Yergi's Outpost III: PF2 #1-03 Escaping the Grave

Game Master yergithefirst

As you reach the bottom of the stairs, you see a human male standing in the middle of the large room, flanked by skeletons on either side. He sneers at you, saying "It seems the great Necromancer Ralthiss has arrived just in time to stop the insolent whelps who thought they could sneak into the realm of the undead unnoticed. Soon, you will join my undead army!" He flings his arm towards the group, barking a command. As he does so two zombies burst through the doors near you, and the skeletons brandish their swords.

Ralthiss smoothly transitions from commanding his minions to casting a spell, and an aura of sickly green appears around him. The skeletons then close the distance to the frontliners, one striking at Farathorn and the other striking at Zabu. They thrust with their longswords and then follow it up with a swipe of their bony hand.

Longsword Strike vs. Farathorn: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Claw Strike vs. Farathorn: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 10 - 5 = 7
Longsword Strike vs. Zabu: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Claw Strike vs. Zabu: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 10 - 5 = 19

Farathorn manages to avoid the blows, but Zabu takes their full brunt.

Longsword damage, Slashing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Claw damage, Slashing: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Larraz sees Zabu get mauled by the skeleton, and instinctively reacts by casting Heal

Healing on Zabu: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

All heroes are up!

Zabu is about to shoot back a snappy retort when one of the skeletons comes up and cuts him with blade and claw. The pain infuriates him and the indignity of being attacked by a skeleton keeps him furious. His fangs and claws grow and he goes after the creature like he's trying to get to it's marrow.

Jaws: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Piercing: 1d10 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14

Claw: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 6 - 4 = 18
Slashing: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7

Actions: 1-Rage, 2-Strike (Jaws), 3-Strike (Claws)

Faerinaa instinctively twists away as the zombies burst through the door. She somersaults over the zombie lumbering towards Frik, drawing her rapier with a fourish in mid air.

Tumble, move through zombie's space: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
I'm assuming this succeeds against Zombie reflex DC unless something weird is going on here.

Faerinaa lands deftly, striking out to skewer the zombie.
Rapier (vs. Flat Foot AC): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 = 9

The skeleton that tore into Zabu is suddenly on the receiving end of a violent torrent. By the time Zabu is done with him, he's barely able to stand.

Simultaneously, Faerinaa expertly somersaults over the zombie that shambled towards her, and skewers it in the kidney. One more blow like that should drop it.

Cherbo, Frik, Farathorn, and Vinny are up!

Yuk, I do not like anything undead. I cast electric arc which goes to both zombies.

Electric arc 2 zombies: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Zombies get to attempt a basic Reflex save. My pregen character sheet does not mention that I add spellcasting ability modifier which it says in Archives of Nethys. I do not have my book handy which is correct.

I am unsure if I used two actions to cast electric arc. Do I have one more action? If so I tell Permafrost to get to a skeleton.

"Damn you and your cursed undead army. The holy light of Iomedae will free this world from your evil!" answers Farathorn while drawing his sword and getting into a combat position.

He then quickly wields his sword to strike the skeleton in front of him, while threatening the Necromancer: "You are next, and rest assured, you will not escape justice!"

Finally, Farathorn raises his shield, ready to receive a strike back from the skeleton.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Action 1: Draw weapon. Action 2: Attack. Action 3: Raise shield. For Reaction I would like to use Retributive Strike if any condition triggers it.

Vinny sneaks to the bottom of the stairs across the room and hides behind the wall. She pulls out an acid bomb, and taking careful aim, throws it at the necromancer.

Action 1- stride
Action 2- hide
Action 3- strike (with bomb)

Stealth, cover from wall: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13
Attack, with bomb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

You do get your ability modifier Frik, and electric arc takes 2 actions, so you have one left to command Permafrost.

After Farathorn's post I also realized that I forgot to mention Faerinaa's reaction, she will use Nimble dodge against the first attack to have an AC of 21. She'll be AC 19 against any other attacks.

Zombie reflex save: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Neither zombie could ever be accused of nimbleness, and both take the full brunt of Frik’s Electric Arc. The one stabbed by Faerinaa is barely clinging to undeath.

Frik - what Faerinaa said is all correct. Also, you spend one action to Command Animal, which then gives your companion two actions to spend. So Permafrost could also Strike after moving into position.

Meanwhile, Farathorn strikes true with his longsword, but notices the slashing damage isn’t as effective as he’d hoped against the skeletons bony frame. Theyre also pierce resistant, I forgot to mention both after Zabu’s attack. Sorry!

Bunny’s bomb is overthrown, and the necromancer watches it sail overhead, a bemused look on his face.

Cherbo is up!

Cherbo notices the relative effectiveness of edged weapons, and decides to try a more blunt approach. He concentrates on the skeleton attacking Farathorn and within a few moments, a decent-sized chunk of debris from the dilapidated college hurls through the air to hit the skeleton.

Telekinetic Projectile, attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Telekinetic Projectile, damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Cherbo sends a loose piece of stair bannister flying, and it clocks the skeleton square on the jaw.

Seeing the small gnome ferociously attack one of his skeletal champions, Ralthiss points his finger at Zabu and a black ray shoots towards him.

Spell attack vs Zabu: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

But the gnome is moving too erratically and the necromancer misses.

The skeletons continue their attack on the frontlines, before raising their shields to protect their unnatural existence.

Sword attack vs Farathorn: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Sword attack vs Farathorn: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 10 - 5 = 6

Sword attack vs Zabu: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Sword attack vs Zabu: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 10 - 5 = 23
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Farathorn just let me know which one you want to have trigger your strike

The zombies begin their attacks on the backline, trying to grab the living and feast on their flesh.

Fist attacks vs Faerinaa: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Fist attacks vs Faerinaa: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 7 - 5 = 10

Fist attacks vs Frik: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Fist attacks vs Frik: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 5 = 22

Laraz shouts out, “This is my last heal!” before casting again on Zabu

healing: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

All heroes are up!

I think those were hits on Frik, is Frik still up to provide flanking?

Farathorn uses his Retributive Strike on the first attack from the skeleton against Zabu, jumping closer to him and raising his shield to partially protect some damage. "Zabu, resist! I'm with you!" claims the half orc, while using his sword to get some revenge on the undead.

Seeing that his attacks don't seem to be very effective, Farathorn decides it is better to focus on the necromancer rather than his minions. He takes a Step forward, getting in range of him, and tris to strike him twice with everything he has, while screaming with a half-orc rage: "For Iomedae! She will guide my sword to your throat!"

Farathorn uses Retributive Strike on the first attack to Zabu. I use the feat Ranged Reprisal to take a Step to approach the skeleton (The step goes in between the two) and that allows me to strike Zabu's skeleton. I also provide to Zabu 3 Damage Resistance, which I'm not sure if it protects for both attacks or just the second (as on the first is when this is triggered).

Then, on the normal turn, Farathorn does: Action 1: Step. Action 2: Strike. Action 3: Strike

Farathorn will use Retributive Strike for his Reaction if he can, unless he receives much damage first. In that case, he will instead use Orc Ferocity if his life is going to reach 0 or less

Retributive Strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Attack 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Attack 2: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 5 = 20
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Yep, that’s what I get for trying to post from my phone.

damage on Frik: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
damage on Frik: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Frik is now grabbed by the zombie.

Zabu only gets the DR against the triggering attack, so would actually be the first one.

Farathorn’s righteous anger manages to magically protect Zabu from some of the onslaught, but his strike harmlessly scrapes against bone.

Once he steps next to the necromancer, he feels a sense of weakness wash over him Bane spell effect. The sudden feeling causes Farathorn’s first strike to miss its target, but he readjusts and gets a clean hit on his follow up attack.

All but Farathorn are up!

"Frik!" Faerinaa stabs at the zombie between her and Frik, skewering it.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 vs. Flat Foot AC
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 6) + 4 = 15

She rapidly slides to the side, getting an angle on the remaining zombie to pin it between her and Frik, stabbing it in the back.

Attack, MAP: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 9 - 5 = 13 vs. Flat Foot AC
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 = 11

Actions: Strike, Stride, Strike

Vinny shakes her fist as her bomb goes past the necromancer. She pulls out her alchemist's kit and whips up a quick firebomb. She throws the firebomb at the skeleton next to Permafrost and then hides behind the wall again.

Action 1- quick alchemy
Action 2- strike
Action 3- hide

Attack with firebomb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage from firebomb: 1d8 ⇒ 7
1 point of persistent fire damage on a hit, 1 point of splash damage only on the skeleton on a hit or miss.

Stealth, cover from wall: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 = 27

Zabu comes very close to being knocked unconscious before Larraz heals him, again.

The scrapping only seems to egg him on, though. He continues to lay into the skeletons savagely.

Jaws: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Piercing: 1d10 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Claw: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 6 - 4 = 18
Slashing: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

Claw: 1d20 + 6 - 8 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 8 = 13
Slashing: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

Faerinaa neatly disposed of both zombies, Frik’s electric spell having weakened them already.

Meanwhile, Vinny quickly recalibrated from her first miss and scores a direct hit on the skeleton. However, the skeleton doesn’t seem to mind the fire much.

I’ll bot Permafrost’s attack from last round. Assume he’s a standard cat companion.

Cat jaw attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Swing and a miss!

Frik, Zabu and Cherbo are up!

Looks like we might have crossposted. My actions this round were posted right before your post.

Thanks Faerinaa and Yergi. I will attack with Permafrost then. Then I saw you already did it Yergi thanks.

Thanks for that Faerinaa. You saved me I will return the favor.

Frik feels the damage from the zombie I hate the undead. and casts Heal. I really like using heal as a full action with undead in range. Last 1st level spell. I disperse positive energy in a 30-foot emanation to every living creature, you restore 1d8 Hit Points to everyone in the radius. Undead, Frik deals that amount of positive damage to it, and the undead get a basic Fortitude save.

I channel positive energy to heal the living or damage the undead. I grab my primal focus, mistletoe and begin to chant in druidic language. A burst of green energy shoots out from Frik.

Heal the living and undead take damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Zabu - yep, we cross-posted. Frik - you only get the +8 to healing on the 2 action version. 1 action and 3 action versions are just the d8. So everyone gets 2 healing / undead take 2 damage.

Zabu scrabbles against the skeleton's shield, and only his first strike is able to get through its defenses. As he does so, a wave of primal energy cascades out from Frik, and the skeletons scream as it hits their bones.

Cherbo is up!

As Cherbo glimpses Ralthiss between the columns, his eyes narrow, and he begins chanting. His hands move smoothly through the air, channeling energy. And then, all at once, he freezes. His eyes glaze over and yet dart between unseen objects, as if perceiving other realms. He refocuses on his target, and projects Phantom Pain into the evil mage's mind.

Phantom Pain, damage: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

Sorry I did miss read that.

Ralthiss Will save vs. Phantom Pain: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Ralthiss is able to shrug off most of the effects of Cherbo's spell, but still takes the initial brunt of the attack. He's taken several wounds and turns to escape, yelling, "You'll rue the day you intruded on the domain of the undead! Skeletons, finish them off!"

In response, the skeletons turn and attack Farathorn, before raising their shields.

Longsword vs. Farathorn: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Longsword vs. Farathorn: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 10 - 5 = 15

Longsword vs. Farathorn: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Longsword vs. Farathorn: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 5 = 9

Two of the attacks connect, striking Farathorn on both shoulders.

Longsword damage: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (2, 1) + 8 = 11

Larraz shoots a bolt of positive energy at one of the skeletons (Blue)

Disrupt Undead damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Skeleton Fort save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

The skeleton partially blocks it with its shield, but still takes some damage to its rib cage.

All heroes are up!

As the second zombie falls, Faerinaa rushes around the spiral stair case and down the hall, taking advantage of the skeleton's attacks on her friends to stab it in the back!

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 vs. Flat Footed AC
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 1) + 4 = 11
Deadly d8: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Stride, Stride, Strike for Faerinaa's three actions.

"That's right! You better run!" Zabu says, his words distorted by the odd shape of his mouth at the moment.

He continues to lay into the skeleton that attacked him, first.

Jaws: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Piercing: 1d10 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Claw: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 4 = 12
Slashing: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

Claw: 1d20 + 6 - 8 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 8 = 6
Slashing: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

"Don't run you damned coward, I will bring justice to this world when I kill you with my sword!" roars Farathorn just before being hit twice by the skeletons, refocusing his attention back to the undead.

"I'll get rid of your cursed minions! Iomedae, guide us!" says Farathorn just before going with everything against the skeletons, attacking as much as possible.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Damage 1: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Attack 2: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 5 = 19
Damage 2: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Attack 3: 1d20 + 7 - 10 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 10 = 4
Damage 3: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Farathorn will use Orc Ferocity if attacked, and Retributive Strike if someone else is attacked instead. The attacks start by focusing on the blue skeleton.

Cherbo returns his focus to the Red skeleton, leveraging the debris to attack again.

Telekinetic Projectile, attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Telekinetic Projectile, damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

As Ralthiss exits the College, the Pathfinders redouble their efforts and quickly turn the skeletons to bone dust.

As you exit the College, you can see the gargantuan zombies that had been distant on the horizon are now much closer as you load the statue into the wagon and head back to Caliphas.

The return trip is surprisingly mundane, and you spot Venture-Captain Evni casting healing spells and fussing over a few Pathfinders. She greets the group and solemnly listens to your debriefing.

The documents and texts you return are all of great use to the Society, but the statue in particular amazes Evni, to the point that she wonders out loud the effort required to transport such a thing across the Gravelands.

Adventure over! Great work everyone. I'll try to get the Chronicles posted ASAP.