[GameDay IX] GM Hawthwile's Ungrounded, but Unbroken (Inactive)

Game Master Hawthwile

Captain Othis looks at the three Pathfinders struggling and takes a deep breath. "Enough!" she bellows. Pointing at Ayo, she continues, "You, stop pretending to climb that wall and get over here. You two," she turns her attention to Damhán and Taariik, "stop lazing around and get those two out of there before they drown."

Out of "Initiative"! Damage report:
- Ayo (Fatigued, -6)
- Conig (Fatigued)
- Taariik (-16)

Within a few hurried seconds, the Pathfinders stand assembled in a line before the captain. Most of them are still soaked from swimming in the muddy water, but Ayo is no less worse for wear after her falls and scrapes.

"Listen up roaches," Captain Othis yells. "You need more than strength and agility to succeed in battle - not that there seems to be much of either between you sad lot. You need to know what you're up against and how to fight it. So let's see how stupid and unprepared you really are. You!" She points at Taariik. "How many soldiers are typical for efreeti battalions?" Her finger shifts to Ebonfeather. "What is the quickest way to extinguish your companion who has been set on fire during a battle?" Next is Damhán. "How does a salamander typically fight, and what are the best ways to counter it?" Then Conig: "How do you keep yourself from immediately going up in smoke as soon as you set foot on the Plane of Fire?" Ayo: "What are fire elementals immune to?" And finally Alrik: "An efreeti squadron is on your trail and has nearly caught up to you - how to you throw them off your trail?" She folds her arms and waits impatiently for answers.

You can try to answer intelligibly with either Knowledge (planes) or Profession (soldier). Remember that you do not have to be trained in Profession (soldier) for these checks.

What do you do?

Ayo silently rages at herself for her impossibly bad performance thus far. What little pride she allowed herself was based in her ability to serve ably and well. That she would be so deficient is inexcusable. Utterly. Inexcusable.

Would it be reasonable to add her Monster Lore bonus to her knowledge (planes) to know something about fire elementals? If you disagree, subtract 3. If we have time and are allowed, she would cast heightened awareness on herself which adds another +2
Knowledge (planes) to ID monster: 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 3 = 9
Not that it will likely matter....

She is so busy berating herself that she does not even register the captain's question. "Perhaps...fire?"

Would this be a normal monster knowledge thing vs the base creatures CR? (asking to see just how much one might know, or if we even succeed for posting reasons)

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Damhán delays slightly, just to passive aggresively annoy the captain, before answering.

"Well, if we're talking the common salamanders of my homeland... they usually don't fight, but run away. Which always seemed prudent given they're typically no longer than one's hand, and quite easy to step on."

Sadly, I have no random chronicle boons that give me any bonuses on these sorts of things!

I'm assuming we can't aid the others?

Ahh, great that I took profession soldier with trickster.

Taariik thinks for a moment and connects with the spirits of Iroran followers to aid him!!

profession soldier, rank 1, class +3, trickster +1, wis -2 : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

“I ... I think it depends on the efreeti that is leading the battalion. but in average ... “ Taariik says and continues to explain what he knows.

P:Soldier: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
"Seems to me rolling them in dirt or a thick blanket would work if you don't have water. " Ebonfeather said, not sure if there was anything else he could add.
Reroll from Boon 8-21: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
"X"ed out on chronicle

Stop, drop, and roll!

@Ayo - Monster Lore totally makes sense given the question, but no time/opportunity for heightened awareness unfortunately.

@Damhán - correct, this is on your own.

Captain Othis leans in, her face inches from Ayo's. "You think!?" she bellows before Damhán's snark distracts her. "And if you think you're here to fight newts, then perhaps you're even more braindead than you look," she retorts, but she does pause to make a note on her clipboard. "I suppose that's your familiarity with your grandparents' squadrons?" she asks Taariik, making another note. "And you rolling around on the ground won't help your companion who's burning - you have to protect them while they drop and roll," she clarifies for Ebonfeather. Arms crossed, the captain glares at Alrik and Conig as she awaits a response.

Alrik and Conig, what do you do?

Did I succeed on the roll? Hard to tell from the commentary. =)

Delaying Alrick and Conig - go ahead and answer your questions when you have a chance.

As the shorter Pathfinders sputter and gather their wits, Captain Othis snorts derisively and turns back to the others. "You," she says harshly, pointing at Ayo. "Maybe you can tell me how to care for a blade so the heat from an azer doesn't cause it to lose it's edge. Think you can handle that much?" She turns to Damhán. "And as for you - if you think you're so clever, then tell me how you would travel with a shaitan to avoid giving away their position." She shifts her attention to Taariik. "And you - given your heritage, explain how you would try to convince your company that you wouldn't betray them at the first opportunity to present itself." Lastly, she addresses Ebonfeather. "Tell me about the abilities and weaknesses of a fully-grown magma dragon. Quickly now."

These questions can again be answered competently with either Knowledge (planes) or Profession (soldier).

What do you do?

Knowledge (planes) w/Monster Lore: 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 3 = 19
The way she phrased the question makes me think Monster Lore would apply. If you disagree, GM, take 3 off the total

If there is one thing that Ayo is reasonably sure about, it is her ability to take care of her sword. Shizuru would hardly favor someone who lacked respect for her weapon.

I don't know if that's enough or what the actual answer is, so I'll just leave it there

Taariik thinks but he has no clue!!

profession soldier, rank 1, class +3, trickster +1, wis -2 : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

“I ... I just stay near them and hope they tell me what to do?!“ Taariik says.

P:Soldier: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
"How in the frak would I know? If I saw a dragon made out of magma, I will get out of there quickly and quietly before I get turned in to a hot meal for the thing. Please, enlighten us. None of us have your vast knowledge of the planes. Or, did someone tell you to set us up to fail?" Ebonfeather said, a bit perturbed that Captain Othis has so far not taught him anything useful.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

kn planes. +1 for monster lore?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

There are various protection magics, i'm sure.

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

"Avoid giving away their position, with no regard to my own?" Damhán retorts, sarcastically.

"I'm sure if I just pretend it's not wherever it is sounds about right. That seems to be how things work here."

Alrik cocks his head at Othis and offers him a withering look before answering both questions with confidence...

Kn: Planes (Q1): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Kn: Planes (Q2): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Captain Othis scowls as Ayo finishes speaking before making a dismissive motion with her hand at the group. "So you're not completely hopeless. Back to the barracks - the cook has potatoes in need of peeling, and it sounds like you could use some time to think about these questions that your lives may very well depend on one day. Although..." She leans in close to Ebonfeather, towering over the tengu's slight form. "I was told I would be getting recruits who could handle themselves," she says slowly, as if to a child. "That they were professionals. And competent." She smiles, her expression like steel. "Apparently I was misinformed. A pity." She points again. "Potatoes. Now."

----------------------------------------

The cook does indeed have plenty of potatoes that need to be peeled, and the Pathfinders find stools or upturned pots to sit on as they work.

What do you do?

Taariik is not the lazy kind of guy but he was more used to galas and meetings then kitchens.

He tries his best to peel potatoes!

Do we have to roll a skill check?

Ebonfeather picked up a knife and started to peel, something he was use to doing, even if it was people and not potatoes.

No skill check required. This is a chance to talk with each other should you wish. Or just to sit in silence for a while after a day of heavy work.

Alrik considers the peeling of potatoes to be more of the same drudgery as they have experienced so far but he sits down and begins to carve.

"Sorry guys. I am not sure about the Captain. I feel that he is taking pleasure as our failure and I think someone told him to get us to fail. I have heard veterans talk about an obstacle course as something that was completed as a group." Ebonfeather said, dropping another peeled potato into the pot.

”She. Captain Othis is a woman.” Ayo quietly takes to her task, thinking to herself that maybe this is something that even she cannot f~~& up.

Damhán snorts. "There's one like her in every place like this." He growls, his dislike for the Captain, and their situation as evident as ever.

"They don't want you here, so they do what they can to make you fail, or give up on your own." He explains. "We're the outsiders here... not part of the group."

Feel free to continue the conversation here as long as you like - you can signal your readiness to be done by finishing your potato and heading outside.

Taariik finishes the potato but little remains after his crude cutting.

”I am glad that the torture is over and we can go back to bed!“

Ayo nods in agreement, shockingly, with Damhan. "You are correct. But we were sent here to fulfill a task for those we are sworn to, and we must carry it through. We are being tested on behalf of the Society as a whole. We knew this. We must persevere."

Their work done, the Pathfinders make their way out of the kitchen and around to the mess hall. A bowl of meat and potato stew is their supper, washed down with a mug of ale. After an evening inspection of their barracks by Captain Othis, the group retires for the evening and sink slowly into sleep.

--------------------------------------------------

After six more days of early morning wake up calls by the captain and her pot, morning labor, cleaning, and drills, Captain Othis summons the Pathfinders to the training grounds just outside the mess hall. An oval of hard-packed dirt surrounds four columns made of black stone, and gray stone benches encircle the area as if providing a clear view for nonexistent spectators. As the group enters, they see dummies made of stuffed burlap sacks affixed to posts scattered throughout the field - some wearing crudely painted smiles and other posed in ofensive gestures - as well as a raised balcony made of blue and purple crystal perched atop the stands. The captain stands inside the crystal balcony, a mischievous grin on her usually stern face.

"Alright you sad excuses for limp noodles!" she bellows. "Let's see how well you handle yourselves in combat." She points downward at the packed earth where another group of Ungrounded mercenaries stand ready. "But since I don't want to waste the time already spent training you lot, this will be a controlled combat." She glares at Damhán and Conig. "That means you will use no spells, no combat-enhancing items such as potions or flasks, and no lethal force - or you will face the consequences." She points again at another squat stone building nearby. "You may arm yourself with a blunted weapon from the armory."

You can find any martial or simple weapon in the armory. These weapons deal non-lethal damage without applying a penalty to attack rolls.

"Fight until your opponents surrender or are knocked unconscious," the captain finishes. "Now get yourselves moving, recruits!"

Go ahead and post any preparations you might make (keeping in mind the captain's rules for this controlled combat exercise) and place your token on the map somewhere to the left of the dashed red line.

What do you do?

Conig grinds his teeth as he selects a bow and blunt arrows from the armory. This is insulting. A life of training, to be reduced to these mundane measures. Preposterous.

placed

Ayo collects a bokken from the armory. The wooden practice katana is well-weighted to her hand, and she nods in approval.

"Is this unworthy one who stands before you allowed to call upon the Judgment of the Empress of Heaven, as it is not a spell, or should this wretched nobody abstain, as the power is magical in nature?"

Also, when she says "no spells," does that mean no spellcasting once battle has begun and that prebuffs are allowed, or just nothing period? I ask partly because Ayo casts Corruption Resistance from her SLA at the beginning of every day since it lasts so long so even if she casts nothing else, she will still have something on

"So you don't want to know how we handle ourselves in combat... but how we handle a mindless melee?" Damhán mutters

"Not surprising. This lot seems incapable of thinking behind sticking things with a sword, or bashing heads in a with a club." He adds. "I'm amazed they're still in operation."

The non-lethal weapons are limited to melee weapons right? Don't think you can use ranged weapons to deal non-lethal damage.

I believe that blunt arrows are capable of doing nonlethal. Though you would normally take a -4 to do so, it sounds like we are being offered special weapons that don't have penalties

Taariik chooses two daggers, a bardiche and a greatsword.

He is currently wielding the bardiche and is wearing his armor.

He reluctantly awaits battle.

“Guide me on my path master of masters!“ he says silently.

Ah, didn't even look at the martial weapons. Unfortunately, I'm simple weapons only.

Oh... didn't even look at martial weapons. Unfortunately, I'm simple weapons only.

Ah right, kineticist proficiencies. Hmm, well I’d check with the GM then. I’ve had some GMs allow for blunt crossbow bolts. Maybe they have some nonlethal trick bolts?

Picking up a tipped rapier, Ebonfeather gave it a few test swings and tucked a sap in his belt before heading into the arena.

A Dwarven Waraxe is a martial weapon to me :P Am I still allowed to pick it? If not, Alrik will gather up a greataxe. I've placed him. Im assuming there will be opponents at some point, Alrik will adjust his position to be opposite the most martial looking opponent.

@Alrik - Unfortunately, the armory doesn't care if Alrik treats dwarven waraxes as martial weapons. XD So a greataxe it is.

@Ayo - That shouldn't be a problem, but the captain will not look kindly on further spellcasting at this point.

Four recruits stand opposed to the Pathfinders on the field, Dell among them. His eyes meet Ayo's for a moment before shifting to look past her with a stony gaze.

"Remember, this is not a fight to the death," Captain Othis yells from the balcony. "And so help me, if any one of you sorry lot draw blood you'll be cleaning latrines for a week!" She grabs a whistle hanging from a cord around her neck and blows sharply through it. "Now fight!"

Before the piercing scream of the whistle finishes echoing off the squat stone buildings nearby, two of the opposing recruits race across the packed earth of the training arena with heavy, ponderous steps. As the first one reaches Taariik, she raises a padded scimitar and swings...

Yellow Scimitar, Power Attack, Charge vs Taariik FF AC 17: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 - 2 + 2 = 20
Nonlethal Slashing damage: 1d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 4 = 10

...catching the holy warrior across the face. Taariik reels not only from the force of the blow, but from a strange feeling spreading across his face...

Taariik Fortitude: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

...but shakes off the momentary feeling of drowsiness. The other recruit reaches Alrik and likewise swings her own blade...

Yellow Scimitar, PA, Charge vs Alrik FF AC 21: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 - 2 + 2 = 13
Nonlethal Slashing damage: 1d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 4 = 7

...but her blow is dampened by the dwarf's heavy armor.

Trial by Combat
Round 1! Bold may act!
Yellow (Charged)
Blue (Charged)
Ebonfeather
Green
Red
Taariik (-10 Nonlethal)
Alrik
Conig
Damhán
Ayo

What do you do?

Stepping over to help Taariik, Ebonfeahter jabbed the training rapier into the foes belly. A yelp could be heard as it found a rib.
NL rapier: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 201d6 ⇒ 5

Ebonfeather's blade strikes the other recruit's side, leaving a nasty bruise in its wake. The scoundrel doesn't have long to gloat though as the sound of more heavy footsteps announces the arrival of the rest of the opposing team. The southern oread arrives first, swinging in retaliation at Ebonfeather...

Green Scimitar, PA, Charge vs Ebonfeather AC 18: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 - 2 + 2 = 25
Nonlethal Slashing damage, PA: 1d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 4 = 11
Crit confirmation: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 - 2 + 2 = 18
Crit damage: 1d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 4 = 9

...and nearly draws blood from the force of her blow as the blade connects with Ebonfeather's neck. The scoundrel feels a bit faint from the blow...

Ebonfeather Fortitude: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

...before he collapses to the ground in an unconscious heap of feathers.

@Everyone - Because I am rolling reactive rolls for players to keep things moving, I relax the rule on "not knowing the result of your roll" when it comes to using your folio/shirt/etc reroll for my PbP games. Just let me know that's what you're doing and include the reroll in your post - we'll retcon things as needed.

"I knew you lot were soft, but I'll admit I didn't expect you to quit that quickly," Captain Othis bellows from her vantage point in the balcony. "Try dodging rather than standing there like sacks of potatoes!" Alrik looks over in worry before glancing back at the last recruit advancing on him. Dell's face is a stony mask as he swings his blade with wild abandon...

Yellow Scimitar, PA, Charge vs Alrick FF AC 21: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 2 + 2 = 7
Nonlethal Slashing damage, PA: 1d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 4 = 10

...and doesn't come anywhere close to the holy warrior. "I didn't teach you to just wave your blade around blindly like a fish!" the captain yells angrily from above. "Try looking at what you're attacking for a change!"

Trial by Combat
Round 1! Bold may act!
Yellow (-5 nonlethal, Charged)
Blue (Charged)
Ebonfeather (-20 nonlethal, Unconscious 1/??)
Green (Charged)
Red (Charged)
Taariik (-10 nonlethal)
Alrik
Conig
Damhán
Ayo

What do you do?

Ebonfeather has 31 hp's max... is he really unconscious at 20 nonlethal?
Hmm... 4th level brawlers with knockout maybe?

Damhán curses, as he tries to get the crossbow pointed the right way. He had not touched one in many years, and rankled at the absurdity of the entire situation.

He finally gets the weapon sorted, and looks up to see Ebonfeather already on the ground, after only a few blows. Seemed hardly enough to have downed him so quickly... but he knew little of tengu... perhaps they were just not as hardy as a typical Ulfen.

He points the crossbow towards the man that downed the rogue, and fires.

ranged vs green: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 = 18, for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 non-lethal damage.

He then goes about reloading, as he steps back towards Conig.

standard: fire at green, move: reload, 5' step.

It sounded like judgment is fine, so gonna do that

Ayo lets the power of Shizuru's judgment fall over her. No matter how pitifully she may have performed so far, The Empress of Heaven still looks kindly upon her servant.

She strides forward and brings her bokken down on the foe right in front of her, right on the space along the nape of the neck.

Bokken aka Nonlethal Katana vs Red: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Nonlethal Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Taariik steps back to attack with his bardiche!!

He asks Irori for spiritual guidance.

Spirit dance round 1/6 Champion. +1 to hit and +3 to damage incl. seance boon.

Bardiche +9 (1d10+10; 19-20/×2) To hit: BAB +3, Champion +1, Str +5; Damage 2H: +5 +2 + 3 champion

He swings twice with his ki powers to hit the opponent in yellow!

Bardiche nonlethal, power attack: 1d20 - 1 + 9 ⇒ (6) - 1 + 9 = 141d10 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 3 = 21

Ki 1/6; Bardiche nonlethal, power attack: 1d20 - 1 + 9 ⇒ (9) - 1 + 9 = 171d10 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 3 = 22

Damhán might not like his weapon, but it still serves its purpose as the blunted bolt bounces off his target. Taariik steps back and attacks with supernatural speed, his first swing sending his opponent to the ground and the backswing knocking down the Ulfen's target as well. Ayo strikes with methodical precision, hitting the recruit precisely where she intended.

Trial by Combat
Round 1! Bold may act!
Yellow (-26 nonlethal, Unconscious)
Blue (Charged)
Ebonfeather (-20 nonlethal, Unconscious 1/??)
Green (-27, Unconscious)
Red (-12, Charged)
Taariik (-10 nonlethal)
Alrik
Conig
Damhán
Ayo

What do you do?

Conig takes aim at the Ulfen on the end.

longbow, pbs, into melee: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 4 = 7
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

awful.

"Awful!" Captain Othis comments from above. "If you have to close your eyes, try doing so after you aim. Or don't close them at all!"

Botting Alrik

The dwarf swings his axe in retaliation...

Alrik Greataxe vs Blue: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Nonlethal Slashing damage: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

...and the ungraceful blow strikes the overextended recruit squarely in the side. She recovers from the blow and shifts around Alrik in a practiced manner. Her eyes fixed on the man with the flaming hair, she swings her scimitar again...

Blue Scimitar, PA vs Taariik AC 17: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 2 = 17
Nonlethal Slashing damage, PA: 1d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 4 = 11

...and the blunt blade leaves a nasty bruise on the ifrit's arm - and something else...

Taariik Fortitude: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

...but again Taariik shakes off the strange feeling of drowsiness. Dell steps around Ayo and cuts at her legs...

Red Scimitar, PA vs Ayo AC 25: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 2 = 14
Nonlethal Slashing damage, PA: 1d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 4 = 9

...but the Pathfinder steps back, easily reading his poorly-disguised intent.

Trial by Combat
Round 2! Bold may act!
Yellow (-26 nonlethal, Unconscious)
Blue (-12)
Ebonfeather (-20 nonlethal, Unconscious 1/??)
Green (-27, Unconscious)
Red (-12)
Taariik (-21 nonlethal)
Alrik
Conig
Damhán
Ayo

What do you do?

Oh hey, hadn't noticed those fort saves before! Poisoned blades? Is that legal? Wish I'd thought of it =)

Ayo watches her opponent carefully. Having judged the quality of his swing, she feels it her duty to comment on it. Her duty is to show her worth as a warrior, and a warrior of worth would not fight to crush an opponent during training. She would advise and correct. Each warrior should want their fellows to be as strong as them. A company of individualists is no company at all.

"Do not attempt to hit me. Hit me. To simply attempt a task is to allow yourself the option of failure. By doing, your mind will be clear, and your intentions will not be distracted by fear or doubt."

She raps the curve of her bokken against his head.

Attack with Bokken (nonlethal katana) vs Red: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

"As such."

Stepping through the melee with practiced ease, Alrik lines up the nearest warrior and lashes out with his borrowed axe....

Axe Swing: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Thunk!: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10