GM supervillan's 7-24 Dead Mans Debt [Gameday 8, Band of Foxes] (Inactive)

Game Master supervillan

“Indeed, trees. This is a yellowheart tree" says Kalwe, looking at Hiiragi and gesturing to the great tree that you are seated around, "Many Ekujae villages are home to one. Our oldest stories tell us that we must nurture such trees, for they help us to know when it is time to move. Once it has reached an age when it loses a limb, we cut down the tree and use its wood. Then we move on and begin anew. As you can see, this village is still quite young.”

“The yellowheart tree is sacred to us" adds Nolanu. "When a scout is first allowed on patrol, she is given a club of yellowheart that she must carve to her liking. Most believe them to be only ceremonial, but the stories often carry the truth when written records are lost.”

No great terbutjes, sorry Hiiragi. Standard model only.

"The yellowheart is not suited for bows. It is too inflexible. If you want for a bow, perhaps you can persuade one of the warriors to trade with you" Kalwe advises Juzo.
You may purchase a standard variety of bow from the village, but they have none to loan or give away.

"'Inu' does not mean 'dog' - not in our language at least. 'Dehu Inu' means 'Blood Maw.'" Nolanu explains.

"Fola Barun will show you the way to Dehu Inu."

You note that the elders did not answer all of your questions Onna. Perhaps if they were more 'Helpful'? You may all attempt Diplomacy to improve their attitudes towards you.

An "okay terbutje" works for me!

"Ah. Blood Maw is much better! As you may guess, we do not care for dogs." She looks around, considering. "Well, I assume 'we,' but I have not asked my companions directly."

Onna tries to lead the elders into a deeper conversation. "So, anything else you would like to add?" She waits a moment before trying to lighten the mood with a joke. "So, Yellowheart. Is that anything like 'yellow snow'? Wash your hands after, amIright?" She finishes with a wink and waits for the laughter. After tedious seconds quietly pass, Onna points at her eye, "Did you not see the wink?" She turns to the others, "You guys saw the wink, right? Wait, they know what snow is, don't they?" Her head swings back toward the elves, "You have heard of snow, haven't you? But you're elves!" The bard slowly shrinks, shoulders slumping, as she backs away from the circle and finds a quite place to be mortified.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Perhaps not.

Kenta gives Hiiragi an odd look, but then remembers what was said about their fey nature. I have so much to learn about my kind. And not liking dogs makes more sense now, my former master's animals were always snapping at me.

"Dogs don't like me either, that's odd. Horses are friendly though. Blood Maw? Interesting name. Thank you for the information about the trees, I will honor the use of the loaned weapon. Is there anything else you can tell us?"

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

”I would expect horses to be fine—we’re foxes, not goblins.”

Noting Onna’s stumbling, Hiiragi provides a sheepish grin. ”I can assure you that Onna is considered very funny when she is in her element,” she says.

Enhanced Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

"Thank you for your hospitality thus far. I will just take a spear for now. Is there anything else you could share? I truly want this alliance to be a success. My reputation is on the line." Juzo replies after hearing about the bow.

"Well, I'm ready to help out and finish our captain's work here." Takabe says, not really trying to overwork at an alliance. Just do nice things and they'll like us, no need to sit here and convince them.

Onna's jokes fall flat, but Juzo's words seem to resonate with the elders.

"We cannot tell you why Dehu Inu is forbidden to us. The legend would take too long to explain now and require full trust between the teller and listener. I can say this: the story says that 'none of Ekujae blood may enter Dehu Inu'.” Nolanu says.

"We do not know exactly the nature of the evil that threatens us" adds Kalwe. "From time to time, creatures of darkness, usually ones that hide under cover of night, emerge from Dehu Inu and bring increased danger to the jungle. Before now these threats were easily dispatched outside its boundaries. Lately, however, the attacker has become clever and specifically targets Ekujae. Entire families have gone missing. The first sign of this trouble was when a patrol led by one of our best scouts, Kaghaze, disappeared several weeks ago.”

Nolanu seems to notice something for the first time. "You are sick. Allow me to aid you."

The Ekujae elder works several healing spells and is able to fully heal Takabe, but can only relieve Onna's symptoms. Takabe is healed of his disease and all DEX damage is restored. All of Onna's DEX damage is restored but she is not free of the fever. (And Juzo still has 1 DEX damage).

Recapping yellowheart weapons:
Hiiragi - terbutje
Kenta - greatclub
Toshiko - club
Juzo - spear
The arrows are divided between Hiiragi and Onna - the melee weapons are all Masterwork. The arrows are not, and in addition the wooden arrow tips are inferior to steel: these arrows will cause less damage than steel arrows (-2).

Anything else you want to do or ask here before going to Dehu Inu?

I can prepare Remove Sickness for tomorrow; that'd give you a +4 to toss it, plus +1 from Resistance, for a total of +5.

Kenta will try to assist with a heal check, which MIGHT give another +4. We'll stack up some stuff for ya tomorrow!

The young fox seems fascinated by his loaned weapon as they head towards Dehunininu, "A magic weapon, wow!"

He swings it around a bit, using similar forms as with his sword, "Good weight to it too!"

Ready to go!

Did you want to go straight to Dehu Inu, or spend a night with the Ekujae? Dehu Inu is several hours from the village; you got the elders to Helpful so you can stay the night if that's your preference.

I would like to stay the night. Maybe we can make some inroads with them.

I'm good with staying the night to rest up, attempt to recover from damage and also beat off that disease Onna has contracted.

Morning Heal Check to help if we stay + Kit: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 1 + 2 = 23

That should grant a nice +4 Competence Bonus to her morning save, 7 heal kit uses remain.

And a +5 from my Remove Disease/Resistance. I believe in you, Onna!

The Healing Power of Friendship!: 1d20 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 5 = 12 Would the anti-plague stack with this (for a total of 17)?

**coff**

That's an alchemical bonus, so I'd assume yes!

You spend the night in the Ekujae village. Though the elves are gracious enough to provide you with food and shelter it is clear that they don't fully trust you. They do not engage you in any conversation, and you get the sense that there are always unseen eyes watching you - in addition to the visible warriors who keep you from wandering off.

In the morning Hiiragi and Kenta see to Onna's sickness. Onna takes her medicine (anti-plague) and is relieved to find that she is cured!

I'll post again later

Fola Barun seeks you out. "It is time, Pathfinders. We travel to Dehu Inu." You gather your gear, and follow her into the jungle.

After several hours the jungle foliage thins and becomes an open area of stunted, low-growing brush and grasses that is nearly half a mile wide. The perpetual sounds of life in the jungle fall silent. A series of worn stone monoliths, each roughly ten feet tall and spaced evenly every 100 feet, marks the perimeter of this clearing. On the northeast border, a 60-foot-tall cliff rises to a plateau above. More of the stone monoliths loom from the top of the cliff. About halfway up the cliff, a ledge juts sharply into the clearing.

The monoliths are covered in ancient elven script. "They warn of the dangers of this place, and tell us to turn back" advises Barun. "They say evil dwells here, on wings of shadow."

You could possibly decode more information from the monoliths using Linguistics DC15 or Knowledge (History) DC 20 but it would take hours.

Decode the monoliths, or press on to the cliff?

Hiiragi steps through the forest, eyes slowly scanning the forest as they travel.

"Wings of shadow? Interesting," says Hiiragi, curious.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

She's unable to read the monolith for herself.

She keeps her bow drawn, a yellowheart arrow nocked.

"Sounds troublesome more than interesting. Look at this place, it clearly is keeping something in or out. Do be careful." he warns the others as they observe the monoliths.

Kenta brandishes his yellow-wood greatclub and moves forward. He will stop before entering if someone indicates they wish to attempt a translation, otherwise he continues forwards quietly. Evil cannot be given time to grow... unless his allies need a good night's sleep of course.

Stealth - ACP: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 - 2 = 3

SOOO SNEAKY!

linguistics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Takabe looks at the monoliths for a moment, "I'm pretty sure I could translate these, but it would be slow going. Could take a couple hours and who knows if any of the information is even important."

Do we want to spend a few hours translating these monoliths?

"I don't mind taking the time. Knowledge is important, and we are Pathfinders, after all-- Explore, Report, Cooperate!"

It's painstaking work piecing together fragments from the worn, ancient monoliths. Eventually, you realise that they tell a tale; though your information is far from complete, you are able to ascertain that this place was sealed off by Old Mage Jatembe himself. A deal was struck between Jatembe and the Ekujae and Dehu Inu was placed within the Ekujae's keeping.

With this lost lore uncovered, you press on to the cliff that rises in the centre of the cordon of monoliths.

It's 20 feet up to the large ledge. How do you make the climb? A rough rock face is a DC15 Climb.

Kenta pulls out his rope, ”Anyone got one of those... metal grabby things we can toss up there tied off the rope and use it to climb?”

Oh, Explore, Report Co-Operate is it? See, I had been thinking your motto was Get Ambushed, Get Bloodied, Get Toshiko Killed.

Hiiragi laughs. ”I think the record for Most Blood Lost belongs to Kenta,” she points out. ”You’re like.......... third, maybe.”

"I have some rope at least. Let me try and climb up there and find a place to tie it off." Slowly, the bard scrips and scrabbles up the ledge.

Climb: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Tying off the rope should reduce the DC enough to Take 10 on for just about everybody I think.

"Have to add something about dead bodies into the motto where we are concerned. At least it hasn't been one of our dead bodies...oh and no rope here." he adds sadly but perks up as Onna pulls out one.

Taking 10 if I can.

Also taking 10 if I can!

"If any of us die, we have to make sure it leaves some Pathfinder business unfinished, or that we need to be buried halfway across the continent, or somesuch," says Hiiragi, grabbing the rope and ascending carefully.

Kenta scurries up the rope after Onna, happy that she was able to climb up and secure it at the top.

Take 10 climb w/ braced rope for 12.

He guards the top as the rest make it up, replying to Hiiragi's comments as they come. "Yeah, the cleaning costs for my clothes after each mission has been quite expensive. But as long as I have breath, none of you will die."

Hiiragi looks quizzically at that. "Kenta, I can clean your clothes for you in six seconds or less without you having to take them off. ...You haven't been giving Toshiko money for this, have you?"

Kenta's ears turn a hair crimson and he mumbles, "I didn't want to bother you."

Onna climbs up and hooks her rope over an outcropping.

Combat round 1

Juzo
Toshiko
Onna
Kenta
skulls
Takabe
Hiiragi
Fola Barun

You hear unearthly screaming from the top of the ledge just as Onna drops the rope to you.

The bold may act!

These enemies attack as soon as Onna gets up on the ledge. I will rule that Onna has dropped the rope, so that you can climb it braced against the wall: this is DC5. At 20' up that's normally 3 move actions to reach the top, assuming a landspeed of 30 and climbing at normal speed. You cannot take 10 now that combat has begun.

With the yell about something being up there, Kenta's muscles tighten up and he rushes to the rope to attempt to scramble up to help.

Kenta, realizing how slow it will be to get to Onna, hollers up at her, "Jump if you have to! It's better than being eaten by a monster!"

Attempting a double move to get to the top in one round.

climb, accelerated: 1d20 + 4 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 5 = 16
climb, accelerated: 1d20 + 4 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 5 = 3

Religion: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

While not certain what they are exactly, Onna certainly has some idea what she thinks they are. She looks over the ledge toward Hiiragi, panic clearly in her eyes. "Sister, send forth your divine energy to destroy abominations! We are beset by them!" She turns back to face something out of view as she draws a wand from her belt.

I have not read anything 'spoiled', just basing my reaction off of the description in my personal spoiler. These may be something else entirely.

Begin Inspire Courage. +1 to Hit, Damage, saves vs Fear and/or Charm. Draw a wand of CLW.

Round 1 of 10. 9 rounds remain

I should of course have noted that we are on Slide 4

Juzo is up!

Accelerated Climb: 1d20 - 1 - 5 ⇒ (18) - 1 - 5 = 12
Accelerated Climb: 1d20 - 1 - 5 ⇒ (14) - 1 - 5 = 8

"Oh great! I am already terrible at climbing." Juzo says while attempting to scramble up the rope quickly.

Kenta is eager to get up the cliff, but senses that his lightly-armoured companions might be better off going first.

Juzo scrambles successfully up the rope to reach the ledge. Toshiko makes a good start, but runs out of steam 15 feet up the rope. For both of you the first accelerated check is a success, leaving just 5' to climb, so I treat the second roll as being a normal speed climb attempt at DC5.

Kenta only manages to get half way up.

Juzo you can read the Onna spoiler in my earlier post.

The four animated skulls atop the ledge screech and belch flames as they take to the air!

fire belch vs Onna: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
fire belch vs Onna: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
fire belch vs Onna: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
fire belch vs Onna: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Onna ducks and dives, but cannot avoid all of the fiery blasts.

Combat round 1

Juzo
Toshiko - 15' up rope
Onna (-4hp)
Kenta - 10' up rope
skulls - 10' in the air above ledge
Takabe
Hiiragi
Fola Barun

Active effects: inspire courage.

The bold may act!

Takabe, knowing that most of his abilities require sight, begins doing his best to climb the rope.

Are we on a map slide, none of them really match what we are doing.

fast climb: 1d20 - 6 ⇒ (18) - 6 = 12
normal climb: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

Takabe joins his group at the top of the climb, but doesn't have time to unfurl his flag yet.

Slide 4. Map is large, you may need to scroll down the page.

Ohhh.I did not consider that it was outside the bounds of the slide, thanks!

Hiiragi frowns up at Onna. "It'll take me a minute to get up there!"

Delay until

With two of you already on the single rope, getting past the existing climbers is difficult. It's not impossible to climb over other climbers - I'll impose a DC modifier, and if you should fall then you might take the other climber with you. Takabe's rolls are good enough to clamber over Kenta and Onna and reach the top - adjusted your position to be adjacent to the rope, Takabe.

"I... I should not have come! I am endangering you all!" cries Fola Barun at the sound of battle from above.

Combat round 2

Juzo
Toshiko - 15' up rope
Onna (-4hp)
Kenta - 10' up rope
skulls - 10' in the air above ledge
Takabe
Hiiragi - in delay
Fola Barun - in delay

Active effects: inspire courage.

The bold may act!

"Too late for regrets...there are flying skulls up here that are actually endangering me." Juzo calls back down sarcastically.

He manifests negative energy from his mind sending a wave outwards while staring at the yellow skull.

Hypnotic/Painful Stare@Yellow: -2 Will Saves.
Bane: -1 penalty on attack rolls and a -1 penalty on saving throws against fear effects for 1 minute. Will 14 to negate.

Toshiko climbs up the rope to the top.

Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Once there she pulls a dagger and flicks it at Pink Using subtle throw to not provoke.

Dagger: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Climb - swift climb DC 5: 1d20 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 2 - 5 = 0

Climb - swift climb DC 5 1 star reroll: 1d20 + 2 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 - 5 = 0

What the actual f...

Kenta falls because the gods wish him to not Aid in this fight.

1d6 ⇒ 5

He slowly gets back up from the ground, groaning and looking very suspiciously at the trick rope.

surge: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Yeah, no, Kenta passes his climb check.

Janira appears as a ghostly figure that literally just shoves Kenta up the rope right before he falls.