GM Aldizog's PF1 Core 5-02 Wardstone Patrol (3-7) (Gameday IX) (Inactive)

Game Master Aldizog

Opening the Gameplay thread.

Mendev’s Pathfinder lodge in the capital city of Nerosyan is housed within Starrise Spire, a defensive tower in the outer wall whose pinnacle glows with celestial light that shines out like a beacon, simultaneously giving comfort to Nerosyan’s defenders and acting as a warning to any who might wish the city harm.

Venture-Captain Jorsal of Lauterbury calls a short meeting on a covered balcony overlooking the city. A middle-aged Mwangi man with greying hair, he closes the door to the spire’s interior and takes a seat in one of the set-up camp chairs, gesturing for his guests to do the same.
“We Pathfinders of Mendev,” he states, making a sweeping hand gesture that encompasses everyone present, “have our own agendas, but these must sometimes give way to the greater need: the protection of this land and its people from the horrors that dwell in the Worldwound.

“We are here by the grace of her majesty, Queen Galfrey of Mendev. Without her support, we would surely be run out of town by Hulrun’s more fervent followers. Our agreement with her states that all Pathfinders are required to volunteer some of their time in the defense of the realm. As relative newcomers, I’ve recommended you to take part in a minor military mission under the command of a veteran crusader named Sir Ilivan of Erages. Although he is not a Pathfinder, you would be wise to follow his advice, as he has been fighting the Abyssal spawn
longer than some of you have been alive. I expect you will give him the respect he deserves.”

Venture-Captain Jorsal stands and opens the heavy wooden door leading back into the lodge, revealing a tall half-elven man clad in heavy plate armor, wearing a red tabard typical of the Mendevian Crusaders, and carrying a cavalry helmet in his left hand. He gives a professional nod to Jorsal before striding to the front of the group, surveying everyone with poorly disguised disappointment.

“Pathfinders,” he barks in quick staccato without further preamble, “our mission is simple. The recent attacks on the wardstones have compromised our defenses, and the enemy presses its advantage. We have received word of attacks on Fort Portolmaeus to the north, but the crusader leadership suspects that other parts of the line may have been breached as well. We will proceed to Fort Portolmaeus tomorrow morning on horseback to assess the damage, using the passphrase ‘That the Black Prince might be redeemed’ to permit us entry. On the way there, we will scout for enemy movements and other signs of demon activity. Once we have completed our assessment, we are to return to Nerosyan and you will be relieved of your obligations to the Crown. Do you have any questions?”

For the following, make one check, and open any spoilers that you succeed at.

And another single check for this information on Sir Ilivan.

A young tian woman with several tattoos bows her head toward the officers. Addressing the crusader, "Sir Ilivan, my weapon is enchanted cold iron. Will it be enough to pierce the skin of the monsters from the Worldwound?"

Sir Ilivan looks the young woman up and down. His eyes linger on the tattoos for just a moment, perhaps simple curiosity. "For the most part, yes. Some of the greater demons need blessed weapons to effectively harm them, or even blessed cold iron weapons, but the lesser ones should be vulnerable to your blade. You may wish to procure an oil of Align Weapon just in case."

She offers a curt nod of acceptance at the advice, but otherwise remains silent.

Worldwound {Local}: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Sir Ilivan {Local}: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

The large human enters the room with a swagger. He didn’t have any armor, but he did have several weapons slung at his side.

He nodded at the others before the briefing, and listened intently after that.

Know History 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

He related what he knew about the area. ”The Crusaders started the war about a century ago. Iomedae led them to an early victory. The ward stones were built in the second go round. They are strong at keeping the demons out. They kept the WorldWound from expanding much at all for a long time.”

Kn History, Worldwound Info: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Kn Local, Sir Ilivan: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

"Interesting. I always wanted a chance to perambulate the area. My lore on this area is severely limited. I shall prepare battle spells, of course, and my main focus will be on the mission, but I do hope there will be time for investigation."

Silgil, in spite of his scholarly tone, is armed with a battle axe of fine dwarven craftsmanship. Other than that, though, he has all the earmarks of a wizard and an impressive array of scrolls situated strategically around his waist attached to his belt.

Silgil will cast an extended mage armor on himself when they set out.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Dimplomacy (gather info): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

”The Crusaders started the war about a century ago. Iomedae led them to an early victory. The ward stones were built in the second go round. They are strong at keeping the demons out. They kept the WorldWound from expanding much at all for a long time.”

"But the wardstones recently failed! That's what I was told, anyway. Of course, demonic influence would be expected!" The small gnome gives off an air of shyness, that is betrayed by her near-constant rambling chatter. She turns to Sir Ilivan as she continues seemingly without a stop. "I heard that you used to be a smuggler, but now you were personally knighted by the Queen! That's soooo cool! Is it true that you grew up in Kyonin? I did too! I grew up in Omesta--I guess you'd probably guess that, right? Did you really get kicked out of Kyonin for slapping an elven officer, you a half-elf and all?"

ithindar is not a well instructed man he only know the path of sword and the code of war

"If they need us is our fate to go as fast as we can or we lost all the glory and diversion"

She turns to Sir Ilivan as she continues seemingly without a stop. "I heard that you used to be a smuggler, but now you were personally knighted by the Queen! That's soooo cool! Is it true that you grew up in Kyonin? I did too! I grew up in Omesta--I guess you'd probably guess that, right? Did you really get kicked out of Kyonin for slapping an elven officer, you a half-elf and all?"

Ny'a Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Ny'a manages to get Sir Ilivan to Friendly for the time being, which is good considering her rather forward remarks.

The half-elven warrior looks slightly amused. He sees the sword-and-sunburst holy symbol and nods. "A Gnome champion of the human Inheritor goddess, hailing from the Elven lands. How interesting. Yes, I am from Kyonin, and I know of Omesta."
His voice turns harder. "But you heard incorrectly. While it true I was removed from the Kyonin military, I chose to leave the Elven nation because of the lack of respect given to my people. I chose exile, and I have no interest in returning to that land."

Will move the adventure along this evening.

"A Gnome champion of the human Inheritor goddess, hailing from the Elven lands. How interesting."

"Anything to prevent the bleaching, right? And if my path serves the good of Golarion, all the better!"

@Jack Churchill, please post so we know you are here.

"Anything else? You are all prepared?" Sir Ilivan asks gruffly.
"I would suggest that you each buy a cold iron weapon and cold weather outfit. It drops below freezing at night.
Furthermore, the Mendevian Crown has granted each of you the use of a horse or pony. These are not warhorses, but they are fully equipped. Ny'a, I see you have a riding dog. Good. Mounts will let us move faster on our patrol. I don't want to be waiting for some laggard trundling along behind." He gives a particular glare to Silgil.
And it looks like Jack has an axebeak when he checks in. The rest of you get a light, non-combat-trained horse or pony, a saddle, bit and bridle, and saddlebags filled with two days of feed.
"If you wish a combat-trained mount, you can buy one.
We head out for Fort Portolmaeus in the morning, along the River Road."

Jack nods stoically.

"I am a soldier by profession; I came prepared. I already have cold iron arrows; silver ones too, just in case..."

Pau nodded. He had the cold iron weapon part covered, but needed to buy some cold weather gear. ”At least there’s shouldn’t be any floods this time. I can take the cold, but floods and magical foxes, yeesh,” he groans about his pat mission.

Ill remove the gold for the cold weather gear from his sheet, GM.

Ny'a follows Sir Ilivan's advice, promptly visiting local merchants to pick up a few items.

masterwork cold iron morningstar (316 gp)
- selling morningstar (8 gp > -4 gp)
oil of align weapon (300 gp)
cold weather outfit (8 gp)

Wraith follows Pau and Ny'a to the merchants.

Cold weather gear and Align Weapon. I will mark it off

Good thinking, Ny’a. Pau will pick up 2 oils of align weapon as well. Gold marked off sheet.

Actually, Bless Weapon is cheaper, so I will go with that instead.

Actually, Bless Weapon is cheaper, so I will go with that instead.

Good catch; Ny'a will do the same:

masterwork cold iron morningstar (316 gp)
- selling morningstar (8 gp > -4 gp)
oil of bless weapon (50 gp)
cold weather outfit (8 gp)

With a miffed air, Silgil replies "In spite of the stereotype, there ARE dwarves that can ride. I'm not particularly good at it, but I'm sure I can manage."

"If we are leaving today, I can use a scroll to cast a spell to provide warmth for myself. Otherwise I can prepare the spell."

Unable to resist a jab in return he adds, with bushy eyebrows raised, "You are acquainted with how spells function?"

The half-elf glares at Silgil.
"You have short legs, dwarf. You would slow us down if you did not ride. That is a simple fact, nothing to take offense at.
At least the gnome came prepared with a mount. Fortunately, the Mendevian Crown will help compensate for your lack of planning."

I think Silgil is the only one with 20' move, hence he got singled out. And yes, this guy has a bit of an attitude.

Silgil throws him a big grin in reply.

"Oh, ho! So you have thin, tender sensitive elf skin do you? That's OK. Not everyone can be a spell caster. I suppose your rudeness is a compensation mechanism."

i spent gold to buy cold proof vestment and oil of bless weapon

" Guys time to move"

Silgil throws him a big grin in reply.

"Oh, ho! So you have thin, tender sensitive elf skin do you? That's OK. Not everyone can be a spell caster. I suppose your rudeness is a compensation mechanism."

Sir Ilivan does not grin in response. Not in the slightest.

He is not joking with you, he is not making fun little jabs, and he sounds deadly serious as he responds icily, "Some of your comrades, dwarf, also lack magic. Did you mean to insult them too? Your 'wit' reflects poorly on the Society.
I can assure you, there are none in the Worldwound or in Mendev who would mistake me for being sensitive. At all.
The needs of our mission are my priority. To the extent any of you hinder our mission, I will point that out. I take no pleasure in doing so, and I derive no satisfaction from mocking anybody, but illustrating and correcting shortcomings is necessary to ensure our success."

There is a reason why I am continuing with this exchange... how you relate to Sir Ilivan matters a lot for this scenario, and there is a reason why he is the way he is. Very much an RP challenge that the party can go different directions with.
I am not just messing with Silgil. This interaction is part of the plot and affects the scenario outcome.

---

The patrol takes you along the River Road, a normally well-used thoroughfare that follows the eastern bank of the West Sellen River. It remains within sight of the river throughout most of the journey to Fort Portolmaeus, traveling inland for a few miles past the abandoned village of Bedis. Because of the recent increase in demon sightings, you and Sir Ilivan are the only travelers along this route today.

PFS scenarios are not great about stipulating travel time, despite PCs' fondness for buffs. It is 28 miles to Fort Portolmaeus, and this location is described as a rest stop, so I will say it is halfway. At least some of the horses are at Medium load, for 35' movement, or conveniently 28 miles per day. So it has been 4 hours, and Silgil's Mage Armor is still active.

Sir Ilivan rides a formidable-looking warhorse, whom you hear him call "Hannah."

Sir Ilivan turns off of the River Road onto a small, overgrown path that cuts through drooping evergreens.
"A long-abandoned village lies ahead. The enemy has used it as a staging ground in the past."
He dismounts and ties his horse to a tree, motioning for you to do the same.

"The path to the village is overgrown. If we should find battle, a horse’s tack will only get caught in the foliage."

Let me know if you each comply with his directions.

He leads you as quietly as he can up a nearby hill dotted with gnarled apple trees. Just before reaching the top of the hill, he motions for you drop prone and crawl the rest of the way, for stealth.

Arrange yourselves on the hill in the NW corner of Slide 2. I will assume you are all dismounted and prone for stealth unless you say otherwise.

An abandoned village lies at the foot of the hill on the banks of the West Sellen River, its decaying structures slowly melting back into the landscape. Between the hill and the village proper lie flooded fields sectioned off by raised, earthen walkways that converge on a larger, dry area.

A group of six Mendevian commoners have assembled on the larger, open dry patch in the middle of the fields. Two lie on the ground in obvious pain, while the rest stand in a circle, holding threshes, spades, pitchforks, and other farming implements. A small heap of bodies, dead by all appearances, lies near them.

Will give you all a chance to take it in before I move things along.

Wraith follows Ilivan's directions to letter. Finally, someone from Society leadership who is professional and direct. The fact that he is not afraid to come into the field is also a welcome break from tradition.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Being unfamiliar with the local population, the ninja looks toward their advisor for clues about the situation unfolding below.

"We are here by the grace of her majesty, Queen Galfrey of Mendev. Without her support, we would surely be run out of town by Hulrun’s more fervent followers. Our agreement with her states that all Pathfinders are required to volunteer some of their time in the defense of the realm. As relative newcomers, I’ve recommended you to take part in a minor military mission under the command of a veteran crusader named Sir Ilivan of Erages. Although he is not a Pathfinder, you would be wise to follow his advice, as he has been fighting the Abyssal spawn longer than some of you have been alive. I expect you will give him the respect he deserves."

@Wraith - just FYI, Sir Ilivan is a local military leader in the Mendevian Crusade against the demons of the Worldwound. He is not a Pathfinder, but the one who is - Venture-Captain Jorsal - assigned you to work with Sir Ilivan on this misson.

Oh, I know. But Wraith has never had anyone from a mission briefing join a team in the field. I was simply trying to demonstrate her growing respect for this man.

Ny'a ties up her dog near the horses; she still preferred to use the mount in combat, charging with her lance, but Sir Ilivan had definitely demonstrated his seriousness, and Ny'a wasn't going to challenge him on this point.

Pau pulls his wand of mage armor and asks someone in the group to use it on him. He also ties off his horse and joins the others in. Stealthily observing the scene.

Jack follows Sir Ilivan's instructions to the letter.

Getting oneself killed on a mission compromises its chances of success. The man may be cold, but he has managed to survive, which means he is worthy of at least some respect... and I am not exactly great at coming across all friendly-like, either...

Silgil follows the instructions too. The man has no sense of humor and seems to have quite the chip on his shoulder, but that's OK. Silgil is confident of his abilities and had he needed a horse, he would have conjured one.

He ties off the horse and joins the others in the slow crawl.

One of the corpses in the pile begins to move.
With jerky and halting movements, it lurches to its feet and stands near the other figures.

Knowledge (Planes) Silgil: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Knowledge (Planes) Sir Ilivan: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Nothing to see here...

Two of the villagers (Black and Grey) don't react at all as the recently-dead figure (Red) joins them.

Two cringe in terror (Blue and Green), as do the ones on the ground (Yellow and White).

The ones that did not react prod the others, raising their weapons threateningly.
The terrified villagers (Blue and Green) flinch and nod, then begin to strike at their prone neighbors (Yellow and White).
One lands a blow with a scythe on the leg of the man at his feet, who howls in pain. The other misses her target with a threshing flail.

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 18
Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

The prone villagers scream and beg of their assailants, "Please, no! You don't have to do this! Martis! Jarron! Let us go!"

Sir Ilivan looks at the scene.
"Cultists, maybe. Not our mission. Let's get out of here. Back to the horses."

Your choices here:
1) Leave the scene as he says;
2) Ignore him and try to save the commoners;
3) Try to Intimidate him to change his mind;
4) Try to Diplomacy him to change his mind;
5) Something else.
Each of these has different consequences for the scenario outcome.
There is little opportunity to discuss this in character, so just post what your character does. If you wish to discuss the proper course of action among yourselves, that happens in character, in front of Sir Ilivan, and takes time.

We are in rounds. If other PCs' choices change the situation or what you would like to do after you have posted, you can take a different action next round.
For this encounter, either Diplomacy or Intimidate takes only one round rather than one minute.
Going back, getting your mounts, and getting back to the hilltop will take 2 rounds (there is no actual mechanic for the tack getting tangled in the brush, so I'll just ignore that).

Pau isn’t going to stand around while people are being murdered. He jumps up from his prone position, and runs toward the fight.

Would someone move Pau on the map? Thanks.

So that puts you about 30' from the group, right? Are you running straight through the flooded fields or are you using the land bridges?

"Damn. they were obviously protecting themselves from something, probably in the water, and that idiot Pao is about to find out what. Maybe they even conjured it and it got out of control."

Silgil casts a haste spell at the first opportunity, without his traditional "Go get'em, boys!" quip on everyone except Pao who runs out of range. Besides, he can only aid 6 people anyway.

"No!" Ny'a exclaims, in a hissing whisper. "You can't seriously be expecting one of The Inheritor's own to walk past this! I'm right behind Pau, and you should be too. The only way we get out of here quickly is if we get this over with quickly. Here's the scene: you have unruly Pathfinders disobeying orders... how are you going to get them back on track? Help them do what they have to do. Let's go!"

Ny'a scrambles to her feet; for the moment her eyes remain on Sir Ilivan, to see what the crusader will do, but it's easy to see that her mind is already rushing after Pau.

@Pau, I have moved you.
The shallow water (light green) is difficult terrain. The deeper water (dark green) requires Swim checks. The causeways require Acrobatics checks to leap across the gaps (or else take the difficult terrain in between).
Given that the Acrobatics checks are to jump and you have monk speed, I'm going to interpret your 'run towards the fight' as I think you intend it. If I am mistaken, feel free to change. But this should put you in range of a move+attack next round.

Pau Acrobatics to Jump: 1d20 + 11 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 8 = 36
The monk barrels down the hill and leaps over the water onto the causeway.

Sir Ilivan starts cursing out Pau and Silgil for disobeying orders, before Ny'a startles him with her words. He looks shaken.
"We can't help them... but you care, don't you? You're really going to try? Just more casualties, but they aren't that to you?"

He remains where he is, but goes silent and looks troubled.

@Silgil, I assume you stand up as well.

Round 1
Pau
Silgil
Ny'a
Jack
Wraith
Ithindar
Monsters
Villagers

Perfect interpretation of my action, GM!

Along with the others, Wraith races into action. She heads for the causeway, leaping over the small breaks in the surface.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Also phone bound at the moment. Double move please and thank you.

After the others race off, then Silgil stands but does not move forward. He remains behind with the recalcitrant knight in case he needs help.

"It is their way. Pathfinders tend to rush into battle. Not me, of course, but most do."

Jack responds by drawing his bow.

Ithindar takes his bow " I dont let that normal people die" and takes his bow

Jack, standing is a move action, and then drawing your bow is an action that you can combine with another move, if you wish to be closer to the action. Or you can remain where you are. Your choice.

I have moved Wraith. Although you get only a single move action (standing from prone was the other), you are Hasted so can easily be where Pau is.

The two terrified villagers move towards you, weapons at the ready.

The three other figures chant and wave their arms. Three Flaming Spheres appear and fly at Pau, Wraith, and Ithindar!

The two nimblest Pathfinders dodge the flames, but Ithindar is burned.

Pau Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Wraith Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Ithindar Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 4) = 12

Round 1
Pau
Silgil
Ny'a
Jack (can take a move from last round if desired)
Wraith
Ithindar -12
Monsters
Villagers (Readied)

Pau jumps the hole in the bridge, and moves to the closest enemy, trying to kick it directly in the chest.

Acrobatics 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

Attack 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Wraith cartwheels between two of the spheres. She leaps the final gap and joins Pau. Drawing her elven blade, she swings at the grey-clad abomination.

Acrobatics (Hasted): 1d20 + 9 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 12 = 27

Curve Blade vs GREY: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

CONFIRM?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

"HEY! SUBDUE THEM, DON'T KILL THEM."

It would be ironic if we ended up slaughtering them all in the interest of rescuing a couple.

Ithindar moves as fast as he can and attack again
longbpw attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Pau and Ithindar, please specify which ones you are attacking. Pau, I can move you if needed.

Ill hit green with nonlethal damage, please.

Ny'a, feeling she's said her piece, leaves Sir Ilivan to his thoughts and begins making her way towards the combat.

My dog sure would have made this all much easier, she thinks, hoping the magical speed is enough to get her across the gaps in her heavy armor.

Double move: 60' (15' movement hasted)
Acrobatics, jump DC 10: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (10) - 4 = 6

Ny'a tries to leap across a gap, but falls short and ends up floundering in chest-height (for a gnome) water.
That was a 15' gap that she was trying to cross, so failed by more than 5. Not a big deal, just stuck in Difficult Terrain and can move out next round.

Pau knocks out a villager.

Wraith strikes a 'villager' with her Curve Blade, but the figure barely reacts. It just glares at her and prepares to retaliate.

Ithindar misses with an arrow.

Round 1
Pau
Ny'a
Wraith
Ithindar -12
Silgil
Jack (can take a move from last round if desired)
Monsters (Grey -9)
Villagers