[PFS2, Outpost 3] GM Ferret's 1-03, Escaping the Grave (Inactive)

Game Master FedoraFerret

While Frenix is able to hustle his way around without breaking a sweat and Avulstein manages to cut a decent swath through, the party still struggles to make it through with any speed.

Stopwatch of Doom: 20 minutes

After several long hours of travel, Goldenflame comes into view as you follow the gentle descending path into town. As you near the town's edge, Avulstein and Tsubodai spot something on the horizon, a lone figure at the top of the hill on the other side of town. As soon as you spot it, it takes off down the other side of the hill.

More immediately concerning, as you enter the town plaza, is that you aren't alone here. A horse, still walking despite its decaying form, staggers around the fountain, whinnying in a raspy voice. It sees you as soon as you arrive, and lets out an angry snort as it prepares to charge. Meanwhile, three similar figures, these ones human, stand from their slumped positions on the ground.

Avulstein steps forward, closing some of the distance between him and the undead horse and casts disrupt undead on the rotting equine.

Positive damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Fort save vs. DC 16. crit fail means enfeebled 1 round.

Peefect... just perfect... so much for subtlety.

The light of positive energy glows inside the horse's body, visible through the thin, rotting flesh and the sockets where its eyes once were. The light seems to hurt it incredibly fiercely.

Enraged, the horse canters forward over to Avulstein and lunges out, biting into his shoulder with its crooked, rotting teeth.

Avulstein takes 11 damage from the horse's bite attack.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go

Avulstein
Zombie Horse
Sparky
Frenix
Tsubodai
Blue Zombie
Green Zombie
Stalking Bull
Red Zombie

As Frenix starts to play his music you see three streaks of energy slam into the horse.

Casting Magic Missile, using all 3 actions into the horse

Damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1, 1) + 3 = 7

assuming it's ok to have my weapon drawn before initiative...

Tsubodai roars, moves to protect the party's rear and Strikes the zombie approaching the bard.

Greataxe Attack
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
1d12 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

It's important that I understand positioning before I make my move. Is there a map of where everyone's located? If not, are there any bogeys that are standing next to each other?

Sparky's familiar (a bat) will draw a fire bomb from one of Sparky's bandoliers and flies 20' above his head.

There is a link at the top that says Battle Maps. Click that and it shows it

Action 1: Interact, draw crossbow
Action 2: Fire at Red Zombie
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 261d6 ⇒ 6
Action 3: Reload

Plus crit damage: Crit: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Sparky, your familiar is a minion, which means it only gets actions if you spend an action giving it to them. I'm allowing y'all to have weapons drawn going into unfamiliar territory so it's fine, just making sure you know for the future. Also, critical hits just double your result, you don't roll new dice for them unless your weapon has the deadly or fatal trait

Tsubodai's axe cleaves the zombie shambler completely in twain, redirecting Sparky's shot at the one on the opposite end, which also strikes true.

The furthest zombie slowly shambles its way over to Avulstein, but is too slow to attack this round.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go

Avulstein
Zombie Horse (6 damage plus weakness once)
Sparky
Frenix
Tsubodai
Blue Zombie (12 damage)
Green Zombie
Stalking Bull

Avulstein cries out from the painful bite. He strikes at the horse with his bastard sword, using a two handed grip, then casts disrupt undead at it again.

Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 211d12 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Positive Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

1st action melee attack, 2nd and 3rd spell cast. DC 16 Fort save, crit fail means enfeebled 1 round. If the horse drops before the spell, he'll redirect the spell at the closest zombie.

Stalking Bull's clenches his jaw, sword in hand. He's aching for a good fight, to hold someone responsible for the carnage done. But he knows these undead won't provide that. They just have to be dealt with, to move on. He surveys the battleground and is impressed with the way his companions manage to deal with the undead. Their swords and axes seem to get the job done, so he doesn't waste time in identifying this particular breed of zombie.

Seeing that Avulstein is beset by two of the monsters, he strides up to even the numbers. He heaves his sword high and brings it down in a mighty arc. His strike lacks the finesse typically associated with his Tien weapon, but it gets the job done. "Hee-YA!"

Stride, Strike at green.

Katana attack at green: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Deadly damage on critical: 1d8 ⇒ 7

If green is still standing, another attack. If green is gone, I'll change my third action to a Recall Knowledge on the zombie horse (Lore Undead +7).

Katana attack at green: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 9 - 5 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Deadly damage on critical: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Stalking Bull has two possible reactions. I'll use whichever happens first: If I'm targeted, use Reactive Shield to raise shield for a +2 AC bonus. If an ally within 15 ft. is damaged, use Retributive Strike, possibly with a 5 ft. step due to Ranged Reprisal.

Avulstein's sword cuts through the zombie horse's flank like butter, hobbling it and sending it to its knees. When his hand raises and the light tears through the horse's body again, the smell of smoking flesh wafts from it as it collapses to the ground, dead.

Meanwhile, Stalking Bull decapitates the zombie next to Avulstein with a single blow.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go

Avulstein
Sparky
Frenix
Tsubodai
Blue Zombie (12 damage)
Stalking Bull

Geez Avulstein, take long enough to finish that horse.
Frenix gives a wink at Avulstein, strides up a little and continues to play his violin and casts telekinetic projectile at Blue.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Fine, next time you take the big one, and I'll take the little one, Frenix.

Frenix, what are you launching at Blue with your TK projectile?

if Frenix doesn't kill Blue, Tsubodai moves once, then takes a suprising charge

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
1d12 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

I will try to grab any rock anything in the square to launch at him.

Frenix's rock knocks the zombie off of its kilter enough for Tsubodai's axe to split its head open, collapsing it to the ground.

Combat Over

With the horse slain and the town now peaceful, the party is able to explore and investigate Goldenflame.

How This Works: Each building on the same map, as well as the plaza in the middle, represents an area that can be investigated. Move your token to an area along with a post letting me know you're going there, and I'll give you what interesting things can be investigated there and what skill checks are required. Investigating will take time, which I'll be tracking on my handy dandy Stopwatch of Doom.

Since we are in a hurry, we should split up. Avulstein and I can check one place and you guys check a different place. That way we can get things done faster.

He picks up Trix and puts him on his shoulder.

Avulstein, you need any healing? That horse got you pretty good.

After looking closer at Avulstein he will cast Soothe on him using his scroll.

Soothe: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Before we go turning over stones in this village, can anyone help me with this horse bite? <expletive in skald> bites like a <expletive in skald>

Thanks Frenix. We could split up, but dont get out of earshot incase things turn for the worse.

"Good work, all." Stalking Bull says simply as he cleans the zombie remains from his sword and sheaths it with a reasonably smooth gesture. It seems like he has practiced this movement a lot, and it almost invokes the image of a Tian Xia samurai. Almost...

He points to the chapel in the far corner of the plaza. "Splitting up is good," the Shoanti concurs with Avulstein. "I will head to the chapel. Served as city hall, Sparky said." He doesn't wait for anyone to follow him, but he'll certainly welcome the backup.

Just to be sure, he draws his katana again upon approaching the building, eyes out for new dangers.

Ok Stalking Bull, Avulstein and I will go to the building just to the south of you. If you run into any issues yell for us. Come on Avulstein let's go.

Trix on Frenix shoulder gets excited and starts clapping.

Avulstein rolls his eyes, but keeps his comments to himself, then follows the Gnome and his rodent. Hmmm...

Hmm, this look like tavern. I am no investigate but maybe still ale in barrels.

Tsubodai will do the tavern next to him.

Sparky will follow Stalking Bull to the chapel.

The Chapel

Dust-covered pews stand in silent rows in this small chapel, and shelves line the walls. Facsimiles of candles occupy the candelabras here—mounds of congealed wax and burned wicks. A small corpse—charred, broken, and its features mostly burned away—rests against the pew. The corpse is covered in a layer of fine ash and scraps of charred fabric that seem to be all that remains of the clothing it once wore. Around its neck is a soot-covered chain bearing an ankh.

The Apothecary
Grime-caked and smashed glass cases occupy much of this apothecary, and dusty shelves line many of the walls. A door to the northwest leads to an emptied storage closet.

The Tavern
Outside the building, a painted sign reading "The Flaming Wheel" and decorated with a flaming chariot wheel hangs from one chain, swaying gently in the wind. A broken circular table and door, part of a makeshift barricade, rest near the entrance of this modest tavern. Other similar tables and accompanying chairs are scattered throughout the area. Long-dried blood smears decorate the floor and walls. The bar is haphazardly covered in tankards—signs of the final
celebration of life. A small figure lies dead on the ground. This corpse has been heavily damaged by zombie teeth. A broken piece of plate armor lies nearby, bearing iconography of a flame and the hilt of a sword.

Please note that all activities will take 10 minutes each unless stated otherwise

Frenix will go into the Apothecary and Search the Room.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Avulstein will search the Apothecary as well.
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Stalking Bull steps quietly into the chapel, both out of reverence and for fear of more undead foes. Once the structure turns out to be clear of monsters, he relaxes a little He looks around, unsure of what to do next. Turning to Sparky, he asks "Could be one of the missing Pathfinders?"

The scorch marks mean little to him, instead he kneels to examine the body. "We should make haste. I don't like that sight of the scout earlier. He might bring more undead."

Chapel, Medicine to examine the body.
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Religion vs the Spoiler
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Flaming sword? Why would you light a sword on fire?

The big half-orc goes to inspect the body.

Perception
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

It never occurs to Tsubodai to investigate the iconography of the body or the mail. To him it's somewhat cowardly to dress up in that much iron.

He sniffs around the old barrels then wanders back into the square.

Apologies, because of your successful check earlier there is one other activity in the Chapel: Search for Records. No check involved, just 10 minutes and an automatic success.

Can Sparky both search for records and check the scorch marks? I'm fine spending extra time if need be.

Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Working together Avulstein and Frenix find a number of valuable scented candles, oils and dried herbs representing one Treasure Bundle.

Stalking Bull realizes on investigation that the small body is that of a goblin, while Sparky learns that the flames that burned the goblin to death were magical in nature.

Tsubodai turns the corpse over, finding technicolor hair that reveal the body in the tavern was once a gnome.

Stopwatch of Doom: 30 Minutes

Sparky, you can use your next activity to search for records if you want.

Sparky, you can use your next activity to search for records if you want.

And I shall, thanks.

Stalking Bull shares his findings with Sparky while quickly referencing the dossiers they received. "A goblin burned by magic. Sounds like Gibb Potsmasher. Killed himself in his own fireball, perhaps." He carefully lifts what remains of the goblin, ignoring the ankh for now. "You stay here for the paperwork? I will take him outside, prepare in bag for the return home." His words are plain, but his tone conveys respect for the dead.

He takes the charred body to the fountain in the plaza and leaves it there. What he's found somefar has dimmed his hopes of finding any survivors, but with luck they will find as many of their colleagues' remains as they can and collect them here until they're ready to return.

The remaining action in the Chapel didn't seem useful, so Stalking Bull is ready to move on. To the plaza. Does this count as one 'turn' for investigating, or can I still make a check there?

Traveling between locations in Goldenflame requires no time, so you can make a check.

One of the graying zombie's stands out as its clothing,
although tattered and dirtied, was nevertheless clearly fine at
one time, with a torn ruffled collar and ripped cloak.

The horse, meanwhile, seems to have a piece of metal lodged in its throat.

Plaza Actions

Investigate The Body (Medicine or Perception)
Identify the Zombie's Clothing (Society)
Retrieve The Metal (Thievery, or automatic success for an additional 10 minutes by cutting it out)

Avulstein heads north and investigates the building just east of the chapel.

Stalking Bull checks out the zombie's clothing. Meanwhile, he calls out the opportunity of the piece of metal he spotted. "Anyone with nimble fingers? There's something here, in the horse."

Society: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Frenix will continue to follow Avulstein playing his violin the whole time.

Tsubodai will examine the body.

"Have axe. I could get that metal out of horse."

Empty weapon cases and crates are scattered throughout this bare-bones building. Dust outlines the faint shadows of swords and shields removed from their resting places.

Armory Activities
Search the Armory (automatic success)

Meanwhile, Stalking Bull identifies that the body's clothing is a very popular style in Cheliax right now.

Sparky doesn't notice Stalking Bull leaving as he looks through the documents. He doesn't mean to be rude, but he can get very wrapped up in his work.

neglected to give you a perception check on the body

Perception
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

While examining the zombie's clothing, Stalking Bull sees Tsubodai join him and Frenix and Avulstein passing on their way to another building. "What did you find?" he inquires. "We found the remains of goblin colleague, probably," the Shoanti shares with a slight nod tot he charred remains next to him.

I still need actions from Avulstein and Frenix, please

What are the actions that we can take?

Frenix will look around to see what he can see.

Sorry, I had said I was going to investigate the building so I assumed thats what I was doing since you didn't say what I discovered in my investigation.

Avulstein continues to investigate the building.

I think Ferret posted that there's only one action available in the arnory, and it's an automatic success. See his post earlier. From what I can tell, switching locations does not cost time, so either or both of you can still go somewhere else to do something.

I think Ferret posted that there's only one action available in the arnory, and it's an automatic success. See his post earlier. From what I can tell, switching locations does not cost time, so either or both of you can still go somewhere else to do something.

Not to beat a dead horse (we did that already), but I took his post as to say "You're searching the building and it is an automatic success." So in was waiting for what I succeeded at.