Among the Nine-Tuiled Gods (Inactive)

Game Master VixieMoondew

"MANTICORE!"

The creature flares its wings and turns a human face with a remarkably catlike grin toward Onna.

"Dinner."

GM, as Ikari is on watch is he able to channel pre-emptively, ie when Phidöe sounds the alarm (before initiative)?

I've got you placed about 35+ feet out from the rest of the party, unfortunately.

Note also that, as you were hunkering down to sleep for the day, you're wearing whatever you would have worn to bed, and likely aren't wearing all of your gear (ie. backpacks) either. I don't know if the latter will come up during combat, as I'm assuming you all grabbed your favorite weapon(s) on your way out of the tent, but it's worth noting!

If you'd rather grab your gear and/or armor up before popping out of the tent, let me know and I'll make that your Round 1 action. ...Or, in case of heavier armors, your Rounds 1-10 actions.

Conveniently, our night watchmen (well, watchman and watchdoggo??) rolled highest!

Round 1
Ikari
Phidoe
Onna
Toshiko
Kenta
Manticore
Utara

Ikari, Phidoe, Onna, Toshiko, and Kenta! Make this thing regret its dietary choices! Women's magazines haven't been invented yet!

So... I totally blanked on this when I was doing my whole prep post for the night and next day and I'm cool with whatever the GM rules. I legit HAVE a wand of Bed of Iron I bought a few sessions back in case we had an 'overnight' situation. I completely blanked on burning a charge of it, would that still be allowed?

Kenta grabs his big ole sword and jumps to his feet, adrenaline pumping!

2x moves, no buckler on, AC is either 18 (with armor) or 12 (without).

Phidoe alerted you to predators in the area before everyone went to bed, so it would have been realistic to expect trouble. I'll allow it.

A quick note: I forgot to mention, but since it's in your favor, I hope you won't mind the correction:

The party has grabbed their weapons and hopped out of the tents by the time Initiative starts (see your positions on the map). Feel free to jump straight into swingin' your swords or whatever it is you do!

Which means Kenta can retcon that action, if he needs to, since I already assumed he did so.

Been quite some time since I've been woken by combat with a character that actually wears armor...uh...1 sec *looks at character sheet*

YAZAAH Light armor. No issue. Slept in it. ;-)

Grabbing his shield, Utara follows Kenta out of the tent...leaving his weapons and pack behind.

Letting out a growl of his own, the Chelaxian begins to drool heavily.

Currently, no shield worn - just carried - so AC -4

Kenta takes a sniff at the creature, nostrils flaring as he realizes who the creature is after,"NO ONE EATS ONNA ON MY WATCH, YOU HORRIBLE EVIL FIEND!" He steps back and casts a spell at it, using the force of his divine right to empower his words!

Move to "detect evil", 5-ft step. If said Manticore detects as 'evil' then he will cast Challenge Evil, Will DC 15 to resist.

The manticore snorts and raises an eyebrow at Kenta...

But does not linger on him.

Will save'd! That's right, let's get all the baddies' good rolls out of the way before she starts swingin'.

Well, this seems somehow more ominous than harpies. At least there is only one. Wait...

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

"Alright everyone, play it cautious. We know it flies, so have your distance weapons nearby. First and foremost, let's show it they've picked the wrong skulk to mess with!"

Inspire Courage, +1 to all the things. Round One of FIfteen. Fourteen rounds remain.

The scruffy little unarmored dog dashes towards the ferocious beast, barking wildly, as if to say: 'hey, this is my territory!' before attempting to scamper right onto the creature and kick it with his little paw!

Ok, so here is where some GM adjudication of various things may be needed, bearing in mind that unless it has Combat Reflexes or a similar ability to take an AoO while flat-footed some of these questions will be moot for now, but likely to come up in the future.

Phidöe needs to be in the same square as the Manticore to attack it, due to being tiny. He begins 15' from the Manticore and has a movement speed of 40. Either he a) moves 10' and then uses the Vexing Dodger's Limb-Climber ability to make a Climb check to climb onto the Manticore (presumably moving him into its square?); or b) he moves 15' into the creature's square (presumably requiring an Acrobatics attempt to enter its square without provoking) and then can further c) attempt a Climb check to climb on the creature once he is in its square. I think that I personally as a GM would rule that it's b & c, rather than a, despite the Limb-Climber's language about being adjacent, due to his Tiny size, but I'll go with whatever you rule. In any case, mechanically speaking, the effects are: d) unless Phidöe is in the same square he can't attack because of his size; d) if he manages to Climb the creature, the manticore has a -1 on attack rolls against him; e) if the Climbed creature moves (e.g. tries to fly away!) the rules are unclear on what happens: does Phidöe stay aboard? does he get an AoO? can he jump off if he wishes? - these are all GM calls. Finally, f) the rules say that Acrobatics to leave a threatened square is vs CMD, and Acrobatics to move through an opponent's square is CMD +5; presumably moving into an opponent's square is the same as moving through but the rules don't actually say one way or the other.

Acrobatics - if needed - to enter the Manticore's square, vs flat-footed CMD (and possibly +5 for moving through its square): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16 Vexing Defender trait gives another +4 trait bonus to move through an opponent's square - I assume this applies but GM call
Oof, what a time for a nat 1!

Climb to climb on the Manticore, vs flat-footed CMD: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30 I'm not sure whether or not accelerated climbing is needed here given the distance and his 40' speed, but if so the Acrobat trait makes the penalty for this -2 instead of -5.

If he manages to get into its square...

The furry little dog gives the creature a vicious, and possibly stunning, kick!

Unarmed Strike, Inspire: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 12 + 1 = 22 +1 more if Higher Ground applies
B dmg, Inspire: 1d3 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 = 9 AND sneak attack due to flat-footed: 1d6 ⇒ 5
If this hits, DC 16 Fort or stunned for 1 round from Stunning Fist

If Phidöe manages to Climb the creature, the Scrambling Servant trait allows him to retain his Dex to AC while Climbing, so his current AC is 25 (and the manticore has a -1 on attacks against him from Limb Climber)

"Cats! I hate cats!"

Ikari sleeps in his armour (mithral shirt +1)

"Grrr."

Ikari, being on watch, already has his fox-brush in hand and his other weapons and combat gear on his person. He invokes Daikitsu's strength and levels his spear at the aggressive predator.

STR 20, DEX 14

large branched spear vs manticore, rage to STR, bard: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 = 28damage: 2d6 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6, 6) + 7 + 1 = 20

"Stay away from my family!"

I think I made some prior rulings on these, but: yeah, I'm gonna rule that as a Tiny critter, you'll have to enter an enemy's space to climb, just as you'd have to do so to attack (so, B and C).

As for E, if the climbed creature moves, it's taking you with it. This can be a good thing for you... or a bad thing, if the manticore were to, oh, I dunno, fly out over the ledge and try to remove you.

You can hop off... not sure what kind of action that would be, though. Immediate would be most beneficial, Free or "as a 5-foot step" would go the other way. We can discuss that in the Discord; I imagine that one's gonna be complicated.

The "through" wording assumes that you can't stop in an enemy square, I believe. I'm going to say the +5 to the DC applies-- but you have a +4 from Vexing Defender in that case, so that's not too bad.

That all makes sense. The one thing I would suggest modifying is about not being able to stop in an enemy square - while it's true for normal size creatures that they can't do that, it's actually required for tiny creatures (and tiny bad guys do it to us PCs all the time). I guess the question is: although Acrobatics is required to tumble through an enemy's square, do you even need to make a check at all to simply move into their square if you are tiny? (Of course, you need to make a check to avoid an AoO when you leave the adjacent threatened square, but I'm asking about whether a Tiny creature has to make an acrobatics check to enter the square of a foe at all - I think I would rule no, they don't, but as always will go along with whatever you rule).

*Pushes glasses up nose*
Actually, in regards to sharing a space...any creature 2 sizes smaller than another can share the same space with the larger creature. So a tiny creature *can* share a space with a medium or larger, but small creatures cause issues. A Medium creature *can* share a space with a huge creature, and so on

Oh, I'm aware of that, Phidoe and Utara. I was stating that the specific verbage-- "through" an opponent's space-- is likely assuming similar-sized creatures that can't stop in an opponent's space. For now, I'm ruling that "in" is the same as "through" for the +5 to defend, but of course, Phidoe gets his +4 in response. If anyone happens to find an official (or semi-official) ruling otherwise, though, I'm happy to revise it!

Sounds good to me. Appreciate y'all's patience as we sort through the complexities of this build. It'll get worse next level when I add the Swashbuckler Mouser's Underfoot ability.

Toshiko starts awake, her hand on a knife from her belt.

She whips a starknife at the intruder.

Starknife, cover from Utara: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 4 = 19 Damage: 1d4 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Kenta keeps one eye on Utara and one on the fiend, thoughts flying through his mind.

Is the devil worshipper in league with this monster? He shows up. We go on a mission. Suddenly we are attacked by an monster that reeks of evil and he makes no move to attack! Fox or not, he will not catch me unaware.

Phidoe, already on watch, is the first to move into action, running valiantly toward the manticore that threatens his new friends! Thankfully, the Manticore hasn't entirely gotten her Combat Bearings yet, and doesn't have the reflexes to mash him away before he has a chance to scamper up her wing and plant a surprisingly-devastating kick between her shoulder blades!

It was, in fact, the best time for a Nat 1, since it isn't Threatening yet. 14 damage.

Ikari, being significantly less fancy, shoves his spear forward and twists; the spinning, bladed leaves lacerate as the spear point digs in! This manticore will likely be regretting this decision momentarily. 20 damage!

As the manticore roars in pain and wrenches itself away from the spear, it catches a spinning star from the other direction! 13 damage!

The manticore, seeing how this is going for her, goes "Screw this" and flaps its powerful, slightly-shredded wings.

It's taking off as a Withdraw action, which I believe means the first square it's in doesn't count as threatened... but I don't see a direction it can fly where it can avoid taking at least one AoO from Ikari.

Phidoe, you clinging to the manticore as it takes off, or hopping off?

Round 1
Active Buffs: Inspire Courage
Ikari
Phidoe
Onna
Toshiko
Kenta
Manticore -47
Utara

Initiative suspended while Phidoe decides!

Phidöe barks victoriously as he leaps down from the Manticore's back.

Acrobatics, leaping: 1d20 + 15 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 4 = 32

"... and stay out! I hate cats. Hate 'em."

The Manticore takes to the sky; Ikari tries to lunge after it, but isn't quite fast enough, and soon, the creature flies off.

...Losing altitude steadily, even. Apparently that fox brush is exactly what her wings didn't need.

Conflict Resolved!

I'll move us along tomorrow; feel free to roleplay until then, otherwise I'll assume you set up the same shift rotation and whatnot.

"Well, it wasn't an ogre Mister Professional" Ikari grins. "But I think you get the idea." He shrinks down to ordinary humanoid dimensions, calm again.

"Interesting technique Phidöe."

Kenta watches the creature flee, ”Watch out, it could circle around!” He keeps a close eye on it until gone.

Putting his sword away he glances at Utara, ”Disappointed your evil cat devil friend did not kill us? You will have to try a lot harder than that.”

I think the little pup just climbed the creature and bit it? But that can not be right, no one would be crazy enough to do that.

Raising an eye at the fox, Utara snarls. "You're death is not preferable as we are traveling companions and I can't cause you to assist as a corpse. I am annoyed I didn't get so much as a taste of the beast...it would have easily filled me three times over."

Glancing towards the sky, he frowns. 'Just a feather even...would have been tasty.'

"I must say, your pet is quite skilled though. Perhaps you should turn that training on yourself. From my observations you did little more than run away and whine."

I was gonna wait til I went back to my PC but I happen to know that[ooc] The rest of the night passes without incident; no further Manticore attacks! It seems that Utara’s dark, evil magic was only strong enough to call one of them.

The morning comes; the day is definitely colder than yesterday—above freezing... but only by a few degrees.

[ooc]Feel free to make any daily preparations, and post that your character has begun climbing when you’re ready!

Phidöe wakes, stretches, wolfs down some grub, and then excitedly starts wagging his tail. "Let's keep climbing! Maybe we'll find some more cats to hunt!"

Kenta gives a very concerned look at the evil fox, ”Utara, are you jealous a little pup is tougher than you and scared off the big kitty? And if you do not recognize the tactic of protecting your casters and ranged allies, maybe you should join me for my next faction training session. Remember, no one getting hurt is the goal of every encounter, not murder.”

He moves back into the tent with a huff, laying down to sleep. The watch is fine. Sleeping is fine. He gnaws on another dragon scale the next day when the cold hits.

Toshi wakes with a clearer head in the very early morning. She looks around scanning for more trouble, but her watch passes without incident.

Watching Kenta's bizarre antics and scale eating while she rubs her scale for the second day in a row she packs her gear and chews on some sea rations as she waits for everyone else to be ready to go.

Feeling the chill in the air, Onna follows the example of her family. She pulls a piece of cloth from her pack and unwraps it with care. With deft fingers, the bard takes one of the scales and sets it aside before gingerly wrapping the remaining pair. Once that task is done, she slides the package away. Onna sniffs at the scale. With the tip of her tongue, she takes a tentative taste. Kinda salty. But, what did I expect? Not terrible though. Over the next few minutes, the scale is consumed in small, dainty bites.

Phidöe eyes the others gnawing on dragonscales. Pathfinder rations are really slipping. I wonder if someone back at the Grand Lodge is pocketing our expense accounts...?

"I recognize the benefit of protecting your casters. I just don't see how running away from the enemy is the best form of protection. Your puppy there did more to protect your casters than you did."

With a sigh, he packs up his gear, strapping the shield on his arm and groans. "I uh...don't suppose you'd mind tapping me with that stick of yours again? The cold is a nuisance."

Without another word, be joins his companions in the climb.

Kenta smiles, "Of course I do not mind. You would not do us much good as a corpse, right?"

I'm guessing Utara and Phidöe need a tap, right? If so, down to 45 charges.

Kenta leads the way once all are packed up, continuing up the mountain.

Ikari just smirks inwardly as Kenta and Utara bicker. It's inevitable, I suppose. Such different outlooks. I'm sure Sensei would already be bringing them together, but... adversity will teach them both. And I share some of Kenta's concern. Utara and Phidöe might become family, but for now they're both of a kind with the tricksters I left behind.

"Everyone ready to go?" Ikari asks in the morning.

"There will be more challenges ahead."

As the weather grows colder Ikari uses another dragon scale to protect himself.

Phidöe gets very excited when he sees Kenta bring out the stick but this quickly turns to disappointment when he sees that the paladin has no intention of throwing the wand. He accepts another charge of endure elements with a subdued expression.

Yes please to endure elements - Phidöe's Fort is pretty good but why take chances.

Seeing that everyone is ready to depart Toshi checks her belt for her knives, more out of habit than necessity, then begins the uphill trudge.

Onna watches as Phidöe gets excited at Kenta's wand. Does he really believe that he is a talking dog? If not, he is seriously selling this entire persona. If so, then someone has really done a job on him.

With everyone set to endure whatever elements come their way, the foxes and their cool dog get their legs in motion once more.

It's a good thing the Society has had them all walking all over the place historically, because if not, their legs would likely mutiny.

The clear air provides the first unobstructed view of the massive statues and mausoleums on the mountain’s peak, still a good half-day’s travel away. Now more than halfway up the mountain, the air is thin and the wind bitterly cold-- not that any of you notice the latter. The narrow path clings closely to the near-vertical rock face as it winds around crags and outcroppings, slowly climbing the massive edifice.

And on that note, I'll need a DC 32 Fort save (wowza!) to avoid being fatigued by the air here. As a quick note, the air is now thin enough that clearing fatigue via Ikari's fatigue-clearing thingie will not be as effective as it was earlier. More specifically, it will last for 30 minutes, after which time the save must be rolled again.

That is a ridiculously high Fort save, Daikitsu help you all. I think Phidoe might be the only one that can make it.

Come on Nat 20!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
HAWZAAA! I PASS!

Taking a long sniff of the area, Utara smiles. "Ah such a cleaner air away from the cities."

"You lot ok?"

Fort need a nat 20 I'm assuming we are supposed to be fatigued for this scenario because... what?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Kenta growls as his vision gets all spotty. He doesn't even notice he is panting and snaps back, "I'm fine, you?"

*COUGH*

*HACK*

*WHEEZE*

Oh to have a necklace of adaptation right now...

What are the odds of rolling another 20 now? Oh yeah, 1 in 20: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Phidöe begins to pant as if he lacks sweat glands. His tongue hangs out of his mouth and he looks around miserably, glad that no one is throwing any sticks around.

Fort versus the writer's attempt to make things more challenging and give us all yet another reason to hate Asmodeus: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Well, I'm not so much worried for me as I don't do much actual combat. We may need a Bless in addition to Inspire Courage just to level the playing field. That won't be a problem next level as Bless and Flagbearer both offer morale bonuses and will not stack. Today however...

The young fox takes a few moments to catch his breath. He murmurs a quick prayer to his divine patron, "Lady Taramyth, restore my strength and allow me to keep a keen eye out for dangers." He then taps a small pearl he pulled out of his pocket and it flashes once.

Cast Lesser Restoration on self. Then refresh the casting with a Pearl of Power I. Even if I suspect this won't work for more than 30 minutes, Kenta wouldn't know that and will still cast the spell. We shall see if it is stronger than Ikari's mojo!

dice vs fiat: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

"Uh... uh... still so far? Stay close, all of you. Should any more flying kitties attempt to ambush us I will call upon Daikitsu's grace to alleviate this... this.. yeah, this."

Given how far we have to go, and that everyone but the Asmodean is probably fatigued, an opening Channel in any combat seems like the best way to deal with this issue.

Actually, looking over it-- the sidebar here says:
Some magical methods, such as a paladin’s mercy or a potion of lesser restoration, can temporarily remove the condition for at least 1 hour, or until the PC fails her next hourly save.
Since Ikari's thing has basically the same source (divine whatsit) and has the same effect (remove fatigue), I'm gonna revise my ruling. Both can remove fatigue for 1 hour before the next saving throw.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Toshi labours to catch her breath as she plods along up the track into the mountains.

The path has grown steeper, and between that and the thinner air around here, it's...

Honestly, if it were me, I'd probably have stopped a long while ago.

Probably why that kitsune cryomancer at the bottom wasn't any higher than she was, come to think of it.

The trail has narrowed by now, forcing you into single-file.

Ahead, the only half-decent way forward--unless you're going to climb straight up a mile or two of nearly-sheer cliff-- is a thin ledge hugging the mountainside. A drop off the side would be... bad.

I'm gonna recommend you let Phidoe be the first to respond, here :P

Phidöe freezes and then quietly growls to his comrades, while pointing with his nose at the tripwire ahead. And the precariously perched rocks above.

"What is it bud? The way forward is clear but you want us to be careful? Don't worry, we can tie ourselves off and go slow."

Kenta pulls out a rope and secures one end around his waist.

"No! Look - right there - dontcha see that tripwire?!? And them boulders up above - they's a mite too nicely arranged if ye ask me!"

”Oh. Ooooh, another trap! That makes three. Dang, this is a very dangerous mountain.”

"Can we step over it safely? Or does it need to be cut?"