GM.BastardBard's [PFS]#3-09: The Quest for Perfection—Part I: The Edge of Heaven (Inactive)

Game Master Neal B

After about ten minutes of walking, Daji would don his armor, so long as he still could traverse the path without too much difficulty.

"Oh look, a cave!" Daji, completely forgetting what he said earlier in the day, walks ahead to check out the cavern, looking to see if any travelers have left anything here. He completely ignores the rock formations.

Perception if needed: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Something about the place seems familiar, but Balrog can't recall what exactly it might be.

Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Valon continues along the path with a bit of a skip in his step. Conquering that chasm seems to have put him in a good mood. "Huh, weird rocks," he says, looking up at the two stone pillars. Something tells him he's heard about this before, but he can't remember. His eyes narrow when he spots the cave. "Careful. Looks like the sort of place animals or... well, something else, might shelter."

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Xiao Hua looks at the cave and takes a careful step back.
"You think so?"

With a quick search of the cave you find that there isn't much of note in it. You find no creatures or treasures. It is, however, large enough to accommodate all six of you, and provide reasonable protection from the cold wind of the mountain if you were to rest here overnight.

Are the pillars close enough together to use both at the same time to climb? Also, were we able to recover all our rope somehow, or only the half attached on the difficult side after The Balrog climbed back up?

"Nothing here. Though, this would be a good place to make camp. It may not be a bad idea. I'm half out of magic, and I've seen Xiao Hua and The Balrog use their fair share."

Only able to recover the half on the side you are currently on, since Balrog would have needed the other rope still secured to make the climb down.

The two rocks are similar to each other (other than height) and near enough to be seen as a pair, but they are separated by more than one person's arm-span.

Sounds like a suggestion to use the cave to rest. Could everyone else weigh in? Vote for either camping here, or pushing on.

Fine to camp here.

My vote is camp. If so, I'll offer to heal anyone who wants it, but I don't think anyone is missing any health at this point.

Daji:

Health and Status:
Daji -1hp
Xiao Hua
Caleyn
Valon
The Balrog -1hp
Danny

Everyone would heal up to full with a night's rest.

Vote:
2 - Rest: Balrog, Daji
0 - Continue: N/A

I'm ok to rest too

Danny isn't very eager to continue and sighs in relief as people begin to settle in to rest.

I think a good nights rest woundn´t hurt!

Valon frowns, clearly still ready and willing to press on. He shrugs as the others begin setting up camp for the time being and eventually goes to join them.

What time of day is it?

you left the base camp about 5 hours or so ago. Probably about early afternoon.

The group unpacks their equipment and sets up camp for a well-deserved rest. Using the afternoon to read, practice skills, melt snow for water, and form makeshift wind-barriers to keep the howling winds at bay for tonight's rest. Figuring out the guard schedule (realized I didn't ask for that earlier, but it's irrelevant. plus, you have a lot of time, can do a half and half schedule if need be) they rest soundly through the night without interruption.

Upon waking the group strikes camp and packs up their belongings. Looks like a pretty steady inclined walk from here. Still a ways up, though.

Any morning preparations that anyone would like to do before continuing up?

Daji stretches snd smiles. "Ahhh, that was refreshing. Ready to go mates? "

"Ready to go."
The Balrog has no particular preparations to make. Wearing only a chain shirt, he slept in his armor.

After cleaning her equipment with prestidigation Xiao Hua checks all her belongings before nodding.
"Let us go!"

Heading out in the morning you head up a steep incline to the monastery, trees and natural vegetation thing to almost nothing. The air becomes thin and harder to breathe...

Danny, Caleyn, Daji, and Xiao Hua are now Fatigued

After two hours of the grueling hike...

A large stone building lies nestled in a shallow stone cul-desac, hollowed out from the surrounding mountainside. The building shows evidence of poor maintenance—the roof is missing several tiles and the once-proud, central double doors lie in a pile of ruined timbers. The remains of a giant bell, and the wooden structure meant to support and sound it, dominate the center of the flagstone courtyard before the stone structure.

Now on Slide #8

The Balrog looks at his tired companions.
"Looks like it's you and me in front, Valon." He readies his shield and whip, take a step forward, and looks around for any tracks or signs of passage.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Huffing and puffing, Danny surveys the scene. In a deadpan voice, "This place has seen better days."

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Looking ahead Xiao Hua points to the bell. "Please let me catch some breath. I need some rest!"

Daji looks at The Balrog and steps up astride him. "It's just the altitude, I'd wager. We'll all be fine. What's interesting... Who's got the map from our 'guides' on them? Do we think this is the Clouded Path Monastery? I'd wager it is, but what do we know about the Braid of a Hundred Masters?" Daji walks angled to move around the bell and head into the building, the thin, cold air draining him of his normal playful and explorative demeanor. Even his hair seems quite mild, only vaguely shimmering instead of looking as flame incarnate.

"I'm sure you'll be fine. Still, probably best to let the two of us go in front anyway." Valon nods to The Balrog and steps forward, taking the lead as the group moves around the remains of the bell and into the temple proper. His breaths are deep and steady, but he appears to be managing the thin air better than most.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Valon stated moving into the temple, I moved everyone up per the two-wide grouping, altering to have Valon leading the way followed by Balgrog.

Upon walking past the remains of the bell structure you are able to see a humanoid creature roughly the size of a human, covered in white fur from head to toe, with menacing long black claws, in the forecourt with you!

Anyone that has line of sight to the creature and is in the red circle I have drawn must give me a Will save (the moment they enter the circle they move in, or beginning of their turn if they start in it). If you fail it, please click the spoiler to see what happens. If you succeed, please act normal.

Initiatives - Bold may act:
Xiao Hua Fatigued
Daji Fatigued
Danny Fatigued
Valon
GM-Y
Caleyn Fatigued
Balrog

Fatigued Reference

"Oi! I wonder if that's the beasty the town folks were talking about?" Daji casts bless on the group and draws his morningstar.

Question about fatigued. Should we change our quick reference to reflect the trickle down in str and dex being reduced, or just list Fatigued as an active condition? i.e. my AC before fatigued is 16, but counting fatigue is 15.

Whichever is easiest for you. Usually when I have played PbP I would just have a tag to copy-paste out-of-character at the bottom of my posts.

Also, Everyone please see this post over in the discussion thread. I still need 4 of you to provide me your reporting information ASAP, please!

know nature?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Danny begins casting a spell between catching his breath.

Intending to cast enlarge person on whomever wants it. Balrog or Valon? I updated the header with my fatigued stats by the way.

Xiao Hua quickly collects a few rose petals from her pack and casts sleep on the beast.DC 18 to resist

Xiao Hua, Sleep is a one round cast, so it will go off just before your next turn (let's let people that haven't gone yet go, then I will spoiler its save, so you can open that and react once that is the case).

Botting:Valon moves up to the creature...
Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
and freezes in fear when he gets closer and sees how intimidating the beast is!

The creature moves forward and throws its shortspear at Valon!
Shortspear, 2nd Range Inc: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 2 = 18 Valon paralyzed AC is 10
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Valon takes the shortspear hard, and doesn't let out a sound.

Initiatives - Bold may act:
Xiao Hua Fatigued
Daji Fatigued
Danny Fatigued
Valon -4hp
GM-Y
Caleyn Fatigued
Balrog

Fatigued Reference

"WHAT THE HELL? You think that thing is scary? I AM THE BAAAAALRRRROG!! Now, FIGHT you pathetic wretches!"

The Balrog uses Rallying Cry, relying on his own Intimidate to overpower the fear effect. Then he moves up next to Valon.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

At 1st level, an arcane duelist can use performance to rally dispirited allies. Each round he makes an Intimidate check. Any ally (including the bard) within 30 feet may use this check in place of his own saving throw against fear and despair effects. Those already under a fear or despair effect can attempt a new save each round using the bard’s Intimidate check. Rallying cry does not work on effects that don’t allow saves. This is a mind-affecting ability that uses audible components.

If the Balrog's Intimidate roll covers it, I'll just use that. Also Enlarge Person is fine if the Balrog doesn't want it. Valon is okay either way.

Valon wants to cry out in pain as the creature's spear pierces him, but can only stand still, frozen in fear. Something about it frightened him, even when he knows he can stand toe-to-toe with it.

As quickly as it happens, though, he snaps out of it thanks to the Balrog's own cry. "He's right!" the monk roars. "Come on, you big furry bastard!" Valon dashes forward, getting up close to the beast. He strikes twice with his fists, putting a considerable amount of force behind each blow.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Flurry of Blows: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Insulted yet emboldened by The Balrog's speech, Daji charges forward to stand with his fighting companions, though he says quietly to The Balrog, "Pathetic wretches? I suppose that's one way to light a fire under someone"

Double move, using The Balrog's intimidate check for his will save

Xiao Hua and Caleyn: I still need your responses to this post in the discussion thread.

Valon: How is it you're able to move and full attack? The creature was 20 ft away still.

Xiao Hua and Caleyn: I still need your responses to this post in the discussion thread.

Valon: How is it you're able to move and full attack? The creature was 20 ft away still.

D'oh, that's what I get for posting tired. Sorry about that, it's just the one attack.

Caleyn double moves up next to Valon while readying her axe.
Using Balrog's Intimidate in place of my Will Save.

The Balrog let's out a startling challenge to his comrades, inspiring them to continue in the face of fear!

Valon approaches the beast and gives it a solid body punch!

Meanwhile Daji and Caleyn move up, Caleyn trying to look intimidating with her axe while fighting back a yawn from the lack of air.

Botting: Danny finishes casting his spell on Valon, then moves up and draws his sling.

Botting:Xiao Hua also finishes casting her spell, and the creature falls fast asleep. She then moves up and readies a spell for if the creature wakes up.

The creature is fast asleep.

Initiatives - Bold may act:
Xiao Hua Fatigued
Daji Fatigued
Danny Fatigued
Valon -4hp
GM-Y -8hp
Caleyn Fatigued
Balrog

Fatigued Reference

The Balrog ceases his performance. "Sorry guys. You're not pathetic wretches. Was just trying to be fierce. You gave me a good idea, Daji, I should light myself on fire next time."

He moves up the creature, draws his sword, and prepares to cut its head off. "We're not going to spare this one just because it's fuzzy, right?"

Still, he will hold back if anybody objects.

my bad, I thought I was still waiting on round 1 to finish. You did exactly what I was going to do anyway.

"That thing is just a runt of a dangerous creature. The danger would only grow if we let it live." Danny nods his consent to the Balrog.

The Balrog takes his sword in two hands and decapitates the monster.
CdG damage: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (8, 2) + 8 = 18

Daji moves up to what he presumes to be Shang Xu and prepares to help The Balrog finish the creature off if it still lives.

Assuming that everyone delays their turn to let Balrog take a Coup De Grace on his next turn. With Daji moving up and readying an attack with his morning star?

Fort Save, DC28: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Balrog plunges his sword into the creatures neck, attempting to remove its head. The head remains attached however, and the creature lets out a gurgly yell before falling silent as its body once again goes limp. It "survived" the damage, but failed the death save.

That was correct to my knowledge.

Daji lowers his morningstar from where it had been prepared, kneels down over the creature, stills his own breath, and closes his eyes, offering respect for the life taken.

Once finished, Daji inspects the body, looking for potentially the item they seek, any unfortunate adventurer or monk's gear, or anything that would be out of place on a creature such as this.

You find no gear on the creature. It wears no armor, and lacks any means of storage. The most valuable thing on it would likely be its pelt.

There is also the unremarkable shortspear that was thrown at Valon not too long ago.

"Well, if that was the beasty, I suppose that means the temple is empty. I doubt this guy took kindly to roommates." Tired and already ready to make camp again, Daji trods up the stairs and into the temple.

Health/Status:
Xiao Hua Fatigued
Daji Fatigued
Danny Fatigued
Valon -4hp
Caleyn Fatigued
Balrog

Fatigued Reference

Before heading up, Daji casts cure light wounds on Valon

clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

He then makes sure everyone is with him, or else he will lean against the stairwell off to the side.

So, where is everyone going?

Up the stairs to the next level, and then through the double doors?
The Balrog moves a bit and uses Open/Close on the double doors. Since Valon is still Enlarged, he asks the monk, "Valon, can you see anything through those doors?"