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

Game Master FedoraFerret

You are correct about that Sparky.

Avulstein's holy energy, in conjunction with the lingering bit of alchemist's fire that finally ignites on it, causes the skeleton to blacken, then collapse in a heap of ashen bones.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go
Sparky
Ralthiss (Bane, DC 20)
Tsubodai
Yellow
Frenix
Green (3 damage, 1 persistent fire)
Avulstein
Stalking Bull
Red
Blue (1 damage)

Stalking Bull points his katana at the necromancer. "All those bodies outside. You responsible? Will make pay." He lifts his katana and tries to fell the zombie before him in one mighty slash.

Katana attack, green: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Slashing damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Deadly damage on crit: 1d8 ⇒ 8

After his initial strike, Stalking Bull keeps attacking the zombies. His movement takes on a bit of a flowing motion, one with the blade and with clear direction to push his way forward to the necromancer.

Katana attack, green: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 9 - 5 = 24
Slashing damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Deadly damage on crit: 1d8 ⇒ 1

First attack at green. If it still stands, a second attack at green and raise shield. If green goes down, a Step to the east and the second Strike will be directed at Blue.

Stalking Bull will use his retributive strike at the first opportunity, with a possible step forward due to Ranged reprisal.

Stalking Bull's first attack barely falls short, but the second cleanly cuts into green's neck, severing its head from its body.

Blue and red shamble towards Stalking Bull, but their flailing at his armor does little to nothing.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go
Sparky
Ralthiss (Bane, DC 20)
Tsubodai
Yellow
Frenix
Avulstein
Stalking Bull
Red
Blue (1 damage)

Action 1: Quick Bomber at red

Attack: Bomb 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 91d8 ⇒ 4

Action 2: If Red is down, toss at Yellow, otherwise Red again

Attack: Bomb 2: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 71d8 ⇒ 5

Action 3: Command bat familiar

Bat 1: Move to (in order): Red if still alive, Yellow if still alive, return to me

Bat 2: Either drop the bomb on red or yellow or return the bomb to me.

Attack: Bat Bomb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 21d8 ⇒ 6

All of the bombs miss, doing splash damage (except the last one, which shatters without igniting) to red, blue, yellow and Stalking Bull.

Ralthiss glowers. "I am a mere servant of the master of these lands," he spits. "It is by his hands, not mine, that this town came to ruin. It shall be by mine that you do!" He throws his arms out, and a wave of negative energy passes over everyone, restoring his zombies and damaging the party.

2 negative damage to everyone, DC 20 basic Fortitude save.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go
Sparky
Ralthiss (Bane, DC 20)
Tsubodai
Yellow
Frenix
Avulstein
Stalking Bull
Red
Blue (1 damage)

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Fort Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Fort save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Fortitude
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Tsubodai attacks Yellow

1
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
1d12 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

2
1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 9 - 5 = 12
1d12 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

3
1d20 + 9 - 10 ⇒ (16) + 9 - 10 = 15
1d12 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

if either of the first two attacks kill it, he'll move on to Red.

Tsubodai chops yellow into many tiny pieces and moves on.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go
Sparky
Ralthiss (Bane, DC 20)
Tsubodai
Frenix
Avulstein
Stalking Bull
Red
Blue (1 damage)

Avulstein casts Disrupt Undead on Blue.

Disrupt Undead: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
The target must attempt a basic Fortitude save. If the creature critically fails the save, it is also enfeebled 1 for 1 round.

Then strides closer to blue.
He would pass through a threatened square leaving him open to an AoO.

"Come here and try," Stalking Bull answers the necromancer's taunt. He gives Tsubodai a nod of approval as he continues his dance with the blade to strike at the zombie before him. After he hews down and creates a gap in the wall of undead, Stalking Bull seizes the opportunity and strides up to the necromancer. "Never mind, I come to you instead." Having boxed in the foul cultist, he raises his shield.

--

Fortitude save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 (Succes, 1 damage)

First attack on Blue. If it was already killed by Avulstein's spell, then attack on Red instead.

Katana attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Slashing damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Deadly damage on crit: 1d8 ⇒ 3

I'm going to assume that kills Blue. Second action, stride forward. Saving throw vs Bane. Last action, Raise shield.

Will save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 (Fail)

If Stalking Bull is attacked, he'll use Shield Block. If someone else is attacked, he'll use Retributive strike if possible. Whichever comes first.

Frenix will continue playing the violin as three magic missiles fly towards the cultist.

Magic Missile Damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2, 1) + 3 = 10

1st Level Spells left 1/3 and Soothe Scroll from Schools left

Avulstein's magic burns through the zombie's body, opening him up for Stalking Bull to cut him in two. Frenix's magic missiles pound into the necromancer's body.

Red bashes its fists pathetically against Avulstein but fails to accomplish anything.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go
Sparky
Ralthiss (10 damage; Bane, DC 20)
Tsubodai
Frenix
Avulstein
Stalking Bull
Red

Action 1: Draw crossbow
Action 2: Ranged strike at Red
Crossbow Strike: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 231d6 ⇒ 4
Action 3: Command Bat

Bat Action 1: Move to me
Bat Action 2: Reload crossbow

Sparky's bolt hits Red square in the eye.

Ralthiss extends a hand towards Stalking Bull, filling his mind with images of that which he fears most. He then clenches his fist, and the dark energy swirling around him expands.

[ooc]Stalking Bull needs to make a DC 20 Will save against the fear spell, and then both Stalking Bull and Avulstein need to make new saves against bane.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go
Sparky
Ralthiss (10 damage; Bane, DC 20)
Tsubodai
Frenix
Avulstein
Stalking Bull
Red (8 damage)

Tsubodai will begin by attacking Red. If at any point, he finishes Red, he'll move on to the cleric.

Attack 1
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
1d12 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Attack 2
1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 5 = 20
1d12 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

Attack 3? (vs Red if it's still up)
1d20 + 8 - 10 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 10 = 1
1d12 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Red is bisected cleanly down the middle. Tsubodai strides forward, and completely regardless of the effects of the bane spell neatly buries his axe into the necromancer's chest. Ralthiss coughs violently, a spurt of blood erupting from his mouth and splattering on Tsubodai's chest, and lets out a dry chuckle.

"Heh... you got me. Guess that means you've got time to run." He flashes a cruel grin. "For what it's worth, I hope you get close enough to the border to have hope before it's snuffed out. More... fun... that way." He loses consciousness, then collapses to the ground, dead.

As you collect yourselves with the battle over, you hear an ominous, steady progression of thudding in the distance, like the sound of giant footsteps.

Will save vs fear: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Will save vs bane: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Stalking Bull feels the chill from the spell creep across his spine, and it's enough to stay his blade for just an instant. He counts himself lucky not to face this foe alone when Tsubodai sweeps in to end the necromancer. He claps the half-orc on the shoulder and leans over the dying cultist. "We take small victories we can. Undead will still be here, but you will not. Small bit of justice done."

Stalking Bull takes a quick action to clean his blade, but keeps it at the ready. "We must go. Take cart and secure what we found."

Well done, everyone. Smooth combat!

Let's go.

Sparky follows Tsubodai and Stalking Bull

Avulstein follows.

Frenix follows

Your return trip to Caliphas is surprisingly mundane. You don't have any tasks other than to get home in one piece, so you can carefully maneuver the Gravelands to avoid both challenging terrain as well as any lingering patrols, taking the time you need.

When you arrive back at Vodavani Lodge, you see Venture-Captain Zongnoss casting healing spells on and fussing over a few Pathfinders she and her team managed to extract during their own mission. She greets you, solemnly listening to your debriefing of the slain Pathfinders you encountered, and eagerly accounting for any discoveries you uncovered. She asks that you return any belongings of the Pathfinders you found so they can be delivered to the fallen's families-most importantly their wayfinders. She also notes the body of the Iomedaen champion you recovered, not a Pathfinder but certainly someone she will try to find the next of kin of in the best case, and have buried and her armor turned into a memorial at the worst.

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.

For recovering at least five of the relics from Goldenflame and the college (the statue counting as two), you have completed your primary success condition. For correctly identifying two of the Pathfinders and returning with their remains, you have completed your secondary success conditions.

Your chronicle sheets will be posted in a drive on the discussion thread shortly. Thank you all for playing, and for bearing with the dragging pace.