[PFS] Master of The Fallen Fortress -- Full Whimsy (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Harasty

Come on in and intro yourselves. Of just Dot and Delete.

dot

BANG! And we are off!

You are in Absalom, the mighty City at the Center of the World, and you’ve always longed to explore one of the countless ruins of failed conquerors that litter the plains outside the city’s walls.

You’ve heard rumors that one of the sealed siege castles has been laid open by a minor earthquake. Word on the street is that no one has yet entered the tower, which folks are calling the “Fallen Fortress.” What better way to start a life of excitement and adventure than by exploring its long-abandoned, dusty halls and perhaps claiming its ancient treasures?

You get a notice to meet at the Wayward Finder. A man with a noticeable limp walks in and towards you. He clothing would be considered the height of fashion, about a century ago. He voice is low and wispy with a strong Ustalavian accent. "Oh good, many of you have responded to my notice. Yes? Well, it is still quite simple. There is a crumbling tower near hear that has long been abandoned, that has an artifact of significant importance. A rare and valuable McGuffin. I would go myself, my adventuring days are behind me." He notions towards his left leg. "But, you are all young, healthy, and uncursed. You should have no problems. Aside from any other spoils you find, I offer you this sum of gold for return of the valuable McGuffin."

Kebro gives a silent nod and tip of their hat in agreeance.

"I will endeavor to find this McGuffin for you."

A dark skin halfling sits astride a giant mantis crouching tone side. The halfling looks uncomfortable to be here, staring up at the unnatural building around him. He looks uncomfortable in his shiny new metal armor. He is uncomfortable amongst these folk who wear so much. Basically, he looks uncomfortable. He only seems to get some comfort from unconsciously fondling a rather primitive looking necklace around his neck made from rough fibre, from which hang some feathers, animal teeth and a symbol carved into bone which from certain angles look like that for Gozreh.

He clears his throat before speaking. "I am Kardas Ruknaarr. We will do this," is all he says before going quiet again.

Princess Mindy evaluates the offered sum of gold.

Appraise: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

"An artifact you say? describe it!! in details! and please give us its name, origin story, and all that! thanks!!! ;)" says Princess Mindy, winking to the man in excitement.

The little man responds. "The Artifact is indescribable. It is unseeable and unknowable. But you will know it when you see it"

A fire red haired gnome perks up from eating some fruits and nuts.
"Hello Zeebo here. And I just want to make sure what you are asking.
So we are to collect something that we don't know what it is, but will know it when we see it. And it is somewhere in a tower that is falling down as we speak, in an area where there are many towers that are falling down.....You are not asking much are you. Ok, I am in."
Turning to the giant mantis ridding halfling
"I know some mantis can fly, can yours fly with you on it's back?"

Kardas stares suspiciously at the strange little creature with bizarre red hair for sometime, before he simply replies, "Yes." He continues staring, and at some point, decides that he should share more. "But not well. Enough for this." He gestures to the lance he holds in his hand.

For GM's info, Mantis is now actually on medium load, which some people say prevents a creature from flying although RAW only mentioned medium armor. Whatever the case though, Kardas will tap it with his wand of ant haul to bring it down to light, even if just to reduce its ACP. For everyone else, Kardas will like to charge with Mantis in the first round, so keeping a charge lane open will be great!

The handle of the door to the tavern slowly turns before the catch releases and a large hairy dog tumbles into the room, leaving a good amount of slober on the door handle. It sniffs the air before bounding closer to the man with the limp. As the dog slides to a halt in front of the man, it becomes obvious there had been a smaller spindly limbed grey creature riding on it's back. The wayang holds onto some reigns attached to the dogs collar. The man pats the dog on the side, staring at nothing in particular, "Is this him, Wuffles? Good boy!"

The wayang takes a second to focus before his face rivets onto the man and it quickly becomes apparent the wayang has no eyes. He holds up the notice and asks, "Did you send this? I had Wuffles try tracking you down by scent but sometimes he goes for places that just smell good." The little man gives a sniff and then comments "But this place doesn't smell like the kind of place he'd normally take me, so you must be my man. So what kind of adventure are we looking at."

The little one sits back and listens, looking somewhat uncomfortable in his breastplate. He listens with a flat face, but gives a startled jump as Marutson, Kardas and Mindy all talk in turn. "Oh so there were other people here! My apologies, I hadn't noticed you there. I am Toivo, the blind mesmerist extraordinaire! I can't do too much but I am a little help in a battle and Wuffles here likes to slobber and gnaw on all sorts of creatures. It's a pleasure to meet you."

The little man responds. "The Artifact is indescribable. It is unseeable and unknowable. But you will know it when you see it"

Toivo give the man a flat stare, a wry smile on his lips. "Right, when I see it. Though if it truly is unseeable I doubt I won't be the only one who can't see it."

He looks up at the general direction of Zeebo's voice, "Oh, are you joining us as well, Mr. Nuts and Fruits? Well hopefully Vildeis will see fit to guide us to the right place."

"But not well. Enough for this." He gestures to the lance he holds in his hand.

With a look of patience that must clearly come from having to handle things like this for all his life, Toivo asks, "And just what might 'this' be? I do have a little trouble reading minds sometimes"

With a dry soft voice like wind through the desert Kebro chimes in
"My companion and I join the cause as well, Toivo. I am Kebro and this is Elytra."
Kebro holds out a hand and a beautiful dark blue scarab beetle skitters out from the recesses of the cloak to the outstretched hand, lifts up it's small head and chitters excitedly.

Marutson looks at the dog and the beetle nods.

I do not understand humanoids predilection for animals

With a dry soft voice like wind through the desert Kebro chimes in

"My companion and I join the cause as well, Toivo. I am Kebro and this is Elytra."
Kebro holds out a hand and a beautiful dark blue scarab beetle skitters out from the recesses of the cloak to the outstretched hand, lifts up it's small head and chitters excitedly.

Toivo gives a small start at the realization that someone else was there. "Swear I'm going to need to put bells on half y'alls! But it's a pleasure to meet you Kebro, and little Elytra. What kind of critter might you be little one." He holds out his hand for Kebro to shake or let Elytra crawl up is arm.

Not paying too much attention to the collected animals "Yes it is easy enough" See that you have no more to gain from the man, you can any final purchases in town then make your way to the tower.

----

The ruined siege castle now being called the Fallen Fortress rises out of the churned earth of the Cairnlands. No doors or windows mar the otherwise smooth expanse of the tower’s walls. The tower is quatrefoil in plan; its eastern wing has largely collapsed, exposing the interior floors to the open air. Only the topmost level seems whole, though its eastern portion hangs precariously over the mountain of rubble left by the collapse. At ground level, the rubble frames a gaping hole in the side of the building that provides access to the tower’s darkened interior.

See Map of Entrance

"Kardas, could you do a flyby to see if anything is out of place? Other than a spooky tower that is about to fall and crush us all that is."
Looking at the rest of the party
"So who is good at scouting? I am ok with it."

"I am quite skilled at it. Shall I scout out the ground level?"

"Sure you can scout. I make too much noise"

"I can help if you want? I am as quite as an animal. Sometimes a mouse, sometimes a raging bull. All depends what I step on."

I have +4 to stealth

Kebro nods, pulls the large hat down, bandanna up over their face, crouches and sneaks along the wall into the building with a spear at the ready.
sneak: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Zeebo like a cat fallows Kebro.

"So does the hat and scarf help make you sneeky?" Whispers Zeebo.

Kardas looks at Zeebo suspiciously, wondering if he has any ulterior motive for his suggestion. Deciding that there isn't any, he simply nods and takes off with Mantis into the air and circle the ruin a couple of times.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Won't put a token for Mantis since Kardas is almost always riding it, so they'll share the same space.

"So does the hat and scarf help make you sneeky?" Whispers Zeebo.

"They were given to me at birth and have helped in many ways over my decades in the desert and other wastes."

Toivo gives a smile and comments, "Even in this heavy breastplate I am amazing at being very sneaky, problem is can't really tell you what the situation looks like. Get it?"

He slowly gets off Wuffles and tells the big dog to stay, before keeping an ear out and deciding to follow the sneak trail for the fun of it.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Able to hear their conversation and a couple of scrapes and missteps here and there, Toivo tries to sneak up behind the chattering two.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Though his shambling steps on the uneven ground ruin the attempt for all but the most oblivious. "Darn, I guess that didn't work. I'll head back now." The small wayang then places his other hand on the wall before slowly turning around.

Marutson waits for the OK from the rest of the party.

He looks at Wuffles.

hmm...maybe dogs aren't so bad.

Marutson waits for the OK from the rest of the party.

He looks at Wuffles.

hmm...maybe dogs aren't so bad.

Wuffles sits in the place he'd been told to stay and pants happily. When he catches sight of Marutson looking at him Wuffles' tail starts wagging and the big dog gives a few whimpers over how he can't go and meet the shiny metal man.

Taking a look around the tower. There isn't much more to it. Aside from collapsed eastern side the rest is in good order.

However enough of you realize something moving among the rubble as three feral dogs come out at you.

The dogs leap out but the bold may act before they close on you

Tower Level 1 (0:00)

Group conditions:
Round 1

Marutson - dmg;
Princess Mindy - dmg;
Kardas Ruknaarr - dmg;
Kebro - dmg;

Dog, Teal -- dmg
Dog, Purple -- dmg
Dog, Orange -- dmg

Toivo Talvislag - dmg;
Zeebo Zane - dmg;

With a simple nudge, Kardas urges Mantis to take flight into the air, diving straight towards the nearest dog, his lance pointed straight at the savage beast.

vs orange: lance, charge: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 2 = 16 dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 6 = 11

Mantis feels the shock as its master's sharp stick slams into his target. It continues closing the distance and lashes out with its right claw.

vs orange: claws, ant focus, charge: 1d20 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 1 + 1 + 2 = 18 dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 grab if hit: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 10

Princess Mindy surreptitiously calls upon the mystic powers of ancient Hurricane Kings of times gone by. Her ancient brass compass twinkles briefly with magic, despite its cracked sight glass, and with a fresh sea breeze momentarily breaking the dreadful heat, a celestial eagle appears near the mantis-riding halfling to assist him against the hounds!

Meanwhile, Princess Mindy loads her crossbow and takes a step back!

Standard to summon via Servitor (Sp) ability; move to load; free to 5-foot forward.

Celestial Eagle Charge + Attack.
beak vs. dog FF AC; Charge: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 = 15 for 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 b/p/s dmg.

Maruston hears the dogs bark and moves towards the rest of the party.

"That sounds like dogs..." He looks back at Wuffles.

double move

Kardas charges in squewereing the first dog in one shot. Mindy's eagle goes for the other near-by dog and bites it.

Putting Kebro in delay to move forward for this evening

But the mongrel bites back

Atk, Dog Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The dog in the back comes out and attempts to bite Kardas

Atk, Dog Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

The dogs miss their marks.

Everyone is back up

Tower Level 1 (0:00)

Group conditions:
Round 1

Marutson - dmg;
Princess Mindy - dmg;
Kardas Ruknaarr - dmg;
Kebro - dmg;
Toivo Talvislag - dmg;
Zeebo Zane - dmg;

Dog, Teal -- dmg
Dog, Purple -- 3 dmg
Dog, Orange -- DEAD

Kebro runs up to the dog next to Kardas and stabs at it with a spear...
attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Zeebo launches a fire bolt at the (Teal)dog from his outstretched hand.

Fire Bolt Attack - range touch: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 3 - 4 = 4
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Kardas drops his now useless lance, pulling out his glimmering new greatsword. He snarls as he chops down upon the dog that is attempting to attack him.

vs green?: mwk greatsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 dmg: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Mantis looks down at the fallen dog curiously, probably wondering if it would make a meal. Its thoughts(?) are interrupted by another dog that run up to take is place. Cocking its head the other way, it quickly lashes out with both claws.

vs green?: claw 1, ant focus: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 + 1 = 21 dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 grab if hit: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 28
vs green?: claw 2, ant focus: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 + 1 = 21 dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 grab if hit: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 15

Toivo hearing the sounds of dogs in the diretion opposite of Wuffles, lumbers slowly after everyone else his heavy breast plate weighing him down. As he gets in closer his sightless eyesockets rivet onto the nearest braying dog. "Hold on give me a second to call up some help..."

Double move to get in close, Free action to start Mental Stare on the dog Kardas and co. are attacking if he's still alive. He'll use painful stare to add a point of damage to any further damage rolls.

Maruston hears the dogs bark and moves towards the rest of the party.

"That sounds like dogs..." He looks back at Wuffles.

double move

Wuffles stares back at the freindly looking man and whimpers some more. He then whines even louder at the sound of more friends in the distance.

Marutson moves through the rubble and looks back.

The other dog is whining...

double move

Kebro heads up and hits the one dog with the spear. Zeebo's fire bolt unfortunately goes wide, but Kardas easily finishes off the small cur. While the mantis picks at and shreds the last dog.

With the wild dogs cleared, the rest of the tower looms silently over the party. As you can make out from your vantage, the southern chamber is mostly full of rubble but was a den for the pack of small dogs. The northern chamber is less cluttered by rubble.

Tower Level 1 (0:00)

Group conditions:
Round 1

Marutson - dmg;
Princess Mindy - dmg;
Kardas Ruknaarr - dmg;
Kebro - dmg;
Toivo Talvislag - dmg;
Zeebo Zane - dmg;

Dog, Teal -- DEAD
Dog, Purple -- DEAD
Dog, Orange -- DEAD

Kebro wipes blood of the spear, nods in victory to the other party members, and goes to peak around the doorway to the northern room to see if anything else awaits them.
perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Princess Mindy sends the eagle on a loop in the tower to scout (see map).

Toivo gives a whistle for Wuffles to come Handle Animal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 but the big dog is whining too loud to hear.
Handle Animal, push: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
The small man gives an even louder whistle and Wuffles finally hears it, breaking out of the stay at a full paced gallop and nearly barreling Toivo over. "Woah Wuffles, hold on. Vildeis Judge, do not lick me there! That tickles."
Once the excited dog calms a little Toivo mounts back up and turns Wuffles after everyone else.

Marutson looks into the other room. marked 2

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Meanwhile, Kardas takes off again into the air astride on Mantis, and circles the ruins to make sure there are no more surprises.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Zeebo rushes from dog to dog in hopes they might still be alive and can be saved.

Zeebo tends to two of the dogs that can be saved. But will need more work later.

As the bird flies though the first chamber, a bolt of webbing shoots out at it

Web: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
But the web misses the bird

But you make out the giant spider in the corner of the wall and ceiling.

Everyone but Marutson can react to the new threat

Tower Level 1 (0:00)

Group conditions:
Round 1

Princess Mindy - dmg;
Toivo Talvislag - dmg;
Kardas Ruknaarr - dmg;
Zeebo Zane - dmg;
Kebro - dmg;

Spider -- dmg

Marutson - dmg;

Kebro is going to sneak closer to the spider, as close to the wall as possible...
stealth untrained: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
and cast flare up in the direction of the spider.
dazzled for one minute, fort save dc 13 negates

Celestial Eagle Full Attack, Smite Evil
talon1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 for 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6 p/s dmg.
talon2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 for 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5 p/s dmg.
bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 for 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6 b/p/s dmg.