[Outpost II 2019] GM Blazej The Solstice Scar D [STANDARD] (Inactive)

Game Master Zynete

Bellius moves up directly behind Ken'ichi and takes aim at the northernmost blue undead (due to its positioning 1 square below Ken'ichi, I believe that this attack will not suffer from soft cover). He grimaces when he hears their words and sees their unnatural attack on the samurai. "I think I preferred the plants," he says to no one in particular as he shoots an arrow into the darkness around the portal.

Attack, longbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21Concealment (Miss if < 20): 1d100 ⇒ 22
Damage (P): 1d8 ⇒ 5

The spiritualist fires a bolt on the blue one with her crossbow taking advantage of her darkvision. Then she reloads.

Bolt: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Dhavak moves.

Benu steps up to bathe the creatures in light. He then says a prayer and places his stick on Ken'ichi's head.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Spontaneous casting. Giving up Doom for Cure Light.

Logan laughed gleefully as he charged into battle, his weapons held out behind him. "I saw a ninja do this! Apparently it makes you faster!"

It didn't.

With or without cover the attacks from both Bellius and Ifzard slam into the undead. The first slams into the side of the creature, breaking one of the creature's boils, spraying filthy pus in return. The second attack breaks another boil but since the dead creature to the ground.

- Round 1 -
Bellius
Bahen
Logan

- Round 2 -
Benu
Ifzari
Dhavak
Ken’ichi (1 damage)
Undead Red
Undead Blue (12 damage)

Bahen moves up and casts divine favor upon himself.

More cautious now, Ken'ichi moves forward, holding his sword in a defensive stance.

Move Action: Move 20'.

Standard Action: Full Defense (+4 AC dodge bonus)

The energies within the circle spa at the wounds of the fallen undead to no effect. For the one that still stands the monster's hunger and rage is stoked to the breaking point. It runs at Ken'ichi on all fours with incredible speed, the mouth slavering for a bite for the flesh.

"No share! More meat for me!"

Despite the best efforts of the swordsman, the creature is able to tear into the armor with his teeth. Only a bit of blood was drawn but the creature seems emboldened and empowered by the taste.

"More!"

Undead Attack - Bite at Ken'ichi: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

4 damage to Ken'ichi and the undead is energized and given new strength.

- Round 2 -
Bellius
Bahen (divine favor)
Logan

- Round 3 -
Benu
Ifzari
Dhavak
Ken’ichi (5 damage)
Undead Red (bolstered)

Logan finished running forward and swung the gandasa up into the undead.

1st Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 222d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 = 8

Bahen skirts through the wooded area into a flanking position with Logan drawing his short spear as he does. He attempts to stab this foul abomination.

short spear, divine favor, flank: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 25
damage, divine favor: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 = 10

confirm: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 18
extra damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3
move action: move and draw. Standard action attack.

Since surrounding the enemy wasn't something Benu does anymore he does the next best thing, he gives Ken'ichi another Blessing. "Kill it before it kills you, kid."

Blessing od the Faithful.

The extra vitality the undead drew from the blood is instantly dispelled as Logan drives his weapon into the undead. As Bahen moves behind to strike the creature, he feels the energies from the portal burning away his flesh. That isn't enough to stop his blow from tearing through the undead and casting it to the ground with a powerful thrust.

Negative Energy Damage to Bahen from Rift: 1d3 ⇒ 3

- End -
Bellius
Bahen (divine favor, 3 damage)
Logan
Benu
Ifzari
Dhavak
Ken’ichi (5 damage)
Undead Red (16 damage)

Even with the undead defeated the rift remains emitting the necromatic energy. If Bahen isn't pulled away it would continue to drain the life out of his flesh and freeze his blood.

Ken'ichi feels the negative energy radiating from the circle. He steps forward and pulls at Bahen, trying to get the Vishkanya away from the evil place.

CMB/Pull w/ BotF: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Making assumptions here. Let me know if you need something else.

Ken'ichi: That is more than enough and would stop Bahen from taking further injuries as long as he has no problems with the action.

Other Pathfinder groups swarm the site, taking on other undead that are patrolling the area while other groups cast powerful magics on themselves as they move into the rift itself to fight Eshmika's forces in their own domain.

While you have a moment to tend to your wounds a Kellid scout runs to the party and skids to the stop. You recognize him as Bayah, one of the Twinhorn that has been traveling with the convoy. He shows several recent battle wounds, but he ignores the pain from those as he relays his message. "Pathfinders! Be careful. My clanmates have given us a warning that a fearsome creature has settled in this area recently: a powerful drake."

He looks off to a hill, several minutes away as he continues to explain, "Several other scouts believed the beast emerged from the rift, but I've had a closer look, and I recognize the drake as a type common in the Hold of Belkzen to the southwest."

He takes another breath as he considers the issue and resolves himself to bring himself to even offer any suggestion to the party.

"I'm not sure that it's truly our enemy, though I can see that it's angry and looking for a fight. It's not safe to leave alone, otherwise it might attack us when we should be focused on Eshmika."

He rubs at his arm, which is raw as if burned before saying, "I tried talking to it but might have given the wrong impression. If you are able, I would ask you to see if you are able to deal with it, if only to give a better estimate of it's abilities or allegiances. Are you willing to take on this task in my stead? Whether you defeat with speech or spears, we can't afford to ignore it."

He continues to describe the abilities of the drake from his short encounter. "It is incredibely fast, able to close distances quickly on land and by air. From it's mouth it is able to spit out batches of spittle that melt away flesh in a small area. This type of drake isn't especially smart, but that is only comparing it to the dragons told of in song. It has a devious cunning and an intelligence that would match many a warrior here."

Is the party up for an encounter with a drake? Any questions you might have? You can also handle any healing you wish right now.

Sheathing his weapon as the scout approaches them, Ken'ichi listens to Bayah's description of this new problem. "Dragons of any size or type are no laughing matter, if the tales told are true But they also told to be reasonable creatures, if one can appeal to their pride. Perhaps we can come to some kind of an agreement with it. At least to have it leave us alone, if not make it an ally."

Bellius looks a little nervous at the mention of a drake, but nods his assent to the new mission.

Logan held his hand up. "I, for one, would love to attempt to wrestle one."

"Sounds dangerous. But somebody's got to do it. Might as well be us."

Reminder about healing, both Ken'ichi and Bahen have damage as you go forward, you can heal along the way if you wish.

You are able to reach the drake's lair after about ten minutes. It has claimed a steep hill with a commanding view of the area. Behind the large rocks at the peak rests the drake, gives a slow dull roar, as though it's own heavy breathing was an insult to itself. The creature's gaunt body is covered with spines. Patches of the creature's dark scales seem faded, drained of any luster and the rocks show various signs of the drakes rage being taken out on them.

It takes notice of your approach and slams the ground in rage calling out to you in broken Commmon, "This is Zurhriga's lair! What fools dare try to take it from me!"

Oh yeah, meant to do this.
Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 1
...Of course. Here.
Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 6

"We aren't after your lair, but I think we may know who is."

Logan studied the large drake, sizing it up to figure out if he could actually succeed with what he wanted to attempt, before looking at the more mystical members of the party for guidance, keeping his voice low.

"Is there any aura pinging off it like the previous zeds would have had?"

Knowledge (arcana) give yet more information on this drake than you have already been told.

"Think? What do you think?", Zurhriga spits the words out as though trying to get the words out of his mouth as quickly as possible. "I've seen your bands racing across these lands, gathering little armies. The hairy one there is already eyeing me."

If the party wants to continue with the difficult feat of negotiation, various techniques need to be used to back this fight down, if that is what you would want. What would you say to this drake?

Logan shrugged and put his gandasa on the ground and showed to the dragon that he was unarmed. "I eye everyone over. I mean you no harm."

bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Of course, he didn't say anything about not wrasslin.

"Mighty drake," Ken'ichi pipes up, stepping forward,"Our fight is not with you. We know better than to disrupt a natural ruler of this area, and ask forgiveness for causing you trouble. Rather, our aim is to rid this land of a usurper who would seek to take this land from all creatures, even one as mighty as yourself, and corrupt it for their own means. If you would allows us to go about our way freely, we would not look to disturb you any further. Or, if you would grace us with your strength, our ability to rid the land of this corruption would be assured."

When in doubt, a little groveling never hurt anyone.

Seeing the drake's distress and signs of his anger around the area, Bellius speaks up, sweat dripping from his brow, "Surely, awesome Zurhriga, you have felt evil rising. We seek to vanquish it, and then would happily leave you in peace."

As he speaks, the young Taldan tries to understand the source of the drake's rage, and to recall any legends that might help him to make his case to the beast.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

"There's someone trying to take all of these lands for themselves, your lair too. Our little army is just trying to get rid of these delinquents and then we will leave this forest as we found it. Better than how we found it hopefully."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Oh for the love of...hope you guys are ready to fight a drake.

"Then you are here to fight the shadow within the stone circle. She also called upon me. Asked me to fighter her battles serve her. Like I should do to you, I refused. I am no piece in any other's game." He flaps his wings to puff himself up during the story. "She unleashed the darkness within the circle at me, tried to bind me. They were slow, but many. I couldn't avoid one and since then the wound has ached me. Burned into my scales."

"I made my lair to rest, but the darkness spreads and I just see the plants wither and die." It slaps a claw against a tree tearing the dead branches from the waning tree as he roars at Benu. "Die like she wants me! You think your 'little army' could defeat her when I could not! You think that you can survive the same wound she dealt a dragon you mortal!?"

Ken'ichi: If Ken'ichi wishes to praise the drake, he could make a Diplomacy, Perform, or a Bluff check to do so.

Bellius: You don't know much about this specific drake, but dragons are widely known to be creatures of ego (either vulnerable for inflating it or striking it down). As well they are creatures of avarice that can be enticed with bribery, either promises of future tribute or immediate offerings.

The spiritualist knows that she's not a good diplomat. So she let this part to others. But she tries to know better this beast.

Knowledge arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

"Then you are here to fight the shadow within the stone circle. She also called upon me. Asked me to fighter her battles serve her. Like I should do to you, I refused. I am no piece in any other's game." He flaps his wings to puff himself up during the story. "She unleashed the darkness within the circle at me, tried to bind me. They were slow, but many. I couldn't avoid one and since then the wound has ached me. Burned into my scales."

"I made my lair to rest, but the darkness spreads and I just see the plants wither and die." It slaps a claw against a tree tearing the dead branches from the waning tree as he roars at Benu. "Die like she wants me! You think your 'little army' could defeat her when I could not! You think that you can survive the same wound she dealt a dragon you mortal!?"

"The difference, great one, is that we seek your aid, where as she wishes to make a slave of even one as great as you. We are small, it is true, but we are also many, and we have the power of a god and the spirits behind us, as well. The same god that once laid this evil low many years ago, though it would only be a trifle amount of time to one such as you."

"Regardless,"Ken'ichi continues,"We will fight this foe even if you do not join us, but is not retaliation for such a slight the right of a dragon? I promise that this foe will not stop chasing you. Better to end the threat now."

Here goes!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Not horrible. Hopefully it helps.

For a moment the dragon eyes Ken'ichi as though it were a weakened bit of prey for something as grand as himself, but instead preens and flexes with Ken'ichi's praise. "This would be a pest certainly. Even now it irritates something as great as me, but why bother? You seem to think you will crush it yourself?"

A more direct question, would you like to fight the drake? While Ken'ichi's check is barely successful, this requires successful checks from most of the party. This isn't something that It doesn't need to be diplomacy, but allow some interaction with the dragon.

Options include:
Bribing: Giving a bribe while selling the value of it with Appraise, Knowledge (arcana), Use Magic Device, Bluff or Spellcraft.
Encouraging: Diplomacy or Knowledge (planes) to encourage the drake without focusing on bolstering its ego. Describing the threat of the enemy or even the rewards of allying.
Shaming: Goad the drake while trying to direct the anger at Eshmka with Handle Animal, Intimidate, Perform (comedy), or Sense Motive.
Other: Any other option you would like to suggest. If Logan wants to prove his own strength to the drake via wrestling, he can feel free to take a shot at it as long as he isn't taking motions to prepare some secret attack the drake might not turn down the challenge.

Ifzari knows that this spire drake is young for his kind, breath attack it can deal is a 10 foot radius blast of negative energy that would linger on anyone hit, effectively sickening them and reducing the effectiveness of healing magic on them.

I've layed the ground work. Who wants to fight 'with' a drake, rather than against one? :D

I would rather try the talking route first myself.

"We may not beat her, but we have to try. I'm surprised we have to fight. I can't believe you let her hurt you and get away with it. If I were a mighty drake such as yourself I would've bitten her in half."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Bellius, seeing an opportunity in the drake's words, attempts to goad it into taking action against Eshmika, "Would you have people say that weak creatures like us defeated a foe that you yourself could not, great Zurhriga? If this evil affronts you, why not prove your might by striking against it directly. Or is this foe in truth beyond you?"

What a surprise to hear someone trying to intimidate the Drake. Even if she's quite an expert in the art to intimidate somebody, Ifzari tries to take another way.

The universe is much bigger than anything else and the planes are all part of it. The planets are only parcels of materials. So what are the livings?

Knowledge planes: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

To the others:

Even if he's a little one, I think that he's too strong to fight against.

The drake bristles a bit it turns into a cringe as Benu chastises him.
"With that powerful magic, she tricked me." He throws away his cowardice and roars again, "She tricked me! If I were ready she could do nothing against me! If she dares show herself around me again I will tear her apart! I swear! But I will not be lured into her trap again..."

It flares it's wings at Bellius to drive him back, yelling in a fury breath bristling with corruption Eshmika left on the Zurhriga, "I know the truth mortal! You want me to fight your battle for you. Bleed so you can save yourselves!"

He gives a cautious look as Ifzari states her case, "You put me on the same level as you? That you and I bound together in this cause against these undead abominations? Fine. My prey has left this wood or been destroyed by her armies. I can't live in a land of walking dead. I will accept your alliance if only to secure my own stake in this."

He takes to the skies roars toward the rift above the din of the battles in the distance. His boast rip toward Eshmika as he declares his allegiance to your forces. "You treacherous wretch. You tried to bind me to your will, use me as a tool. I now side with your enemies and I shall deal a wound many times greater than the one you dealt me!"

"Mortals. I will join in battle soon, for now I will take my vengeance on her pathetic pawns." After another few moments he flies off toward undead patrols looking to sharpen his talons in battle.

When you get back to the stone circle you find Medda directing the Twinhorn mystics into positions around the rift. The various chanters preparing components in a frenzy as they work to being able to take hold and prepare to close the rift with Eshimka's destruction.

Medda turns her attention to you as you approach, "Blessings Pathfinders. Bayah already mentioned the drake to me. From the roar I heard over the hills I can assume you have ensured a level of safety for our ritual."

"Still, the rift is far greater than we had accounted for. We lack the resources or numbers to seal the rift as we had hoped. I must again as for your aid. We need help preparing more regant as well as fighting off the attackers."

This is a unique event where each round of the event you have various options to contribute to the defense of the site or the completion of the ritual.

Contribute Magic: Magical energy is necessary to help perform the ritual. To do this would require spending a 1st level spell slot. This requires no check.

Defend the Site: Despite the efforts of Pathfinders in and outside the rift, undead and monsters attack from both the portal and the wilderness. You can stop this with a successful attack roll or Craft (traps) check. Using a spell or ability that harms undead also works, but must deal 6 damage to a single target, or 4 damage to multiple creatures.

Perform the Ritual:: Any character can add their own expertise to the ritual by making a Knowledge (arcana, planes, religion), Spellcraft, Perform (dance or sing) or Use Magic Device.

Prepare Reagants: There are many focuses and components necessary for the ritual, while the mystics brought much, they need more to contend with the larger rift. Appraise, Craft (alchemy) Heal, Knowledge (nature), Profession (herbalist) would allow a character to produce additional focuses to work into the incantations.

Other: As always, if you have some other technique or ability you think could help in place above, let me know and I'll let you know if it can work or what check I would need.

- Ritual Part 1 -

Right now, the participants are just preparing the stone circle and beginning the ritual. Thankfully the number of undead attacking are sparse and few in number. For this section only, you can only earn two successes using Defend the Site.

Note: We currently have a well buffed Aid Token on the table that would be stuck here a while if it were waiting for a combat. Unless you wished to use the boosted Knowledge off of it, someone could attempt their own check to boost another Knowledge skill on the Token and pass it to another table.

Spellcraft is not helpful for myself. unless one of the casters want to use it themselves, I can apply my Knowledge (nature) to the Aid.

The young tengu puts himself to work in helping to Prepare Reagants, providing whatever expertise he can manage of the natural world.

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

A note on how Provide Knowledge from the Aid token works. It lets you use that skill result in place of your own. While you might not need to use it here, even a non-spellcaster could use the benefit in the Perform Ritual section to try to pass the Spellcraft check, despite having no ranks themselves.

Defend the Site

Trusting in his comrades to help complete the ritual, Bellius draws his longbow, and with the eye of a practiced marksman, attempts to eliminate any threats before they can harm the group.

Attack, longbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

@GM Blazej - noted, though I am tempted to let the others apply that boost to their roll. If it seems like we're wasting time using that boosted token, I will apply it in a future round.

I say boost it and send it on.

Benu jumps in to help with the Ritual.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

@Benu - that's not a bad idea.

@GM Blazej - can we retroactively apply my attack roll to a boost and send it on?

No you would need to make another roll to attempt to boost it. Also, since it already has an allied offensive boost, it can't gain get another of that same boost. The one option left to boost, that the party can provide, is Provide Knowledge with something other than Spellcraft.

Bahen falls into the ritual, speaking in tongues.

Use Magic Device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Logan ran around the site, taking out any undead that were coming their way since that was the only way he knew to contribute.

Defend: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

The spiritualist is going to perform the ritual.

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Dhavak defends the site.

Slam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Ken'ichi has a bit of trouble preparing the reagents strong enough to stand against the waves of the negative energy billowing from the portal. The components have the life drained from them before they can be used in the ritual.

Working into the ritual is a difficult affair as you blend your styles into those of the Twinhorn. As a result both Bahen and Ifzari are out of sync with rest of the whole and are unable to provide aid. Benu though, at the moment is able to take measure of the magical chant and contribute his own aid to keep pace with the current tempo of the ritualists.

Logan and Bellius are able to defeat the few threats that are pushing their way into the circle, to the point that Dhavak has little to fight against.

While it is close, the initial chants are having a positive effect, pushing the energies backward. Under this pressure though the rift twists and contorts, almost in a violent rage trying to throw off the divine bindings. It builds up a massive wave of negative energy destroying much of the focuses that were already in place.

Medda calls to the ritualists, "Quickly! Craft new foci! We can't lose the ground we have already gained."

Meanwhile more undead have taken notice of this gathering as more attackers move toward the camp.

The last round needed three successes, you now need four.
There is now no limit on how many successes you can get from "Defend the Site".
Each successful "Prepare Reagents" action will give two success this round instead of one.

Reminder to boost that aid token!

Logan kept on running around, hacking at those who would try to disrupt the channeling. "Proficiencies? What proficiencies?"

Defend: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Ifzari tries to prepare reagents instead of participate to the ritual, as she was not in the rythm.

Knowledge nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Dhavak does a full attack. if possible, otherwise ignore the second attack.

Slam 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Slam 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

A little frustrated at his results, Ken'ichi doubles his efforts in helping with to Prepare Reagents for the ritual.

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Benu prays to Andoletta asking her to give some power to the ritual.

Giving up my other 1st level spell to contribute magic. I don't have a knowledge I could boost the token with. With the way the rolls have been going someone may want to use the token instead.