GM Wolfspirit's PFS 8-02 Ward Asunder (Outpost II) (Inactive)

Game Master Wolfspirit

"I could grease the rock to help move it if needed. "

"Do you know anything about engineering, Verdan? Perhaps you could help me rig something up with the horse?"

For people attempting strength checks, can you clarify if you are attempting yourself, or aiding the horse? Anyone that failed to make a DC 12 Strength check attempting on their own (as opposed to Assisting), make a DC 12 Fortitude save or get the Fatigued condition.

It takes some time, (Take 20) but Kitoro is able to convince her horse to help haul rocks. Some of the ladies struggle with their burdens, while the frail elven witch shows them all up in a burst of strength that is almost uncanny (and unlikely to be replicated.)

Horse Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

The horse tugs at the rocks, and clears some. Between the elf and the horse, you imagine you are a bit off from half-way done.

I don't want to get too hung up at this point, but I didn't want assume if anyone was going to be trying to move rocks themselves or attempting to Aid the horse on subsequent attempts.

"Oh, yes that is a simple thing. All we need is...."
Engineering: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

"And that will clear the path.

A huge smile overcomes Hazel's face as she takes a moment to look at her work. It was definitely quite impressive for herself. "Oh we are almost halfway there! Just a little more effort and we'll be able to keep going!"

Strength: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6

Hazel then moves back in to start working but soon feels her strength leaving her. "Ah, maybe we should take a break..."

"Oh, yes that is a simple thing. All we need is...."

[Dice=Engineering]1d20+12

Verdan devises a clever system to help clear some of the rocks! (I'll count that as one of the required successes, though I don't think it'll get much better than that.)

Ijo helps with the rocks as well.

str: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Don't let these old eyes fool you. I'm as good as I was once, as I ever was. Ijo smiles.

Toral looks too frail to aid but he tries.

Str aid : 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
"Man, moving these rocks are tiring! I'm not gonna let the horse do it all, though." If it's the party's burden, she's not going to force a "beast of burden" to do it all.

Str Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
"Alright, that's more like it!" Dawn regains her footing and begins pushing again. "Hazel, you gotta show me how you lifted these things."

Str Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
"I think I found the adamantium rock."

Str Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Str Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
"Never mind, I was just clumsy. Let's keep going!"

Not to be shown up, Dawn powers through the remaining rocks! You clear the path not only just enough to get the horse through, but it almost feels... more harmonious. You are able to continue your journey!

Will have more shortly, but wanted to get that in before anyone else attempted Strength checks.

I still needs Fortitude saves from anyone that failed a strength check above that hasn't done so. Otherwise, I'll assume you were Assisting.

You reach a shallow cave in the mountainside which bears a carving that depicts an erupting, snow-capped volcano. Two timeworn stone statues flank the entrance to the cave. Near the cave, there is a stone fire ring with a long, semicircular stone bench around it.

Tanbaru observes when you reach there, "I vaguely remember this shrine... those statues look oddly familiar."

One of the statues depicts a female monk holding an old, pitted bronze gong in her hands. A small bronze mallet hangs on a chain from the statue.

If someone wants to sound the gong, you must attempt a DC 15 Perform (percussion instruments) check.

---

The second statue depicts a monk with a bowl in his hands.
You can each make one knowledge check for the following. Open both if you get a DC 21.

Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Dawn shrugs. "Oh cool. A gong. I bet you could play some neat tunes off of it."

kn religion : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Survival : 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Perception : 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
kn religion : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Toral looks at the first statue.

”I recognise the carving as the holy symbol of Yamatsumi! And look here ... that fire ring has not been used in at least 2 months. But wait a minute ... “

Toral says and suspiciously looks around.

” ... I only see two statues now, but I’m sure that I saw three there as we approached. However, no matter how I search, I can't find traces of the third statue! Be careful! “

*

Then he looks at the second statue.

”Ahhh! Interesting! The pilgrims in Dtang Ma often leave votive offerings for kami. I recall that rice is a favored food of the kami. I can attempt to cook the rice!!“

Survival to cook rice DC 20 : 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

”Deliciously good!! This should have the kami at peace!“

I still needs Fortitude saves from anyone that failed a strength check above that hasn't done so. Otherwise, I'll assume you were Assisting.

Should I make a fort ST for the horse since Kit had it do all the work for her?

Survival DC 16: 1d20 ⇒ 8
Perception DC 22: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
DC 19 Knowledge local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
DC 15 perform(percussion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

with a flourish, Kit taps the gong and makes music.

kn religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Ijo doesn't recognize much of the scene. Although Toral's warning gives him some alarm. Ijo unlinks his morningstar from his belt loop and pulls his shield over his sore shoulders. Those rocks didn't do much for these old bones. Nevertheless, I must protect my compatriots.

Careful you shall have, Toral. Ijo pushes out with his magic to see if anything is amiss.

Cast Detect Magic for the missing statue.

Know Religion: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Know Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Know Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Know Religion: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Know Planes: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

"Yes Toral you are correct, but what is this third statue that you speak of? My eyes only see two. And nice job on the rice."

Verdan with wave of his right hand in a pattern, and says "ickrak'ey arcaniss"

Verdan also cast Detect Magic

A note that Toral didn't have a high enough check for the Offering, but the rest of the party had him covered. :)

Working together, the party manages to make what you feel is a traditionally appropriate sign of respect to the statues. When Kitoro taps on the gong it makes a clear sound which to her musician's ear is almost heavenly: what is described as a "divine note." Aided by the insight of others, Toral cooks and flavors the rice to leave for an offering. Nothing about the surroundings appear to change, but still it feels right.

As hard as the group tries, no one manages to locate the third statue, invisibly or otherwise. For now, it seems to be a mystery that will remain unsolved. There is little else to do but continue on.

After a tough hike up a narrow trail along the face of the mountain, the Pilgrim’s Path suddenly ends. A cylindrical portion of the mountainous landscape—one hundred and fifty feet in diameter—is simply missing. An old milestone still points southwest toward the strangely symmetrical crater, but an arrow engraved in the cliff face points west toward a series of water-slicked steps carved into the unnatural cliff.

Everyone can make a single Craft (stonemasonry) or Knowledge (dungeoneering, engineering, or geography) check for the following:

Map (also in Signature)

A few important notes: First, I set up the marching order as best as I can approximate it would be, but feel free to make changes before anyone starts climbing or crossing.

The cliff up to the main Temple area is approximately 50' up with a fairly sheer, slippery surface. The fall down is about 60' down... but there is some brush so it probably won't be lethal. Probably.

The path ahead has two 10 foot gaps and one 5 foot gap; it's possible to get a running start and Take 10... assuming there isn't any combat. It also looks like there have been hand holds carved into the side along the "path" so acrobatics aren't needed as long as you aren't crossing through another character's square. I haven't made any assumptions for people flying, sending familiars, or the like and if there is anyone that has questions before we start crossing / climbing, feel free to ask

Toral casts guidance on himself as he knows only his intelligence counts here and not training when he checks out the steps.

craft untrained, guidance : 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 1 + 2 = 21

” Oh look! Do you notice that the narrow steps are the result of both centuries of natural erosion and the use of rock-cutting tools?!
And if you look here you notice that some of the tool marks have been made within the last year!“

He looks quite clueless with regards to getting up there.

"I can just climb up and drop a rope. I can cast Monkey Fish after all." Dawn shrugs.

Any input before I just climb up there and drop a rope?

That would be most helpful, Dawn. I can try to skirt these cliffs but we should take the safest route. Ijo secures his shield and weapon in favor of his climbing gear.

Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
"That's odd, someone has done some work on the steps.

"That does sound like the better idea. Those handholds look more suited to a monkey than a fox."

Kit waits for the rope to drop, hopefully knotted. She'll have to leave the horse down at the bottom. If anyone looks like they are struggling to climb, Kit will inspire competence with a performance (gives a +2). When it is Kit's turn she will cast heroism on herself to give her a total of +5 to her climb.

"Monkey than a fox... monkey than a fox. I feel like a joke is in there, but... hmm" Dawn wonders to herself, then casts Monkey Fish and begins climbing up the cliff.

"Kitoro, if you would like to take that beast of burden. I have a spell that might do the trick."

Verdan keeps an eye on the climbers as they make the climb. (if any one falls, he cast feather fall on them).

"Not sure. We'd have to not only get it up, but probably also get it down. I'm not exactly sure what is up there, but I'm thinking buildings or caves so the horse might as well stay out here. Unless you have two castings?"

"Sorry mt dear,I have only the one casting Levitate spell."

Verdan, if you were casting Levitate on someone you can. Trying to get the Horse to Levitate is going to be a "Push" handle animal check, though. Please decide if you're going to do that at the same time Dawn and Hazel go up.

Moving things along. Verdan, if you nominate someone to Levitate before it's their turn in combat, you can say they're levitating.

Aided by magic, Dawn and Hazel (and other?) ascend the sheer cliff. There, they see that three sets of stairs lead up to a ten-foot-high stone platform surrounding this courtyard on three sides. Several buildings stand upon the platform, some of built directly into the mountain face.

Before Dawn can lower a rope to the rest of the party, however, a quartet of snakes lower from the surrounding columns, hissing as the approach the two women!

Botting Hazel Hazel glances at the nearest approaching snake, and attempts to convince it to sleep!
Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
The snake obliges and curls up, hissing sibilantly and almost cutely as it dreams of crushing your life away.

Next up: Dawn, Toral

Devious scenario writers! they knew we would try do that!!!

Oh, it could have been much, much worse... but more of that later.

"Well, that was fun." Dawn climbs up, reaches for her rope and sees 4 snakes approach.

Knowledge(Nature): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

"Hey, Snakes. Venomous snakes? I'm not sure about that." Dawn pulls out and drops some rope. Then she draws her falchion. "Hey Hazel, could you get everyone else up here? I'll chop these snakes up in the meantime."

Dawn hums to herself, dancing to a beat only she can hear.
Draw rope, drop rope, draw weapon, 5 ft step.

Dawn, you recognize that these are constrictor snakes, likely not poisonous. On the other hand, there isn't anywhere particularly accommodating to tie the rope to where you stand. Maybe you could do that around a column or around yourself... but right now "dropping" the rope would result in your entire length of rope being at the bottom of the cliff.

You can amend your action

Toral readies an action to Slumber a snake should he see one.

Wil Save DC 16.

”Come down here again so we are not separated and we can jointly attack!“ Toral shouts.

Toral actually gives a good suggestion. Plus there's nowhere to really secure the rope.

So she keeps her falchion sheathed and begins climbing down the cliff.
10 foot Climb speed, so I should reach the bottom without trouble. If I still have an action I'll draw my falchion.

"Perhaps you should use that levitate spell and use it to kill those snakes from safety? Unless they are enchanted, they should run it you hurt them. Perhaps some acid or fire?"

Seeing Toral leave, Hazel quickly does the same and feather falls down.

The snakes surge forward, trying to reach the lone person nearby, while one snake remains slumbering.

Will update the combat table later, but for the purposes of where we're at... Next up: Everyone but Hazel

Dawn sheathes her falchion and draws her glaive. "It's not my favorite weapon, but it does have reach." She prepares for the inevitable.

"Constrictor snakes are kind of cute when they're not squeezing the air out of you."

I am thinking normal size snakes under 5 pounds weight

" I rather not use such a spell on just snakes. But this one should do the trick nicely"

Reaching out with his right hand and speaks a word of power.

a shimmering hand grabs one of the moving snakes and move it to somewhere safely out of the way

if needed
CMB: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

These snakes are Medium sized creatures, which I imagine are more burmese pythons (20+ pounds) than ball pythons (<5 pounds.) Regardless of the actual weight, though, while it's a creative use of spells, these are not unattended Objects so Mage Hand wouldn't apply :)

Kit will wait until either the snakes give up or the snakes come down.

Ah, BIG snakes and not something we should not harm.

Moving his hand in a pattern "arcaniss nil'gnos"
And two balls of force strike the each of the two lead snakes coming at us.

Magic Missile on Snake #1: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 1) + 2 = 4
Magic Missile on Snake #2: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 2 = 5

sorry, as I understand it, we are a ways away from the stairs that would take us to the next level. Yes? If so, Ijo will ready a ranged strike should the snakes come in range.

Ijo can’t see any immediate threat but understands there are snakes close.

I've realized this fight is going to be a pain on PbP, particularly the way you guys went. There's going to be a lot of "delay / waiting out" it seems...

With the snakes above and the party below, safely distant from each other, the fight becomes more a game of cat and mouse than a real combat. The real question is who is the cat and who is the mouse in this analogy?

Two of the spellcasters attempt to sling spells at a snake that pokes its head over the ledge to look at you... Verdan connects with a pair of magic Missiles while Toral attempts to put one to sleep.
Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

The snake hisses in pain, but seems to shake off the dwarf's attempt to snake charm.

Next up: Everyone! Really, it's going to be difficult to interact with the snakes from the bottom of the ledge. We're still in rounds for reasons, but try to work out a strategy.

"I could climb up again and try to surround them or something." Dawn shrugs.

"I'm gonna... turn invisible and climb back up." Dawn drops her glaive and casts Vanish. Her body fades from view until the smile remains. Then she climbs back up the cliff.

For the sake of speeding this up, Dawn's gonna fight at the edge of a cliff. Everyone else should try to cross the gap or something.

"Do you think we can climb up elsewhere, back down the trail a bit?"

It's pretty clear from there that there isn't any other alternate route beyond the narrow / missing path, and the climb ahead. It looks like whatever other routes might have existed have been cleaved off the side of the mountain.

Ijo grits his teeth and figures the only way to engage will be to proceed along the ledge.

If we cant' climb up, we may as well move as a group and engage on our own terms.

acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

eesh

GM am I able to use mage hand to take a tangle foot bag and bomb the snake? If not he will us his wand of magic missile (lv-1)

If Mage Hand is OKed Casting a spell and has a small bag float up above a snake and drops it on the (red) snake.
range attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

If Mage hand is a no Drawing a wand out a wand he says "arcaniss nil'gnos" and a ball of energy strikes the (blue) snake.
Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Kit will bring out her crossbow and start taking shots as it pokes its head out.

to hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1