[PFS(2), Tactical Run, Secrets Playtest] B1 - The Whitefang Wyrm (Inactive)

Game Master Blake's Tiger

You have recently arrived at Aaminiut, the largest town in the Eratuki land of Hasanaliat. By some chance of fate, you all come to read the notice board at the same time this night. The town's two leaders--the Ulfen merchant Bjorn the Blade and the Erutaki elder Seshu, converse quietly as Bjorn hammers the final nail attaching a scrolled piece of hide to the village’s notice board.

Hunters needed!

Over the past weeks, a creature some of us have come to know as the “Whitefang Wyrm” has been spotted lurking near our settlement, stealing fish from our nets and baskets and leaving nothing but wreckage in its wake. We believe the creature’s lair is somewhere on or across the ice floes of Whitefang Bay. As this creature poses a threat to the survival of all of Aaminiut’s residents, we have prepared a sack of ivory and oosik carvings from the Erutaki and silver bracelets and armbands from the Ulfen, payable to whoever ends the creature’s attacks on our food supply. Proof of the creature’s defeat must be presented to claim this bounty.

-Elder Seshu and Bjorn the Blade

For this exercise, I am forgoing the Secret aspect of Secret Checks, so please roll on your own. If you would prefer to hide them from yourself, feel free to spoiler your rolls.

Recall Knowledge: Arcana or Dragon Lore

You each have 1 Hero Point.

arcana (untrained): 1d20 ⇒ 17

Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

"What this?" Reev asks the two men while gesturing to the newly-posted sign without bothering to read it. "Some kinda call for adventuringers? Me sign up. Me Reev Ranzack and Me is bestest adventuringer," the scrawny goblin boasts and points a thumb to his chest.

Arcane: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

"Ha! Sounds like a fine quest for idle adventurers... and lining my pockets with some ivory and silver to boot!"

"I'm right behind you little goblin man!" the magus says to Reev.

"Whitefang Wyrm you say..."

Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

"I spent long teaching the young of my people. It is time I got sufficient exercise," the elf said stoically. There was a calmness and patience to his voice and demeanor that radiated experience.

Arcana: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

"Hmmm . . . what do you think, Zan? These people don't deserve what's happening to them." Artha shakes her head and gestures toward the board, glancing at the astral copper dragon standing next to her.

Zandroaneth sneers toward the picture, "I'm interested to see just what this creature is, myself. It might need the food from the bay, just like the people here. Targeting the nets and traps might mean it has some intelligence and reason." But her eyes light up with a green glow when thinking about the precious treasures offered as a reward.

If you allow the eidolon to roll skill checks, too, then here's Zan's Arcana check:
Zan's Arcana: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

@Artha & Zan: It appears valid. In Encounter mode, you would each need to spend a separate action to perform Recall Knowledge, but I do not see an exclusion.

Based on the drawing on the bounty, most of you figure that it’s
likely not a true dragon, but rather a drake or tatzlwyrm—these smaller cousins to dragons lack some of their more powerful cousins’ most terrifying powers.

Bjorn sees you eyeing the bounty and says, "If you're going onto the ice after the wyrm, I've got a team of sled dogs I can loan you for 5 silver."

You can, if you desire, attempt to convince Bjorn to loan you the sled on credit for an increased price later using Diplomacy.

The stoic elf reaches into a pouch and produces a gold coin, which he then flicks at Bjorn.

Bjorn catches the gold coin and quickly counts out Alexand's change. "I'll be right back with your teams," he says. About ten minutes later, you can hear the sound of snow crunching under the rails of the sleds as he and another Ulfen bring out two sled teams. "I trust you know how to use them."

The adventure provides no requirement that you dedicate a character to driving the sled.

Choose your Exploration mode. E.g. Scout, Search, Investigate, or Follow the Expert.

You may make an check with the appropriate skill to represent your progress across the ice. E.g. Search = Perception, Investigate = Nature, Dragon Lore, Tundra Lore, etc., Track = Survival, etc.

Kragen is unfamiliar with these lands, and untrained in tracking of monsters... He will be avoiding notice, attempting to travel with the group and remain mostly unnoticed by any onlookers as they travel

stealth to sneak: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Artha and Zandroaneth look at each other and both decide to try to track the elusive wyrm across the ice.

Artha's Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Zan's Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Reev stands at the front of the dogsled, his keen eyes keeping a lookout for trouble ahead.

Search

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Zvarbelle attempts to search.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Alexand, with his statuesque face, scans the surroundings for traces of the creature.

Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

The magus walks along with the group scanning and taking in the sites, Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

(note:prior to leaving I'll be picking up some standard cold weather garb... which would likely have already been purchased to be in this locale.)

Artha also bought winter clothing before setting out and it is in her inventory.

Careful, RyanH, or you'll be Magus Playtest forever. ;)

Zvarbelle notices the trail you're following doubles back before you've followed it for too long, and you are able to find the true trail and continue forward. It seems your prey is at least smart enough to try to hide its tracks.

You arrive at an ice cavern with the sun still high in the sky. The sunlight shines through the clearer portions of ice, splitting into rainbow prisms.

I'm going to post the map, but we'll get to the encounter tomorrow.

MAP

You can go ahead and place your tokens in the first cave. Summoners, don't forget to create a token for your Eidolon.

Artha looks at Zan, nods, and grabs two healing potions from her belt pouch in preparation. Zan moves forward next to Alexand as they move into the mouth of the ice cave.

Reev draws his mismatched swords, Harriet and Terror as the group heads into the cavern.

The small goblin thief keeps to the walls of the caves, hoping to blend in with the shadows. (Exploration: Stealth)

Alexand unsheaths his bastard sword and pulls out a scroll. He does this as he calmly strolls forward.

As the group steps toward the mouth of the cavern, a burst of sickly dark light bursts from Kragen's chest and a few steps behind him appears a hulking aberration with the head of a goat and a mass of writhing tentacles for a body. It seems to glide along the ground to take a protective position in front of the small goblin...

We're ready for what may come from this wyrm... let us make our way forward

Kragen then uses his scroll of mage armor

As you prepare yourselves and file into the glittering cave, Zandroaneth spies a small, dragon-like wyrm feasting on a fish. It raises its head, sniffs and turns towards you with a hiss while shoving its meal behind itself protectively.

"Āmāra bāṛitē kē āmākē birakta karē?" he says in the sibilant language of dragons.

Map updated

Encounter. Social (for now).

You are not immediately in combat. If you perform a hostile action (or do something that triggers combat), I will roll and resort on initiatives.

Alexand (sword in hand, scroll in hand)
Artha (potion in hand, potion in eidolon hand)
Ellanhar
Kragen (mage armor)
Zvarbelle
Whitefang Wyrm

Zvarbelle looks at the wyrm. "That's a might tasty looking fish you have there. We aren't here to steal it though. We just want to talk."

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

"Āpani jinisa dhbansa. Tārā āpanāra antargata chila nā. Ēṭi ēkaṭi aparādha. Āpani ki uttara dina?" Alexand answers loudly and judiciously.

Inimidation: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3

Ellanhar's eyes widen at Alexand's intimidating move.

Gesturing at Zvarbelle, he also speaks in Draconic.

diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Zandroaneth glances to the side at the others, then swivels her head around and surveys the creature. She glares at the wyrm and puffs out her chest.

Artha steps sideways into sight and states in Draconic:

Āpani kēna māchaṭi nicchēna ēbaṁ āminiẏaṭēra lōkadēra antargata jālaguli dhbansa karachēna tā āmarā jānatē pērēchi. Ēguli khārāpa kāja.

Intimidation: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Both of the potions are in Artha's hands. Her staff is attached to her backpack. Zan is holding nothing in her hands.

Kraken looks around as most of the company starts speaking a language unknown to him..

You all best start taking so Kragen can understand.. Especially you wyrm, you owe answers to the crimes committed against the villagers. Stealing from them like that, it's uncalled for!

intimidation: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Gesturing at Kragen,

To Kragen, "I told him what you said... "

LOL, Ellanhar!

The drake-like wyrm ignores Zvarbelle and Kragen. Judging from the cursory glance that he makes at each of them when they start talking, you surmise that it does not understand Taldane. Alexand's words in the tongue of dragons, however, earns a derisive snort followed by a short lecture, "Āmi āmāra nijēra matō mācha kēna ni'i nā? Hatē pārē yadi phiśārarā yathāyatha śrad'dhā jānāẏa ēbaṁ dhan'yabāda hisābē āmākē mācha dēẏa tādēra rakṣā karā, āmāra yā itimadhyē āmāra tā nē'ōẏāra darakāra nē'i. Kē aparādha karē?"

He glances at Ellanhar and hisses, [b]"Ālōcanāra kōna'ō artha nē'i. Tumi yā'ō." Following the magus' interpretation of the goblin's words, he says, "Spaṣṭata'i."

He chirps and hisses at Artha, "Āmi tōmākē balēchilāma. Māchēra khani. Kōnō śrad'dhābōdha nē'i. Āja āmi mānuṣēra mānsa khā'i."

The muscles in the wyrm's coils begin to tense!

Encounter! Round 1! Bold may act.

Hilarious! The ones with the zero social init modifiers win initiative.

Ellenhar
Alexand
Kragen
Wyrm
Artha
Zvarbelle

Edited per Alexand's correction

Welp... let's see if we can work this new-fangled class

1st Action - going to list by action so we can see the Magus bits
Ellenhar, having been slow in the prior posting, needs to, and does, pull his whip out.

2nd - 3rd Action

Uttering arcane incantations Ellanhar waves his hand past the whip and it bursts into flame Produce Flame...

As he twirls the whip it seems to carry him forward, sparks and fire trailing him as he approaches the Wrym! Slide casting

Ready to attack, he bellows,

Please correct me as necessary!

Striking Spell only puts the spell into your weapon. You must separately strike with it.

Alexand quickly unfurls the scrolls and reads the words while tracing a symbol in the air. The scroll then disintegrates is a burst of blue that envelops his sword. It begins glowing blue.

Alexand then begins slowly advancing toward the wyrm.

2 action - cast Magic Weapon; 1 action - stride

Kragen, not needing to understand draconic, sees the dragon's muscles tense to attack, and moves into action!

1 action: Tandem Move Kragen and his eldritch shadow both stride

As Kragen's shadow slides past him to the opposite wall of the hallway he yells out to his eidelon
"Prepare to unleash your fury on this wyrm!
2 action: Kragen casts telekinetic projectile, hurling an icy boulder at the wyrm
Telekinetic projectile to hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Telekinetic projectile bludgeoning damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

The wyrm shrieks with pain and indignation as the icy rock strikes him. He skitters forward on the ice and, ducking under the twirling whip, clamps his shark-like teeth down upon Ellenhar's thigh. Releasing the magus, he belches forth a freezing cold mist.

Step, Strike, Gelid Breath

Encounter! Round 1! Bold may act.

Ellenhar (2/15 hp and pending DC 17 Fortitude save)
Alexand
Kragen
Wyrm (-7 hp)
Artha
Zvarbelle

Just to make sure everyone's getting a chance to try out their tools.

EDIT: Had to edit in the elite adjustment to the Gelid Breath.

Holy sheet of ice!!

Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

clumsy 1, 1 round

Zvarbelle casts Ray of Frost and using Striking Spell to add it to maul. Gain 1 temporary HP.

She then moves up towards the dragon.

Artha casts Magic Weapon (2 actions) and then we Act Together (last action). Zan moves up while Artha casts Shield.

Alexand takes off running. As he runs he chants a some words and his free hand traces symbols in the air. He takes a hard turn and ends up behind the wyrm just as fire erupts from his glowing blue bastard sword. With fluid motion he thrusts the sword at the wyrm.

Strike vs Flat-footed: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 = 10
sword+str: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (6, 7) + 4 = 17
Burning Hands (ref DC 16): 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

Striking Spell - Slide Casting - Burning Hands; Strike

EDIT: Use my hero point

Strike vs Flat-footed: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 1 = 28

Oh! Well..! Because of the crit, the result of the wyrm's save is treated as 1 step worse

Blood gushing from his leg, frost bits in his hair and coating his flesh, Ellanhar strikes out with his flaming whip...

Whip Attack 1, - Clumsy: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 - 1 = 21
Non Lethal Slashing: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Produce Flame: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Fire damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

He sticks again with his whip as the flames dissipate

Whip Attack 2, - Clumsy: 1d20 + 7 - 5 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 5 - 1 = 19
Non Lethal Slashing: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Stumbling back, his hand pressed to his thigh, blood running out, he retreats

Alexand thrusts his sword into the wyrm's chest. The wyrm has a moment to gaze into the elf's eyes with stunned surprise before the blade explodes in flame, ending the wyrm's life.

Easiest way to prolong the fight would have been to negate the critical. But that was pretty spectacular.

You return to the town victorious and are rewarded with a sack of ivory and whale bone carvings and silver jewelry.

OK. For anyone wanting to stick around and replay the encounter so you can fiddle with more of your tools, I'm going to set up the encounter as though you had not noticed the false trail. Reset your HP and other consumables.

Would love to replay. Zvarbelle only had one turn and that really only consisted of moving.

You arrive as the sun is setting to find a dark cave within the ice.

Dark within the cave. Anyone without darkvision will need a light source.

Encounter! Round 1. Bold may act.

You can back play anyone lighting a light source before entering the cave, just make sure someone has somehow before the non-darkvision people start moving around.

The wyrm isn't where he was last encounter, so you'll have to find him or he find you.

Zvarbelle
Kragen
Ellanhar
Alexand
Wyrm
Artha

Alexand quickly unfurls the scroll and reads the words while tracing a symbol in the air. The scroll then disintegrates in a burst of blue that envelops his sword. It begins glowing blue.

Alexand then begins slowly walking into the cave.

2 action - cast Magic Weapon; 1 action - stride

"Bāhirē āsa. Bāhirē āsa. Tumi yēkhānē'i thāka..."

Zvarbelle walks slowly in the cave after Alexand.

Double Move. Will look in to the next cavern.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Kragen steps into the cavern with his shadowy eldritch Eidelon and both of them look around the caverns to see if they can make out any sign of the wyrm

1 action: Kragen Strides 25 feet into the cavern
1 action: Kragens Eidelon strides 25 feet into the cavern
1 action: tandem move- Kragen peers into the cavern to his left to see if he notices any signs of the wyrm; Eidelon strides into the center of the first chamber

Kragen Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Ellenhar enters the cave with a lit torch... another unlit in his other hand. Following the others in.

Artha calls out, "Hey, it is a BAD idea to split up, guys!" And she worriedly exchanges glances with Zan.

Zvarbelle steps onto a slick patch of ice. (Acrobatics check vs. DC 15 or fall prone and slide to where the blue smiley face is and take Bludgeoning: 1d6 ⇒ 1 damage.

Kragen stumbles upon the wyrm, who thinks he is hidden exceedingly well but apparently forgot to wash the fish blood off of its scales before hiding.

Ellanhar and Alexand can adjust their actions. I assume Kragen would call out and Ellanhar would not--hearing that--want to try the ice slick.

Encounter! Round 1. Bold may act.

Zvarbelle
Kragen
Ellanhar
Alexand
Wyrm
Artha