in the floor, overlooking the inner courtyard below and connecting the rooms of the second floor. Above, a square skylight in the ceiling provides natural
light to the ground floor and ventilation for the entire building. To southwest, two small staircases ascend from a landing on the grand staircase between floors. Six different sets of doors lead off of this balcony.

We are on slide 11 now in room B20 if you can stack yourselves how you will be when coming up (or on the door you plan to enter next of the six)

Once everyone is safely upstairs, Dmitri will push open the first pair of double doors, readying for most anything.

Dmitri will be at front, and will wait until the others are arranged. But will open the door he is standing next to unless someone specifically calls out another direction.