GM Bret’s Outpost II Solstice Scar D Tier 5-6 (Inactive)

Game Master BretI

"Well met oh great Zurhriga! My name is Vanya and I'm deeply honored to be allowed to speak to you! To even stand near one such as you and bask in your majestic presence is more than lowly creatures such as us could ever hope for in the course of our measly lives! As my companions mentioned we came here hoping against hope you would deign to lower yourself and fight the vile undead Eshimka, who dared claim it forced you to flee its foul presence! Such travestry surely cannot stand! We implore you to help us get the world rid of the lying undead monster so its rotten tongue may not sully your majestic name ever again!"

Bluff check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Vanya praises the drake hoping to flatter his ego

The Drake bristles and tenses a little at something Vanya said.

Looking to Mun, he says “The polite one is correct, my Aid could turn the battle.”

"Well met, Zurhriga. My name's Skye, shaman of the Lyrune-Quah." The owl takes preena, her feathers reflecting the stars that would be visible in the night sky. "That's Sova, my companion and spirit animal."

Spreading his fingers to feel the breeze, he adds “Bet you get some really gnarly air currents round here!”

I am Kitajo. I have heard of great drakes suck as yourself, but never seen one like you.

So... did Vanya's bluff work? And... we need rolls here people! Get to it! :P

Praise the Drake: Bolster the drake's ego with praise or feigned subservience, making him more likely to feel like the PCs' proposal is his own idea or that he's fully in control. Diplomacy, Perform or more difficult Bluff.

So... did Vanya's bluff work? And... we need rolls here people! Get to it! :P

No but there are ways to change that and yes people should interact here.

Kitajo will boster Vanya's words. Is this that drake? I cannot imagine that Eshimka could have chased such a one as this away.

Bluff Aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

The internal dilemma continues to boil with Carrick's heart.

It's clear the others want the drake's aid, is the enemy of my enemy my ally, even if a lesser evil. I doubt a creature such as this could ever be redeemed. It's likely wrong to use it for aid with the intention of vanquishing, it later. To be fair i'll announce my intentions to the beast.

Drake, you may not know much of the Inheritor, Iomedae. But as her charge, I'm sworn to strike down or help reform all those that would choose to do evil in the world. In your very nature you are evil, my goddess has revealed this much to me. Can you be redeemed to turn from evil ways, that is unknown to me, as the world is a strange and wondrous place. What is clear is that Eshimka threatens all living things, you and I and all of those around us. Join us in this battle, I can not promise I won't seek you out later and attempt to destroy you, but your deeds this day could sway my mind, as Iomedae leads. The last part meant as a prayer that Iomedae would be in agreement with Carrick's assessment of the situation and decision.

Carrick's intention is to aid the bluff with diplomacy, but if not allowed, then the bluff aid is only at +4

Diplomacy aid to bluff: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24

Kitajo does not impress the Drake at all.

Carrick, I know there is a lot of table variation on Paladins.

Sarenrae does allow for redemption. In addition allying with a small evil to take out a larger evil is something that is specifically allowed in the CRB.
“Under exceptional circumstances, a paladin can ally with evil associates, but only to defeat what she believes to be a greater evil.”

The choice to redeem or not is yours, but both your god and the code would allow you to ally now with the creature.

In my opinion, Sarenrae’s teachings would make it perfectly acceptable to promise to forgive the Drakes past misdeeds if it aids now. You would then promise to not pursue unless it committed new acts of evil.

That said, I do not allow Diplomacy to Aid Bluff, but if you prefer you could do your own separate attempt with Diplomacy to Praise the Drake. I didn’t see anything in what you wrote that sounds like a Bluff.

Would you like to keep your roll, but as a separate attempt using Diplomacy rather than Bluff?

Right -- I'm Iomedae, not the Dawnflower, but yeah that was what I was basing it on, kill the greater evil short term alliance concept.

This is what Carrick would say he would never try to bluff the creature, so I would want to keep it as a separate Diplomacy check in that case.

Excellent!

Although the Drake is not impressed by Vanya and Kitajo’s attempts to praise it, it shows pride at Carrick’s words. “You who fights all evil would recruit me in this fight? That says much about your respect for my might!”

Success. Still need to either Bribe, Shame or Other in order to recruit the Drake.

Darrioos shrugs. "Wyrm what payment do you need in turn?"

The drake smiles at the thought of payment. “Magic would be lovely, but coins would suffice.”

You need to guess what is enough to tempt him. Too little and it is a penalty to the roll, much too little and it is a larger penalty. Strangely enough, there is no bonus listed for giving too much.

Does this come out of our personal gold/items? I ask because Mun is a greedy son-of-a-gun.

It is a bribe, so the Exchange Faction Journal Card can be used for it. Otherwise, yup it comes out of your gold!

The elf's shoulders bristle when payment is mentioned.

Intimidate (shame), extremely fashionable, tap inner beauty: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 28

Sarcastic vitriol nearly visibly drips from Mun's words as they cross the distance up the hill to the drake.

Zurhriga bristles as Mun changes tactics and says “我以為你是禮貌的”

Still, after some hesitation in spite of multiple penalties triggering he says “Since some of you are evidently too poor to afford one of my stature yet the threat is so great, in this case I will aid you. Still, I claim right to any treasure off my vanquished!”

You know that he just (in his view) politely insulted the group and especially Mun while accepting.

Zurhriga then roars furiously and declares “ Eshimka shall pay for her treachery.”

He flies off, promising you “I shall join the battle soon!”

One Dragon Success!

I will get the next encounter up later today.

Having bypassed the outer patrols and parlayed with the drake, you have reached the standing stones where Ivvora fought Eshimka so long ago. A dark tear ripples at the center of the snow-covered monument, and the pale moon struggles to pierce the supernatural gloom. Twinhorn mystics are only a short distance behind, preparing their reagents and conserving their power to close the rift.

There is a mist shrouding the circle. You can not make out what is inside it.

Start yourselves along the path, no closer than 60’ from the edge of the grey circle.
Post any buffs of a minute or more that you want up.

None may act yet. Awaiting avatars.

Round 1:

DW 3
Mun
DW 1
DW 2
Skye
Carrick
Kitajo
Vanya
Darrioos
Selûne

Put people on the map.

Kn: Religion to Identify the Spider things. You can not see them at the moment because they are within a dark cloud that covers the area of the stone circle.

Bolded may act.

Round 1:

Blue Spider Delay
Mun
Red Spider
Green Spider
Skye
Carrick
Kitajo
Vanya
Darrioos
Selûne

Mun will buff both he and Selune with bull's strength, shield of faith, and fallback strategy with improved spell sharing (2.5 minutes each)

Mun lays a hand down on Selune, who sits hunched by his side. His gaze lingers on the roiling black cloud, struck by the familiarity of the scene, yet aware that it would be very different this time around. He starts whispering a prayer to Ashava, his voice softly rising until he reaches a crescendo with "and bless this field of battle!"

He moves forward, readying his longspear as he keeps his eyes on the cloud.

Mun brings the Blessings of Ashava to his companions and moves towards the strange mist.

Red and Green Spiders delay.

Bolded may act.

Round 1:
Bless active

Blue Spider Delay
Mun
Red Spider Delay
Green Spider Delay
Skye
Carrick
Kitajo
Vanya
Darrioos
Selûne

Carrick strides forward toward the familiar circle. Double move

Know Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 Once I spot the spiders

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Skye moves closer to the stone circle, until he can see the horrible creatures.

The shaman pulls a ball of bat guano and sulfur from his spell component pouch, then he mutters an incantation and points his finger at a spot centered between the three spidey things.

A glowing, pea-sized bead streaks from his pointing digit, and when it reaches the target, it blossoms into a searing explosion of flame that detonates with a low roar.
Fire Damage, Reflex DC18 for half: 6d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 4, 1, 3, 5) = 23

Carrick moves forward, trying to see what is in the mist. From where he is, he can barely make out a large spider shaped thing

They are called Deathwebs.
N Large undead with undead traits.

It looks like they have a cloud of something surrounding them.

Blue moves to,the edge of the mist and hits Carrick with some sort of bolt or ray.
Ranged Touch Negative Energy bolt: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Negative Energy Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 6, 1) = 14

Carrick sees what seem to be a cloud of spiders surrounding the creatures for just a moment.

Then Skye unleashes his fireball.
Blue Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Red Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Green Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

The fireball seems to have cleared away the cloud of things surrounding the creatures.

Bolded may act.

Round 1:
Bless active
Fireballed on round 1

Mun
Red Spider 11 damage Delay
Green Spider 23 damage Delay
Carrick 14 damage
Blue Spider 23 damage
Skye
Kitajo
Vanya
Darrioos
Selûne

Selûne delays

Kitajo moves up the the blue enemy and launches a kick at it.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27 Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Kitajo moves up and kicks the spider.

Green Spider then moves up and shoots Kitajo with another of those rays.
Ranged Touch Negative Energy bolt: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 4 = 23
Negative Energy Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 1, 1) = 11

Bolded may act.

Round 1:
Bless active
Fireballed on round 1

Mun
Red Spider 11 damage Delay
Carrick 14 damage
Blue Spider 30 damage
Skye
Kitajo 11 damage
Green Spider 23 damage
Vanya
Darrioos
Selûne

Vanya disappears out of thin air and then footsteps can be heard departing from the place she occupied...

Standard to cast vanish and move

Does someone want to bot Darrioos?

Vanya pulls her vanishing trick again and then you can hear her footsteps.

Bolded may act.

Aid Token available

Round 1:
Bless active
Fireballed on round 1

Mun
Red Spider 11 damage Delay
Carrick 14 damage
Blue Spider 30 damage
Skye
Kitajo 11 damage
Green Spider 23 damage
Vanya vanished
Darrioos
Selûne Delay

Botting Darrioos

Darrioos moves up toward the spiders. Double move.

Darrioos moves up near the spiders.

Bolded may act.

Aid Token available.

Round 2:
Bless active
Fireballed on round 1

Mun
Red Spider 11 damage Delay
Carrick 14 damage
Blue Spider 30 damage
Skye
Kitajo 11 damage
Green Spider 23 damage
Vanya vanished
Darrioos
Selûne Delay

Carrick charges the spider, arriving next to Kitajo.

+1 keen adamantine longsword + charge + bless + PA: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 13
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 = 11

Full round charge - AC=21

Mun calls Selune forward to guard him as he advances himself. When she arrives, Mun asks for Ashava's favor, and gets ready to enter combat.

"It's crowded up there!" Mun calls, surveying the field. "Try to make some room!"

sorry was swamped over the weekend. Thanks for botting me

Carrick charges the spider, but misses.

Mun calls on Ashava to aid him and his bear in combat and then the two approach the spiders.

Red spider fires a beam at Carrick but misses.
Ranged Touch, in melee: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 4 = 10
damage: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 3, 2) = 16

Blue Spider bites Kitajo.
bite: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20
damage: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (4, 3) + 12 = 19

Bolded may act.

There is an Aid Token available.

Round 2:
Bless active
Fireballed on round 1

Mun
Selûne
Carrick 14 damage
Red Spider 6 damage
Blue Spider 30 damage
Skye
Kitajo 30 damage
Green Spider 23 damage
Vanya
Darrioos

How about the boosted Timely Inspiration -- that would add a nice +3/+3 I think!

A nearby bard gives a few words of inspiration to the group, urging them on to clear the undead at the rift!

Bolded may act.

Round 2:

Inspire Courage +3 until Round 5 after Carrick.
Bless active
Fireballed on round 1

Mun
Selûne
Carrick 14 damage
Red Spider 6 damage
Blue Spider 30 damage
Skye
Kitajo 30 damage
Green Spider 23 damage
Vanya
Darrioos

Skye moves a little closer to the stone circle. He draws a piece of flint and a pinch of silver dust from his spell component pouch, mutters an incantation, and a brilliant flash of shimmering light fills the area around the red and blue giant spiders.
(Creatures in the area are blinded for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds, or dazzled for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds if they succeed at a DC17 Reflex save. Evil creatures in the area of the burst take 5d4 ⇒ (4, 3, 3, 4, 3) = 17 points of damage, whether they succeed at the Reflex save or not.)

You already know these undead are neutral.

Red Reflex: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11
Blue Reflex: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20

Skye casts his spell, blinding one spider and causing the other to see spots before it’s eyes.

Bolded may act.

Round 2:

Inspire Courage +3 until Round 5 after Carrick.
Bless active
Fireballed on round 1

Mun
Selûne
Carrick 14 damage
Red Spider 6 damage blind until after their turn on Round 6
Blue Spider 30 damage dazzled until after their turn on Round 6
Skye
Kitajo 30 damage
Green Spider 23 damage
Vanya
Darrioos

A bite of 20 shouldn't beat my AC of 23 should it?

Kitajo flurries at Blue.

Flurry Unarmed Strike 1: 1d20 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 3 = 17 Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 3 = 13
Elbow Smash: 1d20 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 3 = 19 Damage (Non-Lethal): 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 3 = 10Jabbing Style Damage (Non-Lethal): 1d6 ⇒ 4
Flurry Unarmed Strike 2: 1d20 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 3 = 23 Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 3 = 10 Jabbing Style Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Flurry Unarmed Strike 3: 1d20 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 3 = 25 Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 3 = 12 Jabbing Style Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Posting Vanya's actions early in the spirit of keeping the game moving quicker

Vanya moves forward and hiding her invisible form behind Carrik..

Double move

A bite of 20 shouldn't beat my AC of 23 should it?

Oops, read the wrong person’s AC. Sorry.

initiate time rewind. Restarting,
Blue Spider bites at Kitajo, but misses.

Resuming at previous time mark.

Kitajo misses with his first strike, but hits with the other two. The spider is still active.

Green moves through the trees to attack Kitajo. It just barely misses.
bite: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22
damage: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (8, 5) + 12 = 25

Vanya moves up behind Carrick, depending on her invisibility to protect her.

Bolded may act.

Round 2:

Inspire Courage +3 until Round 5 after Carrick.
Bless active
Fireballed on round 1

Red Spider 6 damage blind until after their turn on Round 6
Blue Spider 57 damage dazzled until after their turn on Round 6
Skye
Kitajo 11 damage
Green Spider 23 damage
Vanya
Darrioos

Round 3:

Mun
Selûne
Carrick 14 damage

Mun kicks Selune forward with his booted foot, sending her towards the nearest spider. He follows behind and strikes from over her shoulder as she arrives.

Selune roars in response to Mun's booted kick forward, and she lumbers towards the foe she'd already been expecting to attack. She drives her teeth deep into the undead vermin's carapace.

How does using the Blessing of Vildeis interact with an animal companion; does it affect both? One or the other? Only Mun?

Mun misses the spider but Selûne manages to bite into it.

Blessing is for either you or the AC.

Round 2:

Inspire Courage +3 until Round 5 after Carrick.
Bless active
Fireballed on round 1

Red Spider 6 damage blind until after their turn on Round 6
Blue Spider 57 damage dazzled until after their turn on Round 6
Skye
Kitajo 11 damage
Green Spider 38 damage
Vanya
Darrioos

Round 3:

Mun
Selûne
Carrick 14 damage

Throwing caution to the wind, Carrick decides to charge past the damaged blue spider and engage the blinded red one, making way for other to engage as well.

+1 keen adamantine longsword + charge + bless + PA + IC: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 - 2 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 2 + 1 - 2 + 3 = 32
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 4 + 3 = 19

Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 - 2 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 2 + 1 - 2 + 3 = 32
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 4 + 3 = 18

Full round charge - AC=21

It wasn’t a charge because you couldn’t perform a charge. You still hit and confirmed without that bonus,
If you don't have line of sight to the opponent at the start of your turn, you can't charge that opponent.
The mist provides concealment like fog, so since the spider was over 10’ away you couldn’t see it,

Blue strikes at him as Carrick moves past.
bite, dazzled: 1d20 + 15 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 15 - 1 = 31
damage: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (4, 5) + 12 = 21

Carrick enters the mist and feels his life draining away.
Negative Energy: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Then he strikes the blind Red Spider.
Seems I lost 5 damage that had been done on Red, fixing that here.

Bolded may act.

Round 2:

Inspire Courage +3 until Round 5 after Carrick.
Bless active
Fireballed on round 1

Red Spider 48 damage blind until after their turn on Round 6
Blue Spider 57 damage dazzled until after their turn on Round 6
Skye
Kitajo 11 damage
Green Spider 38 damage
Vanya
Darrioos

Round 3:

Mun
Selûne
Carrick 37 damage

Mun misses the spider but Selûne manages to bite into it.

I forgot to include the +3 from timely inspiration; can you please retcon? Sorry!

GM Bret wrote:

Mun misses the spider but Selûne manages to bite into it.

I forgot to include the +3 from timely inspiration; can you please retcon? Sorry!

Still misses with a 16.