GM Tomppa's The Hao Jin Hierophant [Outpost II] (Inactive)

Game Master Tomppa

You aren't quite sure if it was some mispronounced word or Dain's dogged persistence that led to it, but the smiths poetic words about the importance of arming themselves turns quickly into the smith actually arming himself with a rather menacing looking forge-hammer as he drives Dain out of the smithy, cursing after him as he does.

As the group finishes their rounds, you notice that the villagers are slowly but clearly getting a bit tired and frustrated of your questionings and chats. While most of them are still putting up a friendly face and are 'happy' to talk, it's clear that the more time passes, the more reluctant they become.
There are no penalties yet for the third 20 minute phase. You also know that the villagers probably have a memory far longer than a couple of hours, so leaving the village for a while and coming back later doesn't help with this decline in attitude.

In addition, you spot both the hostler and the smithy walking around the village. They're having hushed conversations with other inhabitants of the Onhae Village - and you somehow feel their words aren't conveying anything nice about you.
They are still available for talks in their respective locations, should you wish - kn. History for the Smith and Kn. geography or kn. Nature for the Hostler

I'll still need Vanzetti's action for the second 20 minute phase. The rest of you can already post your actions for the next phase, and/or discuss how you want to proceed/what you should focus on/etc

If Vanzetti shares his experience at the Shrine...

He did; see my previous post.

Now, assuming Reesa's shared her findings about the local library:

V heads for the inn and its library (such as it is) to put his gift for languages to good use.

Linguistics, Sacrificial Boon: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

After spending a good while in a room full of books, Vanzetti is fairly certain that he's figured out the basic intricacies of Onhae's written dialect.
You've gained an important cultural discovery.

By comparing your notes with the rest of the group before dividing up for the third 20 minute phase, it becomes plain to see that while you've all gained some sort of insights and made discoveries regarding the village, the insight Vanzetti gained from the books is the first cultural aspect that's worth writing home about - and you quickly realize that you've used almost half of the time of your tongues spell.

Time remaining in Tongues: 60 minutes. Please post your actions for the next 20 minute phase and/or discuss how you plan to proceed.

There is no more culturally important information that you can gain from the Inn's Library.

V, for one, has decided he both needs and has earned a treat: To the bakery!

"Ah've no idea what he got so upset about!" Dain exclaims to the others after a hasty retreat from the smithy.

"Ah'm a jewelry smith meself so Ah was just askin' what kind o' polish he uses to keep his heirloom weapon and family jewels clean. Then he just up an' started chasing me with a hammer! Ah think that precious gems must hold an important role in this culture."

After hearing Vanzetti's tale about the Followers of the Way of the Zey.
"Oh... That's... troublin' to say th' least. Ah mean don't get me wrong, Zey was a competent feller but this... We should probably go an' speak to this priestess lass sooner rather than later."

"Ah can go an' take a look around the village before we leave. See if Ah can get a better read about th' land than th' villagers."

Dain heads to Search the Village using his knowledge about different planes of existence.
Planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Welp, it seems I'm not rolling above 9 today. xD

Sorry, my reading comprehension momentarily abandoned me. Vanzetti did indeed very clearly tell us about the Shrine!

The wooden floors of the Baker are thoroughly dusted with rice flour - it's windows are open to let out the heat from the oven. The village's most skilled baker, an elderly man whose clothes and short hair are speckled with rice flour. He seems genuinely surprised and appreciative of the fact that someone is taking a keen interest in his cooking, and explains that his bread feeds nearly half of the village, and the rest goes for trade.

You can try to learn some of his secrets (or rather, the fundamentals of Sunsu Godae cuisine) with a Profession: Cook check or another craft or profession check related to cooking. Technically, crafting skills can be tried untrained, so if you really want to, you can try it even without ranks. It's up to you, though fully appreciating the intricacies of a foreign cuisine isn't all that intuitive, and poking the dough too much may anger the baker.

Realizing that the dilemma this village faces them with makes it no place for the faint of heart, V concentrates a moment to manifest his most heroic qualities, his mask momentarily rippling with a mysterious silvery sheen as he does so.

When none of the locals are looking, I cast heroism on myself, mocking-up quicksilver to extend the duration to 90 minutes.

Though no baker he, V gives understanding the art as earnest an effort as he can manage.

untrained Craft (Alchemy), heroism, Sacrificial Boon: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Dain finds the same... traces, that Otto found earlier, but they don't seem to make any sense to you.
Dain, Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
You also have this a bit weird, kinda tugging feeling that you quite didn't notice earlier when you were focused on the villagers, but you can't make any sense out of it either. Maybe it's just you worrying about the smithy chasing you with a hammer.

As soon as he reconvenes with the others, he takes a moment to break out a new trinket of his: An electrum wand in the shape of a yad and inscribed all over with numeric runes deep-etched in gemstone powder. He points it at each of the party in turn, and they each experience a fleeting epiphany fixated on, of all things, a particular number.

Before we go any further, everyone gets a lucky number!:
myself: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Reesa: 1d20 ⇒ 6
Dain: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Tachonius: 1d20 ⇒ 6
Rhon: 1d20 ⇒ 8
Otto: 1d20 ⇒ 1 Gor'blimey - we have a winner!!!

Unfortunately, Vanzetti's unprofessional mannerism of poking at the dough - or maybe it was his rather unsettling mask, or something he said - sets something off in the baker. His eyes flare up first with disbelief, then with fear, and finally with anger as he picks up a rolling pin and barely misses V's fingers. As he chases Vanzetti out of his house, he doesn't stop there, but rather, disappears deeper into the village.

That's 3rd phase for Dain and Vanzetti. I'll still need actions from Otto, Tachonius and Reesa before we can move on.

You can try to learn some of his secrets (or rather, the fundamentals of Sunsu Godae cuisine) with a Profession: Cook check or another craft or profession check related to cooking. Technically, crafting skills can be tried untrained, so if you really want to, you can try it even without ranks. It's up to you, though fully appreciating the intricacies of a foreign cuisine isn't all that intuitive, and poking the dough too much may anger the baker.

That latter part wasn't actually up when I posted; is it too late to say I wouldn't have tried that if I'd only had that warning beforehand?

That's fair. I posted the first part, then decided you probably deserve a clear warning about the course you're about to undertake, so I added it in. Didn't know you were already replying to it. It's fair to take it back.

So, instead of poking bread he doesn't quite fully understand, Vanzetti decides that caution is the better part of valor, and maybe politely retreats from the bakery, with a few tasty treats for himself.

For the record, the original post was:
Technically, crafting skills can be tried untrained, so if you really want to, you can try it even without ranks. It's up to you, though.
With the warning added a few moments later.

Edit: I want to point out that at this point you should probably be aware that no matter what you poke in the village, you run a risk of angering them, and the risk runs higher the more time passes.

Reesa decided to visit the bridge. Those villagers attending to the strange net looked friendly, she thought.

At a closer inspection, there seems to be a woven net underneath the bridge that catches fish and debris as they travel down the stream. The Sunsu Godae explain that they check net regularly, placing the fish into baskets while carrying the debris outside of town.
You can try a profession: Fisherman or Survival check to study the local fishing technique if you want to.

Survival 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Reesa tried to figure out the fishing technique.

Reesa Just to make sure, you wish to try this despite the warning in the post just above yours saying that no matter what you do in the village, everything runs a risk of angering them?
As in, if you just didn't notice it, then do say so. If you did notice it but decided to try never the less, we'll keep the check, hm?

As it is still relatively early, I decided to go ahead even though I knew there was a possibility of angering them.

Alrighty, that's cool. I'll wait for Tachonius' and Otto's actions for the third 20 minute phase before posting the rest of the results.

Interested in local fighting styles, Tachonius decides to check out the training grounds.

GM, any chance we can get the list of locations on the slides? The list is now on a different page.

Otto decides to continue searching the village, this time with particular attention to understanding whatever weird phenomena he has already observed.

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
If rolling Sense Motive is also allowed: Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

For strategizing our remaining rounds: Otto has +9 Survival for checking the fishing nets (or an additional +2 if the GM feels that a boon related to getting food in jungle/forest applies). He can also attempt to talk with the Baker if the GM will allow Profession (Gardener) (+9). At the Hostler's House he could attempt Knowledge (Nature) (+4). We don't know what skill checks are needed for the Weaver's House but that seems like a potentially important location in light of what we've already learned about the fraying of the tapestry. My suggestion is that we don't try to break into the boarded up house but first, after using the rest of our investigation rounds here in the village, go into the jungle to meet the high priestess and see what follows from that. Is there anyone who can speak Draconic to be able to speak with her?

Thanks for the tip! I added the locations to the slides, it may prove useful to you later.

Wooden swords and dummies line the walls in the training hall, interspersed with the occassional spear, shield, or bow. Suits of o-yoroi armor and decorative masks carved to resemble the faces of demons and oni fill the corners of the room. Around you, Onhae's children are receiving instructions in the sword. A bit reluctantly, the swordmaster explains that the Sunsu Godae have a long tradition of swordsmanship, and it's young people are expected to master and demonstrate complex series of sword forms as a part of their coming of age ceremony. The swordmaster urges you to move on, though, claiming that he doesn't have time nor interest to teach you tricks.
Provided that you stay respectful, he is willing to watch you try out one of the forms - potentially earning his respect if you are disciplined enough.
You can try an attack roll with a sword if you want to, to showcase your mastery of the weapon. If you have your own sword, you can use that, and you can use any abilities you may have to boost your attack provided that they don't require specific circumstances (bane wouldn't work, for example).
Please let me know if you want to try this.

Meanwhile, Otto spends more time around the village's vicinity, but can't make any heads or tails out of the weird feeling or the strange traces around the village.
Yeah, you can attempt both the sense motive and the planes, but neither are high enough to meet the DC. All of your suggestions are fine (You can use the boon, and you can use profession: Gardener)

Tachonius shows the students his falcata and explains a bit about the rondelro fighting style of his people. He then attempts a small demonstration.

+1 Keen Falcata: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

Probably won't be able to post again until tonight, so just posting this now.

For the next (4th?) phase, Otto will attempt to continue ferreting out whatever weirdness he has uncovered in the village. I can retry the checks, yes?

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

However, he continues to be unsure of what is going on here. Except that he suspects that the villagers may - just possibly - be hiding his lost dog...

The swordmaster seems to observe your performance to the end - perhaps even looking a bit interested in it at times - but to your disappointment, he merely turns away as you finish your demonstration.
"Now that you are done, would you leave us alone so that the children can practice." His voice is a bit cold and steely, but at least he lets you leave without actually chasing you off.

I'll post more in a moment when I get back home.

As you've made your rounds, you've gathered around at the bridge to exchange information and plan your next delve into the mysteries of this small and pictoresque village. Vanzetti has just finished up tapping everyone else with his wand of lucky numbers, and you're waiting for Reesa to get up from under the bridge - it sounds like there's some sort of argument.

Reesa, your time with the fishers started going south as soon as you started trying to figure out the nets and structures built under the bridge. Soon enough, the two fishers were snapping at you and were clearly frustrated by even your best attempts. A few of the other villagers started to gather around and watch what was going on, and as you were eventually forced to give up, angry words and curses were flying at you. You might think you did nothing wrong, but A thrown trout: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8 that zips right past your ear proves that the villagers think otherwise.

Just as Vanzetti turns to meet Reeza and taps her with his wand, a fish barely misses her head. From behind the bridge you catch a glimpse of the fisher who threw it, as he loses balance as a result of the his anger fueled, reckless throw. A loud splash and a stream of curses makes it easy to guess what happened, despite the bridge concealing the view. A few moments later, the man can be seen clambering up from the other side of the river, as what appears a crushed and tangled mess of net and short sticks floats down the river.

Angry chatter and shouts start to fill the air as a group of guards start to approach you from the Inn's direction. Holding bows and well crafted double-bladed swords, the guards clad in ceremonial lamellar armor slow their step as they reach the bridge.
"Okay, outsiders. You had your fun. Now leave." the first one spits out - the same one that first gave you a tour.
"We don't need you here, and you've clearly just come to mock our traditions and heritage. We ask you to leave. Please. Don't make this hard for either of us." the other - Gao Ni Sho, from the temple - a bit shorter but just as stout man adds. He has an arrow in his fingers and a bow in his hand, but it isn't draw.
Yet.

Behind you, there's just a couple of small huts before the outskirts of the village begin. Just a few hundred feet later, there's the edge of the jungle.

There's nothing to prevent you from simply turning and walking away, out of the village, but I've included a, uh, map in the slides to help you picture the situation. There's also an undetermined amount of unrepresented NPC villagers around. Most of them aren't armed, and the few that are, are mainly just very tightly holding broomsticks or the like, and clearly aren't any sort of real threat.

Sense Motive 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

It was obvious the villagers were not taking well to the group. Reesa decided discretions was the better part of valor, and began heading for the jungle away from the angry tribesmen.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Sensing that the villagers don't want to fight, but also will no longer tolerate the group, Otto and Rhon join Reesa as she walks away from the village. "Our mission is to befriend these people, so we'd probably best not fight with them. I suggest we go find their priestess in the jungle. Perhaps she can help us understand their strange cult of Aram Zey so we can figure out what is going on here. And while we go, I'll look for that monstrous purple flower we were told about!"

Perception, looking for Purple flower: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Profession (Gardener), looking for purple flower: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Survival, looking to find the priestess in the jungle: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26 +2 to avoid getting lost

"Aye, Ah think leavin' peacefully it th' best option here. No reason th' escalate."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

"Ah've no idea why they're so angry. :/"

Dain follows Reesa and Otto (and Rhon).
"Right ye are, Otto. Ye seem to be th' most at home in findin' order in th' wilderness. Ah'll help with th' directions th' best as I can."

Assisting Otto in Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11 +2 to avoid getting lost
Looking for the Purple Flower: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

"Well, that could've gone better. Weird people. Really insular. An' that's a dwarf sayin' so! Welp, no point crying over spilled milk. Let's hope th' priestess is more open to talkin'."

It's not easy but with some luck, instructions, and a bit of teamwork, you find a trail that has clearly been travelled more than a couple of times. Following the path you come across deep but narrow stream that runs through the jungle. A large tree trunk has been anchored with sturdy sticks and bits of rope to serve as a bridge, and in the foliage on the other side, you see a man in his fourties standing in guard, dressed in a decorated traditional Onhae armor.

"Halt, strangers! Who are you, and What business do you have trespassing our lands?" the man barks a command as you approach. From the rustling of the undergrowth it's clear that there are others nearby, even if you can't see more quite yet.

The man doesn't look familiar. Despite wearing the same kind of armour and carrying the same style of weapons as the guards in the village, you probably haven't seen him before.

When the group left the village, Otto would have changed into Troll shape and resumed wearing his signifer mask.

Otto looks at the guard with interest, but leaves the talking to those less obnoxious than himself.

As a sidenote, I've added a slide with a map of the current terrain.

"We come from afar, and in peace," Announces V as he steps forward. "We are...voyagers, who had visited in hopes of making friendly contact. In all veracity, we have been having...great trouble doing so. We have just come from your...or at least, *a* village where the guards outfit themselves just as you do, and seem to have made a very vexing first impression. We are void of any volition of the vulgar or vicious varieties."

Diplomacy, heroism, Sacrificial Boon: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

Auto success on Aid Another Diplomacy.

”He speaks the truth. We come in peace. We’d like to learn more about your culture.”

Don't need to use the sacrifical boon, no need for a diplo check.

A clear, youthful voice from the jungle behind the guardsman: "What is it, Hui Lai? Intruders? Lee Soi, Kun Sai - come over here."[/b] A short moment later, you three more people appear from behind the foliage. While two of them share the same guard outfit, the one speaking is dressed in similar style, but her decorations are red. Her hair is raven black, and she draws a rather large, gold decorated, dark-bladed sword.
"I am Lin Fen Hai - the chosen Pathfinder of Aram Zey the Ruby Pheonix. You are treading on our sacred ground, outsiders - and you aren't answering the question. Who are you, besides 'voyagers'?" She says, as she gazes over your group judgingly. "I doubt you find much of our culture in the jungle - why are you so interested in us in the first place? And what do you mean by 'vexing first impressions'?"

"The Pathfinder Society has sent us to collect a sample from the purple flower of the Sunsu Godae. We attempted to talk to the people themselves first, but they were none too accommodating. So now, we seek the flower on our own."

BOLDED MAY ACT: SURPRISE ROUND.
Red:
Black:
Lin Fen Hai:
Blue:
Tachonius:
Otto: Ablative Barrier 40/40
Rhon:
Dain: 29 dmg, 10 non-lethal, Ablative Barrier 30/40
Reesa:
Vanzetti: 31 dmg, 5 non-lethal, Ablative Barrier 35/40

All foliage is difficult terrain. The log-bridge is sturdy and safe to navigate. There's a 10ft drop into the river, which is swiftly flowing (swim DC 15).

Sorry, had to run a con on the weekend and couldn't find time to post. Let's get this rolling again.

"Ah, I see. You're disciples of Aram Zey, just like us - he must have reached out to you as he did to me, calling for you in your sleep, and awake. " She says, as she approaches you. Her tone is warm, though you can see that she seems somewhat wary of you. "Aram Zey has sent me visions of the future, and has chose me to guide our village through these times of trouble." There's a hint of caution in the way she carries herself. "I'm a bit surprised if they didn't accomodate fellow..." A short pause as she looks over your group. For some reason, her eyes don't seem to meet yours. "... Pathfinders."

Without warning, the group attacks you. Rage and hatred glisten in Lin's eyes as she starts chopping at you with the rather sizable sword.

Her guard lets loose an arrow, Red vs Dain: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 drawing blood as it sinks into Dain's thigh, while the other one Black vs Dain: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30 -> critical threat, confirm?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 -> confirm 3d8 + 12 ⇒ (4, 6, 7) + 12 = 29 sinks his arrow squarely into the dwarf's chest.

Lin chargess accross the log, seeming un-impeded by the foliage, her blade seeking to remove Vanzetti's head from his shoulders, Lin vs Vanzetti: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 Critical threat ->
confirm?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28 -> confirms
dmg, power attack: 2d10 + 14 + 12 ⇒ (4, 6) + 14 + 12 = 36 which it nearly does.

The last guard suddenly disappears from view into thin air, appearing in the blink of an eye on the bridge in front of Dain, wielding a two-bladed sword.

Bolded may post: Surprise round. Please remind me of conditions you may have and I'll ad them to the Init track.

Tachonius decides the prudent thing to do would be to bolster his defenses.

Swift: Activate judgement (protection)
Standard: Cast shield of faith

Dain reels back as the two arrows strike him deep.

"Now this's just excessive!"
He yelps in alarm and Defensively casts Vanish on Vanzetti (5 rounds of invisibility), then uses a Swift action to regain the spell (-1 Arcane Pool).

(Concentration bonus +18, so Dain automatically succeeds defensive concentration checks of up to level 2 spells)

Dain takes a 5ft. step between Tachonius and Reesa.

Spellcraft agains the teleport effect that the last guard used: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

"Tachonius, take the heat off of me for a second if ye can, Ah can't take another such volley in me hide. Be careful, those swords seem sharp."

@GM, can Large creatures (Otto and Rhon) cross the log bridge as normal or does it require a special check? (Realizing that there are foes in the way at present!).

The only buff that Otto or Rhon have active at present is Ablative Barrier. Otto is in Troll form.

BOLDED MAY ACT: Round 1
Red:
Black:
Lin Fen Hai:
Blue:
Tachonius: 46 dmg, Judgement: Protection, Shield of Faith
Otto: Ablative Barrier 40/40
Rhon:
Dain: 29 dmg, 10 non-lethal, Ablative Barrier 30/40
Reesa:
Vanzetti: 50 dmg + 1 sacrifical boon = 51, 10 non-lethal, bleeding, unconscious, Invisible 5 rounds, Ablative Barrier 30/40. At -1 hp.

All foliage = Darker Green is difficult terrain. The log-bridge is sturdy and safe to navigate. There's a 10ft drop into the river, which is swiftly flowing (swim DC 15).

Yes, you can. The bridges are described as sturdy (no balance/slippery/etc) and it's drawn poorly to line up with the grid. If there's bridge on the square, you can stand on it. Not sure how it would work if you try to stop on the bridge, though. Let's assume that as long as you have 3 or more squares with bridges underneath you, you're good. just 2 and you're squeezing, does that sound fair? And yeah, you can act on the same initiative, I've put you together.

Before you can fully recover from the shock, the group continues to hack it's way through your ranks.
The two guards both draw their bows and let fly an arrow aimed at Tachonius,
Red vs Tachonius, Favored Enemy Human: 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 4 = 30
1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 4 = 13
Black vs Tachonius, Favored Enemy Human: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
with one of them landing a solid hit, while the other barely misses. They drop their bows, draw their double-bladed swords, and step closer.

Meanwhile, as Vanzetti disappears from view, Lin makes an attempt to finish what she started, aiming a chop where his head used to be.
Lin vs Vanzetti, power attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30 critical threat
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 -> does not confirm
50% miss chance, high is good: 1d100 ⇒ 82 -> hit
Dmg, vital strike, power attack: 2d10 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (2, 9) + 7 + 6 = 24
There's a loud thump as the sorcerer's body hits the ground. With swift steps she moves through the foliage to harass the Dain and Reesa.

The last guard steps towards Tachonius, and begins a whirling kata similar to what you witnessed in the training hall, slicing and dicing at the man.
Blue vs Tachonius: TWF, F.E. Human: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 13 - 2 + 4 = 19 -> miss
Blue vs Tachonius: TWF, F.E. Human: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 13 - 2 + 4 = 35 -> Critical threat
Confirm?: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18 -> does not confirm
dmg, Fav. E. Human: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Blue vs Tachonius: TWF, F.E. Human, iterative: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 2 + 4 = 29 -> Critical threat
confirms?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18-> does not confirm
dmg, Fav. E. Human, Double Slice: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
The first hit is easily dodged but perhaps it was just a feint, as the two other hit home, drawing blood from Tachonius' side and shoulder.

Bolded (everybody) may post. Vanzetti is last in Initiative, you don't need to roll for stabilize if you receive healing before your turn. If you are healed, you can act normally on your turn.

Reesa moves 30’ backwards tothe north, away from the attackers. She then casts CreatePit, trying to neutralize both red and black archers, giving the team time to react and prepare defenses.

Creat Pit should get both of them. DC 18 Reflex to Resist.

There's a river behind your back to the north, and the bastard-sword wielding Lin will most likely take an attack of opportunity at you if you turn your back and hustle 30' backwards. Did you mean to try and jump over the river, or..? Also, are you carrying any sort of weapon in your hands? Dagger or something?

Also, I suspect that the map was flipped (accidentally) 90 degrees when they made the pdf. Based on how it is written, it looks like you *should* have come from what is *now* the south side. However, the scenario says that you approach from what is now the west side, which places you within range of the first guard immediately, leaving very little room for the combat. If everyone is okay with it, I've taken the liberty to add more terrain to the west side - otherwise, you'll be two 5' steps away from being outside of the map.

Dain, you don't recognize the magic used. In fact, you didn't notice anything that would explain what happened. The effect may have been supernatural in nature.

Ok, three enemies are outlined in colors, red, blue and black. Which icon is the other enemy? If it the woman due south of me, I’ll take a 5’ step to the north and try to drop her into a pit instead. Same Reflex...DC 18 to save.

Sorry, outlined those since their tokens look the same. The fourth one is the one next to you and Dain, Lin Fen Hai, her picture is in the next slide. In the future, I'll outline unique enemies too, didn't realize they could be easily mixed up with PC's. Sorry!

Depending on what you do:

EDIT: Sorry, was writing as you made your edit.
Yes, it's the woman. She Steps Up to the NW, and is still threatening you. Please decide whether you want to cast defensively or not before checking the above GM screen. I've now outlined her in Purple.

Dain moves next to the purple lady with a move action, provoking an Attack of Opportunity from the Blue guard.

If the Blue guard takes and hits with the AoO, Dains Spellstoring armor activates and the guard is hit with Frigid Touch: They take 4d6 cold damage and are Staggered for 1 round.

Frigid Touch from Armor: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 4, 6) = 19
+ Stagger 1 round.

Dain the casts Frigid Touch defensively (DC 19, +18 Concentration) and tries to hit the purple lady with a touch attack.

Frigid Touch, Touch attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 274d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 4, 3) = 18
+ Stagger 1 round.

"That slowed 'em down a bit! Give 'em everythin' ye got!"

"Vanzetti! Ye still standin'!?" Dain shouts at the empty air.
Sorry, I didn't ask if you wanted the Vanish cast on you. I panicked a bit. ^^'

"Otto! Do ye need more space for yerself and Rhon?"

BOLDED MAY ACT: Round 1

Red:
Black:
Lin Fen Hai: 18dmg, staggered
Blue: 19 dmg, staggered
Tachonius: 46 dmg, Judgement: Protection, Shield of Faith
Otto: Ablative Barrier 40/40
Rhon:
Dain: 42 dmg, 15 non-lethal, Ablative Barrier 25/40
Reesa:
Vanzetti: 50 dmg + 1 sacrifical boon = 51, 10 non-lethal, bleeding, unconscious, Invisible 5 rounds, Ablative Barrier 30/40. At -1 hp.

All foliage = Darker Green is difficult terrain. The log-bridge is sturdy and safe to navigate. There's a 10ft drop into the river, which is swiftly flowing (swim DC 15).

The blue guard slashes at Dain's legs as he makes a move towards the priestess.

Bolded may act - Reesa, does Purple Step Up'ing next to you change your plans? If not, concentration for defensive casting or risk an AoO. If you cast the pit, draw it where you want it, please.

Reesa will try to cast her spell defensively.

Concentration check vs DC 191d20 + 7 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 5 = 15

Im on my phone so I can’t draw the pit, but I want just the edge of it to be underneath the woman, with the rest of it other left on the map, so hopefully it doesn’t have an effect on the rest of us, if it goes off, that is.

Re the bridges, yes, sounds completely fair.

Otto quickly mutters a spell and a globe of water appears on the far side of the ravine, on top of Black and Red. Aqueous Orb, Reflex DC 18 or take Non Lethal dmg: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6; if the first save is failed must make a second Reflex DC 18 or be engulfed.

Then he draws his scythe and directs Rhon to attack their foes. Otto has reach, so he threatens Blue.

Rhon does not have reach, but if Tachonius moves 5' to the right he can move up and attack Blue.