Outpost IV: PFS2e 2-13: A Gilded Test PbP (Inactive)

Game Master James Martin

(So, the entire map is the battle area, right? No off-limits? And these red crosses signify closed doors?)

The blow of the whistle gives Jack a confident smirk: "Feelin' lucky. Think I'll go all in." In the blink of an eye, he's dashing across the bridge at near-superhuman speed, fearlessly charging at the enemy crossbowman. In a matter of mere seconds, he's face-to-face with his opponent, blade drawn and ready to assault.

Shortsword: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Slashing damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"Called your bluff. Now show me what'ya got," the gambler-daredevil says.

◆ Stride, ◆ Stride, ◆ Quick Draw. Having 35 feet of speed is nice, isn't it?

The green dotted line is the "bridge" area. If you get too far outside the area, you'll be booed. Which is bad for the show. The red crosses are doors that appear nailed shut.

As Jack/Five rushes forward, he hears the sudden CLICK that signifies danger. Marked as a red star on the map!

Trap Jaws vs Jack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30 The jaws close on his ankle, critically dealing 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (1, 6, 6, 6) + 12 = 31 piercing damage and locking him in place! You can make an Athletics check to Force It Open instead of your attack if you so choose. However, unless you have some way to add to your AC against a trap or avoid some of that damage, you're going to be Dying 2!

Grams is up!

(Argh! Nope, can't even Nimble Dodge that, so yep, dying 2 it is then.)

"Five of Locks, hold still a bit. All that bravado and luck won't save ya from an arrow."

Miladistra frowns as Jack ignores her advice. Father must be laughin right now from his hidey hole.

"I do have... er, magical means to help ya. Let's try again in a few minutes, shall name?"

She sighs. "Ah can help him, just cover me, alright?"

She sighs. "Ah can help him, just cover me, alright?"

"Was'n happen, Lady wants covering in what? Nikebei has a deep thought, Cover her in tea? Cover her in plum sauce? nope she mean the trippy trippy balls

Jesselle cries out "JAAAACK!!!" and dashes into the ring exasperatedly crying trying to save him but the adjudicators easily sweep the lass off the field even as she struggles and fights!

Meanwhile Tao - frozen in mild shock! - scrunches her face as her companion goes "all in" watching his lithe body crumple under the force of the mechanical jaws.

She warns "Eyes open!" and peers towards the direction of her assailants "Gloves off now - sorry Grams - we gotta go get Five..." bearing her teeth with channeled anger, spirits of Varisian warriors of old swirling around her, multiplying her expression.

"Of course we do," Grams replies. "I'll do my best to protect you, but these old legs don't move quite as fast as your younger ones!"

Still, she hustles south toward their fallen companion, raising her shield and axe against any further threats.

Rushing off like that. They're always so impetuous when they're young. Hopefully we can get you back up and you'll have time to learn, dear ...

Action 1: ◈ Stride
Action 2: ◈ Stride
Action 3: ◈ Raise Shield (+2 AC)

I also only see one enemy on the field (unless that's meant to be mirror image?).

He is indeed a mirror imaged person.

Grams moves forward and raises her shield. From her right side, a "nailed shut" door suddenly explodes open! Interact with the door, stride forward! The man grins wildly and swings his short sword at Grams! Red Short sword vs Grams: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 damage!

Similarly another door near the fallen Five opens and a javelin flies toward Grams! Green Javelin vs Grams: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 piercing damage! His last action is to draw his short sword!

Aldonza, Tao, Nikebei, Miladistra are up!

Tao's warrior spirits urge her forward, and she catches up with Grams, running a little past her and her assailant, attacking the javelin thrower without mercy.

◆◆) Stride x2
◆) Strike

Bladed Scarf (Reach) vs Green: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 182d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 8) + 3 = 18

The deadly blade at the end of the scarf whirls within inches of his neck...

Striking AC 18 for 18 slashing

...meanwhile, Red must make a DC 20 Will save vs Bane (@ radius 5-ft)!

The spirits around her shift and swirl as a Spiritual Transition: 1d4 ⇒ 4 (Choice!) takes place and the warriors are replaced with herbalists, fortune-tellers and witches (Spellcasters) stretching 3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 2) = 6 six full generations back through her bloodline, the smell of incense permeating the air around visions of planetary bodies floating amidst a constellation of tiny lights now harrying her nearby foes!

Jesselle yells out from the arms of the adjudicator kicking against him "Hold On Jack!" knowing Tao will come to his aid next...

Aldonza skips along the bridge, twirling in the air with each stride.

”Round and round and round she goes,
When she stops, she’ll break your nose!”

She jabs at the thug’s face with her marotte, before slugging him in the gut.
Stride (flank), Feint, Strike
Deception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

The spirits around her shift and swirl as a Spiritual Transition takes place and the warriors are replaced with herbalists, fortune-tellers and witches six full generations back through her bloodline, the smell of incense permeating the air around visions of planetary bodies floating amidst a constellation of tiny lights now harrying her nearby foes!

"Mmm, that smells nice. There's a bit of mint in there." Miladistra hustles forward, stopping right in front of one of the doors. Watching what happened to Grams, she's a bit worried a sword is going to pop out of this one. But she has no choice, Jack, er, Five is bleeding out.

She calls upon her Mother's blood and infuses the minty incense with her magic. The mist reaches Five's nostrils and rouses him from near death.

Casting Heal, the 2 action, 30 foot ranged version.

Heal Jack for: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Deroff wonders if he should hop in there and waits for the missus to make the request.

Tao's bladed scarf nearly cuts the mercenary in half! He stands on what must be sheer willpower after the blow! Red will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 His teeth chatter as he tries to keep fighting but is clearly rattled!

Aldonza skips up but her swing goes wide!

Jack/Five's wounds knit shut and his eyes open as Miladistra casts!

Nikebei is up!

NIkebei nips around the corner and tries to open the door. "Theys be rushing around, should know gotta be measured, takes it easy in der kitchen. Now less seee whats opens the door."

Action Stride
Action Strike door 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Action Strike door 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Nikebei breaks through the boarded up door, which appears to be an actual boarded up door!

Round 2:
Seeker
Grams, Jack
Keepers
Aldonza, Tao, Nikebei, Miladistra

The wizard and his twins all gloat and begin to cast a spell! A flaming sphere of burning fire appears in Tao's square! Tao Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 But Tao is too agile and dodges the fiery doom! The wizard curses her agile evasiveness loudly and casts shield!

Grams and Jack are up!

Miladistra's healing spell animates Jack♢. He gasps for air, takes a quick look at his leg that was caught in a beartrap, and curses. "Sonuva...! That risk didn't pay off. Cheers, hun," he says his thanks to his rescuer, visibly humbled by the dire results of his rashness.

"Maybe should've taken those trapfinding lessons..." he mutters as he starts wrangling the trap's jaws open and out of his leg.

Athletics, Force Open: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 - 2 = 3
(Uh oh. That's -2 for all future Force Opens.)

In his mild panic, 'Five of Locks' only manages to jam the trap tighter. "Guess I ain't going nowhere."

Giving up on freeing himself, the rogue quickly pulls out his bow and starts shooting.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 5 = 16
Piercing damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Shortbow: 1d20 + 8 - 10 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 10 = 12
Piercing damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

◆ Force Open, taking a -2 penalty for lacking a crowbar; ◆ Quick Draw, now also with a -5 MAP (did you know Force Open has an Attack trait?), targeting the red merc; ◆ Strike, same target.

Actually that critical failure triggers more damage... 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 5) + 6 = 13 more damage!

And Jack falls back unconscious, now at Dying 3.

Want to use a Hero Point to reroll that check? I think you've earned one for your gallant charge and equally gallant finding of a nasty trap.

Fastest reroll in the west: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 2 = 9

Jack's agile finger nearly slip, but he catches himself and prevents the trap from digging any deeper in his poor perforated flesh! He can't quite get it open though!

His arrows fly at Red, missing the man by inches!

Grams is up!

Grams raises her shield and advances, putting herself between Five and the attackers.

"Just lie still, Five, until we can get you to safe ground!"

Action 1: ◈ Raise Shield (+2 AC)
Action 2: ◈ Stride; may provoke from red and green
Action 3: ◈ Strike

Battleaxe Strike: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

"'Know when to fold 'em', yeah, yeah..."

Unfortunately as Gram steps next to poor fallen Five, she hears another tell-tale click! Jaws mechanical trap vs Gram: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24 for 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 2) + 6 = 14 damage! The trap closes around her leg with a solid bite. Athletics to get free!

Green gives Grams a toothy grin. "I set them traps. Like 'em, do ya?"
Short Sword vs Gram: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 plus 1d6 ⇒ 5 damage as the trap holds you steady!
Short Sword vs Gram: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 4 = 4 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 plus 1d6 ⇒ 1 damage as the trap holds you steady!
Short Sword vs Gram: 1d20 + 7 - 8 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 8 = 10 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 plus 1d6 ⇒ 5 damage as the trap holds you steady!

Red attacks Tao, his very life on the line!
Short Sword vs Tao: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 - 1 = 12 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 damage!
Short Sword vs Tao: 1d20 + 7 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 7 - 1 - 4 = 11 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 damage!
Short Sword vs Tao: 1d20 + 7 - 1 - 8 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 1 - 8 = 12 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 damage!

So many swings, so much wind!

Aldonza, Tao, Nikebei, Miladistra are up!

And Gram gets a Hero Point as she too discovers the lovely trap hidden on the bridge!

Miladistra holds her ground, finding no real reason to advance. I'd like my calves to stay intact, thank ya kindly.

"Deroff! Get 'em!" She points at the thug in red. She sends another sweet scent at Grams, closing the woman's wounds.

Heal at Grams: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

1 action to call my animal companion, 2 action heal spell on Grams.

Deroff sits back, wondering when the missus is going to call him over. The last time he attacked someone without the go ahead she scolded him for hours. Then it turned out the predator was trying to prey on her. Naturally the missus didn't give him a second helping of food that day. Scrubbed him down instead. Luckily he was taught to be patient.

Jaws: 1d20 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 3 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

He bites into the warrior in red.

At first, easily dodging flame and sword - a whirling dervish! - the Varisian woman is defiant, yelling over the din of the hundreds of voices in her head "not yet - Not Yet!" like a person afflicted with an illness of personality, arguing with the unseen, and lashing out at those nearby.

Tao will need to succeed at a DC 4 flat check or lose her Strike action...

◆) Strike

Bladed Scarf (reach) vs Green: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 272d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 3) + 3 = 11
Meddling Ancestors (DC 4): 1d20 ⇒ 19

Striking AC 27 for 11 slashing

Next, seeing Jack wounded (11/26 HP) and Grams hurt (??/23 HP), Tao's ancestors fork radiant energy as she lays her hands between them, the faint songs of festivals cheering their spirits like some distant event, the kiss of Jack's first love, of Brynsil's first husband, opening their hearts to the divine mystery that afflicts Tao, repairing their bodies inside out from the spirit...

◆◆) Lay on Hands x2

Jack and Grams +12 HP each; +2 AC for 1 round!

...But with consequence, as the spirits swirling around her intensify, the din becoming a rolling cacophony of sound, losing connection to her source, her clothes and effects shifting and flapping by an unseen force, as Tao submits to the power that binds her, dropping to her knees and screaming at the sky!...

Having cast two Cursebound Revelation spells, Tao advances straight from Minor to her Moderate Curse, and Overwhelms herself. The flat check of Meddling Ancestors increases to DC 6, and she cannot use her Focus Spells until she takes time to Refocus!

Ancestor Transition: 1d4 ⇒ 3

...And the sky screams back! Demanding of Tao that she use what remaining magicks she has at her disposal, forgoing her weapons and tricks in lieu of allowing them - those herbalists, fortune-tellers and witches from earlier - of using her vessel as a conduit between this time and her ancestral past!

Magical Ancestors @ Moderate Curse also grants a bonus to damage dealt / healed from Tao's non-Cantrip spells!

Aldonza reaches the head of her marotte past the thug’s shoulder from behind, into his line of sight. ”Pardon me, sir”, she says in a falsetto voice. ”Mind if I cut in?”

She then aims a kick at his groin from behind.

”Tricksy traps and scary doors
Will not avail you smelly boors!
Your partner’s dim, your mage a chump!
Why don’t you take a running jump?”

Feint, Strike (flank, Confident Finisher), Performance (Panache)

Deception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Damage: 1d4 + 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + (5, 3) + 1 = 12
Performance: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Was I able to swing at Green, at least? And thanks, Tao!

Deroff's bite brings Red down with a bite and a quick shake of his head!

Red is down, you may ret-con Aldonza if you wish! Grams, you did swing, but missed.

Tao slashes at Green and opens a wicked wound on him! She heals Grams and Jack/Five!

Revised Aldonza, Nikebei and MIladistra are up!

”Good doggie!”, says Aldonza. She skips over to the thug harrying Grams, and waves the head of her marotte in his face. ”Pardon me, sir”, she says in a falsetto voice. ”Mind if I cut in?”

She then aims a kick at his groin.

Stride, Feint, Strike (unarmed, nonlethal, Confident Finisher)

Deception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + (1, 5) + 1 = 10

Unfortunately the Green Trapper seems all too used to being kicked in the crotch by women and he dodges ably. Deception gains Panache if it can.

Nikebei and Miladistra are up!

Retconning slightly. Red is bit by Derroff and finished by Aldonza, and we'll take Aldonza's original damage of 12. He is dead dead. Aldonza can use the better Deception roll and gains panache since this was my mistake. Green is very very dead.

Apologies for my confusion and such. Totally my bad. Only the wizard remains with his three twins. Nikebei and MIladistra is up!

Miladistra moves forward a bit and casts Electric Arc. A bolt of energy shoots from her fingertips. "I don't know where you are exactly, but it don't matter."

The bolt deals 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 electric damage. Basic Reflex Save to reduce damage. Spell DC 18.

Red is not dead, but merely wishing he was from the Aldonza groin maneuver.

Miladistra's bolt flies true! Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 It hits and all four of the wizard twitches!

Nikebei!

Nikebei I continues through the rooms, looking for a place to rejoin the fight. "C'mon Gran Mammy, where's de way outs?"

Stride x3

Nikebei moves forward.

Round 3:
Seeker
Grams, Jack
Keepers
Aldonza, Tao, Nikebei, Miladistra

The wizard and his twins concentrates and the flaming sphere bounces onto Aldonza! Aldonza Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22 However she dodges it! The wizard lets out some discerning curses and casts Burning Hands, engulfing Five, Grams and Tao!

Five Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Grams Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Tao Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Burning Hands Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9 damage!

Grams dodges completely while Five takes half damage (4) and Tao takes full (9) damage! The wizard and his twins hoot at this, while the crowd lets out alternating groans and cheers!

Heroes are up!

With thoughts of her husband suddenly hitting her, Grams tries to wrench at the trap to free herself, stepping forward to threaten the wizard(s).

Athletics (trained): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Athletics (trained): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 -5 for MAP? Probably still good enough

Escape, Escape, Step

"Deroff, get 'im!" She directs Deroff and lets off another bolt of electricity.

Electric Arc deals 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 electric damage. Basic Reflex Save, DC 18

Jaws: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12
Piercing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Deroff runs ahead and tries to bite him, but he catches nothing but air.

Burned, Tao cools her anger, surrendering completely to her Ancestors control over her mortal vessel...

◆) Step
◆) Sustain Bane @ Will DC 20 (wizard now in range)

...but only for a moment as she tries to defy them, lashing out with her bladed scarf!

◆) Strike (must pass DC 6 Flat or lose action!)

Bladed Scarf (Reach, Ghost Touch): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 162d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 7) + 3 = 12
Ancestral Meddling (DC 6): 1d20 ⇒ 16
Ancestral Transition: 1d4 ⇒ 1 > Martial

Tao gets her way - after Striking at the wizard, the herbalists and fortune-tellers are pushed back into the ether and replaced by her more blood-thirsty kin, as Tao licks her lips and howls at the moon!

"Showdown, Slayer's Guild!"

Shortbow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Piercing damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Shortbow: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 5 = 14
Piercing damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Shortbow: 1d20 + 8 - 10 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 10 = 5
Piercing damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

◆ Strike, ◆ Strike, ◆ Strike

Aldonza skips toward the lone mage, grinning wickedly as she approaches. When she reaches him, she suddenly drops down into a somersault...

Acrobatics (Tumble Through): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

...and bonks against his shins. ”Oopsie!”

Springing to her feet, she flinches her foot, as though to take him out like she did Red, before she swings her fist at his punchable face.

Stride, Feint, Strike (nonlethal)
Deception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Grams finally pulls free!

Miladistra tries to shock the wizard! Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 He gets shocked! Deroff tries to bite but cannot get jaws on him!

Tao tries to unnerve the Wizard. Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 He does not seem bothered! She tries to strike the wizard but cannot land her hit!

Arrow after arrow flies from Five, but cannot seem to land upon the agile wizard!

Aldonza tries to hit the real wizard! 1d4 ⇒ 4 But she pops a twin instead! Suddenly there are only three wizards there!

Nikebei is up!

Nikebei sees on easy way out so carries on and tries to bash his way through to the next room, slashing at it with his khopesh. Ahh, sees ifs I's can come rounds the back ... SURPRISE! he thinks as he bashes the wooden wall. Lookys like a weak spot, moldy wall.

Action - Stride
Action - Strike 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Action - Strike 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 5 = 22 damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Nikebei finds a soft spot and cuts through the wall!

Round 4:
Seeker
Grams, Jack, Aldonza, Tao, Nikebei, Miladistra

The wizard looks flushed, surrounded as he is by enemies! The flaming sphere bounces onto Miladistra! Mil Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 But she too avoids the damage! He steps back, and casts shield again!

Heroes are up!

Miladistra dodges the ball of flame, just barely. "Joke's on me for standing next to an open flame. Never again." She Strides into the building. "Come here Deroff!"

Deroff follows the missus indoors.

"Nikebei, did you find a short cut? This yellow bellied fool is going to pick us off if he can keep retreating."

2 Strides, and I called Deroff to Stride over here.

With the mage backing up, Aldonza tries to squeeze past him once again...
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

...and manages to cut him off.

”Eeney, meeney, miney, moe!”, she chants, pointing at each image in turn with her marotte. Then she takes a no-look jab at one of them.

Stride (Tumble Through), Feint, Strike (nonlethal)
Deception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Feint crit!

Miladistra and Deroff duck inside to cut off the wayward wizard!

The wizard is caught off guard by Aldonza, but the attack misses by mere inches!

Tao pursues, whipping her scarves from just within range. Her ancestors strike out in tandem with her, adding potency to her own strikes!

Ancestral Meddling adds a +1 status bonus to attack and +2 status bonus to damage!

◆) Step
◆◆) Strike

Bladed Scarf (Reach, Ghost Touch): 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 1 = 162d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4) + 3 + 2 = 15
Bladed Scarf (Reach, Ghost Touch): 1d20 + 10 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 10 - 5 + 1 = 142d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5, 3) + 3 + 2 = 13

Striking AC 16 then 14 and for 15 then 13 slashing damage

Ancestor Transition: 1d4 ⇒ 3 > Magical

Having been overthrown last round, Tao's mystical ancestors return, folding those with their starknives and other weapons back from prominence. Her eyes glow as once more the smell of incense permeates the air!

[oos]Slight retcon[/ooc]

The twins surrounding the wizard pop as Aldonza and Five miss the real McCoy, but pops his imaginary friends! Suddenly he is very alone and the blood drains from his face as the watching crowd roars with approval!

Tao's bladed scarf almost hits, but he pulls back just in time, swallowing hard as the bladed scarf nearly touches his Adam's apple!

Grams, Jack and Nikebei!