GM Crunch's Tarnbreaker's Trail (Inactive)

Game Master Saving Cap'n Crunch

Just like the previous days, nothing is going to stop you. Until...a scream echoes from the nearby woods! Not much more can be heard from its direction, but it doesn't sound far away.

Assuming you head over:

A broken sled lies in the snow at the edge of the path beside an old bridge. Fresh blood marks are clearly visible against the white snow as large, crimson swaths. Equipment is scattered across the snow and onto the frozen surface of a lake.

Map is up!

Duma will check the sled for any markings or signs of an owner.

Thulgrun will look around for signs of whatever did this... especially tracks.

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Ur readies his sword as he looks out for whatever did this.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 +1 to find traps

Zarina moves out onto the bridge to get a better look, also looking for tracks and stuff.

If it is a beast she whispers. Do you want me to try and calm it or do we just go straight into putting it down?

survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Thulgrun notices a patch of ice close to you which is heavily marked with paw prints going in all directions. Each looks more than enough to break through the flimsy ice, but still they stand, intermingled with several human prints. Ur also sees, and starts tracing them backwards.

His search gives him a view of a hollow on the lake's opposite side, where a body lies. It's hard to tell whether the man is still breathing from this far away. But that isn't where the tracks end. Further along, he looks to the east - and sees it! The bear, terrifying in its size and majesty, had been making a surprisingly silent approach.

Only the two Pathfinders notice it as it catches on, letting out a bone-shaking snarl before it can be pointed out! Unless she is quite the optimist, Zarina has her question answered.

Entering combat! All the ice is difficult terrain.

Round One:
Thulgrun
Ur-Mandr
Bear
Dardax
Zarina
Duma
Katerina

Ur-Mandr sees this creature and prays that he is as tough as he said the Ulfen are.
He switches out his blade for his bow and fires at the massive bear.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 Piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Thulgrun surveys the situation, and decides to delay until the bear comes closer. Does not seem to make sense to move in and get mauled, alone.

Ur's arrow doesn't have enough power to it, and gets stuck in the bear's mass of fur before hitting anything vital. It crashes forward across the ice and tries to wrap Katerina in its front paws.

Claws vs. Katerina: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Slashing: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 ...Ooh. Sorry.

With the Varisian no longer in any shape to resist being picked up, the bear snaps at Dardax with foot-long teeth.

Jaws vs. Dardax: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Piercing: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 6) + 4 = 13

The half-orc, though heavily wounded, sees Katerina in worse shape. His quick attempt at patching her up doesn't see results. He instead resorts to the power of Iomedae, which returns her to consciousness.

Battle Medicine on Katerina: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
2-Action Heal on Katerina: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Round One/Two:
Thulgrun (delay)
Ur-Mandr
Bear
Dardax -13
Zarina
Duma
Katerina -4 (prone, wounded 1)

"Oh, no!" exclaims Thulgrun after seeing what the bear jhust did.

He enters his stance, moves forward, and attacks.
flurry, Falling Stone: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14 Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
flurry, Falling Stone: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 5 = 9 Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

Really, RNG? Really?

AC is currently 21

Zarina was about to dash over the ice to check on the body on the other side until she sees what the bear did to Katerina.

Instead she moves along the bridge to get a better angle before throwing electricity at the bear

electric arc: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 - basic reflex DC 18

Ur begins side stepping while continuing to target the bear with his bow.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 Piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Shortbow: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 4 = 17 Piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Duma will draw his staff and enchant it.

Draw staff ◆
Cast Magic Weapon on staff ◆◆

Katerina shakes her head, before realizing that The Murderbear is right on bloody top of her!! She quickly throws up a plane of force with a couple words before skittering away from the beast.

Action 1 - Raise Shield
Action 2 - Stand
Action 3 - Stride

The bear endures the worst of the static thrown its way. Seeing its meal get up and run, it lashes out with a claw, but Katerina's shield dampens the blow. It settles for the gristly dwarf trying to punch it. Thankfully, none of its ferocious swipes land on Thulgrun.

In a moment of respite, Dardax sensibly gets behind Thulgrun. A few more imploring words to Iomedae and those close to him feel a divine sense of hope!

Bless! +1 to attack rolls and fear saves while adjacent to Dardax.

Round Two/Three:
Thulgrun
Ur-Mandr
Bear -3
Dardax -13 (bless 5 ft.)
Zarina
Duma
Katerina -9 (wounded 1)

Zarina gives the bear another blast.

electric arc: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 ref dc 18

Ur continues to circle around while peppering it with arrows.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 Piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Shortbow: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 6 - 5 = 17 Piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Duma waves his hands and utters magical words, before launching his staff, two-handed at the beast.

Cast True Strike ◆
Interact to add his other hand to his staff ◆
Cast Hand of the Apprentice to throw his staff at the bear ◆

Staff Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Staff Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Two rolls from True Strike - take the second roll

Bludgeoning Damage: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 = 8

it has an aoo? Interesting. My theory is probably true then.
Thulgrun wordless attacks the best, hoping to take it down quickly.

Falling stone, flurry: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 1 = 31 B: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 doubled to 24!
Falling stone, flurry #2: 1d20 + 10 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 5 + 1 = 17 B, forceful: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7
DC19 fort for stunning fist!

Falling stone #3: 1d20 + 10 - 10 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 10 - 10 + 1 = 16 B, forceful: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

He then raises his shield.

Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Fortitude: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24

Electricity once again courses through the bear's fur to not much effect. Somehow, only Thulgrun is able to break through its defenses. But his punch elicits a wounded roar, making it clear how hard he struck.

Round Two/Three:
Thulgrun
Ur-Mandr
Bear -30
Dardax -13 (bless 5 ft.)
Zarina
Duma
Katerina -9 (wounded 1)

Katerina frantically digs through her supplies, first grabbing and downing a potion, before grabbing a scroll as well.

Action 1 - Interact(Withdraw Minor Healing Potion)
Action 2 - Interact(Consume Minor Healing Potion)
Action 3 - Interact(Withdraw Scroll of Magic Weapon I asked about that earlier and you never responded)

MHP: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Sorry about that! The scroll is fine by me.

The bear swings madly, but for all its strength, it doesn't hurt or hamper Thulgrun in the slightest. Dardax keeps edging away, now attending to his own injuries.

Bless is now 10 feet across, currently affecting everyone but Ur.

Round Three/Four:
Thulgrun
Ur-Mandr
Bear -30
Dardax -5 (bless 10 ft.)
Zarina
Duma
Katerina -3 (wounded 1)

Ur skids across the ice as he is finally able to get behind the bear. He continues to fire at it.

◆ Stride
◆ Stride
◆ Strike
Shortbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 Piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Zarina decides to step it up a notch by turning her storm powers up to 11. She casts Tempest Surge at the bear.

You surround a foe in a swirling storm of violent winds, roiling clouds, and crackling lightning. The storm deals 1d12 electricity damage. The target must attempt a basic Reflex save. On a failure, the target also is clumsy 2 for 1 round and takes 1 persistent electricity damage.

electricity: 1d12 ⇒ 5 reflex DC 18.

Duma, probably foolishly, walks up to the bear and whacks at it with his staff.

Stride ◆
Strike ◆

Staff: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 19
Bludgeoning Damage: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (7, 3) + 2 = 12

Cast Shield ◆ - AC at 18

Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Zarina blasts the bear full in the face with a miniature storm. Even as it shakes violently, its attention elsewhere, Duma's staff is barely turned aside by thick fur.

Round Three/Four:
Thulgrun
Ur-Mandr
Bear -35 (clumsy 2, 1 persistent)
Dardax -5 (bless 10 ft.)
Zarina
Duma
Katerina -3 (wounded 1)

Seeing that Thulgrun has been the only one that's actually clobbered the murderbear, Katerina skitters forward and chants from the scroll, before tapping the dwarven monk's arm.

Action 1 - Stride
Action 2-3 - Cast(From scroll) Magic Weapon on Thulgrun's handwraps

"Ah, that'll do, Katerina. Let's give him the old what-for!" says Thulgrun, grinning.

Falling Stone, flurry, Magic Weapon: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 B, Striking: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (3, 5) + 4 = 12

Falling Stone, flurry, Magic Weapon: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23 B, Striking, forceful: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (6, 7) + 4 = 17
If a 23 hits, then Fort 19 or Stunned 1, crit fail Stunned 3

Falling Stone, Magic Weapon: 1d20 + 10 - 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 - 10 = 20 B, Striking, froceful: 2d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8, 1) + 4 + 2 = 15 W00t! 30 damage!

After his blows, Thulgrun raises his shield.

Thulgrun, can you ignore the attack penalty on the second swing? If so, that'll hit too. Thanks to Bless and Tempest Surge, your last one crits instead of just hitting.

Thulgrun lands another heavy strike on the bear. It rears back and tries to repay him in kind. Finally laying a claw on him, it wraps both around and practically hurls the dwarf across the ice.

Seeing his plight, Dardax hurries closer. The half-orc widens his aura and calls forth a shield of light to protect himself.

Claw vs. Thulgrun: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27
Piercing to Thulgrun and shield): 1d12 + 4 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 5 = 6

Throw Damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Recovery Check: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Round Four/Five:
Thulgrun -19
Ur-Mandr
Bear -66 (1 persistent)
Dardax -5 (shield, bless 15 ft.)
Zarina
Duma
Katerina -3 (wounded 1)

Duma knows that he's gonna get it if they don't take this beast down quick. With two hands, he takes another swing at the massive bear.

Strike ◆

Staff: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 16
Bludgeoning Damage: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (5, 8) + 2 = 15

Strike ◆

Staff: 1d20 + 0 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 0 + 1 + 1 = 13
Bludgeoning Damage: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (5, 6) + 2 = 13

Missing wildly, he takes a moment to cower behind his magic shield.

Cast Shield ◆ - AC 18

Most likely he'll be using the Shield Block reaction of the Shield spell if (when) he gets hit.

Zarina then attempts to pummel the bear with water, casting Hydraulic Push.

You call forth a powerful blast of pressurized water that bludgeons the target and knocks it back. Make a ranged spell attack roll.

Critical Success The target takes 6d6 bludgeoning damage and is knocked back 10 feet.

uccess The target takes 3d6 bludgeoning damage and is knocked back 5 feet.

spell attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Spending hero point

spell attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 5) = 9

She then moves a bit more towards the wounded man while keeping the bear in range - as there's more where that came from.

Ur's action depends on what happens with Zarina's action.

Thulgrun, can you ignore the attack penalty on the second swing? If so, that'll hit too. Thanks to Bless and Tempest Surge, your last one crits instead of just hitting.

No, I thought that I had added the -5... my apologies, that misses.

Am I standing or prone? I am assuming standing.
Did the bear make its fort save?
"Damned beast!" yells out Thulgrun as he gets flung back. He then rushes forward to engage again. Now, with a flank, he flurries again.

He then flurries once more.
Falling Stone #1 vs flank AC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28 B: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 = 11

Falling Stone #2 vs flank AC: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 10 - 5 = 15 B, foreful: 2d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7, 8) + 4 + 1 = 20

DC19 Fort Save or Stunned 1 if either of these hit.

Stride, Stride, Flurry

Katerina, still a little panicked, takes several deep breaths, focuses a spark into her hand, and launches the spark over Duma's shoulder.

Action 1 - Activate Reach Spell
Action 2-3 - Cast Shocking Grasp

Spell attack(bless): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 = 25For: 2d12 ⇒ (12, 7) = 19

You're standing up. The bear wasn't hit by either flurry attack, so it didn't have to save.

Also, the dice have been very much against you all - if you had been in Bless range, you would've crit again.

Fortitude, Incapacitation: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31

Zarina, judging the angles, thinks her water would just impact harmlessly against the bear. But her recalculation sees it miss her foe entirely. Duma's staff bounces off the unholy ursine.

Thulgrun returns to the fray with a vengeance and a powerful strike. In its moment of distraction, Katerina blasts the bear with more electricity. With an outraged - yet rapidly deflating - roar, it crashes to the ice, unmoving.

Combat over!

Duma stares down at the monstrosity, clearly relieved that it's dead.

"What the hell was that?"

A big bear Zarina exclaims. A VERY big bear

She moves over to the fallen body to see if the person is still alive and do what she can to make sure he/she stays that way.

Also she wonders, are they a member of one of the competing teams. It seemed likely.

The slumped-over figure isn't one Zarina recognizes. But even if his face isn't familiar, the man's gear is enough to make his identity obvious. This is one of the many rangers working to keep the race's participants safe and away from wildlife. Anyone's call as to whether or not he succeeded.

His breathing is slow and steady, as is his blood loss. He might pass to the other side of the Boneyard in a few long minutes if nothing is done.

Stabilize or Heal spells would do the trick, as would a Medicine check. Not likely an issue here.

Ur comes over and puts a foot on top of the downed bear-monster. "Quick, someone make a painting. I want to show the ulfen."

Zarina does what she can to make sure he doesn't reach the Boneyard.

She starts with a Stabilize, then applies a minor healing potion

healing: 1d8 ⇒ 1

finally ending up with first aid.

medicine: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Must remember to stock up on potions once we get to town she says to herself.

Zarina keeps the man alive, though he could be looking better. His eyes flutter open and closed several times before settling. "Ah. Unexpected," he says, seeming to care more about the joke than his own safety. Some blood burbles from his lips.

The supply sled you were issued or a sturdy shoulder will do to help get him back. In halting tones, he describes being mauled and bodily dragged close to the beast's lair before it left in search of more food. Despite this burden you are still the first team you can see to reach Frostgarten. Immediately the swarm descends, medics and blanket-wielding folk pulling the ranger away.

"Apologies for the lack of fanfare," the head official says, her face drawn. "We'll likely have that in short order, when everyone is present. But what happened out there?!"

D'oh - you are right about the flurrys. My rolls have been interesting.
"A bear happened. A really big, angry bear." says Thulgrun, as if this explains everything.

Zarina looks around for signs of the other teams

We're first in? she asked in disbelief.

Thulgrun's explanation is a bit lacking, but the Ulfen don't seem to need much more. The ranger relates his story again before being put to sleep. Cheers for you pick up in earnest as more teams cross the finish line. Your runners-up, the Fangs, exchange congratulations with you, and Olin Tuskbinder cheerfully passes Frostleaf a handful of silver.

Eventually, the other teams reach Frostgarten, in the following order: Bluetongue's Brawlers, Without Trace or Fail, the Wyrding Wayfinders, and Two Houses. WTF's leader shoots you a look that conveys a surprising amount of meaning, as if to say, "We're going to come clean shortly. No need for you to say anything." It's anyone's guess as to their truthfulness.

You are supplied with more blankets, bandages for any wounds that you still have, and plenty of soup. "There's a lot, but only take as much as warms you up. You'll want to leave room for the feast! Talking of which, as winners, you have the honor of helping prepare this festive meal." While you needn't work too hard on that score, you are given free reign to add some tastes from home if you so desire.

Zarina will add what she can from her more tropical home but the lack of coconuts proves to be an obstacle. She does ask where she can find a bath house though, with a deep pool to relax it. She could sure use a soak.

Upon crossing the finish line, Katerina almost collapses in relief. "I am not made for long distance races like this. Thulgrun, thank you for showing me the way. I would have likely done something foolish if you weren't here."

After about an hour of resting, she finally pulls the effort together to go and assist with the cooking. While only a serviceable cook, the Varisian traveler is more then willing to help make a family recipe goulash that she suddenly found herself missing.

Ur mostly gets in the way while test tasting everything he can and flirting with the younger female cooks. He does give some help to Katerina in making a goulash, finding a suitable substitute for some ingredient.
Ur seems not only a bottomless pit into which food is inhaled rather than eaten but also an endless ball of energy that seems to be everywhere at once doing everything at the same time. He's having a good time and wants everyone else to have a good time too.

Ur isn't the only one flirting with some of the females.

I don't suppose you know a substitute for coconut? she asks.

Duma is relieved that the race is over and amused at the antics of his teammates. The only thing that comes to his mind to add to the fare is some salt fish that he's consumed so often on his sea voyages. He quickly thinks better of it and just tries to enjoy the festivities.