The Fall of Plaguestone (Inactive)

Game Master Wandering Wastrel

Fliss looks at the woman with an expression of deep, deep pity. "Aw honey, that's so SAD!"

She gestures around at the cavern and the cauldron. "All of that alchemical talent, to build all of these things... and you can't brew an Elixir of Get Over Yourself Already? Or a Potion of Cure Stupid?" She cocks her head to one side. "I mean, you DO know that, like, pretty much everyone responsible for that is dead, right? I mean, there's like maybe one guy still alive in that town who remembers, on the days that he isn't putting his underpants on his head. You're really going to kill a bunch of people who had nothign to do with it, just to make Mommy happy?" She pauses to let it sink in. "That's like, not great."

She looks at the elf critically, with one final devastating remark. "More importantly: whoever it was who told you that dress goes with that figure..." She scrunches up her nose and shakes her head sympathetically. "Not your friend, honey."

”I can sympathize with the need for revenge,” Shaumatiel says, stroking her whip casually. ”But you have taken Bort from us, and Calistria demands that our revenge comes first. Now, you will be punished.” She cracks the whip in the air.

Dar leans in to Fliss and in an aside, asks, "What's wrong with the dress?" His tone suggests genuine curiosity.

FLiss shakes her head in reply, tossing her long hair. "Really, if you have to ask..."

Vilree gives you all (but especially Fliss) an annoyed, flat stare. "Wait. I've changed my mind."

As she speaks, from the water in front of you, an immense creature rises up to defend the narrow bridge. It is a stitched-together horror of many parts, none of them pleasant.

Safe on the other side of the bridge, Vilree draws a small crossbow. It has been modified to hold a number of glowing, alchemical vials. Fortunately, you are alive to the danger and you get to act first.

You guys are up! (stupid dice rolls) The Behemoth creature is blocking the bridge, so you need to kill it to cross over and get into melee with Vilree, unless you have some flight or other powers I'm not aware of. It will take you a Stride action to close into melee with the Behemoth

Shaumatiel enchants Dar’s sword. ”Kick its ass, darling.”

Cast magic weapon. The sword becomes a +1 striking weapon for 1 minute.

Fliss falls silent as the horror rises up out of the water. She riases her shield and moves to engage the creature, slashing at it with her longsword.

Longsword: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 2 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 = 13

I am assuming we still get the +2 to hit and damage?

Dar gives Shaumatiel a quick smirk. "I've got to figure out which part is its arse, love," he says before charging forward to strike at the horror.

{A} Stride

{A} Bastard Sword Attack - Two Handed: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 2 = 19
Bastard Sword Damage - Two Handed - S: 2d12 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5, 6) + 3 + 2 = 16

{A} Bastard Sword Attack - Two Handed: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 = 26
Bastard Sword Damage - Two Handed - S: 2d12 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7, 1) + 3 + 2 = 13

Urgh. Sorry for delay - AGAIN. Right, let's finish this

The vast creature swipes at Fliss as she closes to attack, just scoring a hit despite the paladin's raised shield. It is badly wounded by the pair, but flails at Dar, although only one of its huge claws manages to strike the fighter.

Dar takes 12 damage. Fliss takes 11 damage

Vilree smiles evilly as she infuses her crossbow with alchemical energy, but the shot goes wide. Cursing, she reloads.

You guys are up! Behemoth has AC 17. Vilree has AC 22 (can only be hit with ranged attacks) Remember your +2 to hit and damage

The single claw-strike seems enough to put the warrior off his game as only one of his follow-up strikes finds flesh.

{A} Bastard Sword Attack - Two Handed: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 11 + 2 = 22
Bastard Sword Damage - Two Handed - S: 2d12 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9, 2) + 3 + 2 = 16

{A} Bastard Sword Attack - Two Handed: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9
Bastard Sword Damage - Two Handed - S: 2d12 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9, 9) + 3 + 2 = 23

{A} Bastard Sword Attack - Two Handed: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 2 = 9
Bastard Sword Damage - Two Handed - S: 2d12 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7, 2) + 3 + 2 = 14

Current HP: 29/44

Edited for the extra damage die.

Dar, remember you have magic weapon up so you should have an extra weapon Damage die.

Shaumatiel fires a ray of frost at the behemoth,

Ray Of Frost: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 2 = 22
Cold Damage: 2d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 + 2 = 11

Fliss winces as the behemoth strikes her, but she focuses her attention on protecint Dar and striking back.

Retributive Strike: Dar gets Resist 5 against the attack

Retributive strike: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 = 31
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12

She then follows that up with another series of attacks, keeping her shield raised.

Longsword: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 2 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9

Longsword: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 - 5 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 = 13

Fliss blocks some of the damage Dar has received, and between the three of you, you manage to shred the lumbering hulk, cutting it down before it can do any more damage.

Interesting - in PF2 looks like low AC doesn't compensate much for having lots of hit points.

Vilree screams in frustration and rage, firing a volley of alchemically-enhanced crossbow bolts at Dar and Fliss. The bolts inflict horrific damage on the pair. Vilree cackles with glee, her mad eyes gleaming. "You shan't stop me. You SHAN'T!!!!!!!!"

Dar takes 22 damage plus 2 persistent Acid. Fliss takes 18 damage plus 2 persistent acid

You guys are up! Vilree has AC 22 and is 30 feet away. Remember your +2 to hit and damage

Can I use Shield Block against a missile attack? If so, it has Hardness 7 so I take 11 damage and it takes 11 damage

Fliss lets out a hiss of pain as the bolt strikes her even through her shield. She feels the sting of acid burning in the wound. Praying to her god (PLEASE don't let this ruin the one remaining good outfit I have) she heals herself and moves foward, swinging her sword at Vilree. "Lady, can you even hear yourself riht now?"

Lay on Hands heals 12 hp, Move, Strike. No actions left to raise sheild so AC is 21

Longsword: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 2 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 11

Flat check to end persistent damage: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Shaumatiel uses one of her dwindling spells to heal Dar, moving up alongside him and Fliss.

Heal: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Dar moves forward to strike Vilree with his blade. "We shall," he says in a cold voice.

{A} Stride

{A} Bastard Sword Attack - Two Handed: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 2 = 21
Bastard Sword Damage - Two Handed - S: 2d12 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3, 9) + 3 + 2 = 17

{A} Bastard Sword Attack - Two Handed: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 = 21
Bastard Sword Damage - Two Handed - S: 2d12 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6, 9) + 3 + 2 = 20

Current HP: 23/44
Current Effects: magic weapon, favored enemy

Fliss manages to land a hit on the elusive elf, but Dar's attacks both narrowly miss as Vilree darts out the way. Cursing at the paladin, she hurries away from combat before throwing a vial of exploding fire at you both. In her haste and spite, both bombs miss completely and she screeches in frustration.

Movement provokes AoO. I know Dar has one, not sure about Fliss

The acid from the previous attack continues to eat into both Dar and Fliss.

You guys are up! Vilree has AC 22 and is 25 feet away. Remember your +2 to hit and damage

"Press the attack! Vengeance is at hand!" Shaumatiel declares as she fires an icy ray at Vilree.

Ray of Frost: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 = 10

I don't think Fliss has an AoO

Fliss moves again, slashing at the elf with her sword. She doesn't bother with her shield, this jsut needs to be over with.

Longsword: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 = 31
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12

Longsword: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 - 5 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8

"Not vengeance. This is justice for Bort. And for the damage my clothers have suffered on the way." she glares at the elf. "I know you clearly have no interest in fashion, but some of us care how we look."

Shaumatiel shrugs at the champion's barb. "I do more of my work with my clothes off than on, darling."

Opp. Haven't had my coffee this monrning and I forgot Shaumatiel is an elf as well! The elf Fliss was glaring at was Vilree, and that's who the comment was directed at. could have been clearer :/

Fliss makes a face. "Eww, TMI. But I was talking to her! You look fine, I mean like yellow is so not my colour but it kinda works on you?"

Lol, it's okay! I haven't had my coffee either! :D

"Ah, right. Thank you, I think," the elf says.

"Running away, eh?" Dar calls out with a grin as his blade follows her.

{R} Bastard Sword Attack - Two Handed: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 2 = 24
Bastard Sword Damage - Two Handed - S: 1d12 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

The half-elf follows after to express his outrage at the treatment of Fliss' raiment.

{A} Stride

{A} Bastard Sword Attack - Two Handed: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 2 = 27
Bastard Sword Damage - Two Handed - S: 1d12 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

{A} Bastard Sword Attack - Two Handed: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 = 25
Bastard Sword Damage - Two Handed - S: 1d12 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9

Dar's sword slashes at Vilree as she tries to get away, and his follow up attacks cut her to the ground, where she falls, breathing her last. Her hate-filled eyes glare at you defiantly - not defeated, but triumphant.

"You fools. Even before you arrived, I set my vengeance in motion against that town." Her breathing is ragged, straining, but still she talks. "One of my ... alchemical minions... as soon as ... reaches... the plaguestone ... mother ... will... be... avenged."

With a final effort, she coughs up a torrent of blood."You're too late." She dies with a smile on her lips.

"Oh, b!*!~%~s," Dar grumbles as he wipes his blade clean. "Did she really just say that we have to chase down another of her patch-doll creations?"

"We know where it's going, but we don't know which way it's going to get there. We should just head back to the village at best speed and be there waiting for it."

"Yes, we should make haste, but running off half-cocked will only get us killed. Allow me a few minutes to tend to your wounds, and then we will away," Shaumatiel says. The elf patches up her companions.

Medicine DC 20 vs Dar: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Healing: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (4, 7) + 10 = 21
Medicine DC 20 vs Fliss: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Healing: 4d8 + 10 ⇒ (3, 8, 6, 7) + 10 = 34

Fliss looks outraged as Vilree's dying words reveal her trickery. "That's, like, cheating. Can they DO that??!!!"

Reaslising from the looks of the others that the bad guys can, in fact, do that she shuts the hell up and focuses on hustling back to town. Dar's plan is the only real way. She just hopes that the thing hasn't got too good of a head start.

Shaumatiel: can you remind me how long Medicine checks take? As the others have guessed, this is a chase/intercept, and it is possible to arrive Too Late (Dun Dun Dunnnnn!)

It's 10 minutes for each check. I'll forgo it if that will be too long.

EDIT: Alternately, if it's more than 1 hour to get back to town, I will be able to use Battle Medicine on each of them again. That only takes 1 action so we can do it as we race back to town.

It's more than one hour, so that's fine. I'll update your status

With every exhausting mile you run, you know that there is still a grim possibility that you will be too late, that the town of Etran’s Folly is even now a town filled with the dead and dying. Miles pass, minutes turn to hours, and finally the unsuspecting village grows ever closer. There is no sign of Vilree’s minion, but that only adds to a growing sense of dread.

Finally, Etran’s Folly comes into view at the crest of a hill. The alchemical minion (with an appearance like a large, wingless homonculus) is now approaching its final destination — the plaguestone — where it will carry out its final gruesome command from Vilree!

Only you can stop it.

You are fatigued (-1 to AC and saves) but you have at least made it back in time. You are 30 feet away from the alchemical minion, and it in turn is 120 feet away from the plaguestone. If it reaches the plaguestone then things get really bad. Minion has AC 18

”Don’t let it get to the stone!” Shaumatiel shouts. She fires a ray of frost straight into center mass, causing ice to form over the minion’s legs!

Ray Of Frost: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
Crit Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 = 10

On a critical success, the target takes double damage and takes a –10-foot status penalty to its Speeds for 1 round.

Fliss nods. "On it!" She charges at the critter, slashing it with her longsword.

Move, move, Strike

Longsword: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12

Dar would have liked to be able to take a moment to rest, but more work for the wicked, it seems. He pulls his blade as he strides forward to strike at the creature.

Stride

{A}{A} Power Attack - Bastard Sword - Two Handed: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Bastard Sword Damage - Two Handed - S: 2d12 + 3 ⇒ (5, 4) + 3 = 12

Really?

EDIT: Using Hero Point ...

{A}{A} Power Attack - Bastard Sword - Two Handed: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Current AC: 20
Current HP: 44/44
Current Effects: fatigued

Dar, I'm pretty sure we still get the +2 to hit and damage, or at least the GM hasn't said we don't. Which would make your miss into a hit

Shaumatiel's ray blasts the thing off its feet, tangling it up in frost. Fliss' longsword then cuts straight through it, releasing a foul torrent of alchemical glop all over her boots, staining them forever. It doesn't have a nervous system, so it doesn't thrash or cry out in pain. It just dies, to the extent it ever lived.

Only had 30 hit points! With 2 crits, it doesn't matter if Dar hit or missed.

Congratulations! Plaguestone has been saved.

"Ha!" Shaumatiel cries as the creature falls. "Sorry, Vilree. Vengeance is reserved for those who are truly deserving of it. And you are the one who has felt Calistria's savored sting this day."

She drapes herself over Dar's back. "So, darlings, shall we celebrate our victory in style?"

Fliss stares at her boots. "Not cool." They hvae clearly saved the day, but only at great personal cost. she isn't really in the mooed to clelbrate.

Shaumatiel pats Fliss's shoulder sympathetically. "I'll buy you some new ones, honey. You definitely deserve them."

In spite of the elf hanging on his back, Dar straightens up and stretches. "Oh, Luv," he says with a grin. "I'm gonna need a bit of a rest before I do any kind of celebrating."

The warrior looks around at the villagers watching the fracas.

"So, you think any of 'em have coin in the way of a reward? Or at least something to drink not made from bloody turnips?"

Shaumatiel holds on to Dar's back as he stretches, wrapping her legs around him to ride him piggyback. "One way to find out!"

Fliss looks happily at Shaumatiel. "Thank you! That helps a lot. We did good, didn't we?"

"So, you think any of 'em have coin in the way of a reward? Or at least something to drink not made from bloody turnips?"

She gives Dar a smug look. "Who has two thumbs and negotiated a reward with Tamli? This girl!"

Defeating Vilree and saving the town of Etran's Folly completely clears you and the other members of Bort's caravan of his murder. Sheriff Rolth is grateful and surprised that you did so much to help a community that held you in suspicion, and Delma lets you stay at the Feedmill free of charge, with as much turnip-based beverages as you can drink.

Tamli produces the promised reward with her gratitude, as well as letting you have several magical trinkets from Bort's collection.

A few days and several hangovers later, you are ready to hit the road once more in search of fresh adventure...

Thanks to your efforts, Plaguestone did not fall. Well done. That concludes the adventure. Feel free to write up any epilogues for your characters and I will mark it as inactive at the end of the week.