GM TOP #1-7: Flooded King's Court (PFS2, Outpost III) (Inactive)

Game Master Pete H.

Rout glances around the room. He tries to recall if he has heard any conversation on the streets about Ex Prothex or the statue, but it doesn't sound familiar.

Society: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

I made a handy spreadsheet in my header that should list all the checks that have been given the 'secret' trait. But that said, I'm still working out how I handle secret checks (this is only my 2nd pfs2 game gm'd so I'm testing stuff still). This scenario I'm testing the 'you list your modifier and I roll it secretly-ish and then I give you the results'. I'm not sure I like it that much, but it definitely is a method that you all may run across in a lot of games so it's good as a player to know about. Other GM's may have you roll a secret check in your own spoiler and not look at it. Other GM's just roll or have their players roll everything out in the open. I'm leaning more towards the out in the open stuff for PbP and just giving full trust in my players to not meta-game any crit failures. PbP doesn't always work the same way as F2F and I think this might be one of those times.

No hidden compartments or traps present themselves to anyone and the trident is just part of the stone carving, so definitely not weapon quality.

Elora pops open the scrollcase and can't believe that she has found what appears to be the actual deed to the playhouse and even some of the surrounding neighborhood above.

Where to next? NW and W still unexplored.

This scenario I'm testing the 'you list your modifier and I roll it secretly-ish and then I give you the results'.

Sounds fine by me. Just was wondering how it was handled.

Chomper relates, "Dis be mascot a' Absalom an' motto. T'ink it mean First 'mong Equal." He shrugs and continues to the next area to the NW in a counter clockwise direction.

I'm playing in another PF2 game on the Paizo boards that gets the players to roll within a spoiler and not look. That seems to work fine. Maybe less work for the GM that way. Even if the GM rolls secret checks, you still have to rely on the honour system to prevent players from looking. No great answer, I'm afraid.

Duma is puzzled by the Hippocampus. He looks about to say something, but Chomper chimes in and obviously knows much more.

"Good find, Elora! Let's follow Chomper and check out those stairs to the north-west."

Slipping back out, the group heads down and searches a few side tunnels, finding nothing of any value. They begin creeping forward into the main open area and as Chomper rounds the corner and slowly takes a step onto the stairs with his shield ready, several dark shadows ahead of him begin moving!

This wide gallery is lined with a colorful mural depicting a figure performing some sort of magical ritual over an expanse of ocean. His arms raised, he beckons to something beneath the waves, and is answered by a frothing, foaming section of the water that hints at a massive shape rising. To the northwest, stairs rise to another large room. An elegantly carved figure towers over the room, combining the body of an eel with the visage of a horrifying deep‑sea fish and four grasping tentacles.

The scenario is oddly written, it shows a room, gives a full description and then as an afterthought seems to be like... oh yeah there are a bunch of monsters!

Round 1
Raini
Duma
Enemy Y
Elora
Chomper (Shield Raised, 20 AC)
Arlo
Enemy R & B
Rout

Bold may act. Recall Knowledge is Religion. Just go ahead and roll it yourself if you chose to use the action.

Duma hears something around the corner. He will Stride (1 action - see map), Draw (1 action) his staff, then Cast Shield (1 action).

Raini will take a moment to attempt to determine what type of enemy they are up against.

Religion check to recall knowlege: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Hold 2 actions until I understand the enemy and then act.

My bad, I meant to indicate there are two types of enemies but didn't remember that when writing the Recall Knowledge section. So will need one Recall Knowledge for each. But, Raini's result was enough to at least ID enemy Y(ellow).

Duma moves up, draws his staff and projects a thin barrier of force between the enemies and his tasty organs.

Round 1
Duma (Shield spell up, 18 AC)
Raini (2 actions)
Zombie Brute Yellow
Elora
Chomper (Shield Raised, 20 AC)
Arlo
Enemy Red & Blue
Rout

Bold may act. One Recall Knowledge Religion (for Red & Blue) remains. Just go ahead and roll it yourself if you chose to use the action.

Raini sizes up the hulking brute of a beast and determines its origins. "Undead! The big baddie is a zombie Brute! Use your slashing Weapons. Watch out for its big ole meaty fist that can reach and push you around!" shouts druid.

Seeing there is a long distance between us and them, Raini opts to enchant his panther, Sasha.

2 actions to cast Magic Fang.

Raini makes Sasha's teeth big and sharp. The large zombie hulk moves up and tries to punch Chomper's teeth out (Stride, Strike).

The strike slams into the little goblin with extreme force, pushing his shield back into his face and knocking him almost senseless as well as pushing him back five feet.

Chomper is struck and would take 13 points of damage, but I'm going to strongly guess he will chose to take his reaction to shield block, reducing the damage by 5 (hardness of the shield) and then he and the shield take 8 each. He could save his reaction and take the 13, but that would put him unconscious so I'm guessing he doesn't.

Round 1
Duma (Shield spell up, 18 AC)
Raini
Zombie Brute Yellow
Elora
Chomper (-12 HP, Shield at -8, 20 AC)
Arlo
Enemy Red & Blue
Rout

Bold may act. One Recall Knowledge Religion (for Red & Blue) remains. Just go ahead and roll it yourself if you chose to use the action.

In the split second before he is hit, the goblin raises his shield (Reaction) to block the attack but there is still an audible "Thud" and Woooff" heard as the air is knocked out of him but he holds his ground. Blood gushes from his smashed face and he shakes his head to clear it. With a mighty blood-curdling scream he leaps forward (5' Step-Move Action 1) and tears into the hulking brute before him (Strike-Attack Action 2). He keeps his shield raised as much good as it did (Raise Shield-Action 3).

Bite Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Bite Dmg (P): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Arlo raises his staff toward the brutish zombie attacking Chomper and casts a full spread of magic missiles, all unerringly impacting on the undead beast.

Using all three actions for three missiles, all targeting the brute.

magic missile damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2, 2) + 3 = 9

FYI- I may have forgotten to mention, but Rout has Incredible Initiative (+2 to initiative rolls).

Chomper steps in and connects with his bite, ripping a disgusting rotten piece of flesh and sinew from the large fiend. It barely notices.

Arlo summons orbs of force, slamming them into the target, snapping ribs as it connects. The zombie appears unfazed, though that might just be its normal demeanor.

Round 1
Duma (Shield spell up, 18 AC)
Raini
Zombie Brute Yellow (-14)
Chomper (-12 HP, Shield at -8, 20 AC)
Arlo
Elora
Rout
Enemy Red & Blue (both currently FF to Rout only)

Bold may act, adjusted initiative with Rout's updated modifier. One Recall Knowledge Religion (for Red & Blue) remains. Just go ahead and roll it yourself if you chose to use the action.

Rout sweeps his horsechopper at the brute's legs, attempting to trip it.

Athletics vs. Reflex DC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

He then slashes at it with the weapon but gets too excited and hits the ground instead.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 5 = 4
Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 10 ⇒ (9) + 7 - 10 = 6

Rout, I think you can only Trip a creature up to 1 size category larger than you.

Oooh, that is correct, look into Titan Wrestler if you plan on doing a lot of tripping or other manuevers. The good news though is I'll just allow that roll to be an attack instead, which should hit.

I'll give Elora a few more hours to post and then take my best guess as to how to bot her because this could be a nasty fight so I don't want to put anyone into delay.

Bot for ELora

Elora, standing a good bit of distance from the hulking brute of an undead, raises her bow. Using her skills as a ranger, she marks the creature as her hunted prey and fires!

1 action to Hunt Prey. 1 action to fire longbow.

Attack with Longbow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 NOTE: Volley does not apply since distance exceeds 30 feet.

Piercing + Precision damage with arrow: 1d8 + 1d8 ⇒ (2) + (4) = 6

Once her arrow has been loosed, she uses some quick commands to direct her wolf to attack the large undead.

The wolf immediately launches towards the creature as quickly as the arrow fired! The wolf joins Chomper in biting the undead.

Attack with jaws: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Piercing damage with teeth: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

The big zombie takes the hits like a champ, mostly ignoring the arrow and chomp but then Rout slashes with his polearm. The blade cuts right through sinews and seems to severely damage the creature, much more than the other attacks.

Slashing + Vulnerability: 1d8 + 4 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 10 = 16

But even with all that damage piled up against one undead zombie brute, it remains standing. The pathfinders realize this might be a tough fight as the other two shuffle into range.

One moves in next to the animal and punches at it, trying to grab on (Stride, Strike). It succeeds and holds tightly to the wolf's fur.

Blue Fist vs. Wolf: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 for Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

The other zombie simply moves into range, standing and drooling next to Chomper (Stride 2x).

Round 2
Duma
Raini
Zombie Brute Yellow (-42 HP)
Chomper (-12 HP, Shield at -8, 20 AC)
Arlo
Elora & Aika (-6 HP & Grabbed)
Rout
Enemy Red & Blue

Bold may act. One Recall Knowledge Religion (for Red & Blue) remains. Just go ahead and roll it yourself if you chose to use the action.

As you may have noticed, I'm not spoilering any enemy stuff. This is partially to try this method out and partially to make sure I don't make a calculation error vs. AC or something else and have a hit that shouldn't be a hit.

Raini shouts for joy as the creatures all come in close together.

"Eat this positive energy you unnatural monsters!" shouts the tiny druid as he wiggles his fingers, summoning primal magics and hoists his healing staff.

Cast 3-round Heightened Heal Spell: 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (7, 8) + 1 = 16

Range should include all enemies and all allies. Fortitude save for each undead, DC 19 for 1/2 damage. Brute had a weakness to Positive damage. 3 action casting.

A burst of healing energies bursts forth from the druid, healing his allies and unraveling the necromantic energy of the undead.

A 2-round Heal Spell only targets one creature. A three round would target all in the a 30ft radius, plus healing your allies. I'm also not sure where you get the extra +2 on the spell. Let me know how you wish to adjust or if you have special abilities that allow you to do what you posted. Thanks!

I will update. I will do a 3-round this time since it is important. I will pull back the animal companion portion.

Staff of healing gives +1 to heal spells. Not sure if heightended spell gets +1 or +2 due to increased dice. I changed to +1 for now.

Duma will Cast Magic Weapon (2 actions) on his staff.

Then, he will Cast Hand of the Apprentice (1 action, using a Focus point) to throw his staff at the smaller undead next to Chomper (Red).

+1 Striking Staff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Bludgeoning Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2) + 3 = 9

Ah dang it, I knew the staffs give bonuses but never thought to check there. Thanks!

Raini unleashes a wave of positive energy, exactly what the doctor or anyone else would order in this situation. Aika and Chomper feel their wounds healing up and the undead creatures all recoil in pain.

Y W: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 (13)
R W: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 (26)
B W: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 (52)

The biggest seems to resist the positive energy the most, but still takes a hit. The one in the back has quite a bit of flesh sizzled off and the one holding the wolf just explodes into bits of charred flesh and bone, releasing the animal.

Duma follows that powerful display up by flinging his enhanced staff at the zombie in the back, cracking it hard in the head.

The Yellow zombie howls, if it could howl. It's more of a raspy gasp. Then slams at the enemies near it again to knock them out of the way.

Fist vs. Chomper: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Fist vs. Chomper - MAP: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 5 = 13

But the goblin ducking behind his shield is too small to hit!

Round 2
Duma
Raini
Zombie Brute Yellow (-55 HP)
Chomper (-0 HP, Shield at -8)
Arlo
Elora & Aika (-0 HP)
Rout
Enemy Red (-35 HP) & Blue (Dead)

Bold may act. Recall Knowledge Religion (for Red) remains. Just go ahead and roll it yourself if you chose to use the action.

As you may have noticed, I'm not spoilering any enemy stuff. This is partially to try this method out and partially to make sure I don't make a calculation error vs. AC or something else and have a hit that shouldn't be a hit.

Chomper yells "Tanks!" for the Druid's healing. He again tears into the big brute in front of him (2 Actions for Power Attack) tearing a large chunk of flesh away and spits it on the ground. He then raises his shield (1 Action) to block any further incoming attacks.

Bite with Power Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 5 = 16
Dmg (P): 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4) + 4 = 12

Arlo steps forward and casts electric arc at the nearest undead.

damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

The electrical charge arcs over to the other undead, also damaging it! (for the same amount of damage--dc 16 reflex for half damage.)

Chomper lives up to his name ripping and flinging a larger chunk of the zombie to the ground. Arlo shares a bit of wizardy power, attempting to Ka-Zap the undead into oblivion.

Y R: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
R R: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

One of them barely sizzles, but the other apparently was standing in a big puddle of water and is nearly fried.

Round 2
Duma
Raini
Zombie Brute Yellow (-69 HP)
Chomper (-0 HP, Shield at -8)
Arlo
Elora & Aika (-0 HP)
Rout
Enemy Red (-45 HP) & Blue (Dead)

Bold may act. Recall Knowledge Religion (for Red) remains. Just go ahead and roll it yourself if you chose to use the action.

As you may have noticed, I'm not spoilering any enemy stuff. This is partially to try this method out and partially to make sure I don't make a calculation error vs. AC or something else and have a hit that shouldn't be a hit.

Whoops, yeah, forgot the brute would be large.

Rout slashes at the brute some more.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 7 - 5 = 17 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Then retreats back a few steps.

Route takes out yellow easily. Raini go ahead and bot Elora when you get a chance, you all might be able to end this combat right now.

Elora instructs Aika, her wolf, to attack the remaining undead. The wolf sets about and nips first at the undead before sinking deep into the rotting flesh.

Bite Attack on Red Undead: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
2nd bite attack on Red undead: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 6 - 5 = 20

Damage - Piercing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Elora then acquires a new prey. She then draws an arrow and fires.

Attack with longbow on Red Undead: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Piercing damage from Arrow + Precision: 1d8 + 1d8 ⇒ (7) + (7) = 14

1 action to command animal companion. 1 action to Hunt Prey. 1 action to fire longbow.

Rout slashes at the big guy but forgets to use the slashy part of his weapon and it just thunks against the zombie. He quickly figures it out, reversing the blade and sliding it neatly from stem to stern, bisecting the tattered creature and chuckling as it falls to the ground in two pieces.

Elora commands Aika to do what she does, rend. The wolf complies, ripping the head off the last enemy and flinging it to the side. The room is silent for a second as everyone listens to the head rolling on the smooth stones.

Combat Over!

Combat Summary
Chomper (Shield at -8)
3x dead zombies

______________________________

Room Description again

This wide gallery is lined with a colorful mural depicting a figure performing some sort of magical ritual over an expanse of ocean. His arms raised, he beckons to something beneath the waves, and is answered by a frothing, foaming section of the water that hints at a massive shape rising. To the northwest, stairs rise to another large room. An elegantly carved figure towers over the room, combining the body of an eel with the visage of a horrifying deep‑sea fish and four grasping tentacles.

Recall Knowledge Crafting on the artistry of both the mural and the statue. Recall Knowledge Absalom Lore, Culture or Religion on the mural. Recall Knowledge Occult or Religion on the statue. Duma discoveres a Magical Pendant and Potion (any of the Identify Magic skills can be used over 10 minutes to ID). And lastly Elora, Raini & Arlo find a pure silver bowl decorated with a sea motif, which likely holds significant value.

Chomper looks around at the gallery trying to remember anything he can relate. For the life of him, he doesn't recall anything at all.

Recall Knowledge-Religion on Mural: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5
Recall Knowledge-Occultism on Statue: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Duma breathes a sigh of relief. He concentrates on the mural and statue.

Recall Knowledge-Crafting: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

He shows the magical pendant to Arlo. "I can try to identify the potion. Perhaps you can study this."

He uses 10 minutes to think on the potion.

Identify Magic-Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Rout notices his companions checking out the mural and statue. Rout know nothing about that stuff. He wipes some zombie goo off his horsechopper blade while he waits.

"This artwork is fascinating but I can't quite place it. Arlo, I seem to have been shaken up by that fight. Perhaps you can figure out this potion too."

Raini checks everyone over like a doting parent, making sure nobody is hurt. The druid does his best to put everyone at ease.

Once that is done, Raini ponders the mural and statue. He tries to recall his religious teachings.

Religion check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Arlo pops the cork on the potion and gives it a sniff.

"Let's see if I have seen something like this before."

arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Elora scans the room. "There's so much to see here. Give me some time, let's see if I remember having seen or read about things like these before."

Religion on mural: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Occult on statue: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

If there's time while Arlo tries to identify the potion and pendant, Duma will Refocus (to gain back his Focus point).

Duma thinks the quality of craftsmanship is surprisingly low for the statue and mural, he notices a lot of indicators that maybe an apprentice or novice created the two.

Chomper thinks that the mural is a depiction of the great god Gozreh whipping the ocean into a frenzy, but Elora quickly corrects him, believing it to be a depiction of Aroden raising the Starstone and the Isle of Kortos from the depths of the ocean.

But the elf ranger isn't sure about the statue and just listens as Raini points out that the statue is a depiction of Dagon, demon lord of the sea, sea monsters, and deformity.

The two wizards investigate the potion and while Duma is unable to figure it out, Arlo discovers it is a potion of water breathing.

Where or What next?

There is time to refresh Focus Points. Most PFS2 scenarios do not have any time limits, so I'd suggest always taking (or attempting to take) at least 10 to 20 minutes after combat to heal, id things, investigate clues. A GM should be up front about a scenario if there is a strict time limit.

Duma will try to identify the magical pendant.

Recall Knowledge-Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

After everyone has rested Chomper heads off again in counter clockwise direction into the far corner room with shield raised.

Rout will follow his fellow goblin, keeping to the shadows.

Once he figures out what the pendant is, Duma will follow the goblins.

Duma takes another another ten minutes and figures out it is a Pendant of the Occult.

The group moves through the rest of the complex, finding a bunch of rooms with heavy seawater damage and nothing of value remaining. In the last room they get to, they see...

A prominent hole has been opened in the western wall of the passage here from the opposite side. Some of the bricks have crumbled and fallen, or perhaps been knocked loose, creating a small opening into a room beyond. The walls of this inner room show signs of being scratched or clawed.

Glancing through the hole, those with darkvision can see a phrase repeatedly scratched into the walls several times.

"Candren’s wish"

There is no context at this point, but a small noise made by one of the pets results in a question from inside the room beyond, "Hello? Is someone there?"

The hole in the wall is at the blue X and leads to an unknown room that can barely be seen. The hole is quite small, not large enough for even a small creature to squeeze through... yet.

Before they get to the hole, Duma holds out the pendant "Is this of use to anyone? It bolster's one's knowledge of the Occult and can provide a boon when fighting."

Toward the hole "Yes, hello! We're here exploring. Do you need any assistance?"

Raini, unable to see into the hole and concerned about his pet's noise, casts a spell and sends forth several balls of dancing lights into the space.

"Show yourself. If you require aid, we may be of assistance." offers Raini after Duma's initial questions were voiced.

Chomper looks through seeing the words on the wall and whisper's to the group, "Candren's Wish? Writ all o'er da walls. Wha' do it mean?" He is perplexed but then shouts, "How'd ya get in dere? 'Nother door er hidden wall? Ya trapped?" Whispering to the group again, "Could be ah trap."

A moment of silence, then the voice speaks, "I was…’prisoned here, chained and bricked up behind that same wall. I…slept…died? I woke then and broke the chains. Searched for escape, but there was none. So slept again I did ‘til the ground shook. Since then I have drifted…and chipped. A crack, I noticed after the shaking. This hole is all I have…created."

The creature stands and moves into sight, "What pretty lights... it has been so long."

Picture is up in the slides, Religion to ID. Crafting or Engineering Lore to figure out how close the creature is to getting out on their own.

Raini will look at the 'person' that spoke as they move into the light.

Religion check to ID creature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

"Why were you imprisoned? And how have you survived?" questions the druid. "And more importantly, what were your plans once you got out?