[PbP Gameday IX] PFS1 #8-03 Captives of Toil (5-9) (Inactive)

Game Master Baerlie

Sifvery is very happy to help Angoldir. "I hope that feels better. You were quite valiant getting in close to that beast - what sort of sword was that? Hidden in a cane?"

Not being overly diplomatic, she stays back and watches the exchange between Aryxiz and the interesting looking man that stopped them.

Tenibri, accustomed to leading the diplomacy, stays silent and enjoys his time out of the spotlight, simply offering a friendly wave and a smile when the mongrelmens' eye light on him.

Diplomacy, aid another DC 10: 1 + 11 = 12

The mongrelman guards escort you through and lead you to the hut of their leader. . .

Past the barricade, the tunnel follows the path of a subterranean stream. After several miles, it opens onto a wide cavern. The stream flows into a small lake at the center of a grove of petrified, deformed trees. Many dwellings constructed from varying materials rest at the base of these trees, and some even sit among the branches. On the far side of the lake sits a single massive petrified tree, its uppermost branches reaching almost to the roof of the cavern. The tree is decorated with furs, vines, and patches of glowing fungus, and at its base strands of pebble, bones, and shells hang over the entrance of a tunnel leading between two massive roots.

The mongrelman chieftess Felgriss approaches you.

Aryxis greets the chieftess and offers his name before launching into the same speech as previous...

Diplomacy T10 (w/ A's A/A): 10 + 12 + 4 = 26

Sifvery follows a bit behind, watching for any signs of trouble.

When you mention the Dueagar. . .

“I know of the group that you seek. Most of the gray dwarves stay
close to their roads and fortresses, but about three years ago a group traveled past Fellstrok. They came from the north, and looked as if they had traveled for many days. Recently, they passed by our territory again, returning north. They appeared even more bedraggled than the first time. We fought with the duergar, but only long enough to drive them away from our tunnels. We managed to capture one of their scouts in he battle. He said that he followed a disgraced leader, but he believed in her. He said that she would lead him and his fellows to glory and help them regain the respect of their fellow duergar. Now it seems that this great leader and her followers are returning south once more."

"Do you still have that scout detained? Could we question them as well?" Tenibri asks.

"No, the scout is not available to question. As for the Duegar- It is impossible to say how many warriors they have now, but several dozen traveled north.
Many of their scouts rode gigantic beetles. We never got close enough
to see their leader, but whoever she is she inspires great loyatly."

"Did these grey dwarves have any slaves or prisoners?"

yes- you know they had the captives you were sent to get released

“The Gunduara have lived in this ancient grove for many generations. We try to live in peace with others when we can, but the duergar are
relentless in their raids, and we have been bitter enemies for as long as I can remember.”

“We can help you to defeat the duergar—we have long awaited an opportunity to prove our strength to them. However, before we go to battle, there is one other who may join our cause. The great beast Old Ironfin ranges not far from here. Long have I tried to befriend him, to no avail. Perhaps you can help me to impress the creature. He has great reason to hate the duergar, and would be a powerful ally.”

The ground in these tunnels is particularly uneven, and deep claw marks mar the rough stone walls. Deep furrows in the stone floor lead to a dark cave that smells of rust and blood.

As you approach Felgriss asks, "Do any of you know the language of the beasts? If not, I have a small amount of skill with it. . .

As you get within 60 ft, the Bulette known as Old Ironfin hisses at you. . .

So, here one player (or Felgriss) needs to attempt Wild Empathy. Everyone else can attempt one skill check or combat maneuver check to impress the beast to aid- can be any skill as long as you justify how you are using it.

Heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Angoldir approaches the great beast slowly, a concoction of mushrooms from the nearby tunnels and chemicals from his pack mashed together into a thick, pungent paste. "This will help ease his pain," he explains to Felgriss. "It should also reduce the chaffing from the augmentations, at least for a time, if applied to the skin around them."

If this counts as an Aid, Angoldir should give a +4 bonus. No Wild Empathy or anything to communicate directly unfortunately.

Disguise: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Laiashi does her best impression of Old Ironfin's least favorite snack, in the hopes he'll leave them alone. +2.

Sifvery again just stands aside, trying hard not to get in the way.

No skill to speak of here.

Sifvery again just stands aside, trying hard not to get in the way.

No skill to speak of here.

It can be any skill- Diplomacy to display sympathy, acrobatics, perform, or a physical skill to show off your competence, ect.

Pendign Agryxis, Sifvery Moon, Tenibri here-- will need at least one more successful aid to succeed here.

Sifvery, while standing back watching, notices another sore in a hard to reach spot. "Angoldir - look there, another spot for you to apply your solve. Each is probably very painful..."

Perception, Aid: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

How's that?

Using what he knows of magical beasts like a bulette, Tenibri casts prestidigitation to create a small but appealing display of minor lights and sounds that he hopes will appeal to the beast.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

Aryxis approaches the beast carefully trying to make their intentions understood and to understand the beast itself.

Diplomacy (T10): 10 + 16 = 26

As you interact with the beast, you can see that you have finally won over his affections. Old Ironfin bows to you and allows you to approach.

For befriending Old Ironfin, Felgriss gives you a wand of daylight with 8 charges remaining, as well as a wand of invisibility with 12 charges remaining.

Your allies gather, you make it to the location you expect the Duegar to arrive in with a full day to spare and prepare an ambush for them.

Map is on the next slide; I will take Perception, Engineering, and Dungeoneering checks as you examine the site.

"Those are some nice gifts, thank you!"

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27
Knowledge (engineering), Inspiration: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 9 + (3) = 23
Knowledge (dungeoneering), Inspiration: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 9 + (3) = 29

Angoldir carefully studies the area, looking for anything the Pathfinders could use to their advantage. "Remember, we are here to rescue the prisoners," he cautions, "which means we should not endanger them if at all possible."

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Knowledge (dungeoneering): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Knowledge (engineering): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

"That's a good point, Anglodir. So we're looking for an ambush that--ideally--would focus on the rescue, with a <<cough>> 'completion' of the combat after the prisoners are safe."

As you are examining the area, you can tell that the sections marked in dotted lines and labeled are unstable.

These sections collapse under any amount of weight greater than 150 pounds. Creatures that fall in this manner can attempt a DC 15 Reflex saving throw to jump to safety in the nearest square or take 2d6 falling damage. Creatures below the collapsing area are buried unless they succeed at a DC 15 Reflex save. Buried creatures can escape with a successful DC 20 Escape Artist or Strength check.

Go ahead an position yourselves on the map where you want to set yup before they arrive

Where is the map? Can't find it...

"I could lure them where we want them to go. Play a--" Laiashi puts on a show of exaggerated anguish, "damsel in distress. Since they're in the business of taking captives, I'd be a tempting target."

”That seems so dishonest... but it would get you in close.”

"Though they might ask themselves what someone like yourself is doing down here where surfacefolk are rarely seen," Angoldir adds, tucking himself behind the stone column in the middle of the path. "It could make them suspect something is afoot. Perhaps you could make yourself look more disheveled - as if you had been stumbling through these caves for weeks. That might lay their suspicions to rest long enough to surprise them."

Is it just the rectangle marked T1 that will collapse, or the entire dotted rectangle from north to south across the gap? Regardless, Angoldir is in position.

Aryxis hides behind the nearest edge and prepares for the battle.

I assume we will be able to hear them coming from quite some distance away? How many rounds of buffing can we have? Aryxis can do a lot of buffs.....

You can essentially take as many rounds to buff as you want- keeping in mind that the durations tick away as you cast the other buffs

"Oh I intend to." Laishi brushes her clothing, and under her touch it becomes tattered and dirty. The damage spreads outward until her entire outfit looks like it's been dragged across rough stone for days. She dishevels her hair (the old-fashioned way) and draws a few scratches across her cheeks with her nails. "How's that?"

Using my sleeves of many garments + glamered chain shirt to change my clothing appropriately.

Tenibri will buff with heightened awareness, and will refresh his mage armor if necessary (both from wands)

As expected, the duegar arrive. . .

Round 1

Turn Order:
1.Tenibri
2.Sifvery Moon
3.Agryxis
4. Laishi
5. Angoldi
6. Dorarnus
7. Duegar

Everyone acts before the Duegar in round 1!

Tenibri starts by trying to drop two of the duergar into a pit of his own creation.

Sifvery steps over to get a clear shot, and then fires a couple arrows at the closest dark dwarf.

Ranged, rapid shot, pbr: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 27
Crit confirm?: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 14

Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 1 = 11

Ranged, rapid shot, pbr: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 8

Laiashi will start up at the top of the map.

"Rescue!" Laiashi calls out in her disheveled state, making herself clearly visible. "Oh please save me, these horrible people won't let me leave, they've promised to let that monster eat me if I try!"

Bluff: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Poop.

Slowly and inconspicuously, she slides her swords from their sheaths while she's talking.

Sleight of hand (draw hidden weapon): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30

Angoldir pulls a vial of pale green liquid from his belt pouch and swallows it. Moving around the backside of the central pillar, he pulls out his longbow and studies the dark dwarves.

Knowledge (local), Inspiration: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 10 + (4) = 21
Do they have any resistances or weakness? If not, any special abilities that are particularly noteworthy?

Using extract of adhesive spittle and moving (drawing weapon as part of movement).

Aryxis speeds by in a blur of illusion as he bypasses the pit and lashes out at the nearest unimpeded duergar twice in rapid succession.

Swing!: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 1 + 2 = 29
Thud!: 3d6 + 10 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 5) + 10 + 2 + (1, 3) = 27

Backswing! (Haste): 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 1 + 2 = 20
Thud!: 3d6 + 10 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 2) + 10 + 2 + (3, 4) = 27

Mirror Images: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Round 1
Tenibri creates a pit:
Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Falling Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 5) = 15

One Duegar skitters to the edge, while the other tumbles to the bottom of the pit.

Sifvery Moon hits the duegar.

Agryxis swings, and drops the duegar to the ground!

Laishi draws a weapon. If you want to retcon this action please do- sorry setting up the attempted deception didn't really work out as it would have (unfortunate effects of the PBP format)

Angoldir knows that the duegar are immune to paralysis, poison, and phantasms, they can make themselves invisible, and enlarge themselves (spell like abilities), and they have light sensitivity.

Old Ironsides spies the Duegar in the pit, and bites him:
Bite: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25
Damage: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (7, 7) + 12 = 26 And he finishes the duegar in a tasty treat!

The raider who avoided the pit rushes forward and swings at Agryxis:
mwk warhammer: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 miss!
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 6) + 3 = 12

Dornarnus also tries to strike Agryxis:
+1 Warhammer: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 miss!

Both misses against Agryxis were in the range where they destroy an image

Turn Order:
1.Tenibri
2.Sifvery Moon
3.Agryxis
4. Laishi
5. Angoldi
6. Dorarnus
7. Duegar

That brings up the party again!

Having dropped one Duergar he rushes past and engages with the dwarf at the back...

Swing!: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 1 + 2 = 31
Thud!: 3d6 + 10 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 6) + 10 + 2 + (2, 1) = 28

Sifvery moves to get a clear shot (10' move to top of stairs), and then shoots the duegar at the bottom.

Ranged attack (arrow), pbr: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 1 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Round 2
Sivery Moon hits the remaining deugar!

Agryxis hits Doranus!

Turn Order:
[b1.Tenibri[/b]
2.Sifvery Moon
3.Agryxis
4. Laishi
5. Angoldi
6. Dorarnus
7. Duegar

Duegar: -5
Doranus: -28

Pending Tenibri, Laishi, and Angoldi

The aged storyteller steps lightly over the unstable ground and tucks himself behind Laishi. He spits towards the surface dwarf, and the same pale green liquid splashes all over the dwarf and threatens to bind him to the ground.

Move and spit adhesive spittle. The dwarf needs to make a Reflex 16 save or become glued to the ground. Even on a successful save, the dwarf is entangled for 2d4 rounds (with the same methods of escape as if against a tanglefoot bag).

Given that Angoldir is an elf (and a lightweight one at that) and that we had plenty of time to investigate the area before opponents arrived, I'm assuming he does not trigger the pit trap. If this is an incorrect assumption, please let me know and we can look at other options for his turn.

Laiashi moves into a more favorable position and slices.

Acrobatics vs CMD: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Oh, that's probably gonna hurt.

Shortsword + flanking: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 = 28
Damage + sneak attack: 1d6 + 4 + 3d6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + (4, 1, 5) = 19 +1 fire

Dornarnus takes a -2 to attack rolls for this round (but not the AoO that's probably coming), plus an additional -2 to attack Laiashi herself (Debilitating Injury).

You actually showed us all that letter here, but it's a good reminder to the team that Dornarus SHOULD NOT BE KILLED in this encounter; we're to try to redeem him. Since it seems like it was only supposed to be shown to Tenibri, let's just understand that he shared this need with the team way back when it first came up.

Also, I keep losing track of the map. If we can't get it in the game header, could we get it reposted with the turn summary each time so we don't have to go looking for it?

Tenibri conjures up a snowball, and throws it at the duergar that avoided his pit trap. "Remember, we're here to save our guy! He's under some compulsion, and should not die here today!"

Yes, sorry, I don't know why its not showing in my profile I've tried it several spots, I must just have too many games to get it to link properly for all of them

MAP

Tenibri hits Doranus with a snowball.

Laishi tris to spin away from Doranus, but he swipes out at her with his hammer:
+1 Warhmammer: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 hit!
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Despite taking the attack from Doranus, her strike digs deep, wounding the Duegar!

Angoldir casts adhesive Spittle:
Reflex Save: 1d1 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 And Doranus is stuck to the ground!

yes, plenty of time to know how to avoid the crumbling traps

And Old Ironfin bites the Duegar, finishing him off!

Doranus swings again at Agryxis:
+1 Warhammer: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 - 2 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Image Check 1 Real Agryxis, 2 Image: 1d2 ⇒ 2

And the Dwarf's hammer destroys the final mirror image!

Turn Order:
1.Tenibri
2.Sifvery Moon
3.Agryxis
4. Laishi
5. Angoldi
6. Dorarnus
7. Duegar

Status:
Laishi: 30/40

Doranus: -41

That brings up the party again; only Doranus remains to contend with here. . .

”Stand down friend! We are not here to kill you!”

Full Attack with Non Lethal penalty to both attacks

Swing!: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 1 + 2 - 4 = 15
Thud!: 3d6 + 10 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 2) + 10 + 2 + (2, 2) = 25

Swing!: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 1 + 2 - 4 = 25
Thud!: 3d6 + 10 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 2) + 10 + 2 + (5, 6) = 36

Sifvery stands by with an arrow ready, but waits to see if the others can deescalate the situation.

Poor Doranus - he didn’t even get to roll a d20 for that reflex save. XD

Also, isn’t the damage from Bane still lethal damage?

Angoldir moves forward to assist his companions. ”Perhaps he can be restrained?” he asks softly, glancing at Laishi.

CMB to Aid vs D 10: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Success - Laishi could gain a +4 bonus to grapple the dwarf.

Round 3

Agryxis hits, and the combination of wounds overcomes Doranus who falls unconcious.

End of Combat

Status:
Laishi: 30/40

You begin consolidating after the combat. . . the duegar have been driven back and with the mongrelmen's help you are freeing the hostages.

Grapple + improved aid: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 4 = 17

Ninja'd!

As Laiashi prepares to grab and hold the dwarf, he fortunately succumbs to his wounds and her job is done for her. "That went quite well, I think!"