GM Hawthwile's Scions of the Sky Key Series (Inactive)

Game Master Hawthwile

Jethro sends another bolt of force towards yellow. Did you note the 5 dmg that I did to it on round 1?

magic missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Whoops! I did note it in the description, but not in the summary - thanks for catching that!

Tere, normally I'd ask you to roll again (partially because it's more time-consuming for me to find an older post and partially because it's a new action, so new roll. But given how squishy the xtabays are (and that we want to keep things moving), we'll let it slide this time.

Both missiles strike their targets, but both plants continue angrily waving their tendrils.

Round 2! Bold may act!
Red (-47)
Jethro
Tere
Telka
Alaric
Shredder
Banon
Thran
Blue (-7)
Yellow (-8)
Green
Purple

Area Effects:
- Inspire Courage +1

What do you do?

"Keep it up people! We shall rescue the meak and punish the miscreants!" Thran encourages everyone as he moves closer

sustaining inspire and moving

Telka jogs forward to set up a potential flank, drawing a wand as he does so. Settling into position he activates it.

This seems mostly in hand

Activating Bless

Botting Alaric, Shredder, and Banon

Alaric points at the yellow xtabay and tells Shredder to do what he does best. As the dinosaur races towards the flower, it releases a cloud of pollen...

Telka Will: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
Shredder Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

...and both Telka and Shredder feel their eyes getting too tired to stay awake as they collapse to the ground and start snoring ferociously. Alaric also gets a spray of pollen as he approaches the blue xtabay...

Alaric Will vs plant-like: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 4 = 29

...but he softly blows the pollen away from his face, raises his scimitar, and brings it down with a decisive chop...

Scimitar, PA, IC, Bless: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 1 + 1 + 1 = 28
Slashing damage, PA, IC: 1d6 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 11
Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 - 1 + 1 + 1 = 13
Crit damage: 1d6 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 11

...and separates the vines from their roots. The druid tosses the remains to the ground and watches Banon race towards the remaining plant with murder in his eyes...

Falchion, Rage, IC, Bless: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 20
Slashing damage, Rage, IC: 2d4 + 3 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 3 + 3 + 1 = 12

...and the angry ranger successfully murders the flower, ripping the blood-red blossoms to bits and scattering leaves and petals across the underbrush. As suddenly as violence erupted, it suddenly ceases - leaving only the sounds of snoring to break the near-silent jungle.

Out of Combat!

Beside Shredder's sleeping form, the woman lies mostly still save for shallow breathing.

What do you do?

Alaric walks to the woman and Shredder. He gives the little dinosaur a gentle kick, "Get up you stupid dinosaur!"

He then checks to see how the woman is doing. If she is just sleeping, he will shake her awake as well.
heal vs woman: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Ssssnnnneeerrrkkk

Telka snores loudly on the comfortable ground.

Poking his blade down into the ground, Banon leans on the hilt as he regains his breath. "Good exercise."

Alaric sees that the woman, beyond having fallen victim to the xtabay's pollen, has numerous cuts and bleed marks from the plants' acidic tendrils and will likely not awaken unless some of those are healed.

What do you do?

"Someone wake up the dwarf before his snoring alerts every foe within a mile." Tere stows his various weapons and searches the area for anything of interest.

Perception check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

"We should probably heal this woman and see what she can tell us. Does anyone know how to use this wand?" Jethro offers his wand of CLW to his comrades.

He also looks around to see if there is anything else noteworthy.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Alaric summons the power of nature, and casts cure light wounds on the woman.
Cure light: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

"Someone wake the dwarf up. His snores are making it hard to concentrate!"

Thran moves next to Telka and tries to prod him awake.

'Wakey, wakey"

Tere and Jethro discover what look to be the remains of several unlucky adventurers - or at least their equipment. While the jungle has claimed much of it, the two Pathfinders find a set of magical studded leather armor (+1 shadow studded leather armor), a masterwork scimitar, and two potions (cure light wounds). Jethro also finds an herb bush used in expensive medicines, and collects enough leaves and sap to be worth a pretty penny at the market.

When someone can make the Spellcraft check to identify an item with a Take 10, I don't bother hiding it just to keep things moving.

As both the miner and Telka wake from their sleep, the woman blinks and looks around in confusion. "Wha-" she asks slowly. "Who... are you?"

What do you do?

Bwah, snerk, splutter, Whats going on? I was having such a lovely dream, travelling under the wide open sky, the deck of the ship rolling beneath me as we sailed off into the Obari Ocean to seek whatever lies on its far shores...

He sits up and looks around, Oh, hello, who are you? he asks clambering to his feet and dusting himself off.

"The question is: who are you? And how came you to this dangerous place? We have saved you from the grip of these most dangerous plants."

The woman scowls in response to the questions. "I believe I asked you all first, but at least you're not more kobolds," she says finally. "We was captured in a raid on the camp at night. Sneaky little bastards caught us sleeping and had us bound before we could fight back, then marched us through this blasted jungle day and night. For all their jabbing and yelling though, they didn't really hurt anyone. Maybe they wanted us alive? I remember walking and walking, then I... think I fainted here..." Her voice trails off as she looks around the glade, rubbing her arms as if suddenly chilled.

What do you do?

'Don't worry little lady, everything will be alright"

Thran glances over his shoulder at the rest of the party as he raises an questioning eyebrow

"..what do we do with her?"

Telka pulls out some rations from his pack and hands them to the wwoman. He then conjured some water in his waterskin for her.

We can provide you with supplies to get back to Fort Bandu if you like. We are here to find out what has the kobolds all stirred up and put a stop to it if possible. I wouldnt recommend you come with us. Facing the trek back would probably be safer. Do you need any healing or just a bit of rest to recover yourself?

Tere looks with interest at the leather armor, and before the woman awakens asks, "Will anyone mind if I use this?"

On listening to the woman's story, the elf ponders. "So they are taking captives...do kobolds keep slaves?"

The woman snorts at Telka's recommendation. "We're on the same page there," she says, her demeanor softening as the dwarf offers food and water. "I can't make it back to the Fort on my own, but neither can I stay here." Her eyes catch the lip of the valley in the distance. "That way's the Fort, ain't it?" she asks, pointing back the way the Pathfinders came. "I can make it up there and wait for you lot to come back. Should be able to see danger coming a bit sooner anyway."

The woman shrugs at Tere's question as she rises to her feet. "Dunno - never heard of such a thing," she replies, her steps becoming steadier as she heads through the trees. In a few minutes, she is gone. The Pathfinders set out in the opposite direction, further into the valley.

--------------------------------------------------------

After several hours, the trail reaches a deep ravine that divides the valley, bridged only by an ancient and crumbling span of stone reinforced by haphazard wooden reinforcements. A pair of ancient dwarven statues flanks either side of the bridge, each in considerable disrepair. An ancient stone building partly consumed by the jungle is visible across the ravine.

What do you do?

Telka reaches out and places a hand on the womans arm, Be careful, stay out of sight and keep alert. The jungle can be a dangerous place. Take this, just in case he says handing her his ligt mace. Ive never been much good with it anyway, you might find it more useful.

As they approach the bridge he holds up his hand, Theres something on the other side, actually, two somethings, north and south. Not sure what. That bridge doesn't look too sturdy but I might be able to flush them out. Wait here.

With that he mutters a simple enchantment and, unusually for a dwarf clad in full platemail, takes to the air!

Telka casts fly on himself, flying over the ravine to investigate and draw out whatever is lurking there. With fly active he has a fly skill of +1 so will generally be moving at least half speed each turn to avoid having to make fly checks

"Jethro, could you please use my wand on Shredder, here?" Alaric asks, as Telka gets ready to investigate. "He could use the magic armor spell."

He then casts barkskin on himself.

seeing no immediate threat but noticing his party members starting to prepare for combat Thran decides to draw his sling in case Telka needs some ranged support

For clarity's sake, North is always Up on the map. Less headaches for everyone that way.

Everyone (except Thran) sees the thing to the south creeping through the underbrush on four legs, but only Tere manages to keep an eye on the one to the north as it passes behind a particularly bushy banana herb.

What do you do?

Telka flies over to the bridge, floating a little in the air, to see if he can lure whatever they are out into the open.

Move and flying 5' in the air

Tere draws his bow and nocks an arrow, but does not aim. He whispers to Thran, "No idea what they are. Try to talk?"

Can we get a description of the creatures yet?

Added some tokens to the map.

Tere loses sight of the creatures, and Telka is now too far away to make out the hidden shape in the dense foliage to the north - but Banon sees that the southern creature at least looks like a large cat of some kind. The jungle is silent, save for the sounds the Pathfinders make.

What do you do?

"Shredder, heel!" commands Alaric. He moves forward, carefully, towards the critter he thinks he saw, Shredder in toe. Rather than attack, he is going to try to get the animal (large cat?) to go away.

kn:nature to identify: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Handle Animal to get to just go away: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Oops. Might be time to try Wild Empathy, now that Handle Animal has failed you.

Alaric has empathy? Sure, why not!
Wild Empathy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Alaric catches a glimpse of what looks like a large earless cat before it stares him in the eye, then vanishes back into the underbrush. Whatever it is, it doesn't seem like a natural creature. The Pathfinders peer around for a few more seconds, but there is no movement anywhere in the jungle save for a few wisps of vapor shimmering in the hot air.

What do you do?

Tere looks around again, to no avail. "Let's keep moving. Maybe it's gone."

"Well, that was odd." says Alaric. "That was no cat that I know of. I think we're being stalked, so we should be extra careful."

'There was a cat in the brush? That's why everyone is getting ready to fight? I didn't see anything"

"See if it left any tracks."

Alaric checks for tracks.
survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

Alaric searches the area, finding naught but a few snapped twigs and a broken leaf or two. After a minute of searching, he finds that several potential trails crisscross the area, suggesting multiple creatures passing through at different times - but it is difficult to pick out and follow the most recent tracks.

What do you do?

Jethro uses Alaric's wand to cast Mage Armor on Shredder, and uses his own wand to do the same for himself.

Sorry about sporadic posting. On vacation with very limited net access until Saturday night.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30

Whatever they were we seem to have scared them off says Telka.

He cocks his head to one side. I hear drums and...chanting, off to the west. We should probably investigate.

With that he starts heading off in that direction, floting through the trees.

As they get closer to the structures he will pause and mutter a prayer to Desna.

Casting magic circle versus evil, it lasts 50 minutes

Tere follows the bobbing dwarf, bow in hand. "What do people here speak--Polyglot, is it? Do any of you know it?"

"Not that much. Enough to order an ale." Banon makes a face. "Maybe I take up some lessons next time I'm at the lodge."

"Of course I do. I am from around here." says Alaric. "I can certainly help translate for you, and teach you some important phrases... like where is the bathroom?!"

Alaric will take Shredder in tow to go check out the drums

Jethro takes the wand from Alaric and taps Shredder with it. As Tere starts to cross the bridge, a hidden tripwire suddenly releases a pair of small boulders off the edge of the bridge. As they fall, the rocks pull taunt a rope tied between them - and Tere is standing right in its coils...

Grapple, Trap Sense vs CMD 21: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

With a whoosh, Banon finds his conversation partner suddenly hanging 10 feet above the ground between the two statues!

Botting Jethro

Sensing danger, but uncertain of where it might be coming from, Jethro taps himself with his own wand and conjures more phantom armor. The silent forest suddenly echoes with the sounds of screeching, almost like laughter, as a pair of cat-like creatures make their presence known in the foliage. The skin on their faces bubble and twitch before peeling back to reveal bone and musculature underneath, and both Thran and Shredder feel especially affected...

Thran Will vs Sonic, Fear: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 4 = 10
Shredder Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Well then.

...and both are frightened!

Telka, you have not yet cast your magic circle vs evil and are still flying above the bridge.

Round 1! Bold may act!
Jethro
Banon
Telka
Red
Blue
Thran (Frightened of Red 1/??)
Tere (Grappled, 10 ft high)
Alaric
Shredder (Frightened of Blue 1/??)

Area Effects:
- Trees are difficult terrain for everyone except Alaric
- Tere can escape from the trap via a CMB or Escape Artist check, cutting himself out with a light or one-handed slashing weapon, or if someone else attempts a Disable Device check over 2d4 rounds to lower him gently to the ground
- Thran and Shredder are frightened and must flee until they no longer perceive the source of their fear (until the cats are no longer visible in this instance)

What do you do?

"I can certainly help translate for you, and teach you some important phrases... like where is the bathroom?!"

"Yeah, that's pretty import- WHAT IN TARNATION?"

Banon readies his falchion again, moving to block the cats path towards the party.

"Tere... you had ONE job...." mumbles Alaric.

Telka draws out a scroll and casts remove fear on Thran.

Unfortunately, retrieving the scroll is a move action and as a close-range spell it only has a range of 25 ft from a scroll. So Telka can draw the scroll and move closer, but not cast this round and affect Thran.

Botting Jethro

Swapping out one wand for another, Jethro sends a magical missile at the southern creature. Telka retrieves a scroll and flies over Thran as Banon stands ready.

Force damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

The northern creature claws its way out of the underbrush and attacks Banon - but not before the mighty ranger cuts a deep wound in its side! Snarling, it bites back...

Bite vs AC 18: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Bite damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Crit vs AC 18: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Crit damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

...and catches Banon's leg in its jaws, tearing off a sizable chunk of calf muscle. The other creature clambers laboriously through the thick jungle growth and tries to bite Shredder...

Bite vs FF AC 18: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Bite damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

...but catches only air between its teeth. With a pair of shrieks, Thran and Shredder race away from the terrifying creatures. (Given the positions of each of their sources of fear, the paths are fairly predetermined and tokens have been moved appropriately.) As Thran reaches other side of the bridge, he realizes that he has faced scarier monsters and lived to tell the tale (and is no longer frightened).

Round 1, 2! Bold may act!
Jethro
Banon (-9)
Telka
Red (-11)
Blue (-4)
Thran
Tere (Grappled, 10 ft high)
Alaric
Shredder (110 ft off map, Frightened of Blue 1/??)

Area Effects:
- Trees are difficult terrain for everyone except Alaric
- Tere can escape from the trap via a CMB or Escape Artist check, cutting himself out with a light or one-handed slashing weapon, or if someone else attempts a Disable Device check over 2d4 rounds to lower him gently to the ground
- Shredder is frightened and must flee until he no longer perceives the source of his fear (until the cats are no longer visible in this instance)

What do you do?

In which case I draw and activate a wand of bless moving towards the group as I draw. I cannot manipulate the map from.mynpjone.

Thrans heart races as he tries to figure out what caused him to run away like that