[Non-PFS] [3PP Class Only] Shadowed Keep on the Borderlands (Inactive)

Game Master djpika

Round 4
Fortitude: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
The astral deva is weakened by the spider's poison.
Woosy, Xephkiel continues his attack on yellow spider
Rapier: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Dmg.: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Make any reductions due to poison damage.

Xephikiel takes str: 1d2 ⇒ 1 ability damage and has to repeat the save at the start of the next round. Despite the venom, he's able to impale the spider yet again.

Once Randall dispatches the black spider, Chigao reverses her course as she heads northward back to the table in a movement thru difficult terrain and tries to get back on top of it with an acrobatic spring.

Acrobatics to the tabletop: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11.

Unfortunately, she is unable to get on top like she did last time, so Chigao attempts to circle around the length of the table instead. The cluttered ground proves to be not so cooperative though...

Purple diamond indicates Chigao's starting position, takes 10' movement to go up a 5' square; attempts to jump back on top of the table but is unable to do so- hence the blue 1 to mark that location of the attempt. Tries to complete the rest of her movement to get around the table; I think that the table edge is one square past those two respective circle-stars or am I misremembering things?

The circle-stars represent the iron chandeliers, so they shouldn't come into movement play unless someone decides to buckle some swashes. If the table was one space larger before, just go with the current. I couldn't backtrack to show the previous so I just drew another.

Ok. Zupon took Str damage but if not HP damage he's still standing for the moment. Unhappily but so. I'll post in the mornin 'afore work!

Zupon, feeling weak but not trusting himsel to escape succesfully flails his torch more at the creature.

flailing fire!: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15 Bash/Fire: 1d3 ⇒ 31d6 ⇒ 1

The circle-stars represent the iron chandeliers, so they shouldn't come into movement play unless someone decides to buckle some swashes. If the table was one space larger before, just go with the current. I couldn't backtrack to show the previous so I just drew another.

Heh, good to know about the chandeliers then; also glad to have some clarification about the table length too. ;)

If it'll be okay with everyone, I'd like to retcon Chigao's movement attempts in that being unable to 'acrobatics' towards the top of the table, she'll go thru to occupy the empty space between Xef and the table and make an attack there [if allowed; not sure if the acrobatics attempt took up the standard action] instead of trying to go around the table. In such a case, she'll go 5' northeast in another 10' of ground movement used up. :)

attack and damage, if required or allowed: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 81d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8. The attack roll was a little bit better than last time but it doesn't seem likely to do anything to the remaining spider. ;p

PS. Note to self: If not okay to do the retcon, then Chigao's previous position will be at 5' west/left of the right chandelier from the blue 1, directly upon the skull pile.

Gm's call. I'm fine~pbp tends to be a bit more flux

The ret-con is fine, although the attack misses. Acrobatics is a part of movement, I believe.

Current update before botting...

=Combat=

Yellow Spider -13

Round 4 Up!
Randall: 6
Nathan: 2

Randall attacks over Xephkiel with his Ranseur, impaling the beast with a satisfying crunch, like the cracking of a cockroach's carapace underneath a boot.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 = 10

The remaining spider slumps to the floor, it's weight bending the Ranseaur until Randall can slide it off.

Combat Over!

"Seems like the floor is fairly clear now.. This is a pretty good door, and we can search through this area. Shall we make a short camp? We have a door, and the stairs. So, we'll have some measure of ability." Zupon offers the group. Not only due to his own extreme pain.

Making ready to shift her position towards the northeasterly during the last rounds of combat with the one remaining spider, Chigao readily relaxes her tense grip upon her tautly held sickle almost immediately afterwards once the good Sergeant makes short work of that large lone arachnid.

Looking about the immense room, the Young Kunoichi replies with, "Setting up camp for the night after we've examined this area sounds like a fine notion, Zupon." as she goes to retrieve her discarded crossbow, dagger, and bolt after sheathing her sickle.

DM rel20, when examining this room, are we able to take twenty in searching the place or should we go ahead with standard perception rolls? And does that circular staircase lead up or down?

standard perception if needed or required: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9. Or 25 with a Take20.

"Resting is a good idea, given the number of injuries we've taken. And then maybe we can talk about tactics. I keep forgetting you guys just kind of fell into this. You're not a unit."

Giving a thoughtful nod in response to Sergeant Harkness' offer of discussing group tactics, Chigao responds to the Good Sergeant with, "Any insight you could offer to us in that matter would be much appreciated, Sergeant Harkness; we've only recently just started out on working with one another in that way.", while leaning up against the great table after doing a bit of combing around for anything of interest.

Glancing up at the web-covered ceiling, the Young Kunoichi adds, "It might take some doing and a lot of climbing about but I'd feel much better if we could determine if there aren't any hidden spider nests up there with those bodies."

If taking either a 10 or a 20 to climb up and examine the webbed bodies is an option, Chigao would gladly take such an opportunity if available; can also make a normal climb roll too if that's needed.

possible normal climb roll, if needed or required: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24.

Searching the room:

The bodies in the webs fall to the ground with the fire.

Searching the bodies:

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Sadness

Sounds like we're bedding down and want to secure this place. So. Take 20 won't be an issue

Zupon rolls up his sleeves and starts to pile things up in the middle that they find, working with the others as they clock and search the room together. Avoiding falling corpses and the like.

If GM does not want take 20. then I'll just take 10 for a 15. So I'll coment on the take 10 amount of stuff but can toss in the other if take 20 is fine

Curled up in his robe in a pile Zupon dumps 15gp and 34 silver. As well as a bone scroll tube. which he examines carefully before opening it.
perc for trapped stopper but i got no magic trap skills: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
before seeing if any of us can read it.

After everything is settled Zupon will sleep in a corner.

Rolling as if still 1st level; can add adjustments when I've gotten the 2nd level info up and posted. ;)

general room perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12.

fallen bodies perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13.

Edit: With these rolls, they seem to work better as an assist to a higher roll. ;p

Before helping in setting up camp for the night, Chigao will offer a suggestion of moving the ancient table to block either the double doorway leading to this room or the spiral staircase entry- whichever would make more sense to do. There might be a case made for blocking the fireplace but as things are, the table only seems big enough to block a single entry point.

Sadness

If it's any consolation, Randall still has an opportunity to roll for perception on the bodies. :)

Before helping in setting up camp for the night, Chigao will offer a suggestion of moving the ancient table to block either the double doorway leading to this room or the spiral staircase entry- whichever would make more sense to do.

"Sound idea. And I'll man the table barricade tonight."

"Sound idea. And I'll man the table barricade tonight."

With effort and some help, the astra deva props the heavy table against the door.

In the meantime, the Young Kunoichi will grab whatever pieces of debris that she can find, especially sizable and unwieldy pieces like armor bits, bones, or even broken weapon pieces to line them up like an awkward puzzle piece upon the surface of the first two or three sets of stairs of the staircase in order to make it so that whatever human sized [or larger] intruders would cause said debris to make some noise when those debris get stepped upon- forming a crude noisemaker along the stairway entry perimeter to the room.

"It's no jingling bell and wire setup but it'll have to do in a pinch for alerting us if anything steps through the staircase."

Not sure what to roll for this; possibly an untrained craft or survival skill?

Looking over to where Xephkiel has the table positioned at, Chigao will ask the Angelic Deva, "Will you be needing any additional assistance with the guard watch tonight, Xef? Some of us can help to keep an eye out on the staircase while you're watching the doorway."

Chigao can take a watch- maybe middle or last?

"It's no jingling bell and wire setup but it'll have to do in a pinch for alerting us if anything steps through the staircase."

Not sure what to roll for this; possibly an untrained craft or survival skill?

Survival is fine. I believe there is actually a craft(trap) skill that would make more sense, but alarm traps and snare traps should probably bleed over to both.

If GM does not want take 20. then I'll just take 10 for a 15. So I'll coment on the take 10 amount of stuff but can toss in the other if take 20 is fine

Taking 20 is fine for this.

Zupon will help Chigao set up a trap, but otherwise packs it in for the night. "Wake me for a shift," settling up into a corner, with his torch standing near him, and the rest of his gear packed into his bag, clutched to his chest as he leans against the corner for rest.

Survival is fine. I believe there is actually a craft(trap) skill that would make more sense, but alarm traps and snare traps should probably bleed over to both.

Sounds fine by me; since both Survival and Craft are untrained, they'd both be at +1 for the modifiers. ;)

base d20 roll with modifier: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15.

Zupon will help Chigao set up a trap, but otherwise packs it in for the night. "Wake me for a shift," settling up into a corner, with his torch standing near him, and the rest of his gear packed into his bag, clutched to his chest as he leans against the corner for rest.

"Of course, Zupon; hopefully, things will turn out peacefully for the night."

Possibly count as an assist if taking a 10? ;p

Looking over to where Xephkiel has the table positioned at, Chigao will ask the Angelic Deva, "Will you be needing any additional assistance with the guard watch tonight, Xef? Some of us can help to keep an eye out on the staircase while you're watching the doorway."

"And miss out of sharing a lovely evening with a beautiful lady. Never." The astral deva flirted. "I would appreciate the help, Chigao."

"And miss out of sharing a lovely evening with a beautiful lady. Never." The astral deva flirted. "I would appreciate the help, Chigao."

Blushing heavily in response to the Astral Deva's opportune flirting, Chigao stammers out, "Wh..wuh...why, it'd~~it's the least I c-could do to ... help out- to k-keep a watch, that is."

She'll try an untrained [at 1st level] bluff to seem casual and nonchalant about it. ;p

untrained bluff?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21.

Quickly turning away from Xef's impressive- but very much taken- features, the Young Kunoichi acts as if she is closely examining her and Zupon's combined handiwork at making an impromptu noise-alerter upon the steps of the staircase instead.

Get a hold of yourself- he's with somebody else already! What would the others think about such a... display-- No, what would Master Fisnaeth have to say about such a thing!?

Surreptitiously using her headscarf to help cover up her face, Chigao mentally tries to convince herself, Why, it's only quite natural if a person uses a headscarf to help cover up one's face when examining one's handiwork..., while doing her best to conceal her near-tomato/beet reddish complexion. Seems like an anime sorta thing to do. ;)

Possibly count as an assist if taking a 10? ;p

Tots thought I had tossed in a roll there. whups.

Chigao secures a first layer with scrapes and noise makers Zupon opts to try to put up a trip wire at the top of the stairway, so if they hop the stones they'll hit a wire.
survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Assuming a watch of Xeph, Chigao, Zupon, Randall, Nathan.

During the entirety of her watch along with Xef, Chigao does make some occasional small talk with the constantly-awake Astral Deva Caydenite- things along the lines of "So how long have you and Shelia been together?" and making mention that some of the other town girls in Olfden were very much interested in making his acquaintance but the open knowledge of Xef and Shelia being together stayed their hands [if not their stolen wistful gazes] for the most part. The Young Kunoichi does happen to keep her headscarf close at hand for the occasional covering up though, strangely enough.

In return, Chigao mentions some of her experiences growing up in Olfden and how she had distantly seen Kurian around town when they were much younger.

When it comes time for Zupon to take his turn at watch, the Young Kunoichi gently rouses the Young traveling Scholar to wakefulness.

As Chigao prepares to drift off to sleep, she does gain a bit of a last minute epiphany from her personal remembrance about how Master Fisnaeth could appear to be in more than one place at a given time- a skill that involved the heavy use of internal life energy present in those who could cultivate such abilities...

During the entirety of her watch along with Xef, Chigao does make some occasional small talk with the constantly-awake Astral Deva Caydenite- things along the lines of "So how long have you and Shelia been together?" and making mention that some of the other town girls in Olfden were very much interested in making his acquaintance but the open knowledge of Xef and Shelia being together stayed their hands [if not their stolen wistful gazes] for the most part. The Young Kunoichi does happen to keep her headscarf close at hand for the occasional covering up though, strangely enough.

In return, Chigao mentions some of her experiences growing up in Olfden and how she had distantly seen Kurian around town when they were much younger.

"It was actually Shelia that found me", Xephkiel said, looking a little embarrassed. "My arrival on Golarion made the medium-sized crater that in the woods north of Swallowfield."

"You know, when I overheard you say you were an angel back at the inn, I thought that was some kind of euphemism or something? You saying that's for real?"

Xephkiel nodded. "Yes. I'm a Astral Deva. An order of angels often acting as messengers for the Gods, and sometimes scouting for angelic armies or elite celestial agents."

I guess I can open up the "Zupon" post to Randall as well, if you want to react to it before Zupon gets the chance.

Sitting in the corner with his notebook open, several pages out and mildly scattered around. Pages of his diary, descriptions of creature ecology. A burgening map of the keep itself. All items he is creating and retaining for submission to the Archives when he returns. In the middle of sketching the corpse of the spiders, Zupon hears a muffle sound. Concentrating and descerning it to be similiar to sobbing. Sounds he heard extensively during the nightmare month.
"Likely goblinoid...but we're in enemy territory." Zupon decides, quickly packing his stuff up as he shakes Randall from his slumber early.

"Awaken, and quietly. I hear a sobbing noise. Can you hear it? I'm used to working alone-In your times, would this warrant awakening or does it warrant scouting, or simply ignoring in an enemy keep." Zupon requests the opinion of the experienced soldier.

Randall wakes up, groggily at first but he quickly becomes alert. He takes a moment to think.

"Chances are it's a trap of some kind. You said this fort has been largely abandoned save for bandits, right? The only things I can think of that would be 'sobbing' are things looking to play on your better nature to get the drop on you."

"Definitely don't ignore it...but I don't think we should investigate it too carefully either. Maybe in the morning, when everyone's rested and ready. On the off chance it is someone in need of help, they're softly crying, not screaming in pain or fear. Implies they're not in any immediate danger."

Pondering slightly, "Well. Fair enough. We traveled rather far. It seems unlikely that they took a captive all the way here from a neighboring village or some such settlement. If it grows more alarmed we should look into it... but for now we'll continue resting and assess in the morning." Zupon acquises to the seasoned soldier.

This sounds like it happened relatively early into Zupon's watch? So he can finish it up and Randall can sleep again. Or if tis near the end we can just switch.

"It was actually Shelia that found me", Xephkiel said, looking a little embarrassed. "My arrival on Golarion made the medium-sized crater that in the woods north of Swallowfield."

"Shelia took care of me, helping me get accustomed to mortal existance. Friendship became love. But we both knew one day I would have to leave to take a greater step into adventure..and possible redemption. When I left Swallowfield to join this band of adventurers, Shelia and I parted ways. I hope nothing but the best for her."

At a loss for what to say about unexpected news of the Caydenite Deva's parting with Shelia, Chigao could only awkwardly reply with, "I...I see; sorry to hear about what happened to you and Shelia, Xephkiel- wasn't aware that you both... parted ways already..."

"You know, when I overheard you say you were an angel back at the inn, I thought that was some kind of euphemism or something? You saying that's for real?"

Xephkiel wrote:

Xephkiel nodded. "Yes. I'm a Astral Deva. An order of angels often acting as messengers for the Gods, and sometimes scouting for angelic armies or elite celestial agents."

To think that he landed nearby Swallowfeld. Still, Xef's going to be really popular with all the girls once he gets back to Olfden, the Young Kunoichi thinks to herself, as she has a momentary sympathized mental wince accompanying her follow-up thought of, there's probably going to be plenty of opportunities for 'Lucky Aasimar Offsprings' to be born there in short order...

Pondering slightly, "Well. Fair enough. We traveled rather far. It seems unlikely that they took a captive all the way here from a neighboring village or some such settlement. If it grows more alarmed we should look into it... but for now we'll continue resting and assess in the morning." Zupon acquises to the seasoned soldier.

This sounds like it happened relatively early into Zupon's watch? So he can finish it up and Randall can sleep again. Or if tis near the end we can just switch.

The sound can be heard off and on throughout Zupon's and Randall's watch, but the others don't hear anything.

Morning comes otherwise without any incident. What does the group do?

Zupon will inform the group of the sounds, and the longeviety of it.
"Think its worth a look now that we've rested enough to handle an ambush if it is?" Zupon inquires.

Upon awakening in the following morn, Chigao will help to clear the way to the staircase leading upwards after some bit of personal meditation to help ready her newly attained Ki capacity, sharpening any dulled blades with the whetstone, and other minor bits of preparation for the day ahead.

Zupon will inform the group of the sounds, and the longeviety of it.

"Think its worth a look now that we've rested enough to handle an ambush if it is?" Zupon inquires.

Carefully considering the possibilities given by Zupon's latest revelation, Chigao answers the Young Scholar's query with, "Hopefully, we'll be prepared enough in advance for an ambush, thanks be to both of your timely observations, Zupon and Sergeant Harkness. If things do end up being similar to Reithic's and Vars' prison situation, should we try to clear out as much of the upper keep before making any rescue attempt?"

Xephkiel stands up, chewing on a trail ration. "I like it. By controlling the 'high ground', or upper floors, we may have an advantage as we go deeper."

I've gone ahead and added the 1st floor to the same map; it's small enough to fit.

Please move your token as you head up the spiral stairs. The landing has 3 doors.

Zupon will elect to be further back, as he has range. Allowing those more apt to melee up front. Leaving himself in the back with his torch-if need be.

The astral deva cautiously ascends the stairs. Once on the second floor, Xephkiel quickly looks out the window to see if anyone outside noticed their movement.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Took the liberty of moving the remaining tokens, including Chigao, onto the 2nd floor. Will go ahead and make some relevant adventuring-type rolls. ;)

Following alongside the others as everyone makes their way up the cleared-out winding staircase, Chigao moves on ahead once the 2nd floor of the keep comes into view as she gingerly makes her way quietly across the floor- all the while checking for any nasty surprises that might potentially waylay the party.

How stealthy Chigao is on the 2nd floor: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22.

Perception to spot any obvious traps on the 2nd floor in general: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21.

If disabling any device is required: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25.

If all is initially clear and nothing occurs in the meantime, the Young Kunoichi- with sharpened dagger in hand- stealthily proceeds to the first door, directly across from the staircase, to assess any likelihood of it being locked or trapped. If any of the keys on the keyring from the bandit's tower will work, Chigao will opt to use them instead.

Perception on Door #1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13.

If disabling the door is needed: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19.

If nothing out of the ordinary happens with that door, Chigao will eventually move on to check the other remaining two doors unless directed otherwise.

Light from the window pours through at an angle, highlighting dust as it floats through it.

Neither Chigao nor Xephkiel hear anything beyond the rest of the party moving up the stairs.

If we start with the top eastern door as door #1 and work counter clockwise:

Randall pales a bit at the sight of the ghost boy.

"I think we found who...what was crying last night." he whispers to Zupon.

Nathan is visibly disturbed to see the skeleton and spirit of the little boy; he walks into the room and kneels down, beginning to clean the floor psychokinetically, like he had at the inn when everyone first met. Without saying anything, he spreads his cloak on the floor, and cleans that as well until it looks warm & new. Then he turns to the boy


"Hi, my name is Nathan. I am so sorry to find you like this, but I am glad to meet you today. You have a long journey ahead of you, and I wondered if I could help? I wanted to maybe clean you a little little, and wrap you in my cloak before you go to your rest. Would that be okay?

Let me know if a roll is needed. Nathan will Far Hand the boy's skeleton onto the cloak, clean it as well, and then delicately wrap it so they can take it to be buried.