[Outpost II] PFS #8-99D The Solstice Scar (Version D) [3-4] - GM Hawthwile (Inactive)

Game Master Hawthwile

He will bite on the neck of the wolf he clawed in order to make sure it is dead.

Maqej will gladly take Thaddeus up on his offer of healing, though he provides his own wand.

GM, is it okay if we assume out-of-combat I take average on healing rolls (11 HP per two cures?)

If the answer to Maqej's question is yes, then I will have the wand wielder apply two charges to Xantanax.

I am totally fine with averages for healing out of combat - especially in a Special like this where we're racing against the clock.

Thadeaus, remember that you can only study one face at a time. Which one were you interacting with?

The three faces flit from tree to tree, always watching the Pathfinders. One angrily scowls, one looks on with a peaceful expression, and one seems on the verge of bursting into laughter.

What do you do?

"I could help you all with healing. You look a rightful mess right there." Heorn offers. He brandishes a wooden stick carved with red symbols in Infernal.
Infernal healing anyone?
Sense Motive 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Heorn looks at the faces in the trees and a strange sense of deja vu visits him. Shaking his mind free of such thoughts he faces the Laughing one.
"We seek to travel through these woods and we're from the Pathfinder Society."

I'm going to assume I get back up to full, maybe from two charges off of Heorn's wand and a single from my own?
"Thanks Heorn. I've never been fond of that kind of healing magic, makes me feel too much like my former master . . . but I'll be glad for it here. That was one nasty . . . wolf? You said? Sorry, your creatures are all strange to me."

After getting to the part with the faces, Maqej will examine the angry face.
"What troubles you so, tree-spirit?"
Sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Having looked at the angry face and sensing nothing of its motives, he moves on to the peaceful and laughing ones.

sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

The dim light really seems to be affecting his insights so he pulls out his ioun torch.

I'm glad you ask, I forgot to get mine at Absalom before going, Heorn!

Being not the best reader of mind, Karina lets other try to determine what to do.

Maqej, sounds good to me.

There is only time to observe one face - you all are interesting to them, but not that interesting I'm afraid. Karina, it never hurts to roll! [citation needed]

The angry face scowls down at Thadeaus and Maqej, saying nothing. Heorn, on the other hand, finds the laughing spirit a much more eager conversationalist. "Ah, to travel the woods," it says with a grin. "I remember when I used to do that, or perhaps I don't, but one can certainly imagine, right?" It smiles, but Heorn senses the sadness behind its eyes and worry in its voice.

This spirit doesn't seem likely to respond well to emotional appeals or trying to garner empathy. It is responding well to logic and reason, and it seems to care about all the spirits in these woods as a whole, not just the three here.

More to discover:
- Angry Face
- Calm Face

Still can observe:
- Xantanax
- Karina
- Jinath

What do you do?

Sense Motive (Angry): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11
Sense Motive (Calm): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Karina tries to calm the angry face.

My dear spirit, please, calm done. We want to help the forest against the corruption that is going on. Please, help us.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

The tiger could use some healing please :)

know nature 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 to see if he knows that these nature spirits are.

"Aid us." Heorn gets straight to the point as he continues talkignt o the laughing one.
"Aid us as we can Aid you. Mutual Aid will gain us both what we need and want. Mutual Benefits for everyone"

Diplomacy 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 Once again as Heorn speaks he can't shake off the feeling that he's done it before.

Xantanax glances up and at the three faces hurriedly.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Neither Karina, Jinath, nor Xantanax can get a good read on the other two spirits as Heorn converses with the third. That spirit jokingly says, ”Well, what do I have to lose? Not my head! Sure, mutual aid it is.”

Everyone except Heorn can make an argument to one of the two remaining spirits. Each person can either make a primary roll or designate someone to assist. Use the social skill you feel most appropriate for your speech.

What do you do?

Thadeaus looks again at the angry face now that there is more light and adresses it,

"Surely your anger is misplaced spirit, for we just arrived in this blighted wood and are here to help those caught here in! Perhaps you could direct us to the cause of your anger and this disturbance in the wood for I think it could be one in the same!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Maqej goes to the third spirit.
”Peaceful spirit, there is a great evil in this area. Are you not concerned? Could nothing stir you to action? We must prevent this darkness from spreading. Surely this concerns you?”
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

The angry face scowls at Thadeaus before finally nodding in agreement. "Fine," it says curtly, but there seems to be a glimmer of hope in its scrunched face now.

Maqej, on the other hand, finds the remaining face a bit tougher of an audience. "Concerns me? Surely this concerns me!" it responds incredulously before relaxing once more. "It is of little matter," it continues. "You will end up here with us eventually." Despite its words, it seems almost swayed by the ifrit's silver tongue.

The laughing face seems to be having second thoughts as well. "Well, when we take a moment to consider all the possible courses of action..." it says slowly.

Faces to be convinced to help:
- Calm Face
- Laughing Face (again - likes logical arguments, dislikes emotional appeals)

Still can try to convince:
- Jinath
- Xantanax
- Karina

These folks can make an argument to one of the two remaining spirits. Each person can either make a primary roll or roll to assist a designated ally. Use the social skill you feel most appropriate for your speech.

What do you do?

Xantanax will attempt to aid Maqej in Diplomacy.

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (9) - 2 = 7

Jinath turns back to his human form

1d20 ⇒ 19 diplomacy on the laughing face

As a guardian of the natural world it is my responsablity to help end threats to nature. Great evils usually try to destroy nature or bring nature to its knees for foul purposes. Your aid, munificent ones, can keep[ these terrible events from happening here.

Botting Karina

Karina Diplomacy to Aid: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Karina also tries to help Maqej present his case to the calm face, and between him, her, and Xantanax it relents. "Well, you have strength in numbers if nothing else," it says.

Jinath is also able to remind the laughing face why they agreed to help in the first place, and it laughs again. "I take it back - you are certainly capable enough. Hurry - we will guide you through the forest to where the heart of this blight can be found!"

An Exceptional Success! Well done folks!

Flickering from tree to tree, the faces of the spirits trapped in the forest guide the Pathfinders through the dark and musty undergrowth. Suddenly, they come to a halt as a booming voice demands, "Halt! Who goes there? More minions of Mother Bloodleaf? Come out in the open where I can get a better look at you, you servants of evil!"

What do you do?

Karina stems up and says.

We are not servant of Evil! We are Pathfinders trying to fight the corruption of this land!

Heorn steps out.
"As you can see. We." he pauses.
"Are not Minions of this Mother Bloodleaf you speak off. Tell us more of this Bloodleaf fella." Heorn attempts to soothe things over.

Diplomacy, inspiration 1d20 + 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (13) + (4) + 7 = 24

"Fight the corruption? Hah! You cannot fool me with your simple lies!" the voice booms again. "Why, I should pluck your eyes from their sockets and feed them to the native stirges before dropping your miserable blind bodies into a pit full of spikes!" Whoever is speaking inhales as if to continue, but suddenly bursts into laughter that doesn't shake the trees as it had a few seconds ago. "Oh, I really had you going there. You should have seen your faces!"

The spirits suddenly freeze in place as a burly middle-aged man with the ears and legs of a goat steps out from behind a tree. He grins and waves his hand. “Ho there, adventurers! I got bored waiting, so I think we should have some fun! Don’t worry, this won’t take long. I wouldn’t want you to miss the main event, and I plan to have a front-row seat. Oh, where are my manners? The name’s Grimpfkin. So, what do you say? Do you choose to test your speed or might?”

Since we are operating under a time limit, 2 votes move the party.

What do you do?

"Wha-? Why would you lie so creature? It is most unbecoming. If you wish fun, why not engage in honest conversation or good spirited debate? Maybe a game? Now we question your every motive and action because we know you lie for fun. How can we ever foster a relationship in a situation such as the one you created?

"As to your question, I dunno . . . I'm sure I'd be better at a test of speed, and I don't want to hurt any living creature just for your idea of 'fun.' But My companions may not bee to keen on a footrace . . ."

I vote for test of speed, but that's just me.

Know nature 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 fo see if he knows what the new creature is.

**OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT**

Even though much of the forest withers from some evil curse, eager faces flow from tree to tree as the friendly, whispering spirits encourage their would-be saviors onward.

Table GMs, the Helpful Spirits effect is in play.

”Why not do both?” But I will go along with Maqej, if we are swift enough we should have time to flex our muscles!”

Thadeaus says stepping forward.

"Speed is nice, but strength is what determines the strongest warriors! I say we use strength."

"Ah, but it is a game!" Grimpfkin replies cheerfully to Maqej. "I'm having fun - aren't you? And besides, we're not going to foster that sort of a relationship." He accompanies this with a somewhat-sloppy wink at the ifrit. "But I'm sorry to say that your friends were too quick for you," he quips to Xantanax. "A test of speed it is!"

He hops up on a mossy rock and flings the contents of his wooden mug into the air. Before it reaches the ground, the fizzing ale transforms into a bird and takes flight through the woods, leaving behind a faintly sparkling trail. Grimpfkin looks slightly surprised before nodding approvingly and clapping his hands. "What are you waiting for? Catch it, and the prize is yours!" He pauses a moment, then adds, "Just, ah, no flying or teleporting - it is a challenge, remember?"

This encounter is quite open-ended. You'll encounter a series of obstacles and can come up with ways to bypass or handle each one using your tools, wits, skills, attacks, spells, attributes, etc. (To clarify - you can make one check of your choice to accompany your stated course of action.) If I think something is too much of a stretch, I'll modify the check to use something more appropriate to your stated course of action. Each person is operating on their own, but some courses of action may assist the entire party.

The Pathfinders follow the glittering trail to a wide ravine that cuts through the forest. The ravine has several old logs set across it, and a slowly-flowing creek runs along the bottom. The ale/bird seems to have flown over the ravine further into the forest - if the Pathfinders are to have any hope of catching it, they'll need to get across somehow.

What do you do?

Karina takes a running start and starts running to jump across the ravine!

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Knowledge (nature), inspiration 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 8 + (2) = 13 Good grief.

Heorn is neither quick nor agile but his mind is another thing all together. Swiftly examining the logs to see which is strong enough to bear their weight.

Thadeaus quickly moves to the ravine and the logs crossing it, he yells to Heorn,
”Not that one this one!””
As he nimbly scampers across the log!

acrobatics w/insp: 1d20 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 6 + (2) = 20

Xantanax eyes the log across the ravine that Thadeaus crossed on. He thinks to himself that if he goes slow he can make it across easily. He tries to ignore the fact that he is in full plate mail.

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

acrobatics to jump from log-to-log: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Jinath smiles and...

assumes his tiger form.

1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26 acrobatics jump

to leap over the ravine.

Heorn takes a swig of his wineskin.
"By my addled senses, This new concoction is stronger then I thought." as he watches the rest of his party bypass the ravine....

Now that most of us have passed the ravine, what skills do we need to chase the fey?

"Very good!" chortles a voice from above. As the Pathfinders look up, they spot Grimpfkin lounging on a tree branch high above the ravine. "But don't stop to pat yourselves on the back just yet," he says with a grin as he points towards the sparkling trail.

The Pathfinders follow the trail again and have little difficulty - until the bird flies straight up a cliff! A tall rock face splits the forest, with the trail dancing around several thick vines that each bear several long thorns.

What do you do?

Thadeaus watches the glittering bird shoot up the cliff face, and sighs in exacerbation, looks at Grimpfkin and says,

"Climbing is really more a test of Strength, unless one is a monkey!"

Never the less Thedeaus spits in his hands and attempts to scale the cliff as quickly as he can!

climb: 1d20 ⇒ 6

After about three feet he hits a loose spot and come back to earth in a scattering of pebbles.

"Perhaps one of you could show me the path or perhaps scamper up and through down a rope?"

He says to the others while dusting his hands and checking for cuts.

Would I need to do jump checks to see how high I get and then climb?

Knowledge (Nature) with Inspiration 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 8 + (5) = 24

Hoping to make up for his disastrous foray earlier, Heorn attempts to plot the safest route using the vines....
"These vines...."

Karina tries to climb up the wall.

Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Xantanax says, "I've got rope, so whoever climbs up can take an end with them and the rest of us can climb up with the rope easier."

Jinath, it's a DC 20 Acrobatics check to jump 5 ft vertically, with the DC increasing by 4 for every foot. This cliff is far too tall for you to jump, and you unfortunately only have time for a single check.

Heorn is able to find places on the vines where the thorns are younger and more pliable, allowing him to use the vines without damaging himself as he follows the bird.

I'm waiting to "evaluate" Thadeaus's and Karina's rolls since Xantanax has a wonderful, cooperative idea. Granted, someone will have to successfully climb the cliff with the rope first.

Still up:
- Maqej
- Jinath
- Xantanax

What do you do?

Following Heron's lead of using the younger vines, Maquej Grabs ahold of one of the sturdier ones and runs along the wall until he has gained enough height to grab another, more high up one. He repeats this process, making the way up the cliffside by singing himself ever higher on the vines. He also takes a rope with him on the off chance he manages to reach the top.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Or not. Man, my rolls are pretty bad for this group.

Xantanx just shakes his head at the thought of scaling the cliff, checks to make sure the rope is coiled at his waist, and puts his hammer and pitons in his belt pouch for easy access.

He begins to scale the cliff, pausing every so often to put in a piton when he needs footing.

Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17