GM TOP Skulk of Foxes (Troubles in Otari, PFS2) (Inactive)

Game Master Pete H.

By all means!

Ha! Just posted in DC that Dev should have it so have at it!

with Akimi investigating a behind FROM behind

Hey, just trying to Pursue a Lead! XD

Akimi pries their gaze off... their surroundings, holds up a paw and takes a moment to scan the area. "Don't like that," they mutter, nodding at the slightly ajar door. "Be careful." They heft their crossbow and double-check to make sure it's loaded.

Making the cottage the subject of Pursue a Lead -- or, if you want a more specific subject, the door that's ajar.

Jacques is startled awake from some reverie - no doubt contemplating how best to regale the next tavern with tales of his exploits - by the sound of shrieking. "Gadzooks! A fair maiden is in need of our assistance! Quick, Finley, let's to it - Ved, bring your new hatchet - it might help you to be useful!"

With that, Jacques draws Finley and charges through the door, heading in the direction of the shrill yelling.

Sorry for the posting delay - hectic week at work.

P.s. I like that I wrote the post above before even looking at the map - it somehow seems very Jacques-like to charge into a trap!

Ellen shrugs and follows shortly after!

"You sure we don't want to wait a minute. You know, just like...not rush in there? I'm sure he'll be fine. He's gonna tell everyone he meets he did it all by himself anyway." Knowing that El won't listen to his half-serious / half not-so-serious rant, "Yeah, yeah. He's part of the crew...til he gets himself killed."

"Or at least 'til we find someone else who can hold a sword."

P.s. I like that I wrote the post above before even looking at the map - it somehow seems very Jacques-like to charge into a trap!

OMG I DIDN'T EVEN SEE THE "TRAP" SIGN ON THE DAMN MAP! WHY PAIZO WHY!!!

Fortunately you all posted and played it right. There is a trap obviously and I'll reveal the results soon. This was also caused by some terrible perception rolls, btw. Two fails and one crit fail (Jacques). But thank you all for playing out reasonable reactions to the circumstances. :P

______________________

Jacques charges in as his allies really try super hard to stop him from rushing in.

His foot snaps right through a trip wire, pulling a vase down off a ledge above him.

Shattering Urn Strike vs. Jacques AC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31 for Slashing: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 5) + 5 = 14 doubled to 28 plus Bonus Deadly Dice: 1d10 ⇒ 4 for a total of 32 holy s&#$!

The pottery shatters, shards digging deep into Jacques face, eyes, neck, arms, legs, feet, tail, and even grinding down under his armor, grating against his skin.

Oh yeah, it ALSO RELEASES A PISSED OFF SNAKE!

But wait, there's more! Two of the plants over by the armoire turn towards the door and rise up aggressively.

Initiative
Jacques: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 1 = 25
Ellen: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 = 14
Dev: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 1 = 21
Akimi: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 1 = 23

Enemy Snek: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Enemy Vine Thingies?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

This cottage appears in shambles, with dried herbs, candles, and crockery smashed and scattered across every surface. A narrow bed is tucked into an alcove along one wall; a large armoire lashed shut with bright green vines stands near the bed. An unpleasant odor like rotten garlic fills the cottage.

Fortunately, the adventurers and pirates are quick to react, getting to mostly go first.

Round 1: Eww, what is that smell?
Jacques (-32 HP)
Akimi
Dev
Blue Vine
Green Vine
Red Snek
Ellen

Bold may act!

Recall Knowledge for the Snake or the Vines is Nature or a related Lore.

"Ah-- hold on, I've got a sneeze comin'--"

Jacques reels as the heavy urn comes crashing down upon his head. "It's a good thing I don't keep much up there!"

◆ Intimidate to Demoralize vs Snake Will DC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26 No penalty for not sharing a language due to Jacques' kitsune heritage

Assuming that is a success, the Snake is Frightened 1 (or 2 if it was a Crit) and Jacques gains panache. Jacques can also use his Invigorating Fear reaction to gain temp hp (3 or the Snake's level, whichever is higher).

◆ Finleybite vs Snake's Frightened AC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 Sigh. Hero point that - I think, if my records are correct, that leaves Jacques with 1 hero point.
Finleybite vs Snake's Frightened AC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
P dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 + P Precision dmg: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9 On a miss still do half of the Confident Finisher dmg
Jacques no longer has panache

Having struck the snake, Jacques moves back out of the house to generously allow his comrades to also have a turn.

◆ Stride

HOLY S#!T!

"Smooth Jac. Way to bring out the bad guys all at once. Maybe you can drown them in all that blood yer losing." Don't know much about snakes, but if it can fit in a vase, it's probably venomous. Can't risk El or Akimi getting bit. The magus draws a familiar star-shaped weapon, and spats a few words before hurling it at the reptile. In less time than it takes to tell, the shuriken hisses through the air, hints of flame briefly trailing the missile's path and crashes into the snake. Scales melt as the pyrotechnic magic assaults the beast.

Shuriken + Produce Flame vs SNAKE: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Damage + Fire Damage: 1d4 + 3 + 2d4 ⇒ (2) + 3 + (1, 2) = 8

Knowing this combat is far from over, Dev takes a moment to refocus his mind.

It looks like I have Line of Effect to the snake. However, if I have to move I will do so and regain focus next round.

Jacques's mere glance terrifies the serpent, until he grinds its skull under his boot. The snake is no more. It was probably just a common garden snake taking a nap in a very unfortunate location. Poor snek. The Brave Sir Fox then runs away.

Dev, you can swap targets to one of the vines, but you will have to move within 20ft of them. Go ahead and reposition and indicate which is your target, thanks! 3 Temp HP for Jacques.

Round 1: Eww, what is that smell?
Hero Point Tracking: Akimi 0, Dev 0, Jacques 1, Ellen 1
Jacques (-32 HP, +3 Temp HP)
Dev
Akimi
Blue Vine
Green Vine
Red Snek
Ellen

Bold may act!

Recall Knowledge for the Vines is Nature or a related Lore.

Moved and redirected attack to dark-bleu/indigo

Dev strides inside, weaves his spell to include a still smoldering coal from the fireplace and launches the flaming shuriken at the vine. It hits and the after a burst of flame you can see that it was quite effective, burning a larger hole than expected. But the stench of rotting garlic intensifies. It is not pleasant.

Vulnerable to Fire (4)

Round 1: Eww, what is that smell?
Hero Point Tracking: Akimi 0, Dev 0, Jacques 1, Ellen 1
Jacques (-32 HP, +3 Temp HP)
Dev
Akimi
Blue Vine (-12 HP, burned)
Green Vine
Red Snek
Ellen

Bold may act!

Recall Knowledge for the Vines is Nature or a related Lore.

Akimi grumbles under their breath about the stupid braggart ruining their chance to scope the place before rushing in, then hustles into the room to get a clear shot, skirting around the dead snake and making a grossed-out face in the process, pausing only to try and sort out what these plants' deal is. Then they aim their crossbow and fire.

♦ Stride 25 ft.
♦ Recall Knowledge.
♦ Crossbow vs Green: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 P Dmg: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Akimi has no clue what these vine things are, but they certainly smell terrible! They figure a crossbow bolt will probably work though and fire an effective one at the uninjured target, bursting through leaves and leaving a nice cavity in its chest. But both rumble forward and the stench comes with.

Akimi, Dev and Ellen, please make TWO Fort Saves (one vs. blue, one vs. green) vs. an Olfactory Aura at the start of your turn, though you may post your actions as normal afterwards. I will provide the results as quickly as possible. You are welcome to use a re-roll (usually a Hero Point, but sometimes other feats give these) at any point before those results are given, unless said re-roll specifically grants you the ability to do so after the result is given.

And then they bash away at their targets, Dev and Akimi.

Blue Slam vs. Dev: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Blue Slam vs. Dev - Agile Map: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 4 = 13
Green Slam vs. Akimi: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 for Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 doubled to... 6
Green Slam vs. Akimi - Agile Map: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 11 - 4 = 11

Rounds 1 & 2: Eww, what is that smell?
Hero Point Tracking: Akimi 0, Dev 0, Jacques 1, Ellen 1
Jacques (-32 HP, +3 Temp HP)
Dev (2x Fort Saves)
Akimi (2x Fort Saves, -6 HP)
Blue Vine (-12 HP, burned)
Green Vine (-7 HP)
Red Snek
Ellen (2x Fort Saves)

Bold may act!

Fort vs Stink Weed: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Fort vs Stink Weed: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Dev's eyes begin to water at the powerful scent given off by the aggressive plant life. Wow! That stench is powerful. He steps behind the pair and tosses another scorching shurieken.

Shuriken + Produce Flame vs BLUE: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Damage + Fire Damage: 1d4 + 3 + 2d4 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (3, 1) = 10

Because I moved, I do have enough actions to refocus.

/Sigh, of course this happened… and on the FIRST ROLL!

Dev, from your Crit Fail you are Flatfooted and Slowed 1 for one round. This means you only have 2 actions this round, adjust as needed, sorry!

"Aughhh."

Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

:/

"Hey Dev, did you hear about the clay golem who was too flexible for his job?"

She snorts and raises her fists.

"He got fired!"

Fire Flurry vs. Blue: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Bludgeoning + Fire: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 6) + 2 = 10

Fire Flurry: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Bludgeoning + Fire: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 = 8

Regular Punch: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Bludge: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Regular Punch: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Bludge: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Jacques gives some guidance to his sword, "Observe, Finley. Sometimes leadership means stepping back and letting others show what they can do. It's important to not always hog the spotlight."

With that he takes a few moments to set himself in order.

Battle Medicine (Assurance for 15): 2d8 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10

Interact to draw Lesser Healing Potion

Lesser Healing Potion: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (6, 2) + 5 = 13

Jacques is now at 32/41 hp

Well poop. Magus-sy things it is. Enspell a shuriken and attack without moving.

Jacques takes a bit of time to smartly practice self love. As in he loves his self not having holes in it so... shards of glass are removed and magical potions are drank. He feels better.

The stench really gets to Dev, he spends a bit of time retching as he reaches into his pack and pulls out a shuriken. Realizing he needs a bit of time to refocus he just chucks the bit of metal and takes a moment to do so.

You still needed to spend an action to recharge before using spellstrike again from what I can see.

Ellen unleashes a flurry of slaps and punches and tail blasts, most of which were just obviously feints. Due to this her main flame tail connects, sizzling against the plant and doing extra damage!

The big vine wavers, the collapses into a pile of leaves.

Round 2: Eww, what is that smell?
Hero Point Tracking: Akimi 0, Dev 0, Jacques 1, Ellen 1
Jacques (-9 HP, +3 Temp HP)
Dev (FF)
Akimi (2x Fort Saves (fumble = slowed 1), -6 HP)
Blue Vine (-30 HP, burned and down)
Green Vine (-7 HP)
Red Snek
Ellen (FF)

Bold may act!

Fort vs Stinky #1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Fort vs Stinky #2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Akimi, whose nose has always been sensitive, reels from the stench. "OOOOoooogh," they groan, taking a moment to lean over and spit. "Oh that is just the worst. Like somebody covered a dirty diaper in burnt hair."

They stand back up, reload, and take aim at the remaining plant, looking for a good spot to ruin with a bolt. Finding something that kinda looks like a... knee...? Akimi plants a wicked shot into the spot.

I assume I didn't crit fail with a 13, so not slowed? Probably flat-footed though, I'm guessing.

♦ Reload.
♦ Devise a Stratagem vs. Green: 1d20 ⇒ 18
♦ Strategic Strike vs Green: 18 + 10 = 28 P Dmg: 1d8 ⇒ 2 + Prec Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Not even close to a crit fail there, gotta be really low unless you drop a 1 on the action.

Akimi gags, spits and then refocuses, properly placing a crossbow bolt for maximum damage (such that is was).

The shambling plant steps into the doorway, launches a seed pod at Jacques and then takes a swing at Ellen.

Seed Pod vs. Jacques - Cover: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 11 - 1 = 19
Vine vs. Ellen - Agile Map: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 11 - 4 = 16

It is not effective at anything it attempts. But having the Pirate Captain Prince Ellen all up in its grill is a bit distracting.

Not that it mattered with bad rolls, but I shoulda tried the seed pod strike vs. Jacques last round, oh well. Finish the bugger off!

Ellen, Akimi and Dev, please make ONE DC 14 Fort vs. Stench save. The prior round's FF and Slow has ended.

Round 2: Eww, what is that smell?
Hero Point Tracking: Akimi 0, Dev 0, Jacques 1, Ellen 1
Jacques (-9 HP, +3 Temp HP)
Dev
Akimi (-6 HP)
Blue Vine (-30 HP, burned and down)
Green Vine (-15 HP)
Red Snek
Ellen

Bold may act!

Fort vs Tupperware Ruining Salad: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 (For real? The Paizo boards love my characters to be incapacitated by stink!)

Still gagging, Dev moves away in order to refocus.

So, two actions? Move and refocus.

Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Attacks: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Bludge: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Attacks: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Bludge: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Attacks: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Bludge: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Bleghghgghh

Dev, I used your adjusted two actions last round to throw a shuriken and refocus so you could do a spellstrike this round, even with two actions. Also damn, you are good at those fumbles!

Ellen is getting really good at shadowboxing, unfortunately her shadow isn't the target.

Fort vs Eggy Farts: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Akimi continues to groan and spit as they attempt to avoid puking. Puking is the worst. In the meantime, they reload and look for another opening. They find it at the... neck... area...? and fire away.

♦ Reload.
♦ Devise a Stratagem vs Green: 1d20 ⇒ 17
♦ Strategic Strike vs Green: 17 + 10 = 27 P Dmg: 1d8 ⇒ 1 + Prec Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 1

AWESOME.

The seedpod whizzing past his head gets Jacques' attention. "C'mon, Finley - this is no time to dally - the others need us to save them again!" Jacques and Finley immediately somersault forward past Prince Ellen and over to the other side of the Green creepy thing, or try to.

◆ Acrobatics to Tumble Through vs Green Reflex DC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Jacques Fort once in range of stink: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

While having no issues with the smell, the extremely competent fox does have problems convincing everyone that he actually wants to help, 'failing' to tumble in through the door to save the day THREE TIMES IN A ROW.

Akimi wings the plant, which is odd, it doesn't even have wings!

The critter unleashes two slams at Ellen and then steps back into the room, motioning for you all to bring it on!

Agile Vine vs. Ellen: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Agile Vine vs. Ellen - MAP: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 11 - 4 = 11

Good gravy, my rolls look like Jacques's acrobatics attempts or worse yet, Akimi's damage! :P

DC 14 Fort Save for anyone within 10 ft of the critter. If failed, you are Flat Footed for the round. If Crit Failed, you are FF and Slowed 1 for the round.

Rounds 3 & 4: Eww, what is that smell?
Hero Point Tracking: Akimi 0, Dev 0, Jacques 1, Ellen 1
Jacques (-9 HP, +3 Temp HP, Fort Save IF you get within 10 ft of the vine)
Dev (Fort Save)
Akimi (-6 HP, Fort Save)
Blue Vine (-30 HP, burned and down)
Green Vine (-17 HP)
Red Snek
Ellen (Fort Save)

Bold may act!

With the plant creature obligingly opening up a bit of space between itself and the ahem obstacle that prevented Jacques from working his usual magic, the brave hero is finally free to rush in and save the day...

◆ Tumble Through
DC 14 Fort vs stench: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Acrobatics vs Green Reflex DC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Presuming a success, Jacques gains panache

◆ +1 shortsword vs flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 Hmph
P dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 + Precision P dmg: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4 Failure effect would still mean 2 dmg from Confident Finisher, unless 12 is a critical miss.
Jacques no longer has panache

Although Jacques does not manage to stab the beast through its ahem heart, he acts as though this was an intentional miss, just to toy with the monster, and he wiggles his whiskers at it menacingly.

◆ Intimidate to Demoralize vs Will DC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
If a success, the creature is Frightened 1 and Jacques gains panache

Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Ellen, coughing and snorting, steps forward, cracking her knuckles.

Flurry: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Flurry: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Flurry: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Jacques darts through and barely nicks the critter. Ellen flurries. Sure would have been smarter to flank here....

One blow hits, the rest miss.

The plant still stands.

I think I didn't take the flanking spot to allow Dev to get it, since Jacques already gets the benefit of flanking when he Tumbles Through, but of course that doesn't consider the possibility of Ellen going before Dev. Oops. Btw, was the plant frightened? (Not sure that they even can be...)

Jacques, your move was wise. You stayed out of the way of the ranged party members and set up a flank. Ellen apparently decided she didn't want a flank. But as you reminded me, the plant was actually frightened 1 so... Ellen's 2nd punch hits.

The plant wavers under the attacks and falls, lifeless and shriveled (like a zombie's privates).

A few counts of quiet and then a soft knock comes from the wardrobe, "Um... is someone there that doesn't want me dead?"

Oh, I thought the space to Ellen's right was taken; there's an unidentifiable little something on that square.

"I guess it depends on who you are, but--probably?" Ellen shrugs.

"Um... let me check."

Ellen shrugs and pops open the wardrobe, so long as that's a thing that can be done.

You hear rustling around for a few seconds, then the voice comes back, "Ah yes, here it is. I am Abanye and I think I am an herbalist? Or at least that is what my nametag says and all these herbs in my pocket seem to indicate. I took a mighty blow to the head though, so things are fuzzy."

A handsome Mwangi man stares back at Ellen blinking, "I believe I owe you a significant thanks for saving me from those stinkweed shamblers. How do I know what those are?!? May I exit the wardrobe?"

"Oh he's hot."

"Be awkward to have this conversation any other way," Ellen admits, stepping back. "Are we talking full-on amnesia or are you just charmingly silly?"

He gives a very smooth smile and steps out into the room, "Oh I'd like to think I'm charmingly silly, but I'm sure I just need a bit of rest. Probably. May I ask what you are doing here in which is hopefully my home?"

He might be a turd, but at least Jack doesn't hit on half the people we run into. Dev collects his shuriken, making certain to clean them before sliding them away.

Akimi blanches as the final plant monster shrivels and for some ungodly reason it brings to mind the image of zombie junk. They make a face and stow their crossbow.

They stare up at the stranger whose home they seem to have inadvertently invaded, and lean in to whisper at Ellen, "Is it just me or is, like, everybody in this frickin' town attractive? Downright unfair."

They clear their throat and respond to Abanye's question. "We have a parcel for you. We came to give it to you and found the door ajar and plant monsters wandering around your house. Sorry about the mess."

Almost as an afterthought, Akimi steps over to the plant corpses and pulls their bolts out of them to check if any are still intact, but the rank odor of the plant monsters is all over the boltheads, so Akimi wrinkles their snout in disgust and drops them.

They stare up at the stranger whose home they seem to have inadvertently invaded, and lean in to whisper at Ellen, "Is it just me or is, like, everybody in this frickin' town attractive? Downright unfair."

"Frankly, it's biphobic. Do you think there's something in the water we should be drinking? Because like, we're already hot, but..."

He raises an eyebrow at all the whispering and side glances from the horney pirate and chef, then shrugs, "Ah, a package! Cool, lucky day for me. What is it? Perhaps it will help jog my memory."

He glances around at everyone being quiet, "Oh look, it seems you set a parcel down outside. I'll go get it."

He does, opening it, "Nice, nice. Now I remember everything! This was perfect. Okay here you go, five gold for the delivery with a special bird feather token. And as thanks for saving me I have this scroll of resist fire energy as well. Alright, have a great day, I have a lot of cleanup to do here."

And with that you are shuffled off without even so much as an offer for tea!

The feather token can be sold for 4g. The scroll for 6g.

Jacques is a bit nonplussed at the abruptness of the fellow. "Don't you want my autograph...?" he trails off before shaking his head at Finley. "Oh well, at least we've got some loot. Should keep us in tacos for awhile..."

Jacques' vote is to sell the items for other stuff we want but I don't feel strongly about it.

Selling them off is fine by Dev. Maybe the scroll would be useful if only due to the fact that we have had some run-ins fire breathing beasties. Other than that though, not feeling too strongly either.

The group returns to the initial merchant to report their success in the package delivery game.

She smiles, but looks a bit hectic, "Great work there, I assume everyone paid up?"

The (human lady iirc?) shuffles some papers and quickly seals up a letter, "I'm sorry, I've had to organize a funeral for my courier. Apparently she had no friends or family around. And it... it just feels wrong if she ends up in the potters field, ya know?" Her hair is frazzled and starting to curl, sticky sweat against her neck.

There is another mission to be assigned here, but I know some of you are having a rough time IRL so I'll provide a little RP time to anyone who wants to partake. You could also go buy some stuff or discuss purchases, this is a good time to do so actually.

How much gold do we collectively have to spend? Also, if we are getting close to leveling up we could also just wait for purchases until after that since that will open up additional options that people may be interested in.