GM Jhaeman's PFS1 # 0-23: "Tide of Morning" (Inactive)

Game Master Jhaeman

In Absalom, the Venture-Captains claimed it would be a nice walk in the woods, a pleasant change of pace from the bustle of the city. Obviously they forgot about the brambles, boulders, and biting insects of the Verduran Forest, which turned the jouney into an arduous three-day scramble of detours, torn clothes, and near falls.

Fortunately, Venture-Captain Dennel Hamshanks made a firm impression before the expedition left Absalom. The air grew still as Hamshanks rolled into a meeting room deep inside the Pathfinder Lodge in Absalom, his jowls flowing and his enormous axe clanking against his thigh. The man’s black eyes scanned the room. “You lot?” Hamshanks spat. “Well, maybe you’ll surprise me.”

“Your boat leaves in an hour, so I’ll be brief. One of the Society’s contacts in Andoran sent us an interesting little nugget this morning. A druid named Hemzel swept into Augustana’s Civic Library last week, demanding his right of research. Our contact learned that Hemzel acquired a lorestone from somewhere in the Verduran Forest. Heard of such a thing?” Hamshanks paused expectantly and spat again.

“Of course not. Heard of druids, at least? And their crazy stone circles? Well thank Gorum for that. Lorestones are somehow connected to them—supposedly they can bestow you with all of the knowledge of the druids. We’d like to know how, so we want that stone and you’re going to get it for us.”

“Unfortunately, the Society is not a friend to Hemzel. He’s the self-declared protector of the Verduran Forest inside Andoran’s borders and some of our more eager explorers have angered him and his little band of gnomes. He’s sworn a blood feud with the Pathfinders.”

“Break out your skills of persuasion and get me that lorestone. Do what you need to--sweep the floors or plant some trees for the old man. Something nice--let him know we’re there to study and not to slash and burn.”

As the sun sets on the third day of travel in the Verduran Forest, the welcome sight of a puffing chimney--Hemzel’s home, according to the map--reveals itself atop a hill.

As an introduction, you can describe what your character was like during the journey to this point.

A small leshy, composed of thin vines with a few bright purple berries and broad leaves connected to a brown ropey core, enjoyed traveling through the woods with his new companions. He didn't speak much, only offering directions while keeping alert on his surroundings with bow gripped in a vine hand. Occasionally, and much to the group's dismay, he would wander off the trail and climb a tree to peer into the distance. His sleek panther, which Pepper called "Pretty Kitty", kept ahead of the group and would glance back towards the group if the ebony feline felt they were moving too slow.

When the group stopped to make camp the first night, he finally introduced himself to the others.
Hellooo, new friends.
He said in a gravelly, yet cheerful, voice.
I'm Pepper Moonberry and this is Pretty Kitty.
The panther rubs against the leshy as it slinks past, then climbs a small outcropping of rock. It sits regally on the edge as it surveys those below. It licks a paw then lays down with front paws stretched forward, squinting from the rays of the sun piercing the forest canopy.

Each night that the group would stop to camp, Pepper eagerly offered to gather wood for a fire and to find edible berries and mushrooms for his new friends. He helped to show the others how to create simple lean-to shelters for the night. It appeared he really enjoyed to show off his wilderness survival skills.

--------------------------------

Spotting the smoke issuing from the chimney,
Pepper quickly crouches in the shadows at the base of a tree and places a hand on Kitty. The cat stops in its tracks and lowers his head as it stares at the cabin.
There it is. Hemzel's cabin. Shall we approach with stealth?
He says quietly to the group.

at the briefing

A tell half elf with a large bow with feathers hanging from the top nods in agreement as he jots down the information.

Well, we'll see what we can do. he adds. Then softlyWhat in blazes is a lorestone?

on the approach to Hemzel's house

Petro keeps a keen eye for threats during their trip, his bow at the ready. The outdoors was not his favourite terrain, but the mission sometimes takes agents to different locations. He is not useless in the outdoors, as he does his part for the campsite.

Stealth I can do...wait here... he says as he sneaks up a bit further.

not rolling yet...but will sneak up and listen/see what i can find out...

An odd little creature joins the briefing room.

"Hm this is the second Lodge Officer to think little of candidates or agents; a troubling trend. Anyway some questions for you. Is using "right of research" unusual for Augustana's Civic Library or just unusual for a druid to do so? Do we have any idea what this Lorestone looks like? What did the previous agents do to anger Hemsel? Do we know how many gnomes are in his 'little band'? A blood feud hm? That sounds like they may well attack us on site without bothering to listen to us but we shall do our best."

Any Knowledge checks on Lorestones?

Along the way Sombra will study the other agents, taking notes in his journal. If asked why he is studying them, Sombra will reply that he is still new to the area and hasn't met many other individuals.
He looks at Pepper and tells him, "Interesting, very interesting, on my Confirmation mission for the Society that group also had a Leshy, her name is Willow Grove. Do you know her?"
Sombra will assist as he can, due to his slight stature, with tasks in setting up the campsite each night. He thanks Pepper for his teachings about living in the wilderness.

"A stealthy approach so as not to disturb him? Maybe there are traps in the area? I can also be quiet plus I can see in the dark."

A diminutive gnome comes riding in on a large wolf hound. The bearded man smiles broadly as the canine wags its tail contently. His manner is both cheerful and bold. He nods to the party.

"I am known as Relgar in these parts but I do have many names as is traditional with my people."

"Gnomes, forest. Well I should feel right at home then. I do not know what we will find here but I guess that is part of the fun isn't it."

"Stealth...no. It is just plain out rude to try to sneak up someone in their own home. I am not saying that we make a racket or anything but we should introduce ourselves properly I imagine. I can do that if you like I have a natural gift for such things."

Relgar points to his mount.

"This is Shaggy. A life time pet and friend of the family. I actually just went back to get him before being called to this mission."

@GM Jhaeman - Shaggy will be Relgar's active companion in this adventure. His familiar will remain in tattoo form and just provide the static familiar bonuses (+3 hit points and Alertness).

The large fawn colored wolf hound walks with purpose. The dog's muscles ripple with every movement belying its considerable strength. The dog walks happily with an occasional wag of the tail. It is obvious from its grooming and disposition that Shaggy has been very well treated.

we're not casing the place...just want to see if there is anything we can learn before going forward...

It is nice to meet you all. It seems we will make a capable team.
Pepper nods his leafy head respectfully to each new teammate in turn.
He then turns to Sombra.
I do not know Willow Grove. You are all the first Pathfinders I have officially met. I arrived to the lodge just days before this mission. This mission must be a test to see how well I do before I start my formal training.

Right. Just search the area for anything out of the ordinary before announcing our presence. Best to be careful.

Smoke rises lazily from a chimney set atop the small, round wooden hut just over a steep hillside covered in thick vines and brambles

“Too late, too late for Hemzel!” a high voice crackles from behind the hut. “Gire, finish them!” Flashing lights and arcane words indicate a spell is being cast, and suddenly a rotten log in front of the hug shatters open, releasing hundreds and hundreds of spiders!

Initiative (Surprise Round)

Unknown
Kelleran

Bold should go!

Kelleran's forewarned special ability allows him to act in the surprise round, even if he, like everyone else, was unable to spot whatever is doing the shouting.

Sunset has just passed, and the thick forest is shrouded in shadowy illumination (treat as Dim Light). On the map, the sides of the hill are a thick barricade of vines that should be treated as impassable terrain that can be cut open (hardness 1, 15 hit points) or climbed (DC 10). All other squares off the path are difficult terrain.

As a free action on your turn, you can attempt to identify the spiders.

Smoke rises lazily from a chimney set atop the small, round wooden hut just over a steep hillside covered in thick vines and brambles

“Too late, too late for Hemzel!” a high voice crackles from behind the hut. “Gire, finish them!” Flashing lights and arcane words indicate a spell is being cast, and suddenly a rotten log in front of the hug shatters open, releasing hundreds and hundreds of spiders!

** spoiler omitted **

Any chance of a Spellcraft check to identify the spell?

Rowr!
The panther shrieks in surprise as the spiders break out of the log.

At the meeting, the blond elf seemed affable enough. He kept his pipe lit and offered to share his leaves with any who showed interest as he studied his grimoire. In the morning, he made certain his gear was all in place before setting out for the day.

At the first sign of danger, Kelleran pulls a flask from his pack.

Acid

Initiative (Round 1)

Sombra
Unknown
Petro
Gire
Relgar
Hawthorne
Kelleran
Spider

Bold should go!

Sunset has just passed, and the thick forest is shrouded in shadowy illumination (treat as Dim Light). On the map, the sides of the hill are a thick barricade of vines that should be treated as impassable terrain that can be cut open (hardness 1, 15 hit points) or climbed (DC 10). All other squares off the path are difficult terrain.

@Sombra: Sure, you can roll a Spellcraft to identify the spell.

@Petro & Sombra: During the briefing, the V-C didn't have any further info on what a "lorestone" is.

@GM: Is there any kind of Knowledge check to make for a "lorestone"?
Also, on the map, green=vines and brown=difficult terrain?

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

I'm guessing that result should tell me what spell was cast. If so, I'll base Sombra's action on what he learns.

I moved through friendlies on the path to his current spot and I think it's all path and not difficult terrain. Let me know if I'm incorrect please.

Sombra moves forward and summons arcane power to burn the spiders!

Using the Arcanist exploit Potent Magic and 1 point from his Arcane Reservoir to increase the caster level by 2 to level 3.

Burning Hands with Potent Magic: 3d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 4) = 9

The pungent smell of incinerated spiders fills the air, but enough remain to still pose a threat!

Somewhere behind the hut, distant cackling can be heard fading away.

The swarm made its save for half damage, but then takes 50% more of that.

Initiative (Round 1)

Sombra
Petro
Gire
Relgar
Hawthorne
Kelleran
Spider

Bold should go!

The pungent smell of incinerated spiders fills the air, but enough remain to still pose a threat!

Somewhere behind the hut, distant cackling can be heard fading away.

The swarm made its save for half damage, but then takes 50% more of that.

** spoiler omitted **

Crap! I forgot to include the Save DC! Sorry about that, I haven't played an offensive spellcaster since Living Greyhawk and Living Arcanis back in the day.

{etro moves and fires an arrow at the swarm as he does.

arrow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 161d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Petro's arrow streaks through the twilight and impales a spider, but there are so many it hardly makes a difference!

This is enough for everyone to conclude, even without the Knowledge (nature) check, that this swarm is made up of creatures so tiny that weapon attacks would be wholly ineffective.

From somewhere to the left of the hut's front door, a fuzzy ball appears in mid-air, bounces a couple of times, and then turns into a bat! The bat flaps its wings to mostly stay in place, as if it's guarding the place!

A voice from the direction the ball came from, very different than the cackling one heard previously, says: "You don't want to go in there--it's awfully bad!"

I've used a swarm of bats for the token, but there's actually only a single, normal-sized bat guarding the front door.

Initiative (Round 1)

Sombra
Petro
Gire
Relgar
Hawthorne
Kelleran
Spider

Bold should go!

Relgar's eyes light up at the sight and smell of fire! He winks to Sombra.

"You are alright in my books but now it is my turn."

He waves to the nearby talking bat in a friendly manner.

"We hear you. Your home your rules."

The gnome urges his trusty mount along the path in front of the swarm of spiders and casts the identical spell but the power of his spell comes from deep within and is augmented with a Power Component.

Burning Hands,Varisian Tatoo, Magical Lineage, Pyromaniac, Gold Dragon Bloodline, Reflex DC 16: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 1) + 4 = 14

If the swarm fails its save it takes damage as if struck by Alchemist Fire.

Alchemist Fire Round 1: 1d6 ⇒ 1

The mass of spiders are completely consumed by Relgar's spell!

Save or no save, that's enough damage to destroy the spider swarm.

Just to clarify, the voice isn't coming from the bat--it's coming from mid-air somewhere to the left of the hut.

Good job taking care of those spiders. Such annoying creatures. Biting people and making webs all over the place. I wish we could have just scared them away.

A voice from the direction the ball came from, very different than the cackling one heard previously, says: "You don't want to go in there--it's awfully bad!"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Hawthorn just shrugs.

Relgar watches in fascination as the mass of tiny spider legs and bodies burn under the fire spells of the two arcane casters.

"Why? They are just vermin and look how nicely they crisp up."

"So are we going to go in the house or not?"

Kell slides the flask back into his pack.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 7

As he walks closer, "We thank you for the warning, but we may have no choice. We seek the master of this home. If he resides inside, then we must call on him. It is important. Is he in danger?"

On my phone at the moment, but will move up to the fence.

Continuing from last post. I suddenly got busy and had to run. I deliver heavy construction machinery parts throughout the Denver, CO area and usually post between runs or when I'm waiting for parts to pick up. I do everything from my phone, btw. I don't own a laptop/computer.

Kitty... Seek out strange voice next to hut.
Hawthorn tells his cat.

Kitty runs up the path and to the side of the house where the voice came from (40' move & scent).
Hawthorn follows, keeping about twenty feet behind the cat. Hawthorn keeps his distance from the bat at the front door as he and Kitty move around the side of the building.

Aaand... I'm not good at moving my icons on the map. I slid the map all over the place but looks like I got it back into original position.

The invisible speaker responds to Kelleran. "Oh it's horrible, horrible what he did to Hemzel! But I can't talk about it! I'm supposed to fight you!"

Meanwhile, Kitty begins sniffing around like a bloodhound, walks into the undergrowth about ten feet away from the hut, and sits on her haunches.

I've placed a black "X" on the area where Kitty has thinks the invisible speaker is near.

We can go off Initiative (at least temporarily).

Re: the slides, I mess them up all the time, and have thus become a big aficionado of the back arrow. I've never tried adjusting the slides on my phone though.

Where are we in the initiative order?

Sombra, we're temporarily out of initiative for now.

There! Right there!
Hawthorn shouts to his teammates as he points at the spot in front of Kitty.
Lower your weapons, everyone.
He waves his viney arm in a downward motion.
Maybe we can convince it we're not here to hurt the little thing.

He turns to the empty area in front of Kitty and begins speaking in a soft and kind manner, trying to convince the invisible creature that they mean no harm.
It's ok, little creature. We can be friends. We're not here to hurt you. We just need to find our friend Hemzel. Do you know Hemzel? Please tell us what happened.

"Did they tell you why do you have to fight us? I mean, in all honesty, I think we'd rather not. How can we avoid that outcome?" Then he realizes what the voice said about Hemzel. "Wait, is Hemzel alright? Has he been injured or need assistance?"

Petro lowers his bow, but keeps it nocked ready to shoot.

A bit of explanation is needed here I think...

sense motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

The voice is silent for a moment, as if hesitating.

I need a Diplomacy check here. One of you have participated in the conversation can be the main roller, and the others who have participated can attempt Aid Another.

Relgar waits outside astride his dog for now. He calls out in his mother tongue to convince the druid inside that they mean him no harm.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

There's no response to Relgar's shout toward the hut.

diplo aid: 1d210 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

We do come in peace...but make no mistake...we will defend ourselves if attacked...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Hawthorn's squeaky and gravelly voice may be quite odd to the creature.

Diplo aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (4) - 2 = 2
So, we aren't the most social of parties.

It may be that all of your flashy colored clothing or clanky armor might be frightening the poor creature.
Hawthorn says softly to his teammates.

Relgar laughs loudly.

"How can anyone be offended by my colored clothing. It is so ... festive! Surely it must be all the racket that you big people are making that is scaring poor Hemzel away."

As if... :)

The invisible voice sounds sad. "I can't help you. Cyflymder would kill me like he did Hemzel. But I won't fight you either. If you really want to go in the hut, I won't stop you. But you shouldn't! It's awful in there. Well . . . goodbye!"

The sound of fluttering wings leads you to believe that the invisible speaker has flown away. Soon after, the conjured bat guarding the hut's doorway disappears.

It's only seconds later that you realise the smoke coming from the hut isn't confined to just the chimney--the walls are beginning to smolder too!

We have to go back on Initiative.

Initiative (Round 1)

Kelleran
Unknown
Hawthorne
Sombra
Petro
Relgar
Hazard

Bold should go!

Kelleran races to the front door and tosses it open. "Hello! Anyone onside? Hemzel?

Kelleran throws open the front door of the hut. The heat is palpable inside the primitive, one-room hovel, as tinder from the fireplace is strewn about, sparking the fires that now climb the reed walls!

The room itself is in shambles. An eviscerated human body sprawls across the floor, and a butchered wolf lies against the wall by the front door; puddles of blood surround them. The man’s hands are tied to a rough wooden table, upon which sits an ornate--but empty--box, and a blood spattered manuscript.

The location of the body is visible on the map. You can also see the squares that contain fire. For now, if you begin your turn on a square with fire or pass through such a square, you'll take some damage and have a chance of catching on fire.

Initiative (Round 1)

Kelleran
Unknown
Hawthorne
Sombra
Petro
Relgar
Hazard

Bold should go!

The fire! Put it out...quickly! Petro yells as he dashes next to the body and tries to smother the fire out with his cloak.

assuming the table is not an obstacle, will roll and acrobatics check if needed.

Petro rushes into the room. Suddenly, seemingly from out of nowhere, a cruel-looking man appears and tries to push him into the flames! But Petro keeps his balance.

The attacker growls: "Cyflymder said burn the hut, and I'll burn you in it!"

There was an invisible foe with a readied action who attempts a bull rush, but the attempt failed. This foe has the Yellow-bordered token.