GM Blake's PF2 Extinction Curse Campaign

Game Master Blake's Tiger

"She claimed to be part of Blessed Lightning as she attacked us. At the time, I thought it was just her name for the spell she cast at me."

Guesturing around the area, he says "I think she was responsible for what happened here."

He pauses a moment before adding "If you want, we can show you her body."

"Show me her body? Oh. She's dead," Jae says as he slowly comes to the realization. His face pales to a sickly shade of gray. "No. No, no. No. That's quite alright. No, no, I can't fathom that anyone from the hermitage would harm anyone. Get into a heated argument? Certainly. But harm another person? No. There must be some other nefarious force at play. Your Nemmia person was probably trying to frame the hermitage. Once I get you in to see Harlock, you'll see the truth of it."

His color comes back now that he's moved on from imagining corpses. "So... the Circus will help us? I'm not used to dealing with these kind of problems. And with the sheriff missing." He begins wringing his hat, crumpling it even further. You notice the dark circles under his eyes and figure he's probably had more than a few rough nights himself.

Rulean blinks in surprise. “When did the sheriff go missing?”

"I wonder if this is the result of another of Nemmia's mischief, or some other problem?" Song wonders. "Mayor Abber, Nemmia was very strange. She was some sort of a druid bent on revenge for what she saw as wanton destruction of nature by townfolk. She attacked our circus members, and we had to defend ourselves. Still, before she died, she talked of troubles coming to your town. When I tried to get details, she asked me to look to your apples."

Song sighs. "I don't know what she meant by that. But I'm worried that she was responsible for more than just a wild attack on us. Can you tell us more about the droughts that your town is suffering? Have any other unusual attacks happened?"

Is the Mayor hiding something? Song has Lie to Me feat and a Deception of +8.

"Or did, um, anything strange happen before all this bad luck came calling?" Clover pipes up. "Nemmia seemed convinced that all the blights were Abberton's fault somehow but maybe something else is going on..."

"Sheriff Ralhain wasn't there today when I went to look for him. I asked a few of the folk, but they couldn't recall seeing him in the past couple of days. That's a long way of saying that I'm not sure when the sheriff went missing. I mean, I know I had lunch with him last week," Jae explains.

The mayor continues, answering Song-of-Air and Clover's questions. "Nothing strange, no. The land has always been tough, and it's definitely less fertile than when I was a young man. My mother always complained about how the land wasn't as bountiful as when she was a girl, too, so I figure it's just the natural cycle. It'll get better eventually, and it'll be worse again after that and so on." He frowns and ponders for a bit while twisting his hat. "I guess things have been getting worse than usual for the past few weeks. But I can't think of anything special happening. The weird stuff like the boar attacks and the missing farmers, that could be something different. That's why I wanted your help. Maybe this Nemmia is connected to those things. Or it could be just a wayward pig and some people leaving town for a better life."

"Does the sheriff have anyone who works for him? Does he have an office where he might have left some clues as to where he went?"

"We have a lot of people that work with animals. Do you still have the carcass of the boar which attacked so we can look it over?"

"Are there any community festivals or holidays that have largely been let go of? If it's been over generations, then it might be so subtle that everyone has overlooked it -- and gotten rid of the thing that might have brought it back to a better level?" Leaf offers with a thoughtful expression.

"Not that I can think of," Mayor Abber answers Leaf-on-Wind. "Nothing since I've been a kid, and mother never mentioned anything."

He shakes his head at each of Rulean's questions. "Ralhain is our only law enforcement. We're not a particularly wealthy town. If the sheriff needs men, he'll deputize some of the townsfolk. His office and home are the same thing. The carcass? Um, we didn't catch or kill the boar. He's still out there somewhere."

It is becoming clear that the mayor is not the most curious or creative and probably does not have much more to offer. The Professor clears his throat and interjects, "I think I might be able to help with your questions, if you're willing to help the mayor we can let him get back to his town?" He gives you a sly wink that is hidden from the mayor.

"Yeah, I mean...I thought maybe we'd put things to rest when we took care of Nemmia but if there's people still missing and strange things happening, then maybe, um...maybe there's more to it than just her. Or maybe not. But someone's gotta look into it, right?"

Clover looks around at the Professor and her companions. "And right now, it looks like it's us or nobody."

Nodding, Rulean says "I'm willing to help."

"Of course we'll help!"

"Since there's other concerns going on, it'd be kind of silly to not help, wouldn't it?" Leaf-On-Wind offers after some consideration.

I guess I'm in too, or my crew will be lost without me.

says Nabi with a sardonic smile.

The mayor releases the long held breath in a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you." He bows in between each expression of gratitude. The Professor steps over to him and guides him out of the tent. It takes the old fire-eater a few moments longer than you'd expect to return. At about the moment you wonder if he's going to return, he does and with several of the other circus crew.

They gather around you, and the Professor whispers in his hoarse voice, "Last night I gave some of our less recognizable performers an assignment. They went into town to spread the word of the circus and to gather what information they could. I will let each of them tell you what they found. I think it will shed a light on some of the problems worrying Mayor Abber."

Hesper and Meitas, the Unjoined Twins, two women of middling age with blond hair, step forward first.

"There's a polite grandmother named Hemmema who recently sold her farm and moved into town," begins Hesper (or Meitas, it is impossible to tell them apart).

"She was the one attacked by the boar," Meitas says, keeping pace and cadence with her twin. The two continue alternating sentences with such fluidity that if you closed your eyes, you would think only one person was taking.

"She ran, of course. Who wouldn't! And she's unhurt, thank goodness. As for the boar, it's been spotted in the orchard on the east side of town, and it's not alone. Apparently there's a whole brood of smaller boars that are just as nasty and ill-tempered as their mother!"

Tahala, the Tattooed Woman, a Shoanti woman covered in tattoos steps forward next. "I scouted the mill this morning. The area is infested with wasps, but their behavior is unusual. I suspect there is some sort of outside influence upon them. I saw no evidence of the miller or her family. Everything appeared in working order from where I crouched, so it seems unlikely that the owner would simply abandon the mill."

Cubby the Dog-Faced Dog, your awakened beagle mascot, trots into the middle of the circle. "The hermitage is isolated and remote, but I learned that there was a church here in Abberton. I thought there might be a connection, but when I went to investigate, I saw it was a church dedicated to Abadar, not Gozreh. I nosed around the back fence a bit and picked up the scent of rotting flesh. I believe something unnatural is lurking in the church's graveyard."

The Professor then gestures to Ephraim, the circus' half-orc prop master.

Ephraim nods at the Professor. The half-orc wears a natty but threadbare pinstriped jacket, a pale shirt with long cuffs and tarnished links, a wide-brimmed hat, and a batwing bow tie. He carries a grinning ventriloquist dummy (dressed in a matching suit and bowtie) in his left hand.

"I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting, though I've certainly seen what you can do! Ephraim Critchlow, lately of the Sincomakti School of Sciences; currently prop-master and puppeteer-in-training at your Circus of Wayward Wonders." He tips his wide-brimmed hat.

"First, the report: Old Gidarron and I sussed out a gang of delinquents called 'the Muggers.'' They do not actually mug anyone; they loiter at a roadhouse just outside of town called the 'Mad Mug,' drinking all day and causing trouble all night. Sheriff Ralhain has been trying to break apart these miscreants for a while now. Perhaps they finally emboldened themselves with drink and talk to do something about their nemesis."

The dummy's eyes seem to be looking in a slightly different direction every time you glance at it… like it's watching you.

"Second: the ask. I am fascinated by the goings-on around here and keen on exploring the scientific causes behind these phenomena. May I come along on your investigations? I know a trick or two." He pats his spell component pouch.

“Likely we will need an extra pair of hands.” Rulean replies, nodding.

Clearly puzzled, he then asks “Who is Old Gidarron? That a townsfolk you know?”

“Likely we will need an extra pair of hands.” Rulean replies, nodding.

Excellent!

Clearly puzzled, he then asks “Who is Old Gidarron? That a townsfolk you know?”

You know him: the Bearded Man, of course! He's one of our troupe. The Professor wanted us to go about our business in pairs, though why a huge person like him would need back up is beyond me. I suspect he was along to give me said protection. Gidarron, the Bearded Man, is a member of the troupe. Doesn't seem like he is in the Rogue's Gallery now that I look, so I think he's just a minor NPC from the circus.

Rulean taps his head with his palm. “Oh, that Gidarron! Yes, I know him.”

Shaking his head that he forgot one of the troupe like that, he adds “I get so used to the stage name, sometimes it doesn’t connect without it.”

Looking around, he says “I think we need the whole group if we are going to deal with the boars. Maybe start there, then see if we want to split up into smaller groups?”

"I certainly would not want to face a boar alone." Song reaches out to shake Ephaim's hand. "I'm Song-of-Air and this is my brother Leaf-on-Wind. We're both part of one of the aerialist acts, though... We kind of need a new Ringmaster and I've been thinking about stepping in.'

Then Song glances at the puppet. "Are you a performer as well as a prop master? A ventriloquist show would be great to amuse audiences waiting outside in line!" Song smiles, though the continual glances from the puppet are starting to get a bit uncanny and weird.

"Shall we set off on a boar hunt?" She carefully puts away the flowing silk cape and comes back, armed with her bow.

Ephriam smiles. But it seems… weary. "Indeed, Song-of-Air, I do hope to be a performer one day, perhaps. Between my ingenuity with cams and cogs and mirrors, I dare say the sky's the limit! Only, I'm no natural showperson like most of you. Not comfortable in the spotlight, you see. More of a tinkerer and researcher. Grease, not glamor." He holds up the dummy. "Nevertheless, 'Mr. Splinters' (which is the sobriquet he chooses to go by — and perhaps someday I may well discover his true name), and I are working on an act of sorts. Beyond this, he also functions as my assistant in the workshop, and serves as the subject of my ongoing thesis… Ephriam waves a hand. "…but that isn't important right now. Say hello, Mr. Splinters."

The doll does nothing. Ephriam gives him a gentle shake; still, nothing.

He reaches over to tap Mr. Splinters on the shoulder, and the little face suddenly lunges at his hand! Wooden teeth clack shut. "OW! We're… still working on our act." Ephriam shakes his finger; you can see a drop of blood.

"YES. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING. WORKING ON AN ACT."

"Oh dear…" The half-orc tries to play it off but his green skin is flushed with embarrassment. He waggles his bloody finger at the grinning doll. "'Mr. Splinters, you PROMISED to behave. Please, do so at once! We do not want a repeat of the incident at the University, do we? No. We do not." He turns to Song-of-Air. "As you can most plainly see, we are not 'stage ready' yet. To be perfectly honest, I am less than optimistic about delighting audiences at any point in the near future. So for now, we hunt boars."

"'Mr. Splinters' is harmless. Mostly. Just a few "splinters," so to speak, now and again… a few rough edges…." The half-orc turns away as he talks, picking up an old and well-used greataxe that had been leaning on a wagon. "By the way, my friends call me 'Ephie.'" He carefully places the doll in his backpack (fingers well away from the hinged mouth). The glassy eyes peek out from the top. "We're ready to head out."

"Uh..." Clover blinks, unable to keep from staring at the creepy-looking dummy. "Mostly harmless. Right."

She tears her gaze away from Mr. Splinters.

"Anyway, it's nice to have you along, Ephie. I'm Clover and this here is Snowy...but, um, you might've already known that. But I agree with Song, the boars seem like the biggest and most obvious problem so we should probably start there."

"Gah!" Song jumps back despite herself. "He's alive!"

Then, highly embarrassed at her own reaction, she ruffles her feathers and mutters, "Squawk!"

"Of course, the circus takes all kinds." she says, faintly.

Rulean takes a half step back when Mr. Splinters suddenly lunges at Ephie’s hand. Well, Ephie seems to be given to understatement.

“I could probably build a muzzle for it, if you want.” he says, pointing with his tail at Mr. Splinters. “Might need to make it out of something stronger than brass though.”

"A muzzle? Isn't that a good way to get bitten even more?" Clover asks, brow wrinkling in distaste despite her uneasiness regarding the dummy. "Um, Mr. Splinters, maybe you could just, uh, use those teeth for the forces of good or something? Only bite people that mess with Ephie, maybe."

Am I really talking to a puppet??

After considering your own sanity for negotiating with a puppet (and possibly wondering if Mr. Splinters might murder you in your sleep), you begin walking toward Abberton. If it were not for the grim events of the past day, the walk would be pleasant and invigorating. The morning chill gives way as the sun warms the air, and the sky is a clear blue. With Nemmia's declaration and the mayor's story bringing your attention to it, you notice that the grass is rather yellowed, the trees and bushes bear a fraction fewer leaves than they should, and the stream passing through the town is clearly much shallower than in the past if longer-than-necessary foot bridges are any indication.

Oldlin's Orchard, as it is marked on the map that you found in the hidden camp, is a sprawling orchard at the southern end of town. Passing through town, you see folk going about their business. They certainly do not seem like the vile plague upon nature that Nemmia made them out to be. You pass the church of Abadar, but the stone walls around it and closed gate allow you no hint as to what Cubby might have sensed.

Onward you walk until you reach the edge of the orchard. It does not take much searching to find a large boar rooting around in the dirt. There look to be two more boar barely hidden in the overgrown brush.

Pausing to give an opportunity for Wild Empathy before initiating territorial defense combat.

Clover holds up a hand to signal the others to stop once they reach the edge of the orchard. She softly clears her throat to get the boar's attention before launching into a series of grunts and squeals...

Clover attempts to form an empathic bond with the boar and find a non-violent means of removing the threat to the townsfolk. However, the animal trainer quickly recognizes that she has failed to win over the cantankerous boar. You can all tell that the boars are becoming agitated.

Encounter! Round 1. Bold may act.

Environment (Creek): The squares containing the creek bank (gray/brown) are sloped and the creek is muddy. Those squares are Difficult Terrain (each square costs 10 ft of movement).
Environment (Log): The log can be crossed using the Balance action (DC 10).
Environment (Trees): Standing in a square that contains tree leaves provides Cover against ranged attacks and allows anyone to Take Cover to gain Standard Cover.

Effects:

Leaf-on-Wind
Ephie
Blue Hex Boar
Clover
Yellow Circle Boar
Rulean
Song-of-Air
Nabi
Red Square Boar (biggest)

I hand waved healing the trivial carried damage, as you had enough time in the morning to tend to Song and Nabi's remaining bruises.

Realized I didn't note spells I prepped today anywhere. Probably keep my profile updated, but let me know if something else works better. I rarely play prepared casters.

"Good show, but nothing for it now, eh?" Ephie's dexterous fingers, used to working with minuscule springs and chains and gears, draw a delicate cipher in the air and then point at the lead creature. An icy ray of frost shoots across the ravine, but only hits the dirt. I am not sure if shooting OUT of the thicket provides cover; assuming so.

Ray of Frost, Cover? vs Red Square: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 1 = 14
Cold: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"Bah!"

"You know, mother always wanted me to use her favorite chopper, but I'm not sure she ever meant quite like this…" He lobs the antique greataxe, which he had been holding one-handed, up into the air. It seems to catch an invisible wind and darts across the battlefield in an instant, slashing the boar's neck. The heavy weapon flies gracefully back into his hand.

Hand of the Apprentice, Cover? vs Red Square: 1d20 + 8 - 1 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 1 - 5 = 22
Slashing: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 Doubled to 18

"… nevertheless, I think she would be proud." In the backpack, Mr. Splinters chortles.

While the ray of frost fails to do much more than cover the boar's hide with a thin dusting of snow, the prop master quickly demonstrates his value in the hunt by propelling his axe across the orchard where it cuts a sizable wound in the boar's haunch.

Encounter! Round 1. Bold may act.

Environment (Creek): The squares containing the creek bank (gray/brown) are sloped and the creek is muddy. Those squares are Difficult Terrain (each square costs 10 ft of movement).
Environment (Log): The log can be crossed using the Balance action (DC 10).
Environment (Trees): Standing in a square that contains tree leaves provides Cover against ranged attacks and allows anyone to Take Cover to gain Standard Cover.

Effects:

Leaf-on-Wind
Ephie
Blue Hex Boar
Clover
Yellow Circle Boar
Rulean
Song-of-Air
Nabi
Red Square Boar (biggest) (-18 hp)

Seing the big double axe flying toward the boar, cutting deeply into the beast, and flying back to the half orc's hand, Nabi says

Nice trick. Maybe you should restrain from opening a barber shop, that said.

YES! CHOP CHOP CHOP!

Click. Whirr.

BOTTING LEAF-ON-WIND

Leaf had his bow out just as a matter of caution as these were boars. He takes a deep breath, enters archer stance.

Piercing Arrow 1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

If hit, Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Piercing Arrow (2: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 8 - 5 = 18

If hit, Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Archer stance, strike, strike

Leaf-on-Wind suffers another moment of performance anxiety before becoming possessed and firing his arrows into the larger boar. One of the slightly smaller boars behind the apple tree comes charging across the orchard, down the muddy ditch of a creek and rises on your side. However, the mud has slowed it down enough that you will have time to defend yourselves before it reaches you.

Encounter! Round 1. Bold may act.

Environment (Creek): The squares containing the creek bank (gray/brown) are sloped and the creek is muddy. Those squares are Difficult Terrain (each square costs 10 ft of movement).
Environment (Log): The log can be crossed using the Balance action (DC 10).
Environment (Trees): Standing in a square that contains tree leaves provides Cover against ranged attacks and allows anyone to Take Cover to gain Standard Cover.

Effects:

Ephie
Leaf-on-Wind
Blue Hex Boar (Stride, Stride, Stride)
Clover
Yellow Circle Boar
Rulean
Song-of-Air
Nabi
Red Square Boar (biggest) (-20 hp)

Though Clover finds no pleasure in fighting animals, she knows that sometimes it comes down to a simple matter of survival. She focuses her attention on the Blue Boar, marking it as her prey, then moves forward to draw its attention.

"Come on, Snowy!"
______________

Hunt Prey, Command Animal, Stride~

Snowy rumbles deep in his throat and scampers forward, snapping at Blue with sharp teeth!

Strike vs. Blue (Jaws): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Damage (Piercing): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
______________

Stride, Strike~

Snowy bites down and worries the boar's leg, drawing first blood.

Another boar squeals loudly and rumbles across the orchard on his stocky legs. Down he goes into the muddy creek. He lumbers sloppily up the near bank. Gaining speed as his hooves find dry ground, he continues toward the closest threat to his territory. His tusk cuts into the badger's tough hide, leaving a painful gouge as revenge for his brother.

Encounter! Round 1. Bold may act.

Environment (Creek): The squares containing the creek bank (gray/brown) are sloped and the creek is muddy. Those squares are Difficult Terrain (each square costs 10 ft of movement).
Environment (Log): The log can be crossed using the Balance action (DC 10).
Environment (Trees): Standing in a square that contains tree leaves provides Cover against ranged attacks and allows anyone to Take Cover to gain Standard Cover.

Effects:

Leaf-on-Wind
Ephie
Blue Hex Boar (-5 hp)
Clover
> Snowy (20/24 hp)
Yellow Circle Boar
Rulean
Song-of-Air
Nabi
Red Square Boar (biggest) (-18 hp)

♫ Once there was a fearsome boar
The Abberton folk he came to gore
They called to the Circus and they swore
"That pig will lay us low!"

Soon may the circus folk come
To rid us of those piggy bums
Some day when the pigging is done
They'll take their leave and go ♫

Vaguely inspired by Wellerman sea shanties

Performance: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
◇Lingering Performance
◈ Inspire Courage

I think this means that the Inspire Courage lasts for 3 rounds. +1 to Attack & Damage!

Then Song casts Magic Weapon on Nabi's short sword, giving it +1 to strike and an extra dice of damage! "I know you like to go up to the main action. Have a stronger weapon."

◈◈ Magic Weapon

Rulean moves around to help Snowy with the boar that bit him.

Morningstar vs Yellow, IC: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 1 = 27
Bludgeoning, IC: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

Stride, Stride, Strike

stride, strike, Strike on yellow

attack, IC, Magic weapon: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 18
dmg, IC; Magic weapon: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 + (6) = 11

2d attack, IC, Magic weapon: 1d20 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 9
dmg, IC; Magic weapon: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 + (1) = 8

Nabi nods in appreciation after Song of Air spell, and moves toward the surrounded boar, hoping to join the carnage

Song-of-Air inspires her allies with a swiftly composed song. They make good use of the inspiration as they move in to bring down the boars.

Rulean lands a blow upon the second boar's head hard enough that it should have put it down for good, especially given the amount of blood spilling onto the ground (Critical). However, the boar snorts and gives the iruxi a dark stare and prepares to gore him next (Ferocity). Fortunately, Nabi is just behind Rulean's heels and drives her blade into the young boar's side, granting it final rest.

(Nabi has one more action left as the second Strike wasn't used. I'll give her some time to make use of it before the bigger boar's turn.)

Encounter! Round 1. Bold may act.

Environment (Creek): The squares containing the creek bank (gray/brown) are sloped and the creek is muddy. Those squares are Difficult Terrain (each square costs 10 ft of movement).
Environment (Log): The log can be crossed using the Balance action (DC 10).
Environment (Trees): Standing in a square that contains tree leaves provides Cover against ranged attacks and allows anyone to Take Cover to gain Standard Cover.

Effects: Inspire Courage +1 (1 of 3 rounds)

Leaf-on-Wind
Ephie
Blue Hex Boar (-5 hp)
Clover
> Snowy (20/24 hp)
Rulean
Song-of-Air
Nabi (One action left)
Red Square Boar (biggest) (-18 hp)

The larger boar comes charging across the orchard, squealing loudly and hooves thundering on the dirt. She dives down into the creek bed and rises on the other side much faster than the other two. She continues her charge toward Rulean, lowering her tusks for a savage gore, and then she trips on an apple. Legs desperately kicking in search of stable ground, she keeps finding apples. Ultimately, her shoulder bumps forcefully but ineffectually into the iruxi's leg.

Encounter! Round 2. Bold may act.

Environment (Trees): Standing in a square that contains tree leaves provides Cover against ranged attacks and allows anyone to Take Cover to gain Standard Cover.

Effects: Inspire Courage +1 (1 of 3 rounds)

Leaf-on-Wind
Ephie
Blue Hex Boar (-5 hp)
Clover
> Snowy (20/24 hp)
Rulean
Song-of-Air
Nabi (One action left)
Red Square Boar (biggest) (-18 hp)

Ephie traces a parabola with his index finger. "F ̀ah̵ m̷g͏e pahh̡'͟ mg̵la̡ģn̕" Mr. Splinters watches, eyes following the tendril of blue electricity.

Electric Arc, IC, DC 18 Basic Reflex Save: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8

He then moves back.

Ephie's arc of electricity strikes the larger boar full force on the side. The younger boar is apparently more spry and rolls partially out of the way.

Encounter! Round 2. Bold may act.

Environment (Trees): Standing in a square that contains tree leaves provides Cover against ranged attacks and allows anyone to Take Cover to gain Standard Cover.

Effects: Inspire Courage +1 (1 of 3 rounds)

Leaf-on-Wind
Ephie
Blue Hex Boar (-9 hp)
Clover
> Snowy (20/24 hp)
Rulean
Song-of-Air
Nabi
Red Square Boar (biggest) (-26 hp)

Leaf-On-Wind moves to get a better shot at the largest boar, then takes a deep breath before letting two arrows fly.

Stride, Shoot, Shoot

Piercing Arrow(Inspire Courage): 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 = 22

If Hit, Damage(Inspire Courage): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Piercing Arrow(Inspire Courage): 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 1 - 5 = 10

The acrobat shakes their head at the more than likely errant shot. Still not keen on this -- how do people do this *normally*?

Leaf-on-Wind sinks an arrow into the larger boar's side, eliciting a squeal of paint. The next shot land in a rotten apple on the ground a few feet short.

The remaining smaller boar swings its head and knife-like tusks at Snowy, catching nothing but dirt, before charging off in a mad circle and coming around toward Clover. However, the nimble halfling sides steps the charge with ease.

(I don't believe anyone currently has AOOs)

Encounter! Round 2. Bold may act.

Environment (Trees): Standing in a square that contains tree leaves provides Cover against ranged attacks and allows anyone to Take Cover to gain Standard Cover.

Effects: Inspire Courage +1 (2 of 3 rounds)

Leaf-on-Wind
Ephie
Blue Hex Boar (-9 hp)
Clover
> Snowy (20/24 hp)
Rulean
Song-of-Air
Nabi
Red Square Boar (biggest) (-32 hp)

Song casts Soothe on Snowy, and then starts moving out to where she can better see the boars. Perhaps if she can make it across the ravine, she can take find a better spot to pot shot the boars from, or lead them away from her fellow circus folk.

◈◈ Soothe
Soothe: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11