GM ZD Escaping the Grave (Inactive)

Game Master Z...D...

More to come

Each of the agents receives a letter, see slide #3, from Venture Captain Evni Zongnoss, requesting their presence at the Vodavani Lodge in Caliphas.

A pale elven woman, with a black ponytail, arrives at the Vodavani Lodge. Her right eye is violet, her left eye black. She has long purple nails, and wears a jester’s motley in purple, black and white. Holding a large marotte (jester’s baton), she wears a black cloak with the hood down.

”Special Delivery for Venture Captain Zongnoss!”, she says in a sing-song voice.

An old man approaches the Vodavni lodge mounted on an equally venerable-looking horse. Despite the raggedness of some of his clothing and the evident wear-and-tear on his armor, the man carries himself with an air of dignity and decorum.

The man grunts and dusts himself off as he dismounts his horse in front of the lodge's entrance.

Here boy - the man says, motioning for a nearby street urchin boy to approach - go find some feed for my horse and brush his mane with this. Here's 4 copper for you, and 5 copper for the horse's feed. I'll give you twice as much when I return to get my brush and find my horse safe. He's had a long journey. Tapping the boy's shoulder, the old man begins walking away to enter the lodge.

I'm looking for lady Zangnoss - he loudly proclaims - The Venture-Captain has requested the presence of yours truly, Cervantes De La Mancha.

An elven woman in immaculately kept chain mail walks into the Vodavani Lodge, the only color in her outfit a rainbow colored feather drifting lazily behind her, secured to the haft of her glaive. She unrolls the message she received a few days ago on her way home from the Lands of the Linnorm Kings and frowns, wondering at the urgency and the strange circumstances surrounding her next mission.

"Um, hello, my presence has been requested by Venture-Captain Zongnoss. Her message says she's taken up temporary residence here, would you be able to direct me?" She asks of the nearest clerk.

An average size human male of fairly young age walks into the Lodge. He has raven hair and hazel eyes, wearing chain mail. The only weapons he seems to have on him are a dagger and sling strapped to his belt. Around his neck in a necklace revealing the symbol of Pharasma.

"Greetings. I have been summoned by Venture-Captain Zongnoss. Here is the letter she sent out." Reveals the letter to whoever is guarding the place.

A harried gnome clad in a blue turban and matching robe decorated with golden crescent moons and butterflies scurries through the crowded Vodavani Lodge, delegating tasks to various Pathfinders. When she spots the newcomers, she issues a warm smile. “Ah, thank you for coming. Gather around over here, please.”

Evni motions over to a nearby table upon which rests a parchment map stuck with miniature flag partly obscuring the label “Lastwall.” “Apologies for the out-of-date cartography, but it’s the best we can do at this time.

“The re-emergence of Tar-Baphon dealt a devastating blow to the Society, so we’ve been scrambling to consolidate resources. The Society is focusing on missions into the Gravelands for two reasons: to track down the whereabouts of Pathfinder agents who went missing when the undead hordes struck, and to recover the fragments of history and culture that yet survive. I believe you all should have received a letter from me containing your assigned destination.”

”But of course”, Aldonza replies.

”In Goldenflame, did Captain Z
A glorious mission site decree!”

Evni points to a flag in the southeast portion of Lastwall. “Goldenflame was an idyllic place surrounding a college sponsored and supported by the church of Iomedae. Fortunately, most of the town was able to evacuate swiftly, but we know that some residents stayed behind out of a sense of civic duty to defend their home against evil.

[B]“Goldenflame College is known for its documentation of the history of both southeastern Lastwall and the activities of the church of Iomedae in the region, as well as its collection of invaluable local curiosities accrued over time. Those relics and stories—if they can be recovered, then Lastwall can live on.”

Evni excuses herself and shortly returns with a bundle of paper. “These dossiers contain information on all known Pathfinder agents in the region surrounding Goldenflame. Although we must hold out hope, I cannot truthfully say I am optimistic. Nevertheless, closure is important, and we can properly mourn for their loss and celebrate their lives if we know their fates. Perhaps these documents could be of some use to you in this quest. I’ve also completed and signed travel documentation stating your reasons for being in the Gravelands. Present this document to the border crossing, and you can then be on your way.”

Evni walks over to a nearby bench to a relatively massive pack, where she begins sorting through its contents. She pulls out a bundle of sacks. “Here. These are for you to transport any items or—” she bows her head “—remains you might find. I know it is a sad and gruesome task, but retrieving those fallen Pathfinders would bring closure to their loved ones.” Evni then closes the pack and shoulders it. “I’m also heading into the Gravelands myself. May Desna guide us all on our journeys. Hopefully we can find what we seek.”

Evni hands the PC's 10 sacks and a stack of dossiers. See presentation She also has time for a few questions.

At this point, you all will be recieving your hero points. If you have any glyphs, feel free to hand them out in accordance to the guide to organized play

Finally, if you would like to make the recall knowledge check to know about Goldenflame, post your Society modifier. Since there is an chance to critically fail this task, I will not be rolling for everybody.

Ulena reads over the dossiers and wipes a tear from her eye.

"We will, of course, find our lost comrades." She nods at Evni. "What sort of obstacles might we face? Are you entering the Gravelands on your own? Should we escort you to your destination."

Jak scans over the dossiers and gives a silent prayer after reading each name. "We will make sure there is closure, the dead deserve that."

Sorry I'm late to the party. :/

Singing can be heard from elsewhere in the lodge, but it grows nearer. The voice has a distinct Kelish accent, and it is diminutive yet bold and confident. The tone is quite clear, and the song is happy and lilting and in a major key.

♫ ♬
Well, there's a dark and a troubled side of life
There's a bright and a sunny side too
But if you meet with the darkness and strife
The sunny side we also may view
♫ ♬

The song gets louder as the singer approaches the briefing room. The door opens to reveal a small, ruddy goblin dressed in traditional Qadiran robes — blue and white with gold suns embroidered in silk thread.

♫ ♬
Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help us every day, it will brighten all the way
If we keep on the sunny side of life
♫ ♬

"I am terribly sorry for my tardiness," the goblin apologizes. "Your missive did not find me where I expected to be found, Captain Zangnoss, but I made haste to arrive as quickly as I could. Rufous Redfire, Novice of Light, at your service," He takes a deep bow. "No need to recap what I missed; I'm sure my companions will fill me in."

Rufous takes his place at the table with the others.

Rufous has Society +3. Roll away.

While Zongnoss addresses Ulena’s questions, Aldonza crouches down to catch Rufous up.

”We’re finding Pathfinders who lost their path”, she says in a hushed tone, ”bringing them back dead or alive, and re-killing any dead folks who try to stop us”

She grins at Rufous. ”It’ll be quite a show”, she adds.

Evni answer Ulena, “Tar-Baphon’s legions are constantly patrolling and are mighty indeed, so I recommend avoiding fights with those troops. Try to identify the paths the undead patrols normally take and travel elsewhere. Covering your tracks would be wise as well. Although I would like you to be as thorough as you can in your investigation, do keep in mind that spending too much time in the Gravelands increases your likelihood of being found, so don’t linger.”

"No need to worry about the escort mission. That is being handled by someone else."

Rufous smiles at Aldonza and whispers back, "بإرادة زهرة الفجر."

Cervantes appears visibly moved by the whole situation and the task at hand. He takes a moment to re-compose himself and then addresses Captain Zangnoss with a solemn expression and on a quieter voice.

I think I speak for me and my fellow Pathfinders when I say we will give this task our best. After all, the least we want to do is to add to the lodge's burden and end up being in need of rescue or...well, retrieval.

Is there an inventory of the relics and curious we are to retrieve? How should we know what we are looking for?

As for our Pathfinder comrades, I assume we are to take with us anyone who wears the Open Road, correct?

Evni nods as Cervantes speaks, once finished with his questions. “Be on the lookout for any religious texts and historical records—hopefully the troops of Tar-Baphon have overlooked them. You might also find items of cultural or religious significance: things that Goldenflame could be remembered by."

"Yes, any one bares our symbol, bring them back for identification"

If we have no more questions, we will move on.

The PCs depart Caliphas early in the day, passing through a heavily fortified Ustalavic border crossing staffed by Knights of Lastwall, one of whom examines the PCs’ documentation and then waves them through. The day is clear and bright, but the landscape is desolate and quiet, the gently rolling hills devoid of life. However, obstacles are between them and their destination.

So for the next three obstacles, we will need to make a series of checks.

First a PC can make a set up check. If the PC succeeds at this check, they grant everyone else a +2 circumstance bonus to their checks. It also counts as a success towards overcoming the obstacles

Checks: Each PC, except the one who attempted the set up check, may partake in one of the checks listed to overcome the obstacle. A Critical success counts as 2 points to overcome, a successes counts as 1, and a critical failure removes a point.

Hustle: If they cannot or don't wish to attempt a relevant skill check, a PC can bypass an obstacle by using the Hustle exploration activity to simply take the long way around. This grants the PC an automatic success toward overcoming the obstacle, but they must attempt a DC 18 Fortitude save. On a failure, they become fatigued and can’t use the Hustle activity again for any subsequent obstacles. Each time a PC Hustles after the first time, the Fortitude save DC increases by 2.

Finally if the PC does not want/can't hustle and does no want to attempt the check, it automatically counts as a critical failure

Obstacle 1: Hill

A large, steep rise blocks the most direct path through the area, and the road diverts around it.

Set up check will be Scouting Lore, Survival or Perception check to find an efficient path up the hill, granting the other PCs a +2 circumstance bonus to their Athletics checks.

For others, it is an athletics to use sheer strength to power up and over the hill, helping their allies as necessary.

It looks like I have the best Perception modifier.

Set Up Check (Perception): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Moving back and forth, looking at the path, Jak eventually points out a path he thinks is best.

Aldonza looks up at the rise before them. ”At least it’ll be easier on the way back”, she says, as she tucks her marotte into the back of her belt. Crouching down like a cat, she slinks her way up the hill, pausing occasionally to make sure the others are keeping up.
Nice roll!
Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Rufous follows closely behind Jak and Aldonza up the steep terrain, quietly humming a tune to keep everyone's spirits up.

Athletics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10. I did not include a bonus from Jak, if there is one.

Hero Point!
Athletics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14. I did not include a bonus from Jak, if there is one.

Still waiting on Cervantes and Ulena to act

"Thank you Jak, that does seem a much more likely path." Ulena says with a smile to her companion and attempts the climb.

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

I believe Jak's set-up check is giving us a +2 Circumstance bonus, which I will use below. If I'm wrong, feel free to subtract 2 from my result.

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 = 23

Cervantes dismounts his horse and powers through the hill as best as he can. He is surprised to find the climb easier than he expected. He looks down triumphantly once atop it, barely having broken a sweat.

While he waits for the others, Cervantes takes a carrot to feed to his horse .

The PCs make slow progress and waste time cresting or circumnavigating the hill.

Obstacle 2: Undead Troops

A massive patrol of undead troops is approaching but seems not to have noticed the PCs yet; it should be very apparent to the PCs that it would be unwise to engage this undead army.

Setup check:If the setup PC succeeds at a Deception check, they can divert the undeads’ attention elsewhere while the PCs pass by.

Check: A PC who succeeds at a Stealth check can quietly skirt by the undead troops.

Hustle: A PC who Hustles avoids notice by simply moving quickly before the undead can scrutinize the area.

”Hmmmm”, Aldonza muses. ”Perhaps a wild goose chase is in order, with an invisible goose”

Drawing her cloak around her, she sneaks off into the surrounding brush toward the army. Every few seconds, she tosses a stone, breaks a branch, or makes a bird call, drawing their gaze away from the other Pathfinders. Then she quietly moves along, leaving empty air for the scouts to find.

Deception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

With Aldonza's distraction, Rufous sneaks around the undead column.

Stealth: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 1 + 2 = 23. This time I feel pretty confident that Aldonza's distraction was successful, and my roll includes the +2 bonus. :)

Edit: critical success?

Not trusting his ability to sneak past the undead army, Jak moves a quickly as he can to move past the undead army before they become a threat.

Hustle: 40' for 10 minutes

At Jak, I will need a fortitude save from you.

Anyone else who hustles, will need a fort save as well

Ulena hustles beside Jak in her rigid armor, knowing she is useless when it comes to stealth. She keeps an eye on the others, glaive ready in case they'll need assistance.

Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
I'm gonna spend my Hero Point
Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Cervantes will take the risk. His fortitude and his boosted stealth (thanks Aldonza!) are actually the same, and he hasn't used his hero point yet, so there's hope.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 2 = 13

Let's try again! I will spend my Hero Point.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 2 = 13

It was fate.

Cervantes does his best to keep quiet, but something skitters underfoot, spooking both him and Rocinante. The horse lets out a neigh before Cervantes is able to calm him down.

I'm so sorry...I hope they didn't hear that - Cervantes whispers to the group.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Ouch

The group successfully evade the undead regiment of troops.

Jak seems a bit winded after hustling through the area. You are fatigued for the foreseeable future. You also can not hustle on the remaining obstacles.

Obstacle 3-Undergrowth

Heavy, prickly undergrowth and tall grasses have grown over the road.

Setup Check: If the setup PC succeeds at a Nature or Survival check, they can identify areas where the undergrowth isn’t as thick, granting the PCs a +2 circumstance bonus to their attack rolls and Acrobatics checks.

Check: A PC who succeeds at a melee attack roll against using a weapon that deals slashing damage can hack their way through; alternatively, a PC who succeeds at a Acrobatics check can nimbly maneuver through the narrow spaces.

Ulena hefts her glaive and begins looking for the best place to cut through so the party can keep moving.
"Thankfully my weapon provides some reach, so I can cut into the path ahead. What looks to be the easiest path?" She asks of her companions.

Once given direction she'll begin cutting a path through.
Glaive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Aldonza eases her way through the underbrush, winding her body under and around the obstructions. ”It’s almost like a dance”, she muses. ”I’ll have to work on that”

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Jak, breathing a little heavy, looks for a passable path through the underbrush.

Inspired by Aldonza's fluid dance-like moves through the canopy, Cervantes begins a free-form interpretative beat with his belt-drum to inspire everyone to work in tandem.

Cervantes is using Inspire Courage, so we all get +1 to our attack rolls.

As he does, he takes out his knife and begins hacking away following the rythm.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 = 20

Rufous follows Cervantes through the thicket, hacking away at the thistles and nettles with a tasseled dogslicer in time with the rhythmic drum, singing along with the beat.

♫ ♬
Oh, the storm and its fury broke today
Crushing hopes that we cherish so dear
Clouds and storms will in time pass away
The sun again will shine bright and clear
♫ ♬

♫ ♬
Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help us every day, it will brighten all the way
If we'll keep on the sunny side of life
♫ ♬

Dogslicer attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 = 15

The PC's easily hack their way through the thicket.

The PCs briskly traverse the Gravelands and arrive in Goldenflame

While walking towards Goldenflame Rufous, Aldonza and Ulena all see a lone figure running over the crest of a small hill.

The PCs enter Goldenflame from the northeast. Apart from the slight breeze, the town is still and quiet. The buildings here seem mostly intact, with only a few signs of disuse: cracked gutters, dry and decaying flower beds, weeds growing against flaking walls.

A crumbling fountain stands in the middle of the plaza, dry as a dusty bone.

The PCs barely set foot inside the town before their presence is known to small group of undead. Most likely left behind from the large regiment they saw earlier.

Luckily, Aldonza is able to see them and gives her allies a little warning.

Cervantes May Act

If you wish to try to recall knowledge, please announce it as one of your actions and specify if you want the humanoid zombie or zombie horse. Each of them will be a seperate recall knowledge check

Cervantes draws his Lance and readies for the impending attack.

->Interact to draw his weapon
->-> Ready an action: attack an enemy if they come within reach (10 ft.) of his lance.

Cervantes lowers his lance and waits for the undead.

The first of the undead approach the group. Cervantes thrust his lance as it comes within reach.

lance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 171d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

The pointy end of the lance finds its way into the zombie, leaving a nice cavity in the rotting flesh.

red vs aldonza: 1d20 ⇒ 31d6 ⇒ 1

The zombie swings at Aldonza, but the Elf dodges the punch.

To Act
Jak
Rufous
Ulena
Aldonza

Aldonza dodges the blow, turning it into an elaborate bow.

”Ladies and gentlemen, and various beasts of burden! I present to you...”

She turns to the others. ”The audience is really dead today!” She taps the head of her marotte. ”Is this thing on?”

She turns back to the zombies. ”I present to you, Aldonza Delamorte...”

She gestures toward the others with her free hand. ”...and entourage, in a blood-curdling performance that we like to call...”

She draws a thin-bladed sword from the marotte. ”‘The Danse Macabre’!”

And with that, she stabs at her attacker.

Performance (for Panache), Interact, Strike
Performance: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3+2 with Panache

Jak takes aim at the closest zombie coming from the south and lets loose a ray of positive energy in its direction.

Disrupt Undead vs Green: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Fort Save DC 17 to avoid damage: Critical Failure = Enfeebled for 1 round.

@Jak: I don't think you need to make an attack roll with disrupt undead.

"May the Dawnflower guide your weapon, Cervantes!" Rufous offers a short prayer to Sarenrae asking her to bless the warrior poet.

"הַדְרָכָה"
◈ guidance on Cervantes

The ruddy-skinned goblin then turns his attention to the zombie approaching from the north.

"לְשַׁבֵּשׁ"
◈◈ disrupt undead at YELLOW

disrupt undead damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Basic Fortitude DC 17

"Back into the earth with you, abomination!"

Aldonza puts on a show, but proves to be more talk than action, and misses her strike.

Jak and Rufous begins blasting the undead with positive magic.

green fort: 1d20 ⇒ 16
yellow fort: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Both undead still stand after fighting off most of the effects.

Ulena may act

Ulena moves in front of Cervantes to draw the undead to her, from her new position she attempts an attack against the zombie attacking Aldonza but is distracted by the woman's performance and misjudges her own strike.

Glaive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 71d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

The zombie horse gallops towards the group, stopping in front of Ulena.

Cervantes May Act

The light seems to get brighter for Cervantes and their opponents moves a bit more predictable as Rufous finishes his enchantation, a comforting warmth enveloping him.

Inspired by Aldonza's swords dance, Cervantes begins humming an accompanying beat.

Cervantes casts Inspire Courage. Everyone gets +1 to attack and damage rolls, as well as saves against fear

Without hesitation, Cervantes strikes at the approaching undead once more!

Cervantes will attack Red Zombie with his lance. Unfortunately Guidance doesn't stack with Inspire Courage so I'll save it for a potential save or skill check.

Attacking Red, Lance: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 21
Lance Damage: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13

Cervantes' lance strikes true. He skillfully removes the lance from the zombie's body with a flourish. He then sets his lance in a bracing position so as to impede the undead horse's free movement in his proximity, hoping to facilitate Aldonza's approach upcoming assault.

Cervantes will prepare to aid Aldonza, if our GM thinks Cervantes could do so in the way I described. If it does work and Aldonza chooses to attack the Undead Horse, Cervantes will use his reaction to aid with the roll below (in spoiler)

SUMMARY
-> Inspire Courage
-> Strike
-> Prepare to aid

@Cervantes, not sure what you are trying to do? If you are trying to use a ready action, that is two actions.

Will update once this gets figured out.