[Outpost IV PFS2 1-05] GM Chadius - Trailblazer's Bounty (Inactive)

Game Master chadius

Huh, these shrews have 8 HP apiece.

Raj and Haechi combine their forces to take out the shrews before they can raise a fuss.

"Huh?" You hear a groan from beyond the cave. "Somebody there?"

I'll keep you in initiative but the shrews are dead.

Not sure if Haechi is up again, but assuming Ahmad is adjacent, this is the kobold's next turn.

Haechi hears the ogre come to life in the main room. "Uh, oh. Looks like our new friend heard us a-knocking." He turns to Ahmad and says, "Ahmad, hold up a moment while I enhance your greatsword."

Haechi closes his eyes and chants, "gladio facti magicis," and claps his hands once, whereupon his fingertips start glowing slightly. He reaches out and touches the cleric's greatsword, which immediately starts glimmering with magic and energy. "Good luck my friend. I hope this helps."

Actions 1 & 2 (◆◆): Cast a Spell: Magic Weapon targeting Ahmad's greatsword.

Note: Ahmad's greatsword is now a +1 striking weapon, gaining a +1 item bonus to attack rolls and increasing the number of weapon damage dice to two.

Haechi then says one word, "scutum," and the space around him shimmers slightly for a second.

Action 3 (◆): Cast a Spell: Shield - AC 18 with active Mage Armor>

Nal draws her black-bladed short sword. She had intended to try to find another tunnel that would lead to this room so she could flank the ogre more easily, but now that Haechi has cast the short-lived spell on Ahmad's weapon, she knows time is of the essence. Now or never. She activates the Onyx Panther Talisman and sneaks into the cavern, thankful that the clothing she's wearing is as dark as she is.

Stealth to sneak +8. Her route is marked with arrows. (25 ft speed)

◆ Interact, ◇ Envision, ◆ Sneak, ◆ Sneak

Danger rises its ugly head, and you decide it's time to move in, quickly.

Round 1
Nal
Raj (Sneaking)
Beltch
Haechi (Shield, Mage Armor)
Ahmad (Magic Weapon)

Combat is on slide 1

Beltch just waits for the others to move in first, having no desire to become an ogre snack.

He prepares to throw his javelin when the ogre comes within range.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Ahmad, infused by Haechi's power and Gorum's courage, lashes out as fast as he can against the Ogre before he can realize what is happening.
◆◆ Stride
◆+1 striking greatsword attack+divine simplicity: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 = 25
damage + potency rune: 3d6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 6) + 3 + (6) = 20

The Ogre is Flatfooted since it isn't aware, so that's a crit. And that's a lot of damage.

Ahmad sees the Ogre turn around towards him, reaching for his battleaxe. Good, he's not focused on Nal. Ahmad smiles as the glory of Gorum (and Great Haetae's magic) flows through him. He drives his greatsword through the Ogre before he can put up his guard. The Ogre grunts, his hands reaching out to Ahmad, almost smothering the man's head with his hand. His strength gives out and the ogre tumbles back.

Combat Over. Your tactics and rolls made this a lot faster.

Behind the refuse pile you see several of the slain (and partially eaten) orcs who got in the Ogre’s way. Most of their armor has begun to rot, but you find a pair of gold earrings set with gems, the other a set of silver bracelets.

Ogre is dead. Will you return to the Orc camp, or keep exploring?

Haechi jogs up to the corner for a better look. He was hoping to catch Ahmad in action using the sword strengthening spell he'd cast, but by the time he reaches the end of the corridor it's all over. "Oh what a pity. I missed all the excitement. Nice job there Ahmad."

Haechi looks around at all the corridors leading away from the main room. "I think it may be a good idea to make sure the rest of the cave is clear of enemy combatants before we hand it back to the orcs to clean up. Who knows what else we might find hidden away in some corner."

"Thank you very much Haechi for your help, we should check the room and the others so that our new friends can use the cavern again."

"Right. Might as well scout the rest of the caves," Raj agrees. Not that he enjoys it here, but the others are right. There could be something else in here, and best to meet it while prepared.

With the Ogre defeated, you press ahead.

This chamber has been turned into a makeshift bedroom. Beds have been pulled from elsewhere in the cave and pushed together to form one large misshapen sleeping place. The beds have collapsed and now lean haphazardly against each other. The blankets and pillows are filthy, and flies buzz about. Another tunnels exits to the north.

Ahmad check ogre if he has any valuable item or weapon
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

In order to perhaps speed things up as we work our way through the cave, I have added a mini-map with a suggested room order for searching.

"This room looks promising," he says pointing north (A), but Ahmad is way ahead of him. Haechi follows the cleric into the room.

In each room they come to, Haechi looks for magical auras and also makes a visual examination of the room looking for any hidden creatures or objects.

Exploration Mode: Detect Magic

Action: Seek (Perception +4) - secret

"Well. That was quick. Remind me never to anger you, Ahmad." Dang. Nal is a little bummed that she didn't get to participate in the fight, but also relieved that neither she nor anyone else in the party got hurt.

Nal slinks along with the group, trying to stay out of the light while checking for traps. As the others inspect the various rooms, she stands guard at the entrance, watching for approaching threats.

Perception to Seek +7 for any hazards or potential threats

Haechi's proposed order makes sense to me.

Ahmad double checks the ogre and finds 6 large javelins, the large battle axe and an ogre hook. A bit too big for him, but he'll find a better use than that Ogre did.

Ahmad notices a pile of copper and silver coins underneath one of the (luckily) cleaner pillows. The coins bear the seals of different kingdoms: Chelaxian, Isgeri, Druman, and Molthuni denominations.

Haechi suggests room B. This room was once a storeroom, apparently for leftover crates and bales, but has been recently and regularly used as a latrine. The stench is horrible. Your retching would be loud enough to wake the dead, or at least a sleeping ogre. You wisely decide to keep moving.

The rest of the cave is empty. With your survey complete, it's time to return to the Bearclaw Camp.

Grakcha stands up as you enter her tent. "Ey? You're still alive. Good news, then?"

Haechi responds eagerly to Grakcha's query. "We are indeed still alive, but the same cannot be said of your ogre and his shrew minions. Ahmad here almost single-handedly took care of the whole operation for us. It was a most impressive performance. Yes, indeed. Most impressive."

"Unfortunately, the ogre did make a bit of a mess of the place, a mess to which we just added his corpse. No doubt you and your associates will have it all spik-and-span in no time. And now that we've sealed our deal, so to speak, perhaps it is time for that celebratory beverage that you mentioned previously."

"Hehe. Leave the cleaning to some of the young warriors. They're always eager for some action, even if they regret it later." Grakcha laughs. "Come on, let's feast!" She slaps Haechi on the back and turns to her guards to get the celebration started. She doesn't notice the kobold doubling over from her show of strength. She offers some of the “Chief’s Brew” and invites you to sing and party throughout the night.

The next morning, Grakcha waits for you to finish eating. ”You saved us. We owe you. You bring up the trade deal, I'll sign it. I swear on my ancestors.”

Haechi wakes up with a terrible hangover. The "Chief’s Brew" had quite a kick to it, and the kicking only got worse with every swig. "Bleah! Kill me now and get it over with." He drags himself out of bed and tries to wet his parched mouth with some water, but to little avail. When breakfast is served, Haechi's stomach threatens outright rebellion, but he manages to force it down, which helps relieve some of the worst symptoms.

Society: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

When Grakcha swears her support for the trade route, Haechi perks up a little, knowing that such a promise was absolute. "You won't regret it. Once the caravans start coming through, your tribe will flourish. I wish you all the best for the future."

Haechi then gathers his equipment and makes sure Haetae is comfortable.

Haetae gives her master a look that would freeze oceans, but says nothing in return.

"Shall we move on now Pathfinders? Molthune cannot be all that far from here."

The night before:

Realizing that these sturdy orcs could drink her under the table in no time, Nal decides to act like she can't even swallow the strong drink each time she tries. Sputtering and spraying it out each time it hits the back of her tongue, she figures she'll get plenty drunk even without intentionally swallowing any. And of course, she's right. The orcs have a mighty fine time laughing at how she can't hold her liquor as she hams it up.

The next morning:

Awakening with only a mild headache, which is quickly quelled with a cup of tea, Nal does her best to keep quiet out of respect for those with worse hangovers than hers. With a sympathetic smile, she hands Haechi a cup of mild tea and hopes he can keep it down.

The next morning, Grakcha waits for you to finish eating. ”You saved us. We owe you. You bring up the trade deal, I'll sign it. I swear on my ancestors.”

Nal reaches out to grasp hands with Grakcha, nodding respectfully. "Thanks. We'll send along the folks with the documents as soon as we get back. And tell them to bring some good, strong drink along." She finishes with a wink.

Ahmad is not very usual drinking alcohol but this time Gorum has smiled at him and guided his hand to finish off the fearsome orc, so this time he is going to drink even the water in the vases.

"Gratcha I have told you how my powerful sword imbued with the magic of haechi cut that ogre in two, Gorum ordered it and the beast met its maker, I hope you keep your word as Orc Chief and this position becomes a flourishing citadel when let us cross our paths again but hey, let's leave the words and pass me another jug ​​of what you are drinking."
Fortitude check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Stay early in the morning and with less hangover than expected, he prepares to pick up his luggage while having breakfast and looking at the hungover people lying around the camp, "Come lazy, it's time to continue on our way, we still have some ground to explore before finishing this mission."

The orcs of the Bearclaw tribe are a loud and rowdy bunch, but they all fall silent as Ahmad holds his liquor and tells how he cut the ogre down. Some orcs ask him more about Gorum and he's happy to spread the word.

You shake off your headaches the next morning and prepare for Molthune. The trip to its capital Canorate, is uneventful, just cold.

Amyas Charthagnion bumps into you as you travel through the capital. ”Ah, hail the heroes who saved me and my friends!” He clasps all of your hands. ”We would have died on the mountain without your wisdom and strength. We’ve been thinking about gifting the Pathfinder Society with a magical staff as thanks. But how about I give it to you directly?” He pulls out his backpack and hands an animal staff

”Thank you for your help, Pathfinders!” He grins before waving you good bye.

A few months later you receive a letter from the Chelixian Trail Authority ® .

Dear Pathfinders.
Report #423S82 covering the trail through the Menador Mountains has been deemed acceptable for use. Our engineers have begun building bridges and making peace with a Mister Bark. The engineers said the “Bearclaw” tribe was quite hospitable, and their alcohol could be valuable if it is not consumed first. Thank you for your aid.

Thank you all for playing. While I prepare the character sheets, what will you do now?

Once their work is done in Canorate, Haechi works his way back to Absalom doing his best to avoid going anywhere near mountains in the process. He'd had enough of being cold; of avoiding avalanches; of dodging wolves; and of battling ogres, to last a lifetime. The orcs though hadn't been so bad once you got to know them. Quite a friendly bunch really.

Once back at the Grand Lodge, Haechi makes it a point to track down exactly who it was that thought sending him on this particular excursion had been a good idea. It turned out to have been an administrative snafu; some half-orc barbarian named Hetsky was supposed to have gone instead, but they'd mispelled his name on one of the forms. Blasted bureaucrats! Haechi made a mental note to confirm all his future assignments before he went traipsing half-way across Golarion and putting his life in danger.

Soon enough though Haechi was back in his beloved Lodge library whiling endless hours away on his draconic research while Haetae basked in the sun nearby. But he knew it was only a matter of time before he was ripped away from his precious books and cast once again into the harsh outside world on some new cockamamie mission for the Society.

Well, that turned out better than expected. Nal's greatest relief is that there was no all-out battle with an orc tribe. She's rather proud of how well this group did, despite the fact that most of them had no experience with trailblazing or mountainous environments. Before everyone leaves, she stops by to chat with each of them, making sure to point out how appreciative she is of their expertise in certain circumstances.

"Haechi: You've got a good silver tongue. I can respect someone who can talk their way into or out of a situation. You did well out there."

"Ahmad. You are a beast of the highest order. If you haven't named your sword yet, I'd suggest Ogre's Bane."

"Raj, it was a relief to have someone on the team who has some experience with this sort of thing. I know it's not your primary area of expertise, but your background knowledge was invaluable. Thanks."

"Belch, your sense of humor really helped with morale on this mission. Thanks for keeping things light-hearted."

All that said, she misses operating in the comfortable darkness of the deep caverns of her home. With her dark coloration, she felt hopelessly conspicuous in all that blindingly white snow. As she heads back to Absalom, she decides to put out feelers for a mission that will have a better share of darkness and stealthy endeavors: her favorites.

"Why thank you!" Beltch wonders what is meant by sense of humor - he was sure he had been quite professional and respectable at all points in this mission. Then he pulls a bug out of his ear, bites it in half, and sticks the other half in his pocket for later. "Good workin' with you!"

Picking up anything of interest, he follows the others back to civilization. "I never knew ogres were so easy to put down."