#1-06: Lost on the Spirit Road (Inactive)

Game Master Fox--Pantom

Anders kicks his boots against each other before ducking into the house and gives Snirt another quick brush off.

Thank you kindly for takin' us in, sir. Yeah, folks we're lookin' for are Tian. Young. Heavyset fella and lady taller 'an 'im. Seen 'em by any chance?

The owner nods undertandingly "Ah, Tien people, not foreigners like you. But I see many Tien people. When you think they come through here? If know that could check records, if not know when there is too many records. Could ask my wife too when she come back. She doing doctoring right now. Finish soon."

"Does she need help? We are skilled in the medicinal arts."

"She is okay. But she always like to talk about her doctoring. Talk about it too much for me."

Performance: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Fadryn has began to make friends with the musicians.

Could those speaking with the owner make me a diplomacy check if they would like to attempt to make friends.
I will show the results of that shortly.

"Pleased to hear that she is doing well and not in need of healing." affirms Valeros.

"As for her 'talking too much'," the warrior begins with a grin. "You should be grateful. I've found the situation to be far worse when the ladies get to the point where they're no longer talking to you at all."

Diplomacy (T): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

"Ha! I would be happy to speak with her."

Hopper knows his strengths and weaknesses, so he doesn't even begin to talk with the tea house owner. He sits with a drink in his hand and warms up after traveling in the snow.

Names were Lin Po and Ti Lan. Came down from Hongal and were expected couple weeks ago in Sakakabe. 'Bout all we know I think.

With that, Anders settles down in a chair if one is available and sets down his gear. Snirt lies down beside him. Since some of the other Pathfinders seem to be conversing with the owner, he allows them the space to chat. He's not the most skilled with words and has said what he feels necessary.

The paper door slides open and a tiny little old Tien woman appears. She is only slightly taller that the goblins, her wiry frame topped with brilliant white hair tied in a tight bun.

"お茶を作ってください." She sees you looking in her direction "Oh, new guests. Good evening. If you are injured you will need to wait for me to have a bite to eat before I can help."

"No mams. We lookie for tea-inn peeples like you cause they go missing in forest."

Anders stands when the Tien woman enters. H'llo, ma'am. Anders Bekk. Thanks for your hospitality. We're just fine, thanks. As my friend here said, we're looking for two Tien folks Lin Po and Ti Lan. Came down from Hongal. He sits back down. Snirt seems to be looking at him expectantly. Oh and this is Snirt, ma'am. He says thank you also.

Hopper nods to the words of Anders raising his glass in a thank you gesture.

Concern crosses the old lady's face when Tok'tok tells he of the concern for the pathfinders and their caravan.
"Missing in the forest? Hmmm..."
she turns to her husband and there is a brief exchange in Tien
"Oh those were the foolish ones who took the old road. We told them not to but they didn't heed our words. I mean what would we know..." she frowns and mutters to her self "い人たちはとても賢いと思いますが、彼らは愚かです... You though have listen, maybe the forest will treat you well."

You have won over the locals and earned their respect.
You gain the benefit of the village’s charm for the remainder of the scenario
Hospitable: The villagers or spirits provide comfort
and care to travelers, improving their stamina. This
charm allows a PC to reroll a single saving throw once
per encounter.

"mebbe you say-say where we finds old road?" ask Tok'Tok. "We needs find them."

"They were very foolish to disregard your advice. We will be more careful. Nature is dangerous for those who are careless."

Oh those were the foolish ones who took the old road...

"That sounds like people we are looking for. We will not be foolish, but we will take the same dangerous road. So maybe we are foolish, just like Lin and Lan."

He chuckles at the end of his statement.

"Let us warm a bit and then follow the ones we seek."

Anders stands again and Snirt rises as well. Well, I suppose we won't find 'em sitting around here, pleasant as it is. He bows to the Tian couple who have given them refuge from the weather. We thank ya both for your hospitality and your information.

Hopper downs his drink and says:

"We were supposed to drink our drinks and get going. And I just downed my drink. Going?"

Asks shriekingly goblin as he raises from his seat.

Your conversations are brought to an abrupt end by a shout from outside.
The tea house owner's eye widen "The village under attack! You help us please."

Assuming you all exit the building (If you don't intend to let me know and I'll delay you) you see a scene of panic. The townsfolk are clearly taking shelter in their homes, the last of them rushing through doors.

Despite the poor visibility you can see two foxes a big an a man bounding through the snow.

The snow on the ground is not deep enough to impede movement

Round 1
@Tok'tok
@Perian
@Anders
Foxes
Fadryn
Valeros
Hopper

Bold may go

@GM - You may want to open Edit access on the map so we can move our tokens. You may also want to add a color border to the foxes for ease of communicating targets. Just a couple suggestions.

Tok'Tok moved to the corner of the platform the fountain sat on and then shouted "Objection! Badgering".

moving north 2 squares and west 3 squares. Readying the following attack for the first fox to get within 30'.

Elemental Toss Attack Roll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Damage Roll: 1d8 ⇒ 3 Bludgeoning Damage.

@Anders Thanks very much for the heads up on the editing issue. Fixed those things now. Please let me know if you spot anything else.

Thanks for making a token for me! Forums are still being finicky about it.

Perian draws her bow and takes aim at the blue fox.
"Horned Lord, bless my aim!" (1 Action: Casts Weapon Surge)

She then looses the arrow.

Weapon Surge
longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16 for piercing: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9

Perian's arrow strikes true with a whimper of pain from the fox

Anders steps west across the town square, points at one of the foxes and then readies his bow.

[1. Move, 2. Hunt Prey on red fox, 3. take out weapon.]
Sorry about the wait.

Round 1
Tok'tok
Perian
Anders
Foxes
Fadryn
Valeros
Hopper

The red fox around behind Anders and is struck by Tok'tok before pouncing on Anders and sinking its teeth into his arm.
Pounce: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Bite Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

It then attempts to rake its claws down his leg but is thwarted by Anders agility
Strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

The blue fox moves to take advantage of his ally's positioning
The second fox then pounces as well
Pounce: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26 Unfortunantly with a flank that is a crit
Bite Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1d4 ⇒ (5) + 1 + (4) = 10x2 = 20 Damage

Having felled their first foe the blue fox pounces onto the annoying creature that threw something at them with his sharp claws
Pounce: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Round 1
Tok'tok
Perian
Red Fox - 3
Anders -Dying 2
Blue Fox
@Fadryn
@Valeros
@Hopper

Bold may go

Hopper leaves the teahouse and focuses his eyes. He can't see any attackers, only a pair of foxes. What the heck? This can't be true, no village would be afraid of the foxes.

When he sees the foxes attacking Anders and taking him down, the goblin is frightened. He says:

"Ok Hopper, we've been through worse. Let's light it up!"

He jumps forwards past his allies and stands with his back to the building, he quickly pulls out a bottle from his bandolier and tosses it at the fox standing next to Anders body. The flask is filled with a liquid of red and orange colors constantly shifting like a molten flame.

Attack vs red fox: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Damage, fire: 1d8 ⇒ 3 If hits, and I think it did the fox gets 1 splash damage + 1d8 and 1 persistent damage every turn, flat check DC 15 to end burning condition.

A flask flies towards the fox and hits it at its body, the glass breaking, and liquid bursting into flame covering the fox but not Anders.

"Hold on Anders! I am going to get you!"

He pulls out a healing potion.

Action economy:
1st action: move
2nd action: pulls out an Alchemist fire and attack. Using Quick bomber trait to do it in one action. He uses his Bomber special ability to limit the splash only to his target and not Anders.
3rd action: pull out healing potion

@DM Just checking. Is the fox's extra 1d4 a bonus on a critical hit like weapons with the Deadly trait? If so, I don't think that part is doubled, but I could be wrong. Thanks.

Also, I'll probably regret mentioning this, heh, but Anders' companion, Snirt is with him also. Happy to have Anders attacked instead, but want to be fair.

The foxes extra damage is equivalent to sneak attack with appears to double in 2e
Are you able to add a token for the companion or shall I?

Cool, no problem. I can add a token for Snirt.

Valeros draws his sword and heads toward the reddish fox.
Manipulate; Stride (can't move token presently as on phone)

He attempts to skewer the canid.
Melee longsword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Damage (S): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Valeros' sword strikes true and the fox crumples to the ground.

Round 2
@Tok'tok
@Perian
Red Fox
Anders -Dying 2
Blue Fox - 9
Fadryn
Valeros
Hopper

Bold may go and Anders can you make a stabilization check in a spoiler box

I'll use my hero point to stabilize.

I'll use my hero point to stabilize.

If you want to save it, I was going to heal you!

"Anders!"
Periam uses a 2-action heal on Anders.
heal: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

She notches and fires an arrow at the remaining fox.
longbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 for piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Tok'Tok summons fire to his hand, and then slaps the fox.

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Damage Roll: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Thanks, Perian! Looks like Perian acts before Anders so that should work as long as the GM approves. Appreciate it.

I'm fine with it. So you still have your hero point Anders

Tok'tok's flaming hand slams into the fox knocking it to the ground where it stayed, smoldering slightly.

There is silence for a moment save for the sound of falling snow. Then a couple of doors open a crack.
Seeing the defeated foxes the villagers run out cheering. They congratulate you and the tea house owner's wife treats Anders wounds.
Battle Medicine: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 294d8 ⇒ (1, 5, 7, 3) = 16

The villagers crowd around you thanking you all in a mixture of broken common and tien, patting you on the back, and shaking your hands.

You do see several people bearing marks of the foxes efforts before you got there.

A tall villager with caloused hands and a well used looking bow hands you three bundles of arrows saying "これらは冷たい鉄の矢です"

Seeing this interaction another villager translates "These are arrows of cold iron. He say you can take them as reward."

Fadryn blows air through his teeth at the sudden commencement of violence and its sudden cessation.

"Well, that was a thing," he says.

Hopper hides his healing potion as Anders no longer needs one. He looks with interest at the foxes.

Nature trained +2 - can I determine if they are normal animals?

"That was a bit unusual, do foxes attack villages often in these parts? "

Anders stands and stretches. He thanks Perian and the tea house owner's wife for their healing. Whew... must be a little rusty.

Valeros graciously accepts the cold iron arrows. "Thank you for your hospitality. Your village should be safe for now and we need to find our companions. Can you show us the road that they took?"

Turning to his allies, he says, "We should be going. This animal attack certainly seems unusual. Hopefully, the caravan isn't now all fox food."

"That's not behavior that I've ever seen from foxes."

Perian helps herself to some of the cold iron arrows, then asks a villager to help her dispose of the fox corpses. She quickly skins them and hands them off to a villager, recommending they give them to the village tanner. She hums little prayers to Cernunnos as she works.

Hoping that skinning and taking care of my prey counts as a prayer to refocus.

I can heal Anders if he still needs more.

These foxes look completely mudane if large examples of their species. Foxes this big are not unheard off in this region.
Hopper does recall the presence of Kitsune, the vulpine humanoids in this forest and has heard rumors of them working with ordinary foxes.

Perian feels her divine strength has been restored.

You are bid a fond farewell and shown the trail the caravan took.

"Kitsune in these forests tend to work with ordinary foxes, so I guess they are to blame." says Hopper counting his remaining alchemical bombs.

Before leaving on the trail he removes his dagger and covers its blade with Giant Centipede Venom. Then he carefully hides his dagger and cleans his hands.

"Let's go and look for the caravan."