[PBP Gameday VIII] GM_MG's A Case of Missing Persons (Inactive)

Game Master GM_MG

Artoria speaks sylvan, and in-fact her sword and armor are covered in sylvan runes, which she’d let y’all know on our way here, as we will probably end up talking to some fey

Artoria carries on a conversation about proper methods for dealing with fey with Archimedes on her shoulder. Artoria is firmly in the “treat with them honorably until the point they betray you” camp and Archimedes is firmly in the “they are annoying jerks who aren’t worth the bother” camp.

"Hey guys, I think something is waiting for us. Just around the bend" With that she takes a moment to take a swig from one of her extracts.

Standard action-drink an extract of shield

"Indeed? This one thank you for your caution." Even as Hikari say this, he immediately start uttering a prayer to the Goddess of the Sun, calling about her divine favor.

Cast divine favor.

Reesa casts Vanish on herself, which will last for five rounds, unless she breaks it.

As soon as Hannah speaks up and begins to down the extract, a flurry of motion from the underbrush reveals three tiny, evil-looking old men carrying scythes that look much to large for them. They growl and hiss, but soon fall silent.

Dark and Hannah immediately feel this calm sensation of peace and love fall over them. Any sense of hostility or danger fades, as they feel love for all beings around them--even these hideous tiny old men. And especially for this new creature that rushes out of the woods--a small, bipedal creature that looks like the halfway point between a mouse and a lizard, wearing a white and blue dress and gazing lovingly at everyone before her.

"Stop that, now." she chastises the little scythe-wielding creatures gently. "These peaceful creatures are our honored guests." Curiously, while she speaks in a language you don't know, you have no difficulty understanding what she is saying.

Turning to the pathfinders, she beams. "Welcome to our realm, gentle mortals! We creatures of the First World are known as the Northern Verduran Collective, and like you humans of the great nation of Galtan, we have overthrown the oppressive shackles of our overlords and now watch over this forest and its inhabitants. We work hard, and have no need of kings and queens for we govern ourselves through peace and harmony!" she clutchs her hands together and smiles beatifically at you.

Not in combat currently. Reesa and Hikari haven't cast thier spells, but can choose to do so if you wish. Slides updated with pictures.

Reesa holds her spell, waiting for the dialogue with the group. ”We are looking for a human that has been out here for a while. We need to speak with him and bring him back to town. He’s not being himself, I’m afraid.”

Artoria Knowledge (nature) (guidance): 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13
Archimedes Knowledge (nature) (guidance): 1d20 + 0 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 0 + 1 = 3

Artoria bows before the unknown fey before addressing them in Sylvan. ”Greetings, fey of the Northern Verduran Collective. My name is Artoria Pendragon, and my companions and I have come here to speak with you about a matter of some importance.”

Artoria will expend her once per scenario use of her Soothsayer boon to get a +4 insight bonus on this diplomacy check

Just before she finishes speaking, Artoria hears a voice in her head from her mentor, the wizard Merlin: Do not be too stiff, Artoria! Fey like a bit of whimsy and generosity.

Artoria nods to the advice and then continues. ”I owe everything to the fey and their allies, including this sword which was, as they say, ‘lobbed at me by a watery tart.’

Diplomacy to Improve Attitude (guidance, soothsayer): 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 15 + 1 + 4 = 21
Blech, gonna use my reroll. I put all that effort into making them amenable damn it!
Reroll (3stars): 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 1 + 4 + 3 = 28

The Gerbie's eyes widen and she positively beams back at Artoria.

"Oh, my! So polite!" She eyes the other fey, who grudgingly nod and bow, while scratching unmentionable places and muttering darkly to themselves.

"We...are...pleased to be making your acquaintance, whatever-yer-name-was." One of them grits out reluctantly.

"Oh!" The Gerbie exclaims, applauding. "Well done, all!"

"Tell me more about this man you speak of, if you will." she says.

knowledge nature: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 7 + (1) = 10 No idea what these creatures are

I am not sure what he would look like. We forgot to get that information, "But he would go by Lofton. He is a barrister and former venture captain. He made a deal with some other fey creature years ago and we were told he was not allowed to leave." She then goes into detail of what Venza told them.

"So, do you all think you can help?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 10 + (4) = 25

"Oh, of course, Mr. Lofton. I'm very sorry, but I'm afraid he has chosen to stay among us. Besides, I'm afraid he's no no condition to travel right now." she says sadly.

"Too right, no way we could let anyone that entertainin' leave." one of the evil-looking creatures adds, earning a momentary glare from the furry one before she turns the full force of her smile back on the party.

"Still, everything happens for a reason! Maybe we could come to an agreement! We might be willing to let--ah, convince the mortal to go with you, if you were to deal with our little troll problem.

"There's a rather nasty troll thats moved into the woods here. Despite my most polite requests, he refuses to leave! And he's very rude, and he's been eating some of the nearby creatures, and he's just really doing a lot of harm to overall feeling of love and happiness I'm trying to instill here!"

Dark smiles down at the little creature, "We would be more than happy to deal with your troll problem my young lady."

knowledge(nature): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

diplomacy, aid: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Not recognising what these bizarre fey creatures are, Hikari chooses to stay silent at first. "Indeed if this troll, as you say, have been performing such dastardly deeds, it is our duty to rid the forest of its threat. But as a sign of trust, would you allow me to summon some simple divination divine magic, simply to ascertain good and evil. And do you swear to perform your utmost to release this Mr Lofton should we manage to deal with the troll."

(If agreeable, use detect alignment on both types of creatures. Also use discern lies on its response about releasing Lofton.)

Sense Motive (guidance): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 14

"As someone who has fought more than my share of trolls in my homeland, I will happily take up this task and am more than capable of completing it."

The little fey looks crushed.

"How could you ask me such a thing?" she says, weeping. "I am trying VERY HARD to create a place of love and respect, and you come out here and accuse me of LYING?"

She wipes the tears from her eyes.

"I PROMISE you'll get your dumb old mortal if you ki--if you solve this troll problem for us. Happy?"

The little furry creature detects as Chaotic Good. The other creatures detect as Neutral Evil. You don't detect any lies from her."

”Let’s go find this nasty troll then. He sounds like my last date, except for the eating creatures part. Cmon out, Curtis! I know you are close by,” she laughs.

Hikari simply nods, seemingly unmoved by its tears.

As you set off to find this troll, Hannah notices one of the fey skulking off in the same direction. After being noticed, it hurries away, in the opposite direction.

A short walk brings you to your destination--a somewhat less dense patch of forest. Slide 5. All trees on the map grant cover and count as difficult terrain.

Across the clearing, near some sort of rent in the earth, is a massive troll, currently devouring a dead deer. Its head snaps up at your approach, and it unleashes an unearthly howl.

Round One! Bold can act!
Hikari
Dark
Hannah
Troll
Reesa
Artoria
Taarik

Hannah moves behind the trees to give her more stand off distance from the troll.

Double move. Pulling out my rifle as I move.

Dark begins to chant and a force field appears in front of him as he cautiously walks forward.

Standard: Shield Spell (3 minutes/30 rounds)
Move: 20'

Botting Hikari, delay.

The troll comes bounding down the path at Dark, in a state of frenzy. It swings wildly with one of its claws.

Attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30
Damage: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Hikari snaps into action once the troll comes into view, moving forward while drawing his bow and snapping a shot off at the creature.

longbow, pbs, deadly aim: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 1 = 20 dmg: 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 8

His arrow strikes home, but the enraged troll scarcely seems to notice.

Forgot to mention, but

Round One! Bold can act!
Dark (-14, Shield)
Hannah
Troll (-8, rage rd 1)
Hikari
Reesa
Artoria

Reesa casts Haste on the group.

Everyone please remember your Haste bonuses.

Wincing from the troll's attack, he takes a step back to give himself some distance and then unleashes two force missiles at the troll.

Magic Missile +HotS x2: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2) + 4 = 7

Free: 5' step
Standard: Cast Magic Missile

Sorry I could post last night, but noticed I got delayed and botted. If I got delayed, can I take my turn? If so, in spoiler. If not, never mind.

Her footsteps hastened by Reesa's spell, Artoria glows with golden radiance as she advances on the troll. She brings down a two-handed swing with her longsword on the troll.Swift action to activate Smite Evil. Lemme know if it doesn't work!

Attack with +1 Horacalcum Longsword (smite, haste): 1d20 + 12 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 5 + 1 = 28 She has furious focus so power attack penalty doesn't affect her first attack
Damage (smite, 2hpa): 1d8 + 5 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 6 + 6 = 19

As there is only one enemy combatant and they are smote (presumably), I will just adjust Artoria's AC in her stat line without a notation to save space

knowledge local: 1d20 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 13 + (6) = 22Defensive abilities

Hannah finishes moving around the woods. "Damn it. It's a troll"

She then levels her musket and fires off a round.

PBS, Haste, Precise shot
+1 lucky musket vs touch: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 301d12 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Hannah knows this troll has Regeneration 5, that can be temporarily surpressed by fire or acid damage. She also knows that trolls of this type have a particularly nasty form of regeneration--when they are raging (as the Barbarian class feature) acid and fire damage only reduce their regeneration by 2 until the end of the next turn.[/ooc

[ooc]Additionally, the creature has the uncanny dodge class feature.

Dark, Hannah, and Artoria all land hits on the beast. Artoria's smite seems effective.

The troll unleashes a series of attacks on Artoria.

Bite: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26
Claw: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22
Claw: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23

All of them miss the divinely fortified paladin. The trolls wounds seem to magically stitch themselves up slightly.

Hikari lets a volley of arrows loose at the troll. Two smack into the trolls thick hide, reopening some new wounds.

Round Two/Round Three! Bold can act!
Dark (-14)
Hannah
Troll (-60, rage rd 2)
Hikari
Reesa (Haste 6)
Artoria

Reesa casts Bless on the group, trying to add more accuracy to their attacks.

Remember Bless and Haste bonuses.

Hannah takes the time to reload her weapon and study the target.

Reload as a move action and the study target as a move action

Dark focuses his arcane energy onto his black blade before stepping into combat swinging his dark energized blade.

+2 Black Blade +Haste +Bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Swift Action: Arcane Pool use turning Black Blade into a +2 weapon
Move: 20'
Standard: Attack

The troll lashes out at the approaching Dark with a claw.

Attack of Opportunity: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26
Claw: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Dark slashes down the troll's flank, drawing more blood.

Round Two/Round Three! Bold can act!
Dark (-26)
Hannah
Troll (-68, rage rd 2)
Hikari
Reesa (Haste 6, Bless)
Artoria

Artoria resets her stance and prepares to attack, unleashing a flurry of slashes on the smote troll.

Primary Attack with Excalibur (haste, smite): 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 1 + 5 = 38
Primary Damage (pa, smite): 1d8 + 5 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 6 + 6 = 23
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 1 + 5 = 26
Crit Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 6 + 6 = 24

Haste Attack with Excalibur (haste, smite): 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 12 + 1 + 5 = 33
Haste Damage (pa, smite): 1d8 + 5 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 6 + 6 = 23

Secondary Attack with Excalibur (haste, smite): 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 + 5 = 29
Secondary Damage (pa, smite): 1d8 + 5 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 6 + 6 = 21

Artoria unleashes a series of devastating strikes on the Troll. Despite ghastly wounds, it stays standing and fights on.

The troll attacks Artoria.

Bite: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22
Claw: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33
Claw damage: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Claw: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 17 = 19

Only one of his attacks hits the paladin.

Some of the trolls wounds heal slightly, but he is still badly injured.

Round Three/Round Four! Bold can act!
Dark (-26)
Hannah
Troll (-154, rage rd 3)
Hikari
Reesa (Haste 5, Bless)
Artoria (-15)

Wounded greatly but knowing the troll needs to be taken down, Dark quickly strikes out twice at the troll.

Primary Attack (Haste, Bless): 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Haste Attack (Haste, Bless): 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Hannah levels her musket and fires off another shot.

studied target, PBS, haste, Precise Shot
+1 lucky musket vs touch: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 211d12 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

She then quickly reloads.

Artoria notes how the mighty troll has managed to hold on even through her mighty barrage. Unperturbed, she quickly lays on hands on herself to heal some of the damage. She then moves with powerful grace as she unleashes another three slashes at the troll.

Lay on Hands: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 2) = 13

I just realized i forgot to add the -2 from power attack on Artoria’s haste and iterative attacks last round. Furious Focus means the primary isnt affected

Primary Attack (haste, smite, bless): 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 1 + 5 + 1 = 26
Primary Damage (smite, power attack): 1d8 + 5 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 6 + 6 = 24

Haste Attack (haste, smite, bless, power attack): 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 12 + 1 + 5 + 1 - 2 = 26
Haste Damage (smite, power attack): 1d8 + 5 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 6 + 6 = 19

Iterative Attack (haste, smite, bless, power attack): 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 + 5 + 1 - 2 = 14
Iterative Damage (smite, power attack): 1d8 + 5 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 6 + 6 = 21

Please Remember your Bless bonuses as well as the Haste bonus.

Reesa expects the troll to be taken down by the onslaught so she saves a spell.

Thanks for the reminder! Edited my post

Hikari trains his bow on the troll and despite his allies in the way, fires with deadly accuracy. Or not...

pbs, rapid shot, deadly aim, haste, bless
+1 darkwood composite longbow: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 1 - 2 - 1 + 1 + 1 = 12 dmg: 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 14
+1 darkwood composite longbow: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 1 - 2 - 1 + 1 + 1 = 13 dmg: 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 10
Haste:+1 darkwood composite longbow: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 1 - 2 - 1 + 1 + 1 = 24 dmg: 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 8

Hikari has friendly fire manoeuvres which negates soft cover caused by his allies.

The troll drops in a heap after Dark's attacks. However, its regeneration is unaffected, and the troll's wounds and broken bones will continue to slowly heal.

The troll drops after Dark's attacks. Everyone after Dark, feel free to change your action if you have a way of dealing with the troll's natural healing ability.

”I’ve got an alchemist’s Fire here, but it might be easier to light a torch and set the body ablaze.”

The trolls body is set alight, and it finally stops healing.

Out of combat!

Dark lowers blade and sighs. "That was close." He looks down at his sword for a moment and then talks to his blade. "Yes, yes... I know I'm not a front line fighter. Okay. Okay. I'll ask."

He looks to his companions. "Sorry to ask this. But I'm pretty hurt here. If any of you have some healing that you can spare."

@ 4/30 HP

Guess I will save that shot.

"I would friend. But, I might break the thing." Hannah says slinging her musket.

I have UMD, but would rather have someone who is trained to do it.

Artoria sheathes her sword and approaches the magus. ”Hold still.”

Lay on Hands: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 1) = 9
Lay on Hands: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 3) = 10
CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Archimedes huffs and hoots. ”Does he not have his own wand? How rude! Not even that infernal infernal healing wand all those magi lug about? Can’t say I’m surprised. A bunch of half-cocked fools, those magi! Can’t stop touching everything with that crackly electricity hand nonsense. A real wizard doesn’t touch anything. That’s why they have long fingernails, you know! I swear, people on this planet have no idea how to do anything proper.”

Artoria glares at Archimedes, thankful that she's the only one who can understand him. ”It is my duty to heal and protect those under my charge, Archimedes. He should not be punished for being valorous enough to charge right in.” Artoria then turns to Dark. ”I would recommend investing in a wand of cure light wounds. Even if you cannot use it yourself, it is good to have one on-hand for others to heal you with. The Society makes it easy to get them without spending money.”

She uses a charge of her wand on herself as well to finish curing her injuries. CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"Thanks for the healing." He then goes and investigates the trolls body.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 19

The troll has a fine looking chain shirt of large size and a particularly nice pair of gauntlets. Both detect as magical.

Additionally, searching the area you spot a potion bottle, partially buried in leaves and undergrowth as though it were dropped recently.

"Oooh, what are these" Hannah pulls out her wayfinder to help her study these magical items.

"Just some magically reinforced chain and a potion to protect you against fire. Pretty clever for a troll." Hannah then points to the gauntlets. "Not too sure about those though"

"Well we can take this stuff back as trophies for the Fey folk"

spell craft: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (18) + 8 + (6) = 32

spell craft: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 8 + (6) = 18

craft alchemy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
spell craft: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 8 + (6) = 20

Aid another gloves Spellcraft 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

”Hannah, look at the crude stitching on these gloves. Does that mean anything to you?”

"Nice items, especially for a troll. Though I say we keep them. No need to give them to the Fey Folk."

"You are right dear. good catch." Hannah says reexamining the gloves