[PFS(2), Outpost IV, MTS, 5-6] PFS(2) 2-00 The King in Thorns (5-6) (Inactive)

Game Master Blake's Tiger

Niklaas strikes down the redcap with two rapid thrusts of cold iron (it takes both). He turns to look at the other redcap, and the redcap feels a sense of dread from the atheist that is usually reserved for holy symbols.

Kyra moves away from the redcap and calls upon Sarenrae to shield her from aggression (sanctuary).

The distant twigjack dives into the brush and pops out next to Siva.

Encounter! Round 2. Bold may act.

TERRAIN: Green terrain is Difficult Terrain and Cover.

Crafty (40/44 hp)
(Flame 37/42 hp)
Niklaas (65/66 hp; heroism)
Kyra (-20 hp)
Red Stickman (-35 hp)
Klatzu (94/88 hp) (another Basic Reflex DC 20 vs. 11 damage, Siva too)
Blue Stickman (-16 hp)
Green Dwarf (-15 hp; frightened 2)

Klatzu Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Siva Reflex: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

((lol figures))

(◆) Dismount
(◆) Strike (Cold Iron Shield Spikes vs Red: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30)
for (Damage Piercing Cold Iron: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 5) + 4 = 12)
(◆) Command an Animal (If red still up: (◆) Stride to flank Red, (◆) Strike vs Flanked)
(If blue still up: (◆◆) Strike Blue twice)
Strike vs Twigjack AC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
for Damage Piercing: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 3) + 3 = 11
Strike vs Twigjack AC: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 12 - 4 = 17
for Damage Piercing: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 6) + 3 = 13

"Sticks want to fight two on one? FOOLISH STICKS! KLATZU NOT ONLY OPPONENT!" Quickly sliding off Siva's back, Klatzu engages a pack attack with Siva, striking out rapidly against the wooden assailants even as his form begins to resemble that of a pincushion.

Klatzu, after taking a barrage of splinters, dismounts and bashes the twigjack that just appeared to flinders with his shield. Siva grabs a stick and yanks it off of the remaining twigjack, but it dodges her second bite.

The remaining redcap whistles, and the twigjack dutifully moves into position to take out the fire-throwing elf. It grasps at him with its splintered fingers. One of its hands manages to tear a deep rent in his skin.

The redcap skips towards Crafty and swings his scythe in a wide arc. The blade cuts the druid's neck in a bloody spray (critical hit, 42 damage) and keeps on swinging, powering through Kyra's divine protection, but then being stopped by her mundane armor. He swipes again at Kyra with no better luck.

Encounter! Round 3. Bold may act.

TERRAIN: Green terrain is Difficult Terrain and Cover.

Niklaas (65/66 hp; heroism)
Kyra (-20 hp; sanctuary)
Klatzu (83/88 hp)
Blue Stickman (-27 hp)
Crafty (0/44 hp; dying 2, prone, hands empty)
(Flame 37/42 hp)
Green Dwarf (-5 hp; frightened 1)

Niklaas grinned, seeing the first of the stick figures go down… Then immediately grimaced, seeing Methuselah go down a split-second later. Whelp, if nothin’ else, at least he lived a long life… Though ‘twould be betta’ if he lived a bit longa’…

Racing up to the last of the dunce-caps, Niklaas whispered menacingly in the little fey's pointed ear, “’Ight, ya ova’-sized lawn ornament! Time fer Cheryl an’ me ta plant you ten feet unda’!”

Stride, Strike, and Strike again with Dread Fighter sneak attack on the frightened fey. Here we go!

Strike 1 with Heroism, Dread Fighter Flanking, Cold-Iron Cheryl: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 233d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4, 1) + 4 = 13
Strike 2 with Heroism, Dread Fighter Flanking, Cold-Iron Cheryl: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 243d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 6, 1) + 4 = 12

Just in case this happens to kill the Dwarf, Niklaas uses You’re Next! on the last Twig-man…

You’re Next! Demoralize!: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27

"Grah! Frag nabbit snaff brimmit gobble!" the redcap curses as Niklass pokes him in the sides with his cold iron rapier. Steam hisses from each of the wounds.

Encounter! Round 3. Bold may act.

TERRAIN: Green terrain is Difficult Terrain and Cover.

Niklaas (65/66 hp; heroism)
Kyra (-20 hp; sanctuary)
Klatzu (83/88 hp)
Blue Stickman (-27 hp)
Crafty (0/44 hp; dying 2, prone, hands empty)
(Flame 37/42 hp)
Green Dwarf (-40 hp; frightened 1)

Kyra will heal Crafty unless something catastrophic happens.

If Kyra can't heal for some reason, let me know, otherwise we'll roll with this.

(◆) Move
(◆) Strike (Cold Iron Shield Spikes vs Green Flanked AC, will Hero Point if missed.: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26)
for (Damage Piercing Cold Iron: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 = 9)
(◆&F If Green alive:) Strike (Cold Iron Shield Spikes vs Green: 1d20 + 15 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 15 - 5 = 11)
for (Damage Piercing Cold Iron: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 6) + 4 = 16)
(Siva-Uncommanded Strike vs Blue Strike vs Twigjack AC, will hero point on miss if first strike vs Green was successful without Hero point.: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
for Damage Piercing: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 8) + 3 = 16)
(◆ If Green killed before Action 3:) Command an Animal ((◆) Strike v Blue Flanked AC using above roll, plus (◆) Strike vs Blue Flanked AC Strike vs Twigjack AC: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 12 - 4 = 21
for Damage Piercing: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 3) + 3 = 11)

"CLERIC! HEAL CRAFTMAN! CRAFTMASTER HAS OTHER WORK!" Trundling over the path, the goblin swings his shield around, attempting to rake the dwarf with its cold iron nails. "SIVA! FETCH THE STICK!" he shouts quickly, before quickly resuming his assualt to ensure the creature's defeat as Siva howls and rips into the remaining Twigjack.

Klatzu bashes the redcap with his cold iron girded shield. The fey's flesh steams where he was struck. Siva fetches the twigjack with such vigor that she completely dismantles it.

Kyra calls upon Sarenrae to heal the elven druid, restoring his body entirely. She then forgoes her sanctuary with only one, severely wounded foe left and standing before her. She cuts him down with her cold iron scimitar. For a moment, there is peace.

Status

TERRAIN: Green terrain is Difficult Terrain and Cover.

Niklaas (65/66 hp; heroism)
Kyra (-20 hp)
Klatzu (83/88 hp)
Crafty (44/44 hp; wounded 1, prone, hands empty)
(Flame 37/42 hp)

We're at 30% success with 7 days to go.
If you want to keep going, you can have 10 minutes to recover before another wave of enemies arrives.

Keep going IMO, Lay on Hands to boost and pass the healing Aid Token before refocusing. If it can be tossed to the 7-8 table, feel free to do so, otherwise if any other table is struggling with fights pass it to them.

“Heh heh heh – that wuz a real hoot!” Niklaas grinned, flicking the fey blood from his new blade, “Who’s up fer round two?!”

Turning to glance over his allies with a discerning eye, the elven tiefling narrowed his peepers at the cleric’s wounds… “Lookz like tha heala’ needz ta heal thy-selves, eh?”

Sheathing Cheryl, the rogue stepped up to Kyra with a glint of an abyssal smile playing across his ebon lips, “Well, don’t you worry, Kyra my girl – one good turn deserves anotha'! Nikky’s gotcha cova’d with his mundane magical atheistic healin’ hands of atheism!” Rubbing his hands together - then wiggling his spindly fingers for effect, Niklaas cackled, "Been meanin’ ta feel you up fer a while now anywayz! Whatcha like unda’ them robes, eh babe?!”

I’m up for more. Medicine check on Kyra I guess… And Niklaas isn’t actually going to feel Kyra up… much… He’s got his own girl back home to think about, after all! I'll assume Kyra will slap him in any case.

Medicine for Healing, DC20: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
Healing: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (6, 6) + 10 = 22

Good to continue

That was harsh for my old self, but I think I had enough energy in me to continue fighting the Monarch's forces.

Heal Animal: 3d8 + 24 ⇒ (8, 2, 6) + 24 = 40

After Niklaas tends to the bulk of Kyra's wounds (and Merisel swoops in to shank him in the back), Kyra infuses Sarenrae's life giving energy into everyone, making their bodies whole. She then tends to Crafty and makes him hale.

Soon you hear a loud buzzing and crunching sound. Something seems to be moving through the undergrowth and bringing down plants with each passing moment. However, two massive shadows emerge over the undergrowth. The shadows seem to shimmer but then you realize that they are massive swarms made of some type of insect.

Kyra calls the fire of the sun to burn away one of the swarms but her aim is horribly off. She moves back, hoping they are slower than she is.

Encounter! Round 1. Bold may act.

TERRAIN: Green terrain is Difficult Terrain and Cover.

Kyra
Niklaas
Crafty
Red Swarm
Blue Swarm
Klatzu (shield raised)

Too far from him to use his abilities, Crafty tries to remember something about the swarming creatures.

Recall Knowledge (+2 for animals): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Recognizing army ants he says These are swarms! We need to use area damages and be careful, once your under them, they continue to eat you after!

He then moves away and Flames follows.

FREAKIN’ SWARMS! IT ‘AD TA BE FREAKIN’ SWARMS!

Niklaas glanced about his surroundings – considering his options. He could try to climb a tree - but the swarms could probably climb trees too... For now, it might be best to simply spread out and see what poor saps the things targeted first. “Spread out boyz! No reason these things should catch two of us at once!” And to his blade, he added, “Sorry Cheryl – I think it’s time fer tha big gunz…"

-And so it was time to backpedal…

I have literally no idea what to do now… and my rogue is not built to fight swarms at all, sooo… I guess I’ll react defensively for the moment…? Niklaas will stride twice through the underbrush, and then drop Cheryl and assuming that swarms are no-longer immune to normal damage, Niklaas will also draw Shirley (that’s the +1 Striking Rapier for those at home).

@Niklaas swarm are not immune anymore to normal damages, they have DR and weakness to area damages and usually immunity to precision damages.

Fortunately for those able to recognize the approaching threat swiftly enough, the swarm of tiny ants are forced to climb over the densely packed plants, which slows them down. Unfortunately for Klatzu, he was not one of those people, and the swarms move toward him, climbing up Siva and into his armor.

Encounter! Round 1/2. Bold may act.

TERRAIN: Green terrain is Difficult Terrain and Cover.

Red Swarm
Blue Swarm
Klatzu (Basic Fortitude DC 20 vs. 6 damage; + fail adds Clumsy 1)
(Siva) (Basic Fortitude DC 20 vs. 6 damage; + fail adds Clumsy 1)
--2--
Kyra
Niklaas
Crafty

Crafty remembers that he is also an alchemist and draws a bottled lightning and throws it at the closest swarm.

Alchemical Bomb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 the target is flat-footed if hit
Electricity Damages, +1 Splash: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Then he commands Flame to attack the ants.

(◆) Interact
(◆) Ranged Strike
(◆) Command Animal

Flame jumps at his master order and bites as many ants he could!

RRRRRRRrrrrrr!!!

Bite vs FF AC: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
Damages, P + 1 Fire: 2d6 + 3 + 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3) + 3 + (4) + 1 = 15

(◆) Stride
(◆) Strike

Klatzu Fortitude: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Siva Fortitude: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

(F) Siva-Uncommanded Stride
(F) Drop Shield
(◆) Regrip Bastard Sword in two hands.
(◆) Weapon Surge
(◆) Strike (Bastard Sword vs Red: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22)
for (Damage Slashing: 3d12 + 4 ⇒ (9, 10, 1) + 4 = 24)

Klatzu's arch nemesis, fleas! Fiendish demon, pitting Klatzu against most dangerous adversary! Surrendering his shield to the swarm, the Goblin turns his efforts towards the swarm nearer his allies. "SIVA! PULL BACK! MILANI! LIBERATE ARMOR FROM CONSUMING FLEA TIDE!" As his sword unfolds into a massive, jagged sheet of steel, the Goblin smashes it into the swarm with all of his might with a look of unrivaled ferocity.

EDIT: If 22 is a miss, I'll hero point it. I don't know how bad Swarm AC is this edition.

Here goes nuthin’- Niklaas thought to himself as he dashed through the underbrush, raced through the mucky forest path, then skid to a halt, kicking up a spray of mud right before one of the swarms of biting insects. Twirling his rapier in the air and catching it blade down, Niklaas made a wide slash at the horde - rasping, “’Ight, ya stupid vermin – time ta meet ya exterminata’!”

Stride, Stride, Strike. Sounds like I can’t get any sneak attack in on these things – but I’ll roll it anyway just in case. If they’re immune, just ignore the last two dice rolled. Also, I will make the attack be slashing damage if it matters.

Strike with Gang Up Flanking, +1 Striking Shirley: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 194d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 2) + 4 = 15

Klatzu learns the hard way that these savage ants are difficult to escape. Siva retreats from the swarm, but Klatzu realizes that his armor has become infested. The ants continue to bite at him painfully as he strikes at the opposite swarm with an empowered blow (resist slashing 5). He seems to have shaken the ants out of his armor from the force of the blow.

Niklaas moves across the underbrush to swipe at the ants, just barely managing to connect with a significant mass of the ants (because swarms can be flanked, that hits, but they are immune to precision).

Flame pounces at the edge of the swarm, getting a painful mouth full of biting ants while Crafty throws a bottle of lightning into the middle of it. Numerous ants are burnt to a crisp and the rest of the swarm is momentarily disoriented.

Finding herself out of offensive magic, Kyra moves in to try to finish the faltering swarm, but her scimitar proves just as ineffective as other blades.

The swarms move in an apparently try to devour Kyra, Klatzu, and Siva.

Encounter! Round 2/3. Bold may act.

TERRAIN: Green terrain is Difficult Terrain and Cover.

Saving Throws for Klatzu and Siva
Basic Fortitude x 4 at DC 20
1. 13 hp, 2. 12 hp, 3. 7 hp, 4. 9 hp
Sorry.

Red Swarm (-54 hp; flat-footed x 1 round)
Blue Swarm (-6 hp)
Klatzu (77/88 hp)
(Siva 57/60 hp)
--3--
Kyra (-25 hp)
Niklaas
Crafty

Crafty draws his second bottle of lighting and throws it on the same swarm and then commands Flame to attack.

Lightning Bottle: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Damages E, +1Splash: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

(◆) Interact
(◆) Ranged Strike
(◆) Command Animal

Flame jumps at the ants and tries to bite some.

Bite vs FF AC: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Damages, P + 1F: 2d6 + 3 + 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 3 + (1) + 1 = 11

Sure glad those swarmin’ insects ain’t swarmin’ me… Niklaas thought, watching the goblin trash-heap and his massive mount getting overtaken. Can’t say I’m too keen on seein’ those thingz pick his corpse clean though… They’d probably be afta’ me next…

With that in mind, Niklaas pursued the swarm, shouting, “Don’t worry Scrapster! Nikki’s comin’!” as he furiously slashed at the insects all around the goblin tinker.

Stride, Strike, Strike at Red. If I kill red with the first strike, I’ll use my You’re Next reaction – just in the event that it might work. Then I’ll… raise shield…?

Strike 1 with Gang Up Flanking, +1 Striking Shirley: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 312d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 6) + 4 = 13

Strike 2 with Gang Up Flanking, +1 Striking Shirley: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 262d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 4) + 4 = 13

You’re Next!: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21

Klatzu Fortitude 13: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15
Klatzu Fortitude 12: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Klatzu Fortitude 7: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
Klatzu Fortitude 9: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
total: -35

Siva Fortitude 13: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Siva Fortitude 12: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Siva Fortitude 7: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
Siva Fortitude 9: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
total: -15

**If Red dies, redirect remaining attacks to Blue.
(R) (If I can AoO Red, use this roll, otherwise reduce damage to Siva by 8 with Liberating Step.) Strike (Bastard Sword vs Red: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16)
for (Damage Slashing: 2d12 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 = 11)
EDIT: that roll was terrible, if the AoO is allowed I will hero point that, especially since killing Red could save on a lot of dealt damage.

(◆) Dismount
(◆) Strike (Bastard Sword vs Flanked Red: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20)
for (Damage Slashing: 2d12 + 4 ⇒ (2, 6) + 4 = 12)
(◆) Strike (Bastard Sword vs Flanked Red: 1d20 + 15 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 15 - 5 = 24)
for (Damage Slashing: 2d12 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 = 9)
(F) Siva-Uncommanded Strike vs Flanked Red Strike vs Swarm AC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
for Damage Piercing: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 6) + 3 = 14)

At this point, Klatzu has abandoned all sense of moral righteousness and is ferally smashing the swarms while screaming incoherent platitudes to Milani.

**HOUSE GM ANNOUNCEMENT**

There is a strange sensation throughout the demiplane of tension being released. It’s as though the plane itself had been holding its breath for a long time and finally exhaled. The Thorned Monarch has fallen. Gregaro Voth, now freed from his planar prison, stands before the assembled group.

“Pathfinders, there are no words to thank you for coming to my rescue. I have talked with Venture-Captain Tolal, and I understand I’ve been trapped here for a great many years. Unfortunately, I cannot return with you to Absalom. If I leave this place, the weight of time would suddenly bear down upon me, and I would immediately die. So, I shall remain here, though I imagine I can make this a more palatable prison.”

Voth, still wearing the crown, looks around him, and the landscape suddenly changes. In an instant, where before there was a copse of trees, there now stands a brand-new Pathfinder lodge with sprawling grounds. The scene is beautiful, with dozens of small buildings dotted across a verdant landscape complete with tall trees, colorful flowers, and chirping birds. “I suppose the adventure can come to me! Please, Pathfinders, stay and enjoy a well-deserved rest. Tell me of all the journeys you’ve taken and the discoveries that you’ve made!”

---

After a full night’s rest, though perhaps with a few odd dreams, Oraiah Tolal and Gregaro Voth ask everyone to meet the next morning. Agents assemble in a garden on the new lodge’s grounds.

Gregaro Voth begins, “Pathfinders, you have done amazing work, defeating the Thorned Monarch and his forces after making the arduous journey out here.” Oraiah Tolal continues, “But if Aleta smiles upon our work, you will have a much easier journey home.” Together, they cast a spell, and a shimmering archway appears. After a few moments, Master of Spells Sorrina Westyr and Decemvirate member Eliza Petulengro walk through. Westyr exclaims happily, “Well done, Pathfinders, all of you!” Petulengro explains more. “We’ve established a link between this new lodge and the Maze of the Open Road, a hedge maze and portal network that used to be carefully restricted by the Decemvirate. The Decemvirate is planning to add new nodes to the maze, allowing Pathfinders to swiftly travel to places far from the Society’s current reach. And so, if you are ready to go home, please follow me. You have more than earned a swift trip home!” Petulengro and Westyr lead the way through the portal, into the maze, and through another archway that leads straight back to the Grand Lodge.

That’s the end! Thank you for all your hard work, GMs, and thanks to everyone for playing!