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

Game Master James Martin

"Ain't no mercy comin' from me to no evil devil snake Missy!" Scratch takes a careful step back next to the big fella, swears his vengeance on the red snake, then sends a bolt rocketing out of his crossbow at red.

+1 Crossbow, IC: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 = 14
Damage (P), Precision, IC: 1d10 + 2 + 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (3) + 1 = 7

Scratch's bolt misses by inches, while Salaish inspires!

Flunk and Jak are up!

Pull out halberd which has reach, rage and swing at red hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 dmg: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 last 4 is fire.

Jak steps toward the snake closest to him and swipes his dagger at it but misses horribly.

Dagger +IC vs Red: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Damage +IC: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

◆Step ◆Attack

Back to enraged inspired mode Flunk goes, flicking off his cufflinks at the snake. "Snake jerky for dinner!" He cheers.

Produce Flame, IC: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 = 161d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8

Elsha's first bomb misses by inches,

Splash damage applies though, right?

Poison saves:

Fortitude, DC16: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 1 poison damage
I'll keep the hero point for just 1 damage
Fortitude, DC16: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 3 poison damage

Jak and Mandower swing, but the wily snake dodges their efforts! Flunk's attack lands hard, scorching the poor snake! It's scorched and blighted but fights on!

Round 2:
Elsha
Vipers, Pythons
Mandower, Scratch, Flunk, Jak, Salaish

Elsha is up!

B-b-back snakes! We didn't want to fight you!

The kindly alchemist in fully fretting and scrambling to get them to yield. He steps back and lobs two more of his bombs.

◆ Step SW
◆ Strike GREEN (far lobber, quick bomber), lesser blight bomb
◆ Strike PURPLE (far lobber, quick bomber), lesser alchemist's fire

lesser blight bomb attack, poison damage, persistent poison damage, poison splash damage: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 101d6 ⇒ 11d4 ⇒ 21 = 1
lesser alchemist's fire attack (2nd attack), FIRE damage, persistent FIRE damage, splash FIRE damage: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 5 = 31d8 ⇒ 31 = 1
!!
Hero point reroll: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 5 = 22 finally

The first bomb misses, but still splashes! The second bomb looks like a dud, until it bounces off a stump and strikes the purple viper, igniting it! It burns up, curling into a ball!

The green viper slithers (steps) toward Elsha and bites twice!
Viper fangs vs Elsha: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 for 1d8 - 3 ⇒ (8) - 3 = 5 piercing and Poison! (Fort DC 16 or take 1d8 ⇒ 8 damage!)
Viper fangs vs Elsha: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 4 = 18 for 1d8 - 3 ⇒ (2) - 3 = -1 piercing and Poison! (Fort DC 16 or take 1d8 ⇒ 6 damage!)

The python strikes at Jak! Jaws: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 piercing damage!
Jaws: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 8 - 5 = 7 for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 piercing damage!
Jaws: 1d20 + 8 - 10 ⇒ (4) + 8 - 10 = 2 for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 piercing damage!

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

Jak slashes with his dagger again at the python, hoping to have better luck this time.

Dagger vs Red: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Scratch quickly reloads, cranking the lever to pull back the string, dropping in a bolt and easing on the firing mechanism. "I got you big red.. just hold still..." He takes careful aim on the red snake before firing off another shot. And what a shot it is!

+1 Crossbow: Hunter's Aim, Inspire: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 31
Damage (P), Precision: 1d10 + 2 + 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 2 + (1) + 1 = 14

Swing again at red, three strikes hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
hit: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 5 = 16
hit: 1d20 + 7 - 10 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 10 = -2
dmg: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 first strike
dmg: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 second strike
dmg: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 third strike. Last 4 damage is always fire.

Jak slashes at the constrictor, but Scratch nails it dead. Only a single viper remains!

Mandower, you can retcon your actions if you so choose. Jak, you have two actions left!

Moved into melee with green, and then I swing twice, I got a 21 and a 16. But if if must reroll here it is
hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
hit: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 5 = 13

Mandower ends the threat of the remaining viper, silencing the talking animals for once and all.

End of combat!

"Whew! Oh, man! I really wish we'd been able to convince them to let us go. I don't really know how to be charming to snakes, though. So, who got bitten? Let's heal you up before we get going." Tucking away her violin, she glances around to see who's hurt.

"Whew! Oh, man! I really wish we'd been able to convince them to let us go. I don't really know how to be charming to snakes, though. So, who got bitten? Let's heal you up before we get going." Tucking away her violin, she glances around to see who's hurt.

"No huge loss there Salaish, they were evil devil snakes anyhow." Comments Scratch as he reloads his crossbow. Normally the old woodsman would harvest a meal from the snakes, but he doesn't eat devil.

"I'm in tip top shape, best you take a closer look at Elsha though."

You can certainly take a 10 minute rest if you want. I'll move us along while you do your thing.

C. Befuddled!

“Oh, good, you’ve made it this far,” says Valais Durant, as she patches up an injured Pathfinder. “All still in one piece? Glad to hear it. I think some of the newer recruits could use more help. I just spotted a team heading that way to help with charting the course, but they looked like they barely knew how to hold a map. Could you give them a hand?”

A little ways ahead you can see the Pathfinders in question, looking fresh and untried. They're walking straight toward a meadow of long grass, but something makes you suspicious...

Will Saves from all, versus Illusions!

Will Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

"Look at them young'uns, strolling through that field like they're lookin' fer a spot to bed down fer a nap." He chuckles, wishing a bit inside that he was doing the same.

"Evil snakes. Hmm," Flunk hisses, calming himself after the fight. "How unfortunate we could not reason with them, even if they were influenced by outside forces."

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Later, he watches the Pathfinders march towards the meadow with no real suspicion, probably. "Should we stop them, or follow?"

Will Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Looking at the group of Pathfinders ahead suspiciously, he squints his eyes to try and pick up on anything.

One of those viper bites hit Elsha, so catching up on saves:

Fort DC 16: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 or take 1d8 ⇒ 6 damage!
But then it looks like Valias "patched up" Elsha?

Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

I... d-d-don't think those are actually Pathfinders. I think the local Fey might be messing with us.

Jak and Elsha cry out and point toward the patch of long grass the novice Pathfinders are about to walk into - it's been disguised by an illusion and is actually deadly thorn brambles with three inch long thorns! You have a chance to stop them before they blindly walk in!

I need each of you to try one of the foll0wing skill checks: Fey Lore, Diplomacy, Intimidation, Nature or Survival. You're trying to convince these novices (who are very convinced of their own expertise, thank you very much!) that they are blundering into trouble!

Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

"STOP!!! You'll be pierced to death if walk into that stuff."

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

"Oh no! Pathfinders! Stop! It's a trap!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Oh, right will save will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Hey, see how this terrain looks, and how the tracks are, and why they are and where they are not? Not a good idea. survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Elsha's eyes light up in worry as he finishes the thought he started.

... in fact they're a distraction masking sharp, three-inch brambles. STOP!

Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 hmm....

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

"Not the best route through that field if ya ask me, but don't sound like yer askin' me.."

Hrm, seeing as we've not done very well on these checks I'll use my hero point to reroll that survival check.

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 Well that didn't go as planned.

Scratch waits to hear some utterance of asking for help, and doesn't. "Well fine, suit yerself kiddos, see if I care!" He huffs.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

"Objection!" Flunk shouts, throwing his arm out at the Pathfinders. "The appearance of this field is not consistent with the ordinary plants found in this jungle. Trust me, I read a book at the start of our trip. Do not be fooled!"

The novices look confused by the mix of determined voices and somewhat weak arguments. They look at each other, roll their eyes and one mutters "OK Boomers." You know this to be a disparaging term for the sudden boom of Pathfinder recruits following the Siege of Absalom... And they march boldly forward into the patch of grass...

They won't respond to reason, but they may respond to force? Or you can wait and let them experience the consequences of their actions? If you wish to act, treat this as a combat round in which you all have Initiative. Slide 12!

"Boomers?! Oh my WORD!" Salaish dashes forward, screaming: "Stop! Stop! It's an illusion trap!" With a flying leap, she clears the stream, grabbing the edge of the closest idiot's cloak. "Please!"

◆ Stride, ◆ Stride, ◆ Leap

Scratch curses to himself "Bumblin' neophytes are gonna gettum selfs kilt. Then what? Start n ambush on the rest of 'em?" He hoists up his crossbow and takes careful aim, hoping to 'buzz the tower' of the lead dog. Drop a bolt right in front of red in the thorns.

+1 Crossbow: Hunter's Aim: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 2 = 18

doublemove and I can hit the first square of grass with my halberd reach weapon cutting the grass hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 dmg: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 slashing damage.

Jak stands his ground and frowns at those heading for the thorns, "They should've listened. Hopefully they will turn back."

"How unfortunate. I'd really not like to harm them if at all possible," Flunk grumbles, again loosening his tie. He moves a little closer, his palm flickering in flames.

Just moving closer for now, since you can't really ready a 2-action spell in PF2

Elsha rushes forward alongside Salaish and tries to apply another dose of reasoning.

These things are going to skin up your legs, and maybe worse. We'll be delayed in our mission timeline!

◆◆ Stride, stride
◆ Recall knowledge, why it's bad!
Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

The pathfinders suddenly stop as a bolt flies past the lead novice's nose and Mandower's halberd swishes! "Now wait just a darn minute! We're on a mission, too!" He bristles, but stops when a clump of glass cut by Mandower's halberd lands at his feet and changes into a clump of wicked looking four-inch long thorns! He stares for a moment, then nudges it with his toes.

"It's... thorns?" He reaches forward into the grass and yelps, pulling his hand back to reveal a bleeding finger. "You were telling the truth?"

"Yeah. Maybe you should listen to us, for crying out loud! Why would you think fellow Pathfinders would be trying to trick you?! For real!" Salaish glares at the fools, huffing indignantly. Boomers indeed! "Now let's all back off and try to find a safe way around."

"Um, yeah. I guess you were.. you know, right." They shake their heads, clearly unnerved by the situation and follow you to safety.

SUCCESS!

E. Chart a Course

“Have you stopped for a meal yet?” asks Valais Durant. “It’s important to keep up your strength. It’s close relatively, but still far. And looking even further, for that matter. The Thorned Monarch has added all kinds of hazards to the route we mapped out ahead of time. Why don’t you see if you can find a safer path?”

You forge ahead and first there is a thick undergrowth where previously there had been clear paths. You can try the following skill checks:
• Athletics to force through the brush.
• Acrobatics to skirt it.
• Nature to recognize the plant from a distance.
• Survival to spot its habitat.

Each character must roll for themselves.

"Listen to yer elders next time kids. We ain't all blind n toothless, just yet." He flips them some jerky snacks with a chuckle and heads off.

---

"Who's had time for a proper meal? Which wagon has the whiskey n ale rations anyhow? Don't ferget about our nightly drinks, helps us old folks sleep good." He gives a yellow toothed grin and heads off to find more danger to avoid.

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

**HOUSE GM ANNOUNCEMENT**

Excellent teamwork, agents! We have rescued our fellow Pathfinders from mortal peril!

GMs, the Pathfinders Rescued condition on page 8 is in effect.

Jak carefully moves forward, examining the surrounding area for dangers and safe passage.

Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

"The, er, skunk jerky," Flunk pulls a leftover chunk from between his teeth and flicks it away, "Wasn't so bad, but I could definitely use a real meal."

He begins making his way through the undergrowth, snags his foot for a second, then easily shakes it free and skirts by as if there was no growth at all.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Oh no way. Using my HP.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Of course

Mandower will force his way through the brush athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Hero point, cause 1 is an automatic crit failure athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

**HOUSE GM ANNOUNCEMENT**

Qxal’s animal allies have been defeated! The animals that remain may even aid us in battle.

GMs, the Animals Defeated condition on page 8 is in effect.

Unfortunately I th-think these plants blocking a path might be real. Let's see...

The alchemist shields his eyes from the sun and squints at the plants to figure out how they should proceed.

Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Ah, I know what it is and I think I know how to deal with it...

You manage to push through the thick undergrowth with style, finding the right places where the plants have grown thin.

You emerge onto a strange area where you see a sparrow flying around the meadow. It suddenly drops to the ground, gasping and choking, dying from what must be gas! Qxal has clearly created a dangerous situation here!

I need one of the following skill checks from each of you:
• Medicine to recognize the harmful gases.
• Nature to recognize vents where gases emerge.
• Survival to get through the pockets quickly.
• Perception to smell the gas.

Saliash is lagging... Sorry.

Salaish stares at the thick brush with dismay. I...really don't know what to do here. She does her best to follow behind Mandower, since he's clearing a path.

Acrobatics to find a path: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Probably not a crit failure? I kinda want to save my hero point for something more dire.

Unfortunately, she seems to always be in just the wrong place when a branch snaps back. When they emerge, she is definitely looking worse for the wear. She glances around the meadow with a smile. "Now this is more like it! Now we don't have to worry--OH!" Just then the sparrow falls. "Never mind. That's not good. What is it?"

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Good thing I did! Geez!

Scratch tries to point out important things along the way, but mostly he just can't stop thinking about free booze. He follows the paths created by the orcish lawn mower and the other fine pathfinders. "Ya think they got a dark rum? I love me a dark rum.. with poultry a' course."

-------

Speaking of poultry, a small one drops from the sky, and that gets Scratch thinking. "Sure did drop that thing about as fast a bolt through the windpipe.. I wonder.." He sniffs the faint odor, or lack there of, on the breeze.

Medicine: What sort of gas do I smell?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

"Smells like the latrine on day three of a 4 day encampment!" He double checks his shoes for cling-ons.

Salaish does blunder into a particularly nasty spot of brush! Salaish Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 for 1d6 ⇒ 1 piercing damage!