GM Hawthwile's Beyond the Halflight Path (Inactive)

Game Master Hawthwile

Korum repositions himself and attacks.

Glaive vs BLUE (reach/PA/entangled): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Damage: 1d10 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23

@Doran - the Disarm weapon property means you gain a +2 bonus on Combat Maneuver checks to Disarm an opponent.

@Vulpina - it would be a Disarm check, not Steal, since the weapon is too large for the latter maneuver. And unless Vulpina has a way of taking multiple standard actions in a turn, unfortunately she can only attempt against one.

Danduun draws more blood with his claw and Doran staggers to his feet and swings wildly with his shield. Gunfire from Loam gives Vulpina the dramatic entrance she yearns for - but she can't quite get the rapier off his belt and has to settle for the bow on the ground instead. Makras swings with more enthusiasm than skill, but Korum's blade makes contact at long last.

On a side note, I figured out where the extra attack and damage bonuses on these boys is coming from - Weapon Focus and Specialization. Not going to retcon any additional damage, but we'll include them going forward.

As the men shake the stupor from their faces, the further one's features twist into a snarl. He grabs the bow on the ground and pushes past the elemental to the cavern beyond. The Pathfinders are quick to take advantage...

Vulpina Wakizashi, Entangled: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 - 2 = 23
Piercing damage, Precision damage: 1d6 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 5 = 10

Makras Pickaxe, Flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14
Piercing damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Elemental Slam, PA, EM, Flanking: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 - 1 + 1 + 2 = 22
Bludgeoning damage, PA, EM: 1d6 + 4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 3 + 1 = 12

Korum does not get an AoO due to cover.

...but they only make him bloodied as he escapes. The other man, bleeding profusely already, draws his rapier and steps back to jab desperately at Loam. "You won't do that again!" he yells. "Daven, get outta here!"

Blue Rapier vs Loam AC 15: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Piercing damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Something Wicked This Way Comes
Round 7! Bold may act!
Vulpina (-36, Entangled 4/??)
Makras (-25, Entangled 3/??)
Sadaf (-12)
Danduun (-24)
Elemental
Doran (-42)
Loam (-13)
Korum (-33, Entangled 5/??)
Red (-47)
Blue (-66)

What do you do?

The earth elemental charges to attack!!

slam, power attack, earth mastery, charge : 1d20 + 2 + 1 - 1 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 1 - 1 + 6 = 211d6 + 4 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + 3 = 10

Sadaf 5 ft steps back and casts guidance on LOAM.

”May you feel luck!!“

Again, Danduun makes a bite and two claw attacks against the guy in front of him!

Bite : 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 141d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 131d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 171d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"Ahhhh!! Grrrrr ..."

yeah...i thought that's what it was...i was just unsure if he gets an AoO since i don't have the feat to prevent it...

Doran glares at the man trapped in front of him.

Just die, already! he spits as he smashes his shield into him again with a grunt.

attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 231d4 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 4 + 1 = 131d6 ⇒ 3power attack, studied target and sneak all added in

"I won't," Loam says, to stifle a pained grimace. She steps back and takes another shot. "Why should I, when there's only one of you?"

+1 Pistol, Guidance, PBS, into melee: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Makras trudges forward and swings his pick again, intent on hitting something for his troubles.

I think there are fair odds these are perfectly nice explorers we're killing :)

+1 heavy pick vs red: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Danduun scrabbles ineffectively against the swordsman's armor, but Doran takes advantage of the distraction to bash him across the head with his shield. With a cry of pain, the man drops to the ground.

@Loam, since that drops Blue, feel free to retcon your turn.

Makras plods after the elemental, too slow to keep up and only able to watch as it wallops the archer in the leg.

@Makras, remember that you're still entangled (just not stuck to the ground) and move at half-speed.

Something Wicked This Way Comes
Round 7! Bold may act!
Vulpina (-36, Entangled 4/??)
Makras (-25, Entangled 3/??)
Sadaf (-12)
Danduun (-24)
Elemental
Doran (-42)
Loam (-13)
Korum (-33, Entangled 5/??)
Red (-57)
Blue (-82)

What do you do?

Korum moves closer to Vulpina and taps her with his wand.
CLW vs Lady V: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Loam keeps the bullet in the chamber and gives chase.

Double move.

The remaining archer shies away from the moving rocks and Makras. His back against the wall, he pulls more arrows from his quiver. "You'll pay for what you did to Lodif," he spits between shots.

Red Longbow, PBS, RS, DA vs Elemental Charging AC 15: 1d20 + 14 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 14 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 25
Piercing damage, PBS, DA, Manyshot: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 4 + 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 + 4 + (6) + 6 + 1 + 4 = 35

The elemental collapses into a pile of earth!

Red Longbow, PBS, RS, DA vs Loam AC 15: 1d20 + 14 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 14 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 28
Piercing damage, PBS, DA: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 + 4 = 14

Red Longbow, PBS, RS, DA vs Loam AC 15: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 9
Piercing damage, PBS, DA: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 + 4 = 13

Loam takes an arrow to the leg, but remains on her feet as the Pathfinders close in on their remaining opponent. Makras laughs as the resin on his armor cracks and falls off, rendering him a free dwarf once more!

@Makras, you are no longer entangled.

Something Wicked This Way Comes
Round 8! Bold may act!
Vulpina (-31, Entangled 5/??)
Makras (-25)
Sadaf (-12)
Danduun (-24)
Doran (-42)
Loam (-27)
Korum (-33, Entangled 6/??)
Red (-57)
Blue (-82)

What do you do?

"You loosed your arrows first!" Vulpina protests.

She frowns; movement is slow and difficult at this point, and her dragon pistol isn't exactly a long-distance weapon. She gets out of the way, and starts trying to wipe off the tar (which, hopefully, is getting hard and brittle soon).

Sadaf double moves forward and orders Danduun to attack.

Danduun moves forward and attacks!

Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 201d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

"Ahhhh!! Grrrrr ..."

Loam fires again, and a ball of packed ice coalesces around the bullet for extra insult and injury.

Snowball vs. Touch: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Damage: 5d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 4, 3) + 1 = 13

Still stuck in tar, the paladin lumbers after the others.

Double Move

Makras swings his filth-encrusted pick at the archer.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Confirmation Roll: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
extra damage if crit: 3d6 + 12 ⇒ (5, 3, 6) + 12 = 26

Doran grabs his fallen sword and lumbers over to the others.

Loam's iceball slams into the man's chest, shattering and coating his breastplate with frost. As he turns to snarl something at her, Makras's pick embeds itself in his chest. He falls.

Out of combat! Damage report:
- Vulpina (-31)
- Makras (-25)
- Sadaf (-12)
- Danduun (-24)
- Doran (-42)
- Loam (-27)
- Korum (-33)

Go ahead and include any restorative actions in your next post. @Vulpina and @Korum become unentangled after a few more rounds.

Besides their bows and rapiers, the dead men also have magical cloaks and armor - as well as a small vial on each of their belts. The one next to Vulpina also has a strange metal rod tucked into his pack.

What do you do?

Can I bother someone to use my wand on me, please? When you get a chance... Doran says as he exhales and relaxes a bit. He checks the equipment the others had.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

He sticks a meaty finger in the vials and tastes the contents. He feels a bit better after doing so.

Curative draughts...anyone mind if I keep one? Used mine earlier...thank you, Korum, by the way...I owe you a drink or ten... he says with a grin.

Sadaf immediately casts stabilize on the two men.

“What was all of this about?!? Why did they attack us? Korum, can you do your Paladin thing and detect evil on them?!?“

He casts detect magic and checks the surroundings.

spellcraft : 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 These are two cloaks of resistance +1.
spellcraft : 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Perception : 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Sadaf also takes the rod that has a lingering aura.

Loam nods in agreement at Doran's words. "You and Vulpina take precedence there." Rather than grouse about her injuries while others took much worse, she busies herself looking over the spoils.

Spellcraft DC 18: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

...Not that it yields much of anything.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"Let us see if either can be revived," she advises, offering her own wand to do so. "With a blade to their throat, ideally."

She'll offer the blade, as well-- a little more personally, of course.

"Sorry Sadaf, my gift doesn't work that way. My senses are attuned to life and death, not light and dark. Pretty certain this pair ain't undead." Best to be certain though. The paladin scans the area for any abominations. He the uses any wand offered to heal the others.

The 'Oath of Undeath' archetype swaps Detect Evil for Detect Undead.

Wand of CLW vs Korum: 6d8 + 6 ⇒ (3, 6, 7, 2, 5, 6) + 6 = 35
Six charges from his own wand.

Sadaf asks Loam to use his evil wand on him and Danduun again.

“That is awful! I was really ripped off with this wand! Economics are one thing but this feeling is disgusting! I’ll never buy this spell wand again!“ he says and shudders.

4 charges.

Seeing one of the potions still up for grabs, Makras chugs it greedily. He burps and then sighs, content.

Potion of Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Updated Damage report:
- Vulpina (-0)
- Makras (-21)
- Sadaf (-0)
- Danduun (-4)
- Doran (-42)
- Loam (-27)
- Korum (-0)

Sadaf stops the worst of the bleeding, but neither of the two men awaken.

What do you do?

Makras sighs in contentment. "This mission is a metaphor of all life: wandering around in darkness and confusion, killing and bleeding for no reason, and eventually feeling a passing thrill of victory before realising all is in vain. Even underground, the Skeleton Moon gazes on mankind's folly."

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Still tired, Loam turns her gaze upwards for a split second at Makras' sermon. She then shakes her head and hands Korum a healing wand. "We'll take them to Horus, then?"

clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

ugh..crappy rolls...only 1 HP down now...rolling to save time when someone gets to me...

Eager to see what doom lies around the next corner, Makras begins heading towards the nearest unexplored area of the caverns.

The two yellow rings are unexplored areas, I think?

Updated Damage report:
- Makras (-21)
- Danduun (-4)
- Doran (-1)
- Loam (-0)

As the Pathfinders continue discussing what to do with their defeated captives, a fizzling sound and a soft pop of light indicate the end of a magical effect on the two unconscious men. Both jerk once, then fall still.

Anything else you want to do before heading towards the unexplored cavern Makras indicated?

Heal: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

”Oops. They just died!?!“

Sadaf follows Makras!

”Poor souls. I hope that they were not just innocent bystanders!“

He casts detect magic and looks around.

perception : 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

Vulpina frowns. "If they were innocent, they sure were eager to shoot at us," she points out, nudging the corpses with her boot.

"Onward, then?"

She'll follow Makras as well!

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

"High-risk, high-reward magic," Loam mutters, peering at the bodies. "The sort that would help keep one from falling in battle but compound problems if they managed to anyway."

Spoiler open.

"I suppose Horus might need them raised after all if he wants more answers. A shame. Unless they have accomplices, maybe we can exaggerate their state of destruction." Loam looks significantly at Korum as she follows along.

The paladin shrugs at Loam as he follows the path set by Makras.

Then it is decided.

Leaving the dead where they lie, the Pathfinders follow after Makras. As the sound of running water fills their ears once more, the adventurers emerge into the larger chamber once more to see Lord Drixel and Abrelin still across the bridge.

"Oh, you're alright!" Drixel calls out happily as he waves at the group. "See, Abrelin! There were a lot of explosions and yelling, but they've all emerged without a scratch."

The dwarf points at Makras's bleeding face. "No," he answers bluntly.

His companion is too distracted to notice, however. "By the Vault-Lord's golden door!" he exclaims, pointing at the rod hanging from Sadaf's belt. "Why, that's... I've never seen anything like it before! Ancient Osirion? No, perhaps Thassilonian - or even older!" He looks at the Pathfinders with eyes wide from excitement. "Where did you find that? No, I must be logical - you didn't have it on you earlier, so you must have located it further inside. Perhaps you excavated it with all those explosions? No matter, no matter. If you would be willing, I would dearly love to purchase that from you - it could be the key to cementing my membership in Archeologists Associated and getting grant funding for my next expedition! At the very least, may I examine it?" He holds out a hand hopefully.

What do you do?

Sadaf starts laughing.

“I don’t think so Mr!“

Vulpina wags a finger.

"It is an old trick, is it not, to purchase for a pittance riches worth a ransom? Especially when the seller does not yet know what he is selling. If you are interested in purchasing it, let us know where we can meet you topside, once we are quite finished down here and have had a chance to appraise it."

Doran eyes the man, sizing him up.

sense motive, studied target: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 1 = 21

waiting for info before posting a reaction

Drixel laughs and cries simultaneously. "My dear, good luck finding anyone topside who'd pay what that's worth," he squeaks, tears leaking from his eyes. "But if that's the way you feel, I am helpless to stop you." He waves sorrowfully as the Pathfinders depart for the unexplored reaches of the cavern.

Past the corpses of the giants lies the brilliant bed of crystalline growth - and on the far side of that, another ascending passageway. At the top lies a small chamber full of the sound of the rushing river below what looks to have once been a bridge to the other bank. Several stone boxes lie scattered on the ground - most are empty, but one contains a silver necklace and another holds two full vials (along with a handful of cracked and empty ones).

With the last of the caverns explored, the Pathfinders head back towards the entrance.

Go ahead and roll to identify these items first-thing in your next post if you want - otherwise we can wait to identify them until the end of the scenario.

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

"Hey." A familiar gruff voice breaks the quiet as the group descends through the narrow passageway. Up ahead, Abrelin stands with his warhammer out and a worried look on his face. "You seen Drixel? I turned around to pick up somethin' and when I looked back, the fool'd clean vanished."

As the Pathfinders pause, Sadaf feels something tugging at his belt!

?? Steal vs Sadaf CMD 13: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 = 25

With a cry of triumph, Drixel's invisibility dissipates as the noble holds the strange rod aloft. "Now, Abrelin!" he commands, dancing back from his mark.

The dwarf grunts and begins chanting. Pale light dances across the ground, freezing fungi and roots in place. Grinning wickedly as the light fades, Abrelin holds his warhammer ready. "Ah, there 'e is."

One Step Ahead
Round 1! Bold may act!
Loam
Doran (-1)
Makras (-21)
Vulpina
Drixel
Abrelin
Korum
Sadaf
Danduun (-4)

Environmental Effects:
- Yellow area requires a Reflex save for each affected square moved into or through.

What do you do?

Makras swings his mining pick at Abrelin's face!

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
attack roll: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Spellcraft DC 16 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Spellcraft DC 16 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

"I'm not so sure about most of this," Loam says after a quick look at the latest spoils. "We'll try again or have another mage analyze them later."

Spellcraft DC 17: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

At this development, she sighs and uses up the last of her minor magic. No one is keeping a hold of the rod until the other side joins it on the ground.

Casting Grease on the Rod, DC 17.

Doran tries to move up and hit Abrelin.

reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

assuming that doesn't make it...

Sadaf starts to convert his last spell into a summoning spell.

Liberating command to SM 1. 1 round casting time.

Danduun is confused as he does not see anything clearly hostile.

Sadaf shouts "Flank and attack!" but as Danduun does not know this trick a little push is needed.

Danduun to be pushed DC 25: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Danduun tries to get on the other side of the man!

reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

acrobatics move through square with half speed: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

talon attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 281d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Crit? talon attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 191d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Vulpina dances along the ground, although her nimbleness falters a bit on her third bound. Regardless, she gets up close and personal with Drixel.

"Poor fool!" she chuckles, and tries to slide her blade into the fop's ribs.

Wakizashi: Precise Piranha Strike!: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 - 2 = 14
He seems the lightly-armored type, and since he's probably flat-footed, mayyyyybeeeeee...???
Wakizashi: Precise Piranha Strike!: 1d6 + 4 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 10 = 17

Oh no, I missed that we need a reflex save for each square. Sorry!!

reflex : 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
reflex : 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
reflex : 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Whoops, it's not quite Sadaf's turn to act yet. Backtracking Danduun to his previous location.

@Doran - what square were you trying to move to in order to attack Abrelin?

Drixel Reflex vs DC 17: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Drixel deftly moves the rod out of Loam's limited line of sight, and the mage's magical grease splatters against the wall instead. Vulpina steps up to get in his face, but roots and mushrooms dig into her feet like stony spikes!

Piercing damage vs Vulpina: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 2) = 8

So, the spell isn't terribly well-worded. But I think after reviewing it again that that's a bit brutal - so I'm going to revise that earlier GM call and say that you only have to make a Reflex save once if you enter or move through the yellow area. (And not "once per turn" - once, period. For those who have already rolled, I'll resolve just your first Reflex save.

The swashbuckler makes it through the stony growth without stepping too badly on any spikes, but neither she nor Makras can make it through their foes' canny defenses. Drixel laughs and sprints away, pausing only to blow Vulpina a kiss as he rounds the corner.

@Vulpina, this provokes an AoO from you (the running away, not blowing the kiss).

Abrelin, meanwhile, slams Makras forcefully with his shield...

Abrelin Shield Slam vs Makras AC 20: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Bludgeoning damage: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Abrelin Bullrush vs Makras CMD 19: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Abrelin Bullrush vs Sadaf CMD 17: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 10 - 4 = 19
Abrelin Bullrush vs Danduun CMD 17: 1d20 + 10 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 10 - 4 - 4 = 21

...and Makras is pushed into Sadaf, who in turn pushes Danduun back up the stairs and across the spiky ground!

Piercing damage vs Makras: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Piercing damage vs Sadaf: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Piercing damage vs Danduun: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Makras, Sadaf, and Danduun need to make Reflex saves at the beginning of their next posts.

Laughing, Abrelin steps back and waves his warhammer mockingly. "I've eaten breakfasts that push back harder!" he jeers.

One Step Ahead
Round 2! Bold may act!
Korum
Sadaf (-4)
Danduun (-5)
Loam
Doran (-1)
Makras (-33)
Vulpina (-8)
Drixel
Abrelin

Environmental Effects:
- Yellow area requires a Reflex save once for moving through or into.

What do you do?