PFS2 1-22 Doom of Cassomir (Inactive)

Game Master DoubleGold

Rout attempts to trick someone into revealing information about Reast:

Deception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

He uses his knowledge of the occult to try to find out more about Grim moon:

Occultism: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

And finally observes what he can about Guiding Light:

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

And ends up feeling a little useless...

Teneal uses his charm to try and get folks talking about Reast while watching the Guiding Light. Unfortunately he spends a little more time watching the Light as opposed to talking. Afterwards he checks a small journal he cares with for any notes on Occultism that could help.

Deception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Occultism: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Some of you gather wrong information, but some of you gather the correct info to override that. In fact, you crit successed each one.

When the prophet Ahksiva walks through Admiral’s Fen, no mud or dirt stains her robes. She is often described as walking out of Blackwood Swamp and into Admiral’s Fen.
Reast Mycer was formerly a cleric of Aroden. Even in the clergy’s shrunken numbers, he never stood out. He abandoned the faith after Ahksiva challenged its leaders to religious debate. Reast is now devoted to Groetus and manages the day-to-day problems of the growing faith.

You recognize two set of lingering magical auras leading away from the building and out of town. One of the auras is from the same divine caster who placed Groetus’s blessing over Guiding Light. The second aura is remarkably different, occult with a monstrous energy.
The enchantment effect over the sinking temple is
directly tied to Groetus. Creatures within the structure are
weakened unless they have a devotion to Groetus.

The PCs notice that some members of the cult greet each other by cupping their hands together and bowing. This is gesture is specific to Groetus’s Chosen and is used by members to recognize one another.
Several people come in and out of Guiding Light throughout the day. Most leave and return hours later carrying weapons or food. The PCs can surmise somewhere between four to seven people have taken to living within the temple.

Next section, Joining the Flock
The PCs can choose to either attempt to infiltrate the
gathering or observe from the safety of some nearby
ruins, but either way, they have to pass by Ahksiva’s
magical precautions. At least one of you must roll perception or occultism. DC is 15. Failures are bad even if one of you fails. So if you have rerolls (Hero points, T-shirts), use them. Or don't roll if you don't have a good chance to beat that 15. Heads up the next set of checks, not posted yet, everyone has to roll. Crit successes on both this check and the upcoming checks are awesome if you think they are worth the gamble and only one of you made a success

Rout has either a +5 or a +4 in those checks... guessing someone can beat that.

Perception is +6 here... anyone have better?

Milo has two clues that both point to the temple, a holy symbol and a pamphlet. He pursues a lead on both. Based on current information the pamphlet points to the prophet while the holy symbol points to the unknown assialant that burned down King's Closet, although it is possible that they are one and the same.

This should give me a +1 to this check. If someone else wants to make a check Milo can use Clue In to give them a +1 to their check.

Milo spends some time studying the available clues before deciding on a course of action. The occult knowledge gained through the study of his curse provides him with some insight into the nature of the cult.

occultism-pursuing a lead: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 = 14

Hero point reroll

occultism-pursuing a lead: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 = 12

Unfortunately much of his knowledge pertains to Mwangi cannibal cults and proves ineffective here.

Looks like you're up Eltis

Eltis will try to figure out what the problem might b e using the old mark I eyeball...
perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Eh....might make it. a reroll will probably be lower, knowing my luck...

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 ugh

Reroll: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

"Hmm...The chosen seem to cup their hands and bow. We should probably do the same in order to gain access to their inner circle. What do you say my friends? Does deception over stealth seem agreeable?"

"Not that it matters much anyway. This is clearly a suicide mission."

Rout enjoys both... Er, Rout is good with either way.

I am not an excessively deceptive Kobold, much to my families' dismay, but I will go with your lead."

"I can act as your 'bodyguard,'" says Brondulf. "Guess I can throw in a bow and a hand gesture or two."

"It's settled then. Okay everyone put on your evil cultist face and we'll head inside. Keep in mind that many of the parishioners are likely to be dupes and not actually wise to the evil plot so try to go easy on them if things go poorly."

"It's settled then. Okay everyone put on your evil cultist face and we'll head inside. Keep in mind that many of the parishioners are likely to be dupes and not actually wise to the evil plot so try to go easy on them if things go poorly."

"Right. Only kill them a little bit."

Pathfinders notice an eyeball tucked away into the corner of a building, the eye gazing fixedly upon the entrance to Guiding Light. A thin, spidery strip of muscle holds the eyeball to the ceiling. If the eye is removed, it quickly deflates and shrivels, and Ahksiva never notices the Pathfinders through her magic.

Some of you do fail though and walk in front of the swine scope only too realize it to late. Nothing bad has happened yet though.

You all have two options and you can split the party. You will be in the same combat together, the difference is the starting point, a difference of 40 to 60 feet. Your failure from above does affect these checks/combat about to happen in some way. Failure below also affects your starting position. Your still within two to three moves of everyone though.
All must attempt a check below

Blend in with the Guiding Light? Deception or Religion. You did witness a hand gesture, so you get a +2 to this check.

Spying from High Noon? Stealth or Athletics to climb up to a high advantage point.

Eltis whispers to the group, "Split or stay together?"

Thankfully his religion and stealth are the same bonus so... he'll go with the majority.

rel or stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

These dice...Now, to hero point that or save it? I guess i'll hero point it.

reroll: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Meh, as expected, a waste of a hero point...

Eltis whispers to the group, "Split or stay together?"

Thankfully his religion and stealth are the same bonus so... he'll go with the majority.

These dice...Now, to hero point that or save it? I guess i'll hero point it.

Meh, as expected, a waste of a hero point...

"Never split the party," says Bron. "There's less ale that way. Heh."

Athletics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Hero point: Athletics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

religion using hand gesture: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 2 = 24

"The end is inevitable. We shall all perish and the Harbinger of Last Days shall wipe the slate clean."

Oddly, Milo seems surprisingly well suited to be a cultist of Groetus.

Unclear on which way we're going with this, then? Eltis went either way, Bron went Spying, Milo went Blending...
Here's a roll on Athletics, but I'm also of the mind that sticking together is always wise:

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Some of you get into the temple and hear Reast Myer's speech. Others of you are well hidden and listen from a distance.

“Good people of Admiral’s Fen, it is an honor to be among you
tonight! I grew up in this neighborhood, raised in this very
temple by clerics who clung to the hope that Aroden would
return and save us all from this nightmare. But as Ahksiva has
taught me and will teach you all, Aroden is not coming back.
The clerics? They will not tell you this. The rulers? They
don’t want you to know. They would all rather you live and die
in ignorance and fear rather than learn the truth. The truth is
that this world is ending. There’s not much time left.
But rejoice, for Aroden has not truly died, he has joined
with Groetus! Aroden saw our world’s end, but in his wisdom,
he understood the only way out was through. Groetus is not
the end, but the beginning! After the apocalypse, Groetus will
create a new world. A perfect paradise where the mistakes
made in this world can be amended. Those who assisted in
creating Groetus’s new world will be elevated to the position
of gods and will rule alongside Aroden over paradise.
This future is within our grasp, but we can’t idly wait for it
to happen! Every day, Blackwood Swamp drowns Admiral’s
Fen so that the swamp may be whole again. We must be as
the swamp and drown out the world so that something new
may grow in its place. When we are made gods, none can
judge us.”
Too tired right now to get map up and start combat, so giving people a few hours to roleplay and react to the speech, then combat happens in the morning.

Listening intently from a distance, Teneal grows more disturbed with each passage and the looks from their crowd to their prophet. Whispering to his companions, "I think that this type of cult is best dealt with directly and harshly."

Carefully adjusting, Teneal frees his mace from his robes and prepares for their first use of force.

Teneal didn't roll, so I started you outside the building
Most of you hide, while Milo infilitrates the area.

Rout and Brandolf are well hidden. Which means they would be flat footed to you first round. Eltis is spotted.
Those on the roof, yes you can snipe them into the temple, there is no roof on the temple, but they will have small cover +1. But they are also flat footed on round 1 for those who made the check, -2 AC

Heroes manage to catch the cultist offguard and they are recognized late. Giving them massive negatives to their initiaves. Reast is the one with the staff and he has four cultists.
All heroes are up. Map is up

Eltis looks down and whispers, "Well, Milo may get his wish. Target the ones nearest him if you can."

He then makes a few gestures and Bron and Rout feel a bit blessed and enhanced.

Bless, currently 5' radius, Rout and Bron get an additional +1 to hit...

He'll then take a shot at (white) with his hand crossbow/
hand crossbow: 1d20 + 6 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 - 2 - 1 = 6
p damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Bron unslings his bow and fires at the near cultist (red).

shortbow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21Damage (P): 1d6 ⇒ 6

Milo sighs.

"My curse strikes me down once again."

Imagining the myriad possibilities in his head Milo quickly plots his best course of action.

devise a stratagem vs blue: 1d20 ⇒ 13

He heads toward the fireplace, stopping briefly to throw a punch at a nearby cultist before turning and heading behind the decrepit bar.

Using that 13 against the blue cultist gets a 20 to hit
damage-bludgeoning-nonlethal-strategic strike: 1d4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (2) = 7

I'm assuming the cult is the subject of one of my leads via the pamphlet so I can devise a stratagem as a free action.

Devise a stratagem, stride, strike, stride

devise a stragagem

Strategic strike

@Bron
It looks like you only took two actions, ◆ Interact-draw weapon, and ◆ strike. You should have one action remaining.

@Bron

It looks like you only took two actions, ◆ Interact-draw weapon, and ◆ strike. You should have one action remaining.

Good point. PF1 thinking.

Bron shoots a second time!

shortbow second attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 Damage (P): 1d6 ⇒ 1

Probably should have went Deception, don't really have any ranged weapons.

Rout wonders where Milo went...

Rout attempts to climb back down...
Athletics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

...and sneak inside.

Stealth is +6, believe that's a GM roll, have Very Sneaky for +5 to movement while sneaking.

Climb, Sneak, Sneak

Teneal hurries across the square and up the steps to get a better view of what Bron and the others are targeting. As good measure, he gestures and speaks, producing an invisible shield for added protection.

Stride, Stride, Cast Shield Spell
+1 AC

Brandulf hits red in the chest
while Milo also strikes blue in the chest
Others miss
Rout is well hidden.

All cultists go into a frenzy and step into melee with someone each using up two of their actions.

hit milo: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13
hit milo: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 You have soft cover from the bar, +1 AC, but he's in a frenzy, +1 to hit, cancel each other out.

hit Rout: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 = 25
hit Rout: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 = 12 Rout, you were hidden, but that is the direction they are headed anyway. If you were in any square except that one, you'd still be hidden, even just 1 square south or north, they'd still not see you, but now you are in their way, cause they are headed out the door to hit the others.

Rout is hit once dmg: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Reast says Rout and Teneal fail a will saving throw. DC 18
All heroes are up

Brondulf runs along the rooftop and JUMPS! to the nearby building, landing a few feet from the red cultist. He charges up and swings his battleaxe, which he drew as he ran!

Sudden Charge

@RED CULTIST Axe: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24 Dmg (S): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

And then he sweeps his axe towards the white cultist!

@WHITE CULTIST Sweep Axe: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 1 = 23 Dmg (S): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Almost cornered Milo ponders his actions.

Devise a Stratagem vs blue: 1d20 ⇒ 19

He decides a quick kick to the crotch is his best option.

19+7 vs blue gets a 26. almost certainly a crit

damage-bludgeoning-nonlethal-strategic strike: 1d4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 1 + (5) = 8

I'm assuming that 26 was a crit and 16 points of damage drops him.

Milo grimaces at the poor cultist in front of him.

"Sorry about that."

He then retreats to the back corner of the temple.

◇ Devise a stratagem, ◆ strike-kick, ◆ stride, ◆ stride

"Well, looks like we're getting closer..."
Eltis climbs down and moves in with the group. With a thought the radius of his spell extends...
stride, stride, concentrate to extend the radius of Bless to 10' Everyone within 10' adds +1 to hit...

GM, not sure from your post if we need to make a Will save or if you rolled it and we failed? And if we failed, the consequences? Here's a roll if needed:

Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 That fails, but I'm not sure the result, so modify the following as necessary...

Rout growls and attacks one of the cultists near him.

Vs. white if still alive, red if not

Demoralize, Intimidating Glare
Intimidation: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 1 = 11 dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Attack 2: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 1 - 5 = 20 dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

If his attack kills, triggers You're Next, on white/red if still alive, if both dead on Reast if we can see each other.

Intimidation: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 2 = 17

Demoralize, Attack, Attack

Will Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 Assuming a pass on will save and moving past Rout and Bron's handiwork. I'll risk a AOO if they have that ability

Teneal shrugs away whatever affect was seeking his mind and pushes past the doorway to attack the false prophet. His first swing in anger for the Pathfinders is off balance and poor, so he resets his invisible shield.

Mace Strike: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 91d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Stride, Strike, Raise Shield

Rout, fail me a will saving throw is what my tabletop DM would always say to us. Because 9 times out of 10 when he said make me a will save, we made it, so he'd say fail it, so we'd fail it.

Teneal misses
Milo does crit the cultist the punch in the face does drop him.
Eltis blesses everyone.
Rout is under the effect of Bane
Brandolf does strike red and white pretty well.
Rout, though baned, still hits white in the lungs and finishes him off.
And does intimidate red.

Yellow if forced to follow Milo hit: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 1 = 23
Red strikes Rout hit: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 1 - 1 = 19
hit: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 5 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 1 - 5 - 1 = 17
hit: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 5 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 - 5 - 1 = 12
Reast concentrates on bane and does channel smite hit: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Milo is hit oncedmg: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Rout is hit once dmg: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Reast is hit with a channel smite dmg: 1d6 + 6 + 1d8 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (7) = 18 Blunt damage and the last d8 is negative damage. All heroes are up

Current HP: 11/24

So, I gather Bless and Bane are cancelling each other out?

Attack on Red: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Attack on Red: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 5 = 5 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Rout yells in the cultist's face channeling his frustration.
Intimidation: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Eltis reaches out to touch Rout..
healing: 1d8 ⇒ 7

He then moves to support Milo, walking right past Red...

One action Heal spell, stride x2

Milo ponders the best action to take against the cultist in front of him.

devise a stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 8

8+7=15 to hit vs yellow

damage-bludgeoning-nonlethal-strategic strike: 1d4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (6) = 10

After his attack Milo retreats once again.

◇ Devise a Stratagem, ◆ Strike, ◆ Stride, ◆ Stride

Milo hits the cultist well, and it hurts, while Eltis heals Rout and Rout misses.
Teneal is up

Teneal attempts to land a blow on the priest but can’t seem to manage to gain control of his weapon and dejectedly raises his invisible shield.

Mace: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 81d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Mace: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 91d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

strike, strike, raise shield

Bron looks at the cultist before him... and swings his axe!

Axe: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 Dmg (S): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Axe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 Dmg (S): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Axe: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12 Dmg (S): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

If the second strike kills the cultist, Bron will move to support Teneal.

Teneal misses, while Brondulf sticks an axe in red's other leg this time.

The cultists all go hit: 7 + 2 + 1d20 ⇒ 7 + 2 + (7) = 16 vs Brandulf
hit: 7 + 2 + 1d20 - 5 ⇒ 7 + 2 + (20) - 5 = 24 vs Brandulf
hit: 7 + 2 + 1d20 - 10 ⇒ 7 + 2 + (9) - 10 = 8 vs Brandulf

Yellow has to move hit: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 = 24 vs Milo
hit: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 = 10 vs Milo

Reast will concentrate on bane and cast forbidding ward against Milo.

Teneal I messed up. When I said Reast was hit with that 18 damage, I meant you. That being said, you can change your action, as you are currently down.

Brondulf was crit once dmg: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 that damage is doubled
dmg: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 damage on Milo
All heroes are up

Hmm.. If I'm reading this right We have two down, Mil and Teneal. I'm right beside Milo so i'll heal him this round and head to Teneal the next...

Eltis reaches out to touch Milo..
healing: 1d8 ⇒ 5

He then tries to hit the cultist threatening them with a Divine Lance.
spell attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Good damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Eltis heals Milo and stabs the cultist in the thigh.

Teneal lays at the feet of the steps but manages to stabilize.

Recovery Check: 1d20 ⇒ 18