Outpost IV PFS 2-00 The King in Thorns PbP Tier 1-2 (Inactive)

Game Master James Martin

Scratch claps his hands and stomps his feet along with the fiddle work of the talented Salaish. He looks around hoping to see some smoke or beers being passed around but alas no luck today. "Now there's a tune I would carry, great work kid!"

-----

The final two tasks now at hand has Scratch in all a rush. "Best get these done quick, looks like things are startin' ta get mobilized." He double checks Elsha's work with the supply list but it all seems to be in order already. Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

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When it comes to knowing his obscure religious significance and the magics contained within, Scratch seems a natural. "I served as the Steeltoe Clan's tomb guardian for decades, at least until the Whispering Tyrant blew everything to smithereens and we had to evacuate. F~@~ that guy, I miss my home!" Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

**HOUSE GM ANNOUNCEMENT**

Everyone gathers around a makeshift stage as the sun starts to slip below the horizon. Pathfinders whisper to each other in anticipation.

Venture-Captain Oraiah Tolal addresses the group. “Pathfinders, our expedition begins tomorrow. We have a day’s travel to reach the site where we will find the Door of Seasons. The founders of our Society may have been unable to reach the realm that lies beyond this magical gateway, but we have something they lacked.” The Venture-Captain holds a verdant crown aloft. “This is the Perennial Crown, an artifact that will serve as the key to opening the door. I hope that Alseta will bless us as we find this doorway to a new place. From what we’ve been able to gather, there’s a demiplane on the other side. The demiplane and the crown alike are closely tied to the Thorned Monarch, Qxal, an evil fey who once terrorized this region. The Pathfinders who recovered this crown faced steep opposition from the Monarch, and I have no doubt they will defend the Door of Seasons even more fiercely. Be wary any fey you see along the way; they are likely to be working for Qxal. Stay in groups of four or more for safety and help each other. Make any final preparations that you require and get a good night’s sleep; your next few nights will be on the trail. We leave an hour after dawn.”

Day breaks, and the excitement around the camp is too high to allow any Pathfinder to oversleep. Agents perform morning rituals, eat breakfast, and take a final look through maps and plans. Venture-Captain Oraiah Tolal gathers everyone together one last time. “I know that we’ve prepared well. We’re going to stop this Thorned Monarch. I have a small gift for each of you: a signal whistle with an engraving of the Perennial Crown. Use it to signal your fellow Pathfinders if you need help. And now, into the wilderness!”

Table GMs, please begin Part 1.

Just before the House GM Announcement:

"Okay! Let's take a look at this!" Salaish randomly selects a section of the Inventory list and begins checking it against the items stacked nearby.

Society: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Feeling decent about her organizational skills, Salaish bustles over to help sort out the Magical Supplies. "All right! What have we got here? Oooh! I know what this is!"

Occultism: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

We have a success on Inventry thanks to Salaish! Each PC receives their choice of a lesser antidote or lesser antiplague, as Urwal discovers that the Society packed in excess for the mission.

We have a GREATER success on Magical Supplies thanks to Elsha and Scratch! Barun and her team make an abundance of materials. Each PC receives a minor healing potion AND a lesser healing potion!

An aasimar woman with violet marks on her face looks around. “Urwal? Urwal, where have you gone? We’re setting off now. Urwal?” She jumps slightly as an iruxi man suddenly drops to the ground from the tree overhead. He begins talking without missing a beat. “Pathfinders, watch your feet and know your plants and animals. The Thorned Monarch is wreaking havoc on the ecology of this area, and we don’t want to make it worse. Valais, aren’t you ready to go? We’re departing now.” Valais Durant stares for a brief moment before replying. “Yes. Yes, I am ready. Pathfinders, we’re very close to the Door of Seasons now, and things are about to get dangerous. Watch each other’s backs and don’t be afraid to call for help.”

Durant points out a series of small tracks. “There are fey coming from somewhere around here. We think Qxal might be using mushroom rings to allow their fey allies to cross over from the First World to ours. See if you can find one and shut it down, but be careful. By the looks of things, they’re already operational.”

Slide 10! Place your PCs in the dotted line box! I need Perception or Survival checks to find the mushroom ring!

Lets go with antidote for Scratch.

"Time ta get yer feet wet, be ready fer anythin'!" Scratch draws out his crossbow and checks its loaded with a regular bolt then hustles into position.

Expert Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Mandower stakes lesser antiplague.
perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Salaish grabs an antidote.

With her eyes shining and lips grinning with excitement, despite her otherwise mostly-calm demeanor, Salaish holds her violin at the ready. (Yup, she looks super threatening. Watch out, fey bad guys!) Her gaze flicks back and forth as she scans the ground for mushroom circles.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Grabs an antidote.

Feeling a little excited about the mission finally being started he scans the area, keeping an eye out for danger or anything magical.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Salaish and Jak spot an odd sight - a mushroom ring the green square on the map. In the middle of a small pond, a ring of large toadstools glows with a slight magical energy. The ground inside wobbles and is almost translucent, as if one could step right through it.

The wobbly ground suddenly makes a BLOOP sound and the smell of spring grass after a thunderstorm fills the area! A mean looking dog-faced humanoid the size of a house cat appears next to the ring, looking disgruntled and ready to fight!

Elsha Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Flunk Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Mushroom Ring Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

ROUND 1:
Salaish, Jak, Mandower, Scratch
Mushroom Ring and Minions
Elsha and Flunk

Salaish, Jak, Mandower and Scratch are up first! The squares with the mushrooms and water are difficult terrain! When you approach the angry little dog-face withint 20 feet, roll a Will save twice!

Elsha takes an antiplague to balance out the party's options later on.

will saves: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Pull out cold iron halberd. Unless you can say we already had a weapon pulled out, as we probably knew we were walking into danger.
Action 2, move
Action 3 rage I now have 4 temp hit points.
Action 3 attack with cold iron halberd. As it is an action to pull out a weapon, this assumes we didn't need action 1 to pull out a weapon and we would have had one out.
hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 dmg: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 Piercing damage. last 4 is fire.

I'll take an Antidote. Also, it appears I cannot read arrows properly, because I was certain I was placing Flunk at the back, not the front. Apologies GM, can I switch with Scratch? Flunk is a squishy magic-user.

"We got a boogey at high noon, wake up people!" Scratch takes a good look at the thing before hollering out what he thinks it might be, then sends a bolt its way.

Hunt Prey, +7 Nature to Recall Knowledge, Strike!

+1 Crossbow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Damage (P), Precision: 1d10 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (7) + 2 + (3) = 12

Flunk, no worries. Go ahead!

Mandower, I definitely can believe you'd have a weapon out since you've been told there's danger. You have 3 actions with weapon already drawn.

As soon as she sees the mushroom ring, Salaish begins playing her violin. Its tune this time is inspires courage and determination.

Performance DC 16: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Lingering Performance failed, so Inspire Courage is only up for 1 round. Everyone gets a +1 status bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saves against fear effects.

Tucking away her instrument, she takes a tentative step forward, dithering about what to do next.

◇ Lingering Performance; ◆ Inspire Courage; ◆ Interact; ◆ step

"Oh a Pugwampi, a gremlin fey... they can see in the dark, speak Gnoll (worship them in fact), are renowned for their unluck auras (20') which cause you to roll twice and take the worse result, and take extra damage from cold iron!" He spits out that mouthful.

Jak draws his sling as he places a rock in it. Swinging the sling overhead, he takes aim at the small fey and lets the stone loose.

Sling +IC vs Red: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 = 26
Damage +IC: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4 x2 Crit = 8

◆ Draw Sling; ◆ Attack Gremlin

Mandower steps up and swings! Mandower is under the unluck effect and must roll twice and take the worse roll. However, he misses on the attack, so... His halberd whistles over the fey's head!

Salaish begins her inspiring song!

Jak's sling bullet whistles through the air and cracks the tiny Red fey creature solidly in the forehead, causing it to yelp in pain and sway on its feet!

Scratch's shot lands a moment later, hitting the fey in the chest and causing it to fall, blood pooling beneath it! Fey is dead!

The ring of mushrooms makes another BLOOP and the smell of ozone fills the air as another tiny fey, looking identical to the fallen one, emerges from the ring! It takes a Step toward Mandower and slashes twice at him!

Green Fey Shortsword vs Mandower: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 for Damage Slashing: 1d6 - 3 ⇒ (4) - 3 = 1!
Green Fey Shortsword vs Mandower: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 4 = 23 for Damage Slashing: 1d6 - 3 ⇒ (6) - 3 = 3!

Elsha and Flunk are up!

Flunk loosens his tie, his eyes narrowing on the shroom. His voice takes on a more classic, somewhat maniacal tone as a ball of appears in his palm. "Time for fire now!"

Produce Flame vs Shroom, Burn it: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 191d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

The suddenly more classically goblinish goblin hurls a blast of flame that scorches the mushroom ring, but does not wholly destroy it! The pugwampi lets out a series of angry yips at Flunk!

Elsha is up!

T-t-time for fire indeed!

Elsha really doesn't want to approach the fey directly, and simply strides wide for a clean shot with his alchemical bombs.

◆ Stride 20'
◆ Strike (ranged, quick bomber, far lobber) GREEN
◆ Strike (ranged, quick bomber, far lobber) GREEN

alchemical bomb attack, FIRE damage, persistent FIRE damage, splash FIRE damage: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 81d8 ⇒ 41 = 11 = 1 looks like only splash here
alchemical bomb attack (2nd attack), FIRE damage, persistent FIRE damage, splash FIRE damage: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 7 - 5 = 171d8 ⇒ 71 = 11 = 1

NOTE Only the target takes the splash damage per the Bomber research field

Elsha's first shot only lands near the creature, singeing it and eliciting a hiss. His second shot is much more spot on and burns the small creature badly!

ROUND 2:
Salaish, Jak, Mandower and Scratch are up first! The green Pugwampi is singed! The mushroom ring is damaged, but still looks capable of BLOOPing out more fey! The ring and water are difficult terrain. If you get within 20' of the pugwampi, make 2 Will saves! Exclamation points are fun!

Not having any spells that might be able to damage the mushroom ring, Jak takes aim at the new fey creature and lets loose another stone at it.

Sling vs Green: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

◆Load Sling ◆Attack

Scratch fist pumps as he brains the first gremlin, but his excitement quickly wanes as another pops out just as fast. "Little buggers, could be an army of 'em in there.. focus fire on that oversized Shroom if ya can!"

Hunt Prey Mushroom Ring, Reload, Strike!

+1 Crossbow, Inspire: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 1 = 21
Damage (P), Precision, Inspire: 1d10 + 2 + 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + (6) + 1 = 16

Not quite sure how its going to work but I couldn't find any text that said one way or another. Scratch will just have to do a trial by bolt!

Jak's sling stone goes a bit wide, but Scratch's shot pierces several of the mushrooms and causes the BLOOP effect to suddenly disappear, along with the scorched Pugwampi and the very dead Pugwampi!

Out of initiative! The Mushroom ring is broken, which disables it. You can easily destroy it if you so choose because it can no longer summon fey! Well done! Would you like to rest or continue to the next encounter?

"More fire, MORE!" Flunk tosses flame after flame at the already broken shroom assuming no one stops him. Only when it's reduced to a smoldering pile of ashen globules does he stop. "Wonder if taste good?"

I'm good with continuing

"Focus on the mushrooms! Got it!" Salaish tosses a Produce Flame spell at the mushroom ring.

Produce Flame: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 81d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"Oops. Sorry!" After missing terribly, Salaish casts Guidance on Elsha so his bombs will work better (than her spell).

◆◆ Cast a spell, ◆ Guidance

Scratch cranks another bolt into position and looks around "That it? Good deal. You ok Mandy?" Scratch shoulders his crossbow after marking a couple faint scratches into the side for record keeping of course.

"I can try patchin' ya up if ya want." Medicine Style. Takes 10 minutes. DC15. Feel free to roll it if you want: +7. 2d8HP if you hit the DC.

I'm happy to get to another encounter once we all agree.

Good work t-team. Once we've rested up, onto the next mushroom circle that we can find?

Okay to give people resting time.

After a moment of rest you head deeper into the area you're supposed to be exploring. A stream nearby starts bubbling and a familiar iruxi pops his head above water. “Pathfinders, do watch out for the local fauna. The animals of this area are quite intriguing. I even heard some speaking. Well worth further study if we can avoid ending their lives with a blade.” Before anyone can respond, Urwal is back underwater and swimming away.

Slide 11!

No sooner has the enigmatic Iruxi gone than you hear the sound of speech in accented Common from atop a nearby ridge that rises around 7' above the creek area.

"What have we here? Mammalssss, and reeking of blood my brethren. Warm blood begetssss death and battle and mayhem my broodmate alwayssss sssaid. Can they even be reasssssoned with, I wonder?" Sounds a deeper voice with a sibilant hissing voice.

A chorus of higher pitched voices with similar sibilant tones responds, Greek chorus style. "Kill them, bite them, eat them before they kill usssss."

The brush parts to reveal two larger pythons and three smaller sleeker snakes in conversation, all looking toward you with a mix of fear and loathing.

You have a chance to respond as no actual violence has happened yet. What do you do?

Elsha's jaw almost hits the floor when the snakes first appear, but he quickly remembers himself, and that they can't show obvious shock if they're to reason with these creatures.

W-w-we can certainly be reasoned with. We have not come into c-c-contact with any snakes recently, much less their blood! And we don't intend you any harm.

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Scratch grips his crossbow's heavy oaken stock, trying to get a good look at the larger snakes before he tries to reason with them. Maybe someone's got a snake's tongue here, or maybe we'll end up with 5..

Flunk's face twists in excitement upon noticing the snake army, yet something compels him. He tightens up his tie, breathes deeply, and suddenly he seems a lot more composed.

"Just one moment," he pauses, digging out Mwangi Land Titles from his briefcase. Of course he has it. "We are Pathfinders seeking the Door of Seasons. I do not know how you claim rights to this ridge or creek, but perhaps we can come to a mutual agreement benefiting all of us."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Yet he seem to come across too terse and matter-of-fact. Uh oh.

"My companion is correct. We would prefer not to fight you."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Phew Mandower only lost his temp hp that fight

Scratch looks to Salaish as the snakes last hope for a peaceful resolution. I don't mind snake, so long as its crispy n cooked through.

Salaish listens ruefully as a few of the guys try to use a silver tongue. She puts her hands on her hips and shakes her head good-naturedly at them. "Oh, you guys! Hello, snakes! We actually don't care to harm you. We're just passing through, trying to find the Door of Seasons. We won't initiate any attack on you or yours. I promise!" With her hand over her heart, she bows to the snakes to show her sincerity.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

The lead constrictor hisses. "Qxal told usss you'd sssay sssomething like that! The Thorned Monarch promissssed usss many giftsss and bountiesss! Why ssshould we believe you?"

You can continue Diplomacy, but you may also use Nature, Forest Lore, Performance or Deception to convince the snakes. You have time to make one check and you need more successes...

Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Us? I think there's been a misunderstanding. Your friend was clearly referring to someone else with specific other motives. We really just need to pass through and would like to leave things as much the way we found them as possible.

Devil snakes, I knew it! Just like those devil cats I dealt with last month... Best lure then astray with some sort of distraction.

"Ahh, if you're looking for snacks I saw some fat guinea hens in a low roost back to the east. Make sure keep down wind on the approach."

Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

"Well, this calls for a song, doesn't it? Here, let me play something for you. Just last week I learned a song about a snake that outwitted a sly fox. Here we go!" Taking out her violin, Salaish begins her melody.

Performance: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

It seems a little obvious that she's trying to butter them up, though.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"There is no trickery with us. I don't know what promises this other gave you, but just let us pass and you probably won't see us again."

all my modifiers on all the checks you mentioned are +0, better not incase of a crit failure...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

"There is no reason to suspect us," Flunk pleads, arms outstretched. "Whether or not this area is rightfully yours, we will respect your claims to it and move ahead."

Despite your best efforts to convince them otherwise, the snakes seem too angry and worked up to be convinced! They hiss and cry out "Kill them! Ssstrike them! For Qxal!"

I'm going to use your checks as Initiative.

Python Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Viper Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Mandower Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Round 1:
Elsha
Vipers, Pythons
Mandower, Scratch, Flunk, Jak, Salaish

Elsha is up first!

**HOUSE GM ANNOUNCEMENT**

The mushroom rings have been disabled! The Thorned Monarch’s tide of reinforcements has slowed.

GMs, the Mushroom Ring Disabled condition on page 8 is in effect.

No s-s-snake people! It didn't have to be this way!

Elsha runs along the river bank, but stays on his size as he lobs a couple of bombs at the nearest snake.

◆ Stride 25'
◆ Strike RED (far lobber, quick bomber), lesser blight bomb
◆ Strike RED (far lobber, quick bomber), lesser blight bomb

lesser blight bomb attack, poison damage, persistent poison damage, poison splash damage: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 91d6 ⇒ 51d4 ⇒ 31 = 1
lesser blight bomb attack (2nd att.), poison damage, persistent poison damage, poison splash damage: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 5 = 201d6 ⇒ 41d4 ⇒ 31 = 1

Light-blue should take splash as well

One of the pythons and vipers seem to shudder and lose their nerve. "Sssscrew thisss!" They hiss and flee!

Elsha's first bomb misses by inches, but the second lands squarely on Red! It hisses in pain!

The two vipers strides twice and each tries to strike Elsha!
Green vs Elsha: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 for 1d8 - 3 ⇒ (2) - 3 = -1 damage so just 1 damage plus a Fortitude saving throw vs poison if its hits, DC 16. Failure leads to 1d8 ⇒ 1 poison damage!
Purple vs Elsha: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 for 1d8 - 3 ⇒ (4) - 3 = 1 damage plus a Fortitude saving throw vs poison if its hits, DC 16. Failure leads to 1d8 ⇒ 3 poison damage!

Red likewise strides twice and ends up adjacent to Scratch! It tries to bite!
Red vs Scratch: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 piercing!

Mandower, Scratch, Flunk, Jak, Salaish are up!

"Eeep! Oh, please stop fighting, snakes!" Salaish steps back from the closest snake and continues playing her violin, its tune exhorting the Pathfinders to be effective and merciful.

Lingering Performance DC 16: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Success! Inspire Courage is up for 3 rounds. Every ally gets a +1 status bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saves against fear effects.

◆ Step; ◆ Step; ◇ Lingering Performance; ◆ Inspire Courage