[GDVIII, PFS(2)] PFS(2) 1-03: Escaping the Grave (Inactive)

Game Master Blake's Tiger

That works, thanks!

Edit: Just realized that takes an action to do, which is fine. He'll do that as his first action when he goes. If each check takes one action each, please disregard the second check.

Tarku gets Bella back into fighting shape after the wicked blow she took and commands his faithful bear to attack the skeletal warrior. Unfortunately, not even the bear's powerful jaws can make it past the steel shield.

Louis and Olnik set the statue on the stairs.

The bloated zombies shamble around disorganized. "No, no, no! You're getting in each other's way! Idiots!" the necromancer screams t his minions as he moves to a (relatively) better vantage point. Two of the zombies get close enough to take swings at Bella. The dwarf women is battered back and forth. One of the blows makes her head ring.

The necromancer chants and fires a ray of withering energy toward Bella. The ray strikes her, though not as critically as it would have if the zombies were not in the way, threatening to drain her strength.

Larraz spends his efforts channeling a wide burst of positive energy. The knight takes a swing while he is distracted. The druid releases a shriek as the blade cuts him.

As far as I can tell, each Recall Knowledge is a single action.

Encounter! Round 1/2. Bold may act.

Buffs: inspire courage

Hester
---2---
Olnik (16/20; Wounded 1; shield)
Larraz (19/24)
Skeletal Champion (-2; shield raised until his turn)
Tarku
> Brick (12/16)
Bella (17/23) (Fortitude DC 20 vs. Enfeebled)
Louis (8/19)
Red Zombie (-3)
Blue Zombie (-7)
Yellow Zombie (-11 hp)
Necromancer

Hester spreads his knowledge, "Hit the skeleton with something solid, don't waste time poking or slashing at it. Casters don't waste time with cold, electricity and fire either."

He pulls his sling out and loads it.

Interact 2x

Fort DC 20: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

I am not sure of the geometry here. It looks like these are kind of half-spiral stairs, but I'm not sure if there is a wall in between me and the zombies. Do I need to move to get line of sight on them?

Olnik's voice crescendos during his heroic dwarven dirge.

Action 1: Cast Lingering Composition. Action 2: Cast inspire courage

Performance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Inspire Courage lasts 1 round, but doesn't cost any focus points. (Again)

He grabs his holy water, getting ready to hurl it. Action 3: Interact

Olnik: You can see the Skeletal Knight and the blue zombie from where you, though both are screened by your allies.

FYI: It's 65 ft worth of movement to run across the upper hall to step onto the top of the opposite stairs, should you want to do that.

The skeletal knight turns all of his attention to Larraz, nearly cutting him down with two swift blows. The knight then raises his shield defensively.

Encounter! Round 2. Bold may act.

Buffs: inspire courage

Hester
---2---
Olnik (16/20; Wounded 1; shield)
Larraz (3/24)
Skeletal Champion (-2; shield raised; AOO used)
Tarku
> Brick (12/16)
Bella (17/23) (Enfeebled 2: status penalty on STR-based checks including melee attacks and damage rolls [10/10])
Louis (8/19)
Red Zombie (-3)
Blue Zombie (-7)
Yellow Zombie (-11 hp)
Necromancer

Gasping as her strength is sapped, Bella doubles down and swings her maul with careful strikes at the Skeleton. She adds simply, "My maul is quite solid."

Strike, Exacting Strike, Strike.

Maul - Enf + I.C.: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 9 - 2 + 1 = 13 for Bludgeoning - Enf + I.C.: 1d12 + 4 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 2 + 1 = 14

Maul - Enf + I.C. - MAP: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 9 - 2 + 1 - 5 = 22 for Bludgeoning - Enf + I.C.: 1d12 + 4 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 - 2 + 1 = 11

If 2nd attack misses, 3rd attack only takes a -5 MAP.

Maul - Enf + I.C. - MAP: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 2 + 1 - 10 = 9 for Bludgeoning - Enf + I.C.: 1d12 + 4 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 - 2 + 1 = 5

The skeletal knight's armor protects him well, but Bella's second swing manages to sneak past the upraised shield and loudly crack several bones.

Encounter! Round 2. Bold may act.

Buffs: inspire courage

Hester
---2---
Olnik (16/20; Wounded 1; shield)
Larraz (3/24)
Skeletal Champion (-13; shield raised; AOO used)
Tarku
> Brick (12/16)
Bella (17/23) (Enfeebled 2: status penalty on STR-based checks including melee attacks and damage rolls [9/10])
Louis (8/19)
Red Zombie (-3)
Blue Zombie (-7)
Yellow Zombie (-11 hp)
Necromancer

Louis, knowing his injuries won't let him get to the frontlines, pulls out his only vial of holy water and sling, propelling it at the blue zombie, yelling-"Hey dead faces! Thirsty!?"-as the vial smashes in the zombie's face.

Ranged attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Holy water damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 good damage plus 1 good splash damage

With a smile atop his blood-coated face, he yells-"Cheers!"-holding his sling like a wine glass.

Damn, wish Hero Points could be spent rerolling damage rolls. Anyways, on the legal side that's just an Interact (pull holy water out), Strike (chuck it), Interact (pull sling out), since slings can't be used with holy water. Still, it's cool to imagine it like that.

"Let's see how jaws do against bone!" Tarku orders Brick to attack the skeleton again, after imbuing the bear's attacks with magic.

------

Action 1&2: cast Magic Fang on Brick (Brick's Jaws attack becomes a +1 striking attack (+1 attack, double damage dice for 10 rounds)

Action 3: Command Animal

Brick Action 1 - Strike skeleton: Jaws: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 19 for P: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 3) + 3 = 14

Brick Action 2 - Strike skeleton: Claws (agile): 1d20 + 6 - 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 - 4 + 1 + 1 = 18 for S: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

-----

Magic Fang: 10 rounds

Louis splashes the undead at the base of the stairs with holy water, although that vial must not have been very full. Tarku channels primal power through Brick, but even enhanced, the bear cannot make it past the knight's shield.

The two bloated zombies at the base of the stairs hammer at Bella. One of the heavy fists catches her in the jaw.

The necromancer channels a ray of life stealing energy into your rescued Pathfinder, but some divine force seems to protect him, keeping him from falling to the necromancy.

Encounter! Round 2/3. Bold may act.

Buffs: inspire courage

Hester
---3---
Olnik (16/20; Wounded 1; shield)
Larraz (1/24)
Skeletal Champion (-14; shield raised; AOO used)
Tarku
> Brick (12/16; magic fang [9/10])
Bella (9/23) (Enfeebled 2: status penalty on STR-based checks including melee attacks and damage rolls [9/10])
Louis (8/19)
Red Zombie (-3)
Blue Zombie (-8)
Yellow Zombie (-12 hp)
Necromancer

Olnik chants, somehow working, "Clear off the blasted stairs, for Torag's sake!" into his melody, as he continues trying to get line of sight to fling his holy water. His song again bolsters you all, particularly Bella.

Acrion 1: Cast inspire courage. Actions 2 & 3: Cast soothe on Bella. She gets +2 on saves vs mental effects for 1 minute and regains 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 HP

Hester reaches deep into his core, drawing out all of his remaining energy and just lets it build until exploding outward with positive energy. He gasps, trying to catch his breath.

3 action cast Heal, positive energy in 30 ft burst for 1d8 ⇒ 4 healing for living and harm for undead (basic fort DC 17). Should heal all allies and hit skeleton and blue/yellow zombies.

Bloodline power will grant +1 Status to all saves for Bella for 1 round.

Olnik soothes Bella's headache with secret bardic knowledge. Hester digs deep for a burst of power. Everyone feels some of their pain ease. One of the zombies explodes into a messy pile of gore while the other zombie near the stairs and the skeletal knight lose some of the necromantic power holding them together.

Emboldened by the restored strength, Larraz takes a swing at the armored skeleton, though it fails to accomplish much. He then retreats back to a safer vantage.

The knight, finding Hester to be a greater danger now, steps forward and thrusts his blade deeply into the sorcerer. It draws out the bloodied blade and slashes down on his arm.

Encounter! Round 3. Bold may act.

Buffs: inspire courage

Hester (1/18)
---3---
Olnik (20/20; Wounded 1; shield)
Larraz (5/24)
Skeletal Champion (-18; AOO not used)
Tarku
> Brick (16/16; magic fang [8/10])
Bella (23/23) (Enfeebled 2: status penalty on STR-based checks including melee attacks and damage rolls [8/10])
Louis (12/19)
Red Zombie (-3)
Blue Zombie (-17)
Necromancer

No issues with Skeleton stepping up the stairs or is that difficult terrain? Bella would have an AoO if it was.

Bella shouts out, "Watch out!"

But it is too late, Hester is stabbed and slashed into almost oblivion. She swings her maul repeatedly, hoping to take it out before it strikes again.

Bella hammer against the knight's armor, foiled once, twice, and then taking a breath to center herself, she lands a crushingly exact strike that dismantles the skeleton.

Louis knows the stairs are too full for him to make his advance, and opts to go for the long run. He looks to the party and nods, and sprints off out of the fight. His footsteps light despite his barrel-like frame.

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
I believe it was 65 ft. to run and come back around. Louis will Dash and Dash (50 ft) and Hide.

Assuming "dismantles the skeletons" means it is hors de combat...moved it off the map

Tarku orders Brick against the large zombie (blue) and stridee forth himself, raising his wooden shield...

TARKU: Command Animal, Stride, Raise Shield (AC 19)

BRICK: Stride, Strike Blue Zombie Jaws: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 24 for P: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 6) + 3 = 12

The bear tears down the (blue) zombie, ripping its head off in his powerful jaws. The bloated remains fall to the wet ground.

"No! No, no, no, no, no!" the necromancer shrieks as you begin to dismantle his little army. "I will kill you all and add you to my collection!"

The remaining zombie strides forward and swings a large fist at Brick while the necromancer chants. The blow merely glances off of the bear's hide, and when the necromancer releases a wave of withering energy, the bear seems wholly unaffected.

Encounter! Round 3/4. Bold may act.

Buffs: inspire courage

Hester (1/18)
---3---
Olnik (20/20; Wounded 1; shield)
Larraz (5/24)
Tarku (Basic Will Save DC 20 vs. 4 negative)
> Brick (16/16; magic fang [7/10])
Bella (23/23) (Enfeebled 2: status penalty on STR-based checks including melee attacks and damage rolls [7/10]) (Basic Will Save DC 20 vs. 4 negative)
Louis (12/19)
Red Zombie (-3)
Necromancer

Olnik moves to the base of the stairs, still chanting, and hurls the holy water at the zombie.

Action 1: Stride. Action 2: cast inspire courage. Action 3: Strike w/ holy water.

Holy water attack, inspire courage: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Holy water undead damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

1 splash damage then

Hester moves up the stairs and takes a breath to calm himself. "Easy there, I think I can help." He tries to quickly patch up the wounds of their ally.

Stride, Battle Medicine

Medicine (T): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 for 2d8 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7 healing

With some success helping with the half-orc's injury, he heads back down the stairs.

Stride

Tarku sends Brick against the necromancer and circles around the stair to come to grips with the villain himself.

TARKU: Command Animal, Stride, Stride
Will save DC20: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

BRICK: Stride (AoO from zombie??), Strike Necromancer
Jaws: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 19 for P: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 1) + 3 = 11

Louis comes out of hiding, his large frame hulking down from the stairs. With a few light steps, he jumps to the base of the stairs and whacks the necromancer in the face, saying-"Don't mess with the Pathfinder Society!"-his bulging sinew showing through.

(Interact, Stride and Strike)
Surprise Mace to the Face! vs FF: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Hero Point to reroll!
Surprise Mace to the Face! vs FF: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Mace Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + (4) + 2 = 8

Bella rushes out of the stairwell and moves around the zombie, attempting to knock the big fiend down... hard.

Stride, Strike, Strike.

Maul + IC - ENF: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 1 - 2 = 16 for Bludgeoning + IC - ENF: 1d12 + 4 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 - 2 = 7

Maul - MAP + IC - ENF: 1d20 + 9 - 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 - 5 + 1 - 2 = 11 for Bludgeoning + IC - ENF: 1d12 + 4 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 - 2 = 11

Hester quickly applies a balm to Larraz's wounds and then heads back down the stairs. Olnik's sprinkling of holy water has done little to damage the remaining animated corpse after the necromancer reinvigorated it. Larraz moves back down the stairs and disrupts the evil forces animating the zombie.

Despite being ravaged painfully by the wave of negative energy, Bella forges onward to face the zombie by herself when Brick is sent after the necromancer. Her first blow strikes well, but the unnatural weakness that afflicts her hinders her second blow.

The necromancer squeaks in fear and then shouts in pain when the bear's jaws come for him. Brick bites into the necromancer's arm and worries the wound painfully. Just before the necromancer can take a steadying breath, Louis leaps down the stairs and slams his mace into the man's face with a satisfying crunch.

Nose broken and bleeding, the necromancer screams in frustration and bolts out the back door and down the stairs.

Encounter! Round 4/5. Bold may act.

Buffs: inspire courage

Hester (1/18)
---3---
Olnik (20/20; Wounded 1; shield)
Larraz (12/24)
Tarku (16/20)
> Brick (16/16; magic fang [6/10])
Bella (15/23) (Enfeebled 2: status penalty on STR-based checks including melee attacks and damage rolls [6/10])
Louis (12/19)
Red Zombie (-15)
Necromancer (-19)

Bella attempts to finish off the Zombie and then chase after the Necromancer, "DON'T LET THAT BASTARD ESCAPE, HE'LL JUST MAKE MORE UNDEAD!"

Strike & Exacting Strike until enemy drops, then Stride.

The zombie punches Bella in the face a moment before she disassembles it with her next blow (first swing destroyed it).

Encounter! Round 4/5. Bold may act.

Buffs: inspire courage

Hester (1/18)
---3---
Olnik (20/20; Wounded 1; shield)
Larraz (12/24)
Tarku (16/20)
> Brick (16/16; magic fang [6/10])
Bella (15/23) (Enfeebled 2: status penalty on STR-based checks including melee attacks and damage rolls [5/10])
Louis (12/19)
Necromancer (-19)

Olnik's chanting turns ominous, conti using to bolster his allies but with potentially very different effect.on the necromance.

Action 1: Cast inspire courage. Actions 2 & 3: Cast phantom.pain on necromancer. Will save vs DC 13

Initial damage (except for crit success): 2d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

Louis follows the necromancer through the back door, taking out his trusty sling and aiming it at the fleeing necromancer. He yells-"Run and live another day? Not on my watch!"-and letting it loose.

Sling att: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Sling dmg: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Hester vaults down the last stair and heads out after Louis, sling still in hand. He stops at the top of the stairs, aims and whips a stone down at the fleeing Necromancer.

Stride 2x 50 ft, Strike Red.

Sling + IC: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8 for Bludgeoning + IC: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Going to summarize this as you have a more important, Fame-related activity to finish.

The necromancer flees into the mists as sling stones crack against the ground around him. Olnik realizes that he is too far away and out of the line of sight to affect the fleeing necromancer with any of his magics.

From the outside, Hester and Louis see the titanic undead have changed their course to be on a direct route to the college, likely alerted by the Whispering Tyrant's ability to see through the eyes of any undead in his realm. This close, they can see that the titans are amalgams of different creatures--giants, dragons, and other terrible beasts--knitted together through some obscene ritual. Their plodding steps will bring them to the college in less than half of an hour. However, you are certain that Desert Wind, even hitched to a cart, would be able to outrun them.

You gather the statue again and load it onto the cart along with the other things found in the town and the college and make your escape.

I now need identification or your best guesses for the bodies that you have found. Use the dossier linked in the Campaign to help you. Also, "Not a Pathfinder" is a possible answer.

Bloated zombie wearing once fine clothes with a ruffled collar and cloak. Nearby (in the zombie horse's throat) was a Wayfinder with the initials 'C.M.' Who am I? Clement Martin has been proposed.

Charred goblin surrounded by scorch marks left by magical fire. Who am I?

Gnome or halfling in the armor of a Knight of Lastwall. Who am I?

Gnome or halfling in Iomedean ceremonial robes found mauled to death by undead on the steps of Goldenflame College. Who am I?

A man killed by falling debris in the college with tattered hand wraps clutched in each fist. Who am I?

Larraz cannot identify any of these bodies as his colleagues? Or are these just the ones that he wasn't able to help with?

Bloated zombie: Clement Martin

Charred goblin: Assuming there was no eye patch or wooden boot, then Gibb Potsmasher.

Man killed in debris: Osprey Pierces the Tide

As for the two gnome/halfling bodies ... Were they male or female? I don't think either of them fit the gnome/halfling we were sent after, so I'm leaning toward "not a pathfinder"

Bloated zombie: Clement Martin

Charred goblin: Assuming there was no eye patch or wooden boot, then Gibb Potsmasher.

Man killed in debris: Osprey Pierces the Tide

As for the two gnome/halfling bodies ... Were they male or female? I don't think either of them fit the gnome/halfling we were sent after, so I'm leaning toward "not a pathfinder"

Agreed about Clement Martin, Gibb Potsmasher and Osprey.

I also have no clue about the other two halfling/gnome characters, they don't seem to match any of the info we have from the dossiers.

Did any of the zombies we encountered in the last fight appear to be recently converted undead?

You carefully maneuver through the Gravelands to avoid the gargantuan flesh-constructs and the patrolling hordes of undead on your way back to Caliphas.

Upon your return to the Vodavani Lodge, you find Venture-Captain Zongnoss tending to the wounds of several Pathfinders who appear tired, bloodied, and a little dehydrated. Once she finishes her latest healing prayer, she meets you. "I am glad to see you have returned safely," she says solemnly, "And with a survivor. That is to be thankful for. Tell me what you found?"

Hester seems ready to just find an inn and crash, but he powers through. "Had to maneuver through patrols, but managed to do that without incident. Made it to the town, immediately attacked by undead. Fought them off, but that triggered reinforcements headed our way. We did a quick scan of the buildings, collected a cart and a horse and headed to the college. Pretty much grabbed everything of value not nailed down and any bodies or other evidence we ran across. Found Larraz there and encouraged him to recover his fighting spirit. Got attacked by some centipedes and then a necromancer came up with some minions. They were tough, but we sent him running... well we tried to take him out, but he got away. With the reinforcements closing in we decided to get outta there and return. The others know more about what we found, I wasn't much help with that stuff."

Olnik motions to Larraz. "Found him, for starters... and some others who have passed into the beyond." He offers up the wayfinder they found.

"I am very glad that you found a survivor," she says. "Larraz, please rest and recover here in Caliphas. Once you're ready, we can find you a posting in a peaceful region or arrange transport home, if you wish."

"I appreciate the consideration, Venture-Captain," Larraz says. "However, I believe that it would serve me and the Society best if I took a leave to visit my family in Katapesh."

Envi nods and looks back to the others. "Whose remains did you recover?"

"I believe we may have found Clement Martin, Gibb Potsmasher, and Osprey Pierces the Tide. We have their remains, as well as a couple of small folk who we could not identify, out in the cart, for a proper burial. One of those is dressed as a Knight of Lastwall, and one in Iomedae robes, so I suspect their respective orders will want to give them their last rites."

"We'll get them sorted and their remains and effects returned to their families. You will hand over any of their property that you found, correct?" the gnome states in the form of a question with a brief glance at you before continuing. "I'll do my best to try to identify these two others that you found and try to find any surviving kin. You've done well. Now go rest."