GM Doug's Troubles in Otari (Inactive)

Game Master Doug Hahn

"Ahh, yes, of course! I'm seeking copper-cap mushrooms for my next experiment. They are very rare! But I know where they grow! They grow on near Slab Hill."

"It's just an errand. You can pick them tomorrow too, of course. That said, I've let it be known that I'm looking for them, so the bounty's out, so to speak!"

The feeling I am getting from the group is to deliver all three packages first?

Baux would want to deliver them all while in town. Doesn't make any sense to get caught up in something else when we haven't finished the first job!

"Where is Slab Hill?"

"Oh, not far. Three miles or so. I'd say. Just walk West on the old path and it's the low hill with the two big stone slabs on its side. That's why we call it Slab hill."

If no other questions and you want to talk to all three first, I'll move you on in the morning where I see fit. The other two locations are just outside town, and we can go to Abanye’s next.

“So bout an hours walk each way, plus time ta gather the shrooms. Probably take half day ta do it?”

Other than a description of the mushrooms, Baux has no other questions.

She'll describe the mushrooms.

Abanye’s cottage lies just outside of Otari. You've seen him around. He's a handsome Mwangi man who's known as a wise and kindly healer who’s a particularly skilled midwife.

As you approach the cottage Lucius notices something odd: the door is slightly ajar. Map on slide 1

Lucius points out the door, suggesting Dethor scout ahead and check it out.

"After the unusual events we've seen, I've a bad feeling about this."

You draw your weapons and push open the door — to be blasted by the stench of rotting vegetation. Two masses of disgusting plant matter, shaped like bipeds, surge forward!

Dethor misses it I rolled low on trapfinder, but luckily Biltri notices the trip wire placed just across the door's threshold. It's tied to an urn to the right of the door. He halls it out.

I marked the square on the map, though you need to Point Out the tripwire as an action; it's reasonable for a PC to just jump over the square altogether. Remember, you can auto-make it if you Leap.

❧ ❧ ❧

Caught in the Stinkweeds

Biltri
Nandipha
--
2
1
--
Lucius
Dethor
Baux

"What is it wit' dis town?" grumbles Dethor.

"Watch the wire in the doorway!" Biltri points at the entry. "Let them come to us!"

His coal dark eyes begin to smolder with flecks of orange and red appearing. He steps to the side to form a kill box with his companions.

Point Out, Rage, Step

Nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

"They be Stinkweed shamblers! They smell bad and their stink can slow you down! Worse, they get stinkier if you hit them with fire or blunt weapons!"

Before I pull out my spear... Do you happen to know if they have darkvision? Because if they don't, I may turn off the lights with my darkvision spell.

Baux looks down at his warhammer and frowns.

[dice=Nature]1d20+8

"They be Stinkweed shamblers! They smell bad and their stink can slow you down! Worse, they get stinkier if you hit them with fire or blunt weapons!"

Before I pull out my spear... Do you happen to know if they have darkvision? Because if they don't, I may turn off the lights with my darkvision spell.

You only get two things with the crit success. You can see they have eyes, though (many plants might have no eyes and tremorsense). If someone else makes the check I will answer that question. Or, you can risk it! At worst the spell will do nothing and at best it will be a powerful debuff.

"Are you joking!?" exclaims the literally fiery, massive ball and chain wielding dwarf.

"No, I be not joking," Nandipha replies, slightly exasperated. "But that may be why dwarves have clan daggers."

"These plants also have eyes. Let us see how well they see in the dark."
◈◈ Darkness

"A tripwire, eh? Lemme take care of it."

Things go black-and-white. Dropped a template as the 20' burst won't cover the whole room as Nandipha doesn't have line of sight around the corner from where she is. Also, note the Discussion, please.

The second plant creature gropes its way through the darkness and smashes the vase attached to the tripwire.

DC 11, Interact action: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Out tumbles a snake! The shambler then shoots a seed pod at Baux! It saw you already, so it knows what square you're in.

Seed Pod: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

The second shambler moves forward and seeks.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

It then shoots a seed pod at Biltri.

Seed Pod: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 There's some RNG action.

The viper slinks out and along up wall and strikes Nandipha!

Fangs: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

The armoire in the corner rattles! But the vines wrapped around it hold it tight.

❧ ❧ ❧

Caught in the Stinkweeds

There is no trap to disable now

Biltri
Nandipha
--
2
1
Snake
--
Lucius
Dethor
Baux

"I believe there's something in the armoire, trapped by the vines!"

Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Lucius can't think of a good way to attack shambler #2, so he steps and tries to strike the snake instead.

Cane sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

"I have the Devil's Lantern, if anyone needs an extra weapon."

The snake is outside?
Dethor moves to engage with the plants,

Fort x2 dc14: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 51d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

While he planned to feign being overwhelmed by the stench, he is surprised by the intensity of it. So, instead, he just stabs as it.
ol' stabby: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 P (or S): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Fortitude Save 1 DC 14: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Fortitude Save 1 DC 14: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"Carrots, attack!" Nandipha steps inside, and pulls out her spear.

◈ Command Animal
◈ Stride
◈ Draw Spear

I am assuming that once inside the players can see the creatures?
EDIT 1: The template just changed and I can see behind the darkness now!
EDIT 2: How does movement work in PF2 when monsters are at a diagonal like that? Can one step through the diagonal, or does one need to tumble through?

"Not you! Whatever god created those things!" Biltri complains loudly. He strides towards Lucius. "I'll take you up on that, but first..."

The chains of his meteor hammer overheat one by one as he swings the weight overhead and smashes it toward the snake. He then lets go of one end of the chain and reaches over to pull the Devil's Lantern out of Lucius' belt.

Stride, Strike, <free> Change Grip (2>1), Interact

+1 Meteor Hammer: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Magic, B, +4 Fire Rage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 4 = 13

Carrots' Fort Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Carrots' Fort Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

"Snirp!" Pleased to be asked, Carrots moves in and bites.

Carrots’ Jaws (finesse): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Piercing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

"Right, Hammer versus Snake!" Baux mutters as he goes over to smash the snake.

Warhammer: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

He then raises his shield.

Stride, Strike, Raise Shield

Dethor, Snake is outside on the wall (ot has a climb speed). Nandipha, you can just step throught the diagonal. Baux, the snake is dead now so you can redo your turn.

Lucius's sword cane knocks some grout off the wall.

Dethor moves in and finds the second plant's stench so overwhelming that he's slowed! Success, crit fail The plant is flat-footed to you as you're hidden to it. So, another 1d6 ⇒ 6 sneak.

Biltri makes the viper go splat.

Carrots gets in and bites #2.

Baux realizes the snake is dead so he considers that to do instead…

Caught in the Stinkweeds

All Shamblers are Flat-Footed in the darkness; you are Hidden to them

Biltri
Nandipha, Immune to auras
> Carrots, Immune to Auras
--
Shambler 2, -15 hp
Shambler 1, -6 hp
--
Lucius
Dethor, Slowed 1, Flat-footed, Immune to #2's aura
Baux

Seeing the snake go splat, Baux reconsiders.

"Beat me ta it!" he tells Biltri.

Instead he casts a spell and moves in to help the people in the shack.

2 actions, cast Bless. 1 action Stride

Fort vs Aura 1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Fort vs Aura 2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Baux adds more auras to what is already a very confusing situation and map. Light blue border

❧ ❧ ❧

Vine, Strike 1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Vine, Strike 1 Flat: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
B: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Vine, Strike 2: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
Vine, Strike 2 DC 11 Flat: 1d20 ⇒ 3

The first shambler strikes at Nandipha twice, but the darkness saves her. It then moves out into the light, next to the armoire where it can't be flanked.

Vine, Strike 1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
Vine, Strike 1 Flat: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
B: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Vine, Strike 2: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Vine, Strike 2 DC 11 Flat: 1d20 ⇒ 11

The second shambler smacks Dethor, upside the head but it's pathetic damage. It then moves back, clearly trying to get out of the darkness… but it can;t get far.

❧ ❧ ❧

Caught in the Stinkweeds

Bless in blue aura

All Shamblers are Flat-Footed if you are in the darkness; you are Hidden to them

Biltri
Nandipha, Immune to Auras, -5 HP
> Carrots, Immune to Auras
--
Shambler 2, -15 hp
Shambler 1, -6 hp
--
Lucius
Dethor, Immune to #2's aura
Baux, Immune to Auras, Sustaining Bless

Baux expands his blessing, moves into position where hopefully everyone can be in range, and raises his shield.

"If'n yer within 10' of me, ya should get Desna's blessing."

I didn't know how to modify the shape properly, so it only shows the 5' aura.

Oh, shoot. Sparkblade is an agile weapon. Oh well.

Fortitude vs. Aura 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Biltri moves on from the splattered snake and into the rotten stench of the healer's home. He growls in frustration at holding back his full might and using such a puny little blade as he stabs repeatedly at the walking plant.

Stride, Strike, Strike

Sparkblade, Bless: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 1 = 25
P, Rage: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11
Sparkblade, Bless: 1d20 + 10 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 10 - 4 + 1 = 17
P, Rage: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

EDIT: If others kill #2 before me, I could have used Sudden Charge to get to #1 with the same result (and would be attacking out of the darkness, if I read the auras correctly).

This will be the same net-net as Dethor has to move to strike either shambler. SO we'll go with you killing #2.

Baux expands his blessing and takes a defensive stance while Biltri, with borrowed weapon, charges in and pulps the shambler.

❧ ❧ ❧

Caught in the Stinkweeds

Bless in blue aura

All Shamblers are Flat-Footed if you are in the darkness; you are Hidden to them

--
Biltri
Nandipha, Immune to Auras, -5 HP
> Carrots, Immune to Auras
--
Shambler 1, -6 hp
--
Lucius
Dethor, Immune to #2's aura
Baux, Immune to Auras, Sustaining Bless, Shield Raised

Lucius moves into the room, and not wanting to enter the stinkweed's aura, loads and fires his crossbow.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9 Man...
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Still overwhelmed by the stench, Dethor moves in, hoping to get one final good strike.

"Come on, good ol' stabby! Do your stuff! *COUGH*"
ol' stabby vs FFAC: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 1 = 24 P (or S): 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + (4) = 13

It's still up! But not by much…

"Bah! Why don't you stand still?" Nandipha moves forward, spear in hand.

"Carrots, attack!"

Longspear (Reach): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Piercing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Well, that hot dice streak had to run out sometime...

"Snirp!"

Okay, mom, but these taste worse than mushy lettuce!

Carrots dives in an nips at the monster.

Carrots’ Jaws (finesse): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Piercing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Carrots takes out the last shambler!

Out of combat!

The armoire rattles and the doors strain against the vines holding it closed.

Let me out! Help!

Biltri walks over to slash the vines apart with the Devil’s Lantern and then hands it toward Lucius. ”Thanks.”

Lucius stows the Devil's Lantern, and calls out to the armoire.

"Hello in there. It's safe to come out!"

Abanye tumbles out of the cabinet — along with a wave of clothing! He blinks up at you, laying on the floor. "Thank you! Those shamblers followed me home from the forest… evil, wicked creatures! They love trapping and tormenting others. I hid in the armoire here, but they must have known I was inside." He shudders. "I think they were saving me for later. Luckily you came along."

He stands and begins rifling through a bookshelf, finding a large leaf. "Here. I scribed a fire resist spell on this lilypad. It's the least I can do by way of thanks." Scroll of resist energy: fire. He hands it to Nandipha with a word in a language none of you know Druidic, and gives Carrots a pat pat on the head.

"Oof. Well, now I have a mess to clean… I suppose you're too busy to help? What brought you to my cabin, anyway?"

“Package fer ya.”

He digs out the right package, hands it over, and then says “Narala takin’ a short break, so we doin’ this delivery.”

He looks around at the mess, then says “We kin probably spare some time ta help wit’ the cleanup. Many hands make work lighter.”

"We be happy to help." Nandipha starts prestidigitating the worst surfaces, but also will scrub the old fashioned way.

Dethor gives Baux and Nandi incredulous looks as they start cleaning. ”This could take all day, and we have more packages to deliver. That, and more rescuing to do!”

“Think we kin spare half an hour, git worst of this taken care of.”

"If that was your snake, sorry," Biltri mumbles an apology. "Where in the woods they find you? Not the first odd thing in the woods around here."

Lucius joins Dethor in looking incredulous at the thought of cleaning.

"Perhaps I can offer some organizational advice instead."

Nandipha's response is to shove brooms and mops into Dethor and Lucius hands, and to give Biltri a bucket of water to fill and bring back. "The faster we start, the sooner we be on the road again."

"Sure you don't want me to haul out the giant piles of mulched stinkweed?" Biltri asks looking down at the bucket.

"Might want ta' use the bucket fer that!"

"Good thought! Start there, bring back water!"

You apply your cabin-cleaning skills to the druid's cottage and soon enough, it's sparkling. Lucius even decides to help the druid get organized and find out what sparks joy.

Among the junk you leave outside, you find a formula for an emergency disguise talisman. Falls out of an old book inside a box that had been shipped from "Woodsedge Lodge" by "Osprey." I am adding this Uncommon formula as a bonus for helping clean.

Abanye tells you he was milking the snake to distill antivenom… but he understands why it was killed. However, he won't tell you where he goes to collect herbs in the forest. It's a trade secret!

You're so nice! I could have never gotten it done without you. Here's your reward. He hands you 5 GP.

"Thank ye!"

"Jes ta warn ya, we fought a hell hound along the road. Still need ta find who summoned it. If'n ya learn anything, Tamily knows where ta find us."

Dethor grumbles to himself the whole time he is forced to clean. "If'd I have want'd t' do cleanin' I'd'a stayed at th' monastary."