GM Doug's Troubles in Otari (Inactive)

Game Master Doug Hahn

"Fixing it? Sounds like a honest day's work. Pretty sure I am allergic to that.

"'Sides, wild boar is tasty. Roast spider can be ok as well."

Tamily grins and drains her mug. “Great, it’s settled! While you’re there, I’ll go take care of the paperwork so you can have the deed and make it all official.” She hops up from her chair. “I’ve got to get back to work, but you’re welcome to stay here as late as you’d like. Play a game or two! Drinks tonight are on me.”

I have study group for class this morning. I will move you on this afternoon. We will be leaving Otari, but I will assume you make any last-minute purchases and have rations and such as well.

"We going to be camping there while we clear out the pests and fix the buildings?" he asks his companions.

”Lets get it over with. Clear it out. ”

"Yes, sooner we clear it out, sooner we can fish!" Nandipha takes a moment to prestidigitate clean all the bowls and mugs the group used before everyone sets out.

'Snirp!" Carrots leaps back and forth, happy to get moving again.

I have filled out Nandipha's info on the macros sheet.

You leave early the next morning. You walk for a bit more than an hour, and are about halfway to the fish camp when the route diverges from the main road. Now you're traveling south along a beaten dirt track through a thick patch of forest. Old wheel ruts line the path where carts or wagons once passed through, but the tracks are faint and worn. Brush and twining vines grow thick among the trees lining the path, and the chirping and chattering of birds and insects fill the air. The forest is dense here, and hard to see into giving creatures inside it cover. It's also difficult to push into for medium bipeds, but Carrots can dart in and out of the bushes with ease.

❧ ❧ ❧

Biltri and Nandipha hear something large crashing through the underbrush… it's coming closer. They see the shape of a wild boar charging through the underbrush, coming this way!

It's Boaring here, off the Beaten Path

You can heave weapons drawn. All green is difficult terrain for medium bipeds, but not quadrupeds like the boar or Carrots. Ignore the fence tops along the path; this was the best map I could find but there are no fences here.

Biltri
Nandipha
--
Large Pig
--
Lucius Caligari
Baux
Dethor

Biltri grimaces as the boar begins charging through the brush. He moves down the path to draw the pig's attention and begins to swing the iron fist on the chain around and around his head. "You want to start something?"

Stride, Ready (Strike)

I believe that I have painted the trigger zone correctly.

If that boar is really King Kong size, I'm out of here. But I am assuming for sanity sake that the real boar is the little square on the map?

Nandipha concentrates and grows claws, anticipating a big fight.

Nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

"Dethor, you be saying wild boar be good eating? Guess we find out! Watch out, boars like charging and this one... he look mean." Nandipha, like the wily hunter she is, takes partial cover behind a tree to block the boars charge.

◈ Wild Morph
◈ Recall Knowledge
◈ Stride

Looking over at her pouting dromaesaur, she promises, "Don't worry, Carrots, I give you a command next time!"

Ha! It's just medium; that's the art :) See OOC discussion please; we'll keep going here for now as-is.

The boar charges in at Biltri! He takes a swing at the creature, landing a solid blow with the meteor hammer. The furious animal bucks its head, trying to gore the barbarian…

Tusk, strike 1, charge: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 = 29
Piercing: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 6) + 4 = 15

…and it does. Luckily, Biltri is still cool-headed enough to move out of the way of the worst of it, avoiding a deadly tusk. No crit since no rage

The creature then darts back into the rushes, squealing in triumph! Surely, it has chased the interlopers from its territory…

❧ ❧ ❧

It's Boaring off the Beaten Path

You can heave weapons drawn. All green is difficult terrain for medium bipeds, but not quadrupeds like the boar or small creatures like Carrots. Ignore the fence tops along the path.

Biltri, -15 HP
Nandipha
--
Boar, -7 HP
--
Lucius Caligari
Baux
Dethor

Baux raises his shield and grips his warhammer, waiting to see if the creature comes back.

"Grrr...looks like our meal decided to hoof it!"

"הפנים של אלוהות ללא זקן!" Biltri curses as the boar gores him in the groin. Blood spills all over the ground. His dark eyes begin to lighten to orange like nearly cooled embers breathed back to life by pumping the bellows. "Baux! He got my artery!"

Dwarven translation: "Droskar's beardless face!"

Retcon because I missed that it was a crit

Baux makes a prayer to Desna and channels some life energy into Biltri.
Heal, 2 action, healing hands: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
“That should help ya...now do ta it what it did ta ya!”

Baux then raises his shield.

Let's do the time warp again!

In her previous turn, Nandipha looks wistfully at her clawless hands and realizes... "I not be able to grow claws, but nothing stops me from pulling out my spear!"

Back in the now

Nandipha peers around the tree. "The trouble with you boar, you be too fast and pig-headed. Maybe best to slow you down." She casts and a vine covered in sticky sap shoots from her hand and wraps itself around the boar's feet.

Spell Attack Tanglefoot: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Then she commands Carrots, "Flank with Dethor!"

◈ Command Animal
◈◈ Tanglefoot

Nanphidia is 35’ away, so I don’t think she can get the boar with a Tanglefoot. Also, there is no Flank command, Carrots has to undertake his actions on your turn. You can direct him to any square with the end goal of flanking, however.

For the sake of simplicity I will say your character also moved 5' closer as part of her retcon, to be in range. We'll put Carrots behind the boar, commanded to get to a spot where he can help Dethor flank.

Biltri cries out for help as he’s gored, but Baux heals the damage and gives his friend some supportive instructions.

Nanphidia shoots a vine at the boar as Carrots chirps and darts quickly through the underbrush!

❧ ❧ ❧

Time Warps are not Boring!

Biltri, -15 HP
Nandipha
--
Boar, -7 HP, -10’ speed
--
Lucius Caligari
Baux
Dethor

Dethor moves closer, but cannot get close enough to stab the beast.l so he just moves and draws his magical short sword.

OK, let me see if I can figure out this character. First thing seems to be Expeditious Inspection as a free action.

Lucius tries to recall what he may know about wild boars. Nature +7. I don't know if I roll that or if it's secret.

Next, he'll try to come up with a stratagem.

Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Doesn't seem like hitting the boar is possible right now, so instead he'll stride closer and attempt to lure the boar back by looking weak, susceptible, and/or delicious.

Deception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 Not very convincing...

"Oh, I'm so savory," he says, pulling up his shirt and rubbing his red stomach. "So full of juicy entrails."

And so that initial stratagem just goes to waste, like a missed attack roll?

"Thanks!" Biltri grunts as Bauxite and Desna stem the bleeding from his injury. He then slams his fist against his breastplate where it sparks and leaves a scorch mark. "Angradd keep me in the fight!"

The dwarf tromps into the dense undergrowth and forces his way forward.

"Payback is coming, pork chop!" he shouts at the boar with a growl and furious glare.

Cast: lay on hands, Stride, Demoralize

Intimidation (Intimidating Glare): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Dethor moves in. Lucius shows the boar how delicious he is. Biltri frightens the boar.

The boar squeals and charges Lucius — perhaps the tiefling failed to look like dinner, but he certainly looks like a matador flashing red!

Tusk, strike 1, charge, frightened 1: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 - 1 = 30
Piercing: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8

Even frightened, the boar shows the investigator just how dangerous the matador profession is. It runs away again, sure these new enemies will now be forever vanquished!

❧ ❧ ❧

Olé!?

Biltri, -9 HP
Nandipha
--
Boar, -7 HP
--
Lucius, -16 HP
Baux
Dethor

Baux winches in sympathetic pain as Lucius is gored by the boar.

“This thing betta taste good, wit all the hurtin we taking from it!”

Baux moves up slightly then relieves some of the wounds the boar did to Lucius.
Heal, 2 action, Healing Hands: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

"Can your baby dragon get behind that pig?" Biltri asks.

He trudges deeper into the underbrush toward the boar while he waits for a reply. Once close enough, he swings the iron fist over his head, embers in his eyes shimmering, and tosses it out at the boar.

Delay for Carrots to get into position if able; Stride, Stride, Strike

+1 Meteor Hammer: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Magic, B, VH: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6

Dethor moves in, "Oh, no you don't, little piggie."

As he gets there, he seems to stumble...
deception to feint: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

... but it is just a ruse, as he proceeds to attack the beast with his blade.
'+1 Shortsword, vs flatfooted AC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 piercing w/ sneak: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (3) = 8

"Carrots, attack! We be having pig tonight!" Nandipha runs through the underbrush, and points to a spot behind the pig where Carrots can flank with Dethor and attack.

◈ Command Animal
◈ Stride
◈ Stride

This fight is painful because we're all so slow!

Carrots runs in to flank with Dethor at the place Nandipha pointed to!

"SNIRRRRRRRP!"

Carrots Jaws (finesse): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Piercing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Lucius clutches his side in pain.

"That worked too well." He grimaces. "But surely tasting my infernal blood has only doomed you to a painful death!"

Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Lucius sees his opportunity! He quickly moves into a flank with Nandipha, activates the potency crystal on his cane sword, and strikes the boar!

Stragetic Strike: 18 + 8 + 1 = 27

Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 4) = 13

Baux heals Lucius at -4 HP, while Biltri takes advantage of reach to get a flank while also leaving room for Dethor to flank. Truly, this party is capable of having their boar and eating it too.

After the rogue sneak attacks, Carrots snaps at the creature for a little more damage. Lucius then comes in to have his revenge! Crit for 26 damage!! Trie to Lucius’s words, the doomed boar falls…

… or has it? The creature almost stumbles, but then shakes its head and stays up! Ferocity!

It tusks Lucius and Dethor to teach them a lesson, then moves to escape!

Tusk, Strike 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Piercing: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 3) + 4 = 13

Tusk, Strike 1: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 10 - 5 = 19
Piercing: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 2) + 4 = 12

❧ ❧ ❧

Maybe the Boar is Infernal Too

Biltri, -9 HP
Nandipha
--
Boar, 1 HP, Wounded 3
--
Lucius, -17HP
Baux
Dethor, -12 HP

If you want to let it run off you can. Otherwise, one hit will drop it.

Biltri stomps after the fleeing boar. "Hey! Not done yet!"

He drops one end of the chain and pulls one of the hatchets from his belt. He tosses it in the boar's direction, attempting a mighty throw.

Stride, Let Go (free), Draw Weapon, Strike

Thrown Hatchet: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 5 - 4 = 10
S: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Pfft!

"Stupid pig!" Dethor yells, chasing it down.

Dethor stabs again!
shortsword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 stab!: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Stride, Stride, Strike
EDIT: forgot to check the map.

Lucius recoils when the boar rears up and attacks again!

"You hellish beast!"

Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 1

He does not immediate way to retaliate as the boar runs off, so he draws and loads his crossbow.

The departing boar flicks its rear hooves in Lucius's direction as he tries to devise a stratagem… as if it can sense that natural one, and it's laughing! Lucius's training in nature only highlights what a very rude gesture this is, in the language of boars.

However, Dethor shivs it with his shortsword, ending the creature's reign of terror. If not for the crit I would have been able to use Die Hard again!

Out of combat! You can heal up; I am OK averaging healing as long as someone can reliably hit the DC 15's on Treat Wounds. You may make a DC 14 Tanning Lore check to salvage valuable hide! You may also make a DC 16 Nature check to salvage meat.

Biltri grumbles unintelligibly as he collects his weapon. He sits himself down and meditates upon the recent battle in order to refocus his divine energies while the others carve the boar.

Nandipha checks out the boar.

Lore (Tanning): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 Boo! It's probably crazy to use a Hero Point on this, but... I wish this was a better roll.

"Maybe that we put too many holes in this boar to get a good hide," Nandipha declares. But that should not stop us from getting our dinner out of it!

Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Nandipha expertly butchers the boar, grinning. "We be feasting tonight!"

"Can't wait to put dat beast on some fire. But we'll have to pull some cuts off if we gonna eat tonight. He's gonna take hours to cool prop'rly" says Dethor, practically drooling over the prospects. "Now, if we could jus' fin' some garlic and onions... mebbe some herbs and peppers, maybe some taters and carrots..."

"Then you carry some of this meat, while I go check the trail. Taters not be likely, but herbs, nuts and wild garlic along with some berries... That I can probably do. And I already be possessing a bunch of the orange root vegetable whose name I do not say out loud, or my dromaesaur be wanting some!"

Survival to forage dinner fixings: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

"Snirp?" Carrots noses around hopefully, making big eyes at those carrying the meat.

I'm a poor little dinosaur and I'm hungry.

I don't think anyone has assurance with Medicine. I'll just roll it.

"Looks like you've got the carving down. Guess I'll try patchin people up!" Baux says as Nandipha starts on the boar.

"Sit yer tail down, so I can check yer injuries!" he tells Lucius.

Medicine, Lucius: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
healing: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 6) = 13

"Next!

Medicine, Dethor: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
"Sorry, got nothin fer them wounds right now. If'n we git in another fight, I'll use magic. Otherwise might be able ta do somethin' when we git ta the camp."

"Next!"

Medicine, Biltri: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
"Bah! Got nothin' fer you either."

"Guess we jes gotta stay outta trouble fer a while."

It's an hour to the camp, so you can wait another hour and then heal along the way… I feel OK hand-waiving that you can get it by then.

Alright, I will gladly take it.

You are fully healed; you will arrive at the Cabin midday.

Nandipha finds the hide too pierced, but acquires some excellent boar cutlets! Dinner tonight will be delicious!

❧ ❧ ❧

After about an hour of travel, the thick forest begins to thin before the trail opens onto a long stretch of a coarse gravel beach, the shining blue waves of the Inner Sea rolling beyond to the south. A cliff rises along the beach’s northern edge. The largest building is a wooden house built on weathered stilts with a porch wrapping around the south and east and doors along the west, east, and south walls. A raised outbuilding to the east shares the main building’s porch, while three smaller outbuildings stand to the west. A drying rack and drying table stand near these western structures. On the beach sits an old rowboat and weathered oar, pulled high to avoid the tide, and a pile of dirty fishing nets.

The house's windows are boarded up as if preparing for a hurricane. The doors are closed. This is Tamily's fishing camp… your new home.

Map on Slide 1 updated with points of interest and "fog of war." We will use some zoomed-in maps for tactical movement where necessary. Not all spots are super interesting, and I will move you along quickly in those cases.

What do you investigate first?

Looks like no one has been here in ages, but let's be sure."

Lucius will investigate the porch area to see if anyone, or anything, has been by recently.

+9 perception.

As long as they were right there, Dethor checks out the nets.

Perception +7, crafting +5

Lucius sees no tracks or anything amiss on the porch; no one has been here in a long time.

Assuming Dethor doesn't TOUCH the nets and is just looking…

Dethor peers into the pile of netting… somethinf inside writhes, as if having its nap disturbed. Or, several somethings: the dwarf sees the coils of several long, segmented arthropods wrapped into the tangles of netting; they look medium-sized. It's hard to tell just how many of them there are in there.

He sees enough to identify these as giant centipedes, a kind of medium animal that has a venomous bite. If they are disturbed (for example, touching or moving the netting), they will attack.

"Do we need to nets? Douse them with oil and set them aflame," Biltri suggests.

Baux gives Biltri a puzzled look, then looks towards the nets. "Why would we burn 'em?"

As he gets closer, he notices the writhing mass. "Ah, somethin' there. Maybe we can jes leave it be this once?"

"Interesting choice. The nets are probably useful if we're gonna be fishin', and I s'pect that they gonna be tough enough. So, I say we stand back and shoot 'em wit' arrows" he says as he backs off.

"Think that would be like kicking a nest of bees." Looking towards Nanditha, he asks "Any way ta get those bugs ta move without either side getting hurt?"

"They be not the nicest of neighbors, but maybe we take care of them tomorrow? If we have no other ideas, maybe I take harm and clear out de vermin."

Is there a way to lull them with smoke like bees and move them, using Survival?

Sure, if you do not want to fight poisonous animals, I think that is doable. Or Wild empathy as discussed OOC.

You could also just come back here later.

"Bugs in the nets? I'm happy up here if they're happy down there," Lucius says from the balcony.

He moves to the south door and tries it.

Did we get keys to this place? Also, Lucius has the That's Odd feat, in case that would alert him to anything that he may want to investigate.

The doors have no locks; this place doesn't see many visitors.

As the party debates what to do, they hear a door creak open… Lucius discovers himself looking in at a foyer. The walls have hooks for outerwear, benches, and boot racks. Thick cobwebs hang in the corners and some of the doorways. This webbing is somewhat thicker over the western door than the others.