Saga of the Sages

Game Master Nathanael Love

The pale and tall grey-skinned figure greets the newcomers formally.

"I am Drea Zelgath the Breeze-Kissed," they bow their head. "I originally hail from Wati; I have called Absalom a home of sorts for a few years now, and now I return to my birthplace, the home of my father's line."

A wind ruffles the genderless sylph's hair, though the reminder of their heavy equipment - multiple impressive weapons and a gleaming suit of scale mail - appear rock-steady and used readily. "I endeavour to remember the word of Aroden through my practice of historical capture and analysis. I make use of occult energies to power my martial abilities. Wati, as rightfully inferred by our Pathfinder directors, is a fertile hunting ground for the whispers of halcyon and traumatic years past. Welcome."

Drea is an occult historian. Martial skill along with some magical prowess (lots of abjuration magic) and the ability to scout using occult means.

A young woman almost bounds into the room. She exudes confidence and energy. Her long blond hair covers a good deal of her face and flows effortlessly down almost to her waist. On her shoulder is a small and unusual looking scorpion.

"Hello there. My that is quite a history that you have told me. I doubt that I can equal it. I am called Rogarch in the common tongue. A follower of Chaldira. I hope that I will be able to help you in the days ahead and perhaps do some good here as well."

The unusual looking scorpion takes notice of the party and begins to actually wave one of its arms as a sign of friendship.

Considerably more reservedly following on behind her is a swarthy dwarf, skin browned from the Osirian sun, hair bleached almost white.

He briefly bows; "I greet you all as friends.", then takes a seat, pulling out a small pouch of cloves, he puts one between his teeth and chews as he talks;
"My name is Ram and I am an Osirioni native, in the service of the temple of Horus. At the behest of the Society I - we, I suppose" (he gestures to the half-orc) "- have been tasked with joining you all on this quest."

"I have spent a time exploring the Osirion tombs, and an even longer time guarding them. I seek answers to my own mysteries. His face darkens for a moment.

"But, let us focus on the quest at hand- where and when do we meet?"

Penthesilea saunters over to the table, with an expectant air as she eyeballs them for signs of any recognition.

She's dressed in a light mail corselet, with a lightly-used bow slung in a quiver on her back. Various holy symbols and lucky charms clatter against each other while they hang from her belt, her ears, the grip of her bow etc. They're clearly an eclectic mix, symbols of Sarenrae clack against Urgathoa's fly and Pharasma's spiral. A few newer looking ones have been added to her collection, mostly ankhs and the like that look as though they're fresh from a nearby trinketmonger's stall. The only obviously permanent one is the flag of Besmara inked across her back.

"Penthesilea Tisiphone, and Desna was watching over us; we won an old temple of Nethys in the lottery."

Pirro you here?

Rogarch looks around.

"Is this the entire party? Strangely I imagined there would be more people."

She turns to smile to the group brimming with confidence.

"I am certain that we will be victorious."

We can always start with those that are willing to play. We can always stumble on others exploring the crypt on their own.

"Penthesilea, I greet you as a friend." He hesitates, bristling at the sight of the different symbols swinging from her neck. "You wear the symbols of warring gods, do you worry one of them will take offense?"

Penthesilea shrugs, setting several of the symbols to clatter once more. "They haven't said anything. Besides, only makes sense to ask for help from a god for what they're interested in. Or at least for them not to get in your way."

Having rested and and prepared, you depart following the day following the map the priests provided to hea for the Temple of the Erudite Eye.

The sun beats down on the lonely, silent streets of the
necropolis. Dust and sand now cover the once-bustling
streets, and buildings that were once homes and shops are
gradually disintegrating into rubble after centuries of neglect.
Scattered throughout the ruins is the occasional palm tree or
shrub, kept alive by the broken remnants of a long-abandoned
irrigation system.

Perception Check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

”It would seem that someone wants our attention - or maybe they don’t want our attention but they’re bad at hiding,” Drea says flatly, pointing out the miscreants targeting the group. They draw their greatsword from the scabbard on their back.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Rogarch grimaces at this crude attempt at an ambush. She concentrates for a moment to see into these creatures' hearts. She pockets a potion that she has in her left hand. A slight glint of light off the spiked gauntlet on her right hand reveals that she is ready to do battle.

"Perhaps they can be redeemed?"

Detect Evil

Rested and Zarisha in tow, Pirro rejoins the others for the advent of their third exploration. "Good morning," he greets the others pleasantly despite the rising heat of the day. "I confess that I am eager to delve into the cool of the ruins."

"You will all likely die and leave nothing but bleached bones in the sand before those bones are worn away to nothing in the desert wind," the phantom moans.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

On the approach to the ruins, he pauses. "Tell me that is not one of the other archaeological teams," he says.

Ram, geared up, greets Pirro, nodding curtly; 'I greet you as a friend... and your phantom speaks the truth; the sun and desert have claimed many the unwary' He squints up at the sun, clutching the eye of Horus that hangs around his neck; "Horus watches us all"

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Ram grumbles as they approach their destination. Responding to Drea; "Yes, I see a clumsily arranged unwelcome party." He readies his heavy shield and draws the khopesh, stepping forward in front of his companions. "Do you give them a chance to surrender or are their actions answer enough?"

Two can play at that game, Rogarch
Detect Chaos

Rogarch and Ram detect neither evil nor chaos powerful enough to register, but it's immediately clear to all of you that these ambushers are here for you, and in for a fight!

Round 1

Turn Order:
1. Ram
2. Zarisha
3. Rogarch
4. Drea
5. Penthesilea
6. Sappers
7. Pirro
8. Thugs

Everyone but Pirro acts before any of the enemies.

Ram grinds the clove between his teeth and moves toward the closest enemy.
"I do not know who sent you but you will curse the day you met us."

Penthesilea whips out a pair of arrows and sends them streaking into the ruins. "Counter-Ambush first, morality of counter-ambush third!"

Longbow @ Red (RS, PBS): 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 20
Cold Iron Piercing: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4
Longbow @ Red (RS, PBS): 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 9
Cold Iron Piercing: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10

Helping Hand touches Rogarch providing her with a touch of divine inspiration (Guidance).

Rogarch screams past her teammates pulling out an enormous hammer along the way. She lets loose a blood curdling cry and attempt to turn the nearest enemy to paste.

Lucerne Hammer-Reach(Guidance) to hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

She is not raging yet.

Updated my hit points to full since we rested.

"You may run and we will not pursue," Drea says aloud as they concentrate briefly, a purple glow extending down their arm to envelop the blade of their greatsword, "but that is the only quarter you will be given. You have been warned."

Use a standard action to expend one point of mental focus and given a +1 enchantment to attack/damage with the great sword. Move 20 feet (scale mail slows).

Round 1
Backed that first one into a square

Ram moves forward.

Rogarch misses.

Drea enchants their great sword.

Penthesilea hits once and misses once.

He moves forward and tries to net Penthesilea:
Net: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Penthesilea is entangled!

The other red one moves up and fires a short bow at Ram:
Short Bow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Miss!

Turn Order:
1. Ram
2. Zarisha
3. Rogarch
4. Drea
5. Penthesilea
6. Sappers
7. Pirro
8. Thugs

Status:

Red/front: 4 damage taken

Pirro can act before the other enemies!

I find that bolding the text of the characters that should be acting next makes it so much easier to see at a glance. Just a thought. :)

Penthesilea rakes the sharpened knuckles of her cestus along the knots of the net, hoping to tear free.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 But can't crit objects
Piercing: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

I think we are still on round 1 waiting for Pirro to post...Bold is good! ;)

Yes, Penthesilea's action might change based on my planned action. Depends on rolls.

Pirro concentrates on pulling Zarisha out of the Ethereal Plane and more forcefully into the Material Plane.

Help the archer, Zarisha.

Full Round Action: Change Phantom manifestation to Ectoplasmic

Zarisha reaches towards the rope entangling the minstrel and attempts to rip the net open.

Sunder 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Sunder 1: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Sunder 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Sunder 2: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Form: Ectoplasmic - DR 5/slashing

Round 1

Pirro brings Zarisha forth, and she immediately goes to work- freeing Penthesilea from the net!

The other Thugs advance, but only one gets within range to use his weapon!
Khopesh Attack on Ram: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 A hit!

Turn Order:
1. Ram
2. Zarisha
3. Rogarch
4. Drea
5. Penthesilea
6. Sappers
7. Pirro
8. Thugs

Status:

Red/front: 4 damage taken
Ram- 24/27

Ram, Zarisham Rogarch, Drea, and Penthesilea can act now in round 2

Rogarch is wielding a reach weapon. The thug's advance would trigger an attack of opportunity before he would be able to attack Ram. It is difficult terrain in those squares so the thug would not even be able to charge or 5' step to attack.

Rogarch sees the thug advancing towards Ram. She attempts to club him with her long hammer.

Attack of Opportunity vs Thug attacking Ram: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Lucerne Hammer Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Assuming that the thug attacking Ram goes down Rogarch will move to attack the Sapper(Red) on the roof. If the thug is still up she will 5' step back next to Drea and try to finish off that thug.

Helping Hand pats Rogarch for good luck (Guidance).
Rogarch attacks but the enemy seems to be elusive.

Attack (with Guidance): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Damage - Reach Weapon: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

"Thanks Zarisha! You've really shown me that hope is the only constant!"

Longbow (RS, PBS) @ Nearby Sapper: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 27
Cold Iron Piercing: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8
Longbow (RS, PBS): 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 17 This might be a wildly through cover shot at a thug instead
Cold Iron Piercing: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9

Confirm?: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 23
Cold Iron Piercing: 2d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 4 + 2 = 10

"There is always hope in being reunited with the eternal nothingness," Zarisha moans.

I don't think Rogarch has 15 feet worth of reach - did you move back from where you originally were? I'm also not sure how Rogarch is going to get a melee attack on an enemy on a rooftop from the ground.

Drea sighs as the advance thug slashes at the desert dwarf.

"You were given a choice," they say, the fierce ruffles of their hair the only sign of outward irritation. The purple-glowing heavy greatsword blade slices down at the thug as Drea steps strategically to Ram's right flank.

Melee Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 92d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 2) + 7 = 12

The blade lands heavily into the detritus-strewn ground.

Ram is set up to get a flank on this thug, if they wish.

@Drea - At the beginning of the turn Rogarch was adjacent to Ram.
With his reach weapon (Lucerne Hammer) she would be entitled to an attack of opportunity vs the incoming thug.

Assuming that this attack had killed the thug Rogarch would move to attack the Sapper on the roof. I have added an arrow to indicate her movement. The Sapper is 10' off the ground. A medium sized creature standing adjacent to the roof with a reach weapon should be able to attack the sapper. The sapper may get some sort of cover bonus (GM's discretion) but it should be possible.

Apologies- not familiar with the new characters yet and I didn't think of reach!
Rograrch strikes the advancing thug with her lucern hammer, hitting, but not felling him.
Round 2
Penthesilea fires at the same target again, quickly felling him!

Then she turned and fired at another roofbound sapper also hitting him! I put the site line on and rolled this shot to a further back target since there are so many melee who would probably handle the thug that was currently in LOS

Turn Order:
1. Ram
2. Zarisha
3. Rogarch
4. Drea
5. Penthesilea
6. Sappers
7. Pirro
8. Thugs

Status:

Red/back: 9 damage taken
Thug (blue outline) 8 damage taken
Ram- 24/27

Sorry about that- Ram/Zarisha/Drea can all act and Rogarch you can roll back/retcon the movement to what your action would be

Zarisha moves to the extend of her ethereal tether and strikes at the thug (blue) with a phantom mace. "Join the eternal peace of nothingness and be free," she moans as she strikes.

Slam 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
B 1: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 (If he survives, DC 12 Will save vs. -2 to attack and -2 to damage for 1 round)

Form: Ectoplasmic (DR 5/slashing)

If the blue thug survives then Ram will attack, if he is taken out Ram moves south & west 20ft and attacks the next closest thug.

Ram swings his Khopesh to attack the thug;
attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Assuming that Blue thug is down. Retcon move.

Helping Hand helps Rogarch out (Guidance).
Rogarch steps forward and tries to spear the Thug (Yellow) with the pointy end of the Lucerne Hammer.

Lucerne Hammer(with guidance): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
damage-piercing: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Round 2
Ram fells the thug adjacent to him with his Khopesh.

Zarisha moves in on another and hits redirected to next closest target

Rogarch moves up and smashes the next thug with the lucerne hammer!

Drea moves to engage Since Ram felled you can retcon your move there- I don't think there's another you could have reached

The sapper fires his longbow at Rogarch.
Longbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Narrowly hits!
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Turn Order:
1. Ram
2. Zarisha
3. Rogarch
4. Drea
5. Penthesilea
6. Sappers
7. Pirro
8. Thugs

Status:

Red/back: 9 damage taken
Thug (yellow outline) 8 damage taken
Ram- 24/27
Rogarch- 28/30

Pirro can act before the thugs

Pirro moves closer to the fight, easing the strain on his etheric tether and better able to coordinate. He reaches out and touches Ram's shoulder, instilling in him wisdom from those long departed. "Be careful. I am not sure what these bandits are up to," he says.

Move: Move 30 ft
Standard: Cast guidance on Ram.

Round 2
One thug moves up to rogarch.
AOO: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Damage: 1d12 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
A hit, and the thug seems wounded, but struggles to swing his khopesh!
Khopesh: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

"Back to hell, ghost!"one of the other two yells as they swing at Zarisha.
Khopesh: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Khopesh: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

One hit!

Turn Order:
1. Ram
2. Zarisha
3. Rogarch
4. Drea
5. Penthesilea
6. Sappers
7. Pirro
8. Thugs

Status:

Red/back: 9 damage taken
Thug (yellow outline) 8 damage taken
Ram- 24/27
Rogarch- 28/30
Zarisha- 10/14

Ram=Penthesilea can act for round 3 now

@Oxnard - It looks like one of the Thugs needs to confirm a critical against Rogarch? Could you confirm this before I post.
Also I don't know if Rogarch did hit with that attack. She is not raging and does not have guidance for the attack. so it should be 1d20+8, 1d12+6 damage.

Khopesh critical confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Not a critical, just a normal hit

Drea sighs and glides forward.

Five foot step. Attack.

”It may be Zarisha’s influence, but I find your claim to remain amongst the living dubious at best.” They bring their violet-limned blade down in a vicious swipe.

Melee Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 132d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 3) + 7 = 11

"Bring them down quickly! This battle's barely worth a footnote!"

Penthesilea continues forward under cover, inspiring her comrades to new heights.

+1 to hit/damage/saves v. fear

Ram moves through Drea's square to flank the blue thug, it must be about to keel over
"You do not know the trouble you are in; resign yourself to your chosen fate"

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8
damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 7

+1 for inspire (compentance bonus) & +1 Guidance (divine bonus). I assume they stack for the damage roll

uh oh, is that a fumble?

Rogarch almost ignores the sword attack to her body. She is more focused on the thugs trying to attack Zarisha.

"Have you no respect for the dead? Then prepare to join them!"

The Helping Hand nods channeling the divine will of Chaldira (Guidance) into Rogarch's spirit. Rogarch flies into a magical blood frenzy attempting to turn the thug (Yellow) attacking Zarisha into paste.

Now Raging.

Lucerne Hammer.Rage,Guidance,Bard Song: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
damage: 1d12 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Zarisha manifests ectoplasmic versions of a mace and shield as she turns and swings at the thug not turned to a bloody mess by Rogarch.

Slam 1, IC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 1 = 23 (If he survives, DC 12 Will save vs. -2 to attack and -2 to damage for 1 round)
B 1, IC: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7
Slam 2, IC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 = 12 (If he survives, DC 12 Will save vs. -2 to attack and -2 to damage for 1 round)
B 2, IC: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Form: Ectoplasmic (DR 5/slashing)

Sorry. Zarisha's own profile is not up to date yet. She has a total HP of 21. Also, it doesn't look like Yellow attempted his save vs. her miserable strike earlier, although I don't know which one hit.

Round 3
Ram moves up and misses No, we haven't been using fumbles

Zarisha slams the uninjured thug twice.

Rogarch swings the lucerne, and crushes a thug's skull in!

Drea narrowly misses with their great sword.

Penthesilea starts her song.

The remaining trapper takes aim and let's an arrow loose at Penthesilea. Longbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Turn Order:
1. Ram
2. Zarisha
3. Rogarch
4. Drea
5. Penthesilea
6. Sappers
7. Pirro
8. Thugs

Status:

Red/back: 9 damage taken
Thug (yellow outline) 8 damage taken
Zug (no border by Zarisha) 10 damage taken
Ram- 24/27
Rogarch- 28/30
Zarisha- 10/14

Pirro can act before the thugs

Again, the damaged thug has not attempted a Will save vs. Zarisha's miserable strikes effect.

Pirro moves forward, drawing his sharp blade. He slashes at the thug (yellow, I would presume, but he's gone and there's a blue still in reach), seeking to inflict pain rather than outright kill.

Kukri, IC: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7
S, NL, IC: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

Round 3

Will save: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10 Failure!

Pirro misses.

The thugs both full withdraw, sensing themselves severely overmatched.

Turn Order:
1. Ram
2. Zarisha
3. Rogarch
4. Drea
5. Penthesilea
6. Sappers
7. Pirro
8. Thugs

Status:

Red/back: 9 damage taken
Thug (yellow outline) 8 damage taken
Zug (no border by Zarisha) 10 damage taken
Ram- 24/27
Rogarch- 28/30
Zarisha- 10/14

Ram-Penthesilea can act