[Gameday X] PF2 Special 2-00 King in Thorns 5-6 GM Sedoriku (Inactive)

Game Master Sedoriku

"Oh, insects have so little self-preservation. And yet I feel silly lending my great-uncle the family flyswatter."

◆ Inspire Courage
◆◆ Sanctuary

Delorn backs away from the ants, as he brings the fires of Hell to bear once again.

Stride, Cast flaming sphere at the NW swarm
Damage, Ref save DC 21: 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 4) + 3 = 13

Carmelizzia shouts “I don’t have an effective way of dealing with them so I’ll just try to sweep as many as I can!”

She then moves ◆◆ before doing some low sweeping kicks.

Flurry of Blows ◆ white swarm
Not bothering with non-lethal on a swarm.
Fist: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 1 = 25 for Bludgeonning: 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4, 4) + 3 + 1 = 12
Fist: 1d20 + 14 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 14 + 1 - 4 = 31 for Bludgeonning: 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3) + 3 + 1 = 11
Damage is combined before factoring resistances and weaknesses.

◆ Raise Shield
◆ Stride
◆ Strike Warwammer: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 1 = 26 for 2d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8, 5) + 4 + 1 = 18 bludgeoning

Crunch moves in the direction of the monstrous centipede, and takes a swipe at the swarm of bugs as they do, squishing as many as they can with the broad head of the weapon.

Tapi recalls that this is a whiptail centipede and it has great reactions to things moving in its area and will lash out with its tails. It also carries a moderately painful poison in its mandibles.

Saves vs sounds, White; Black: 1d20 ⇒ 181d20 ⇒ 13
Both the swarms resist the sounds to some degree, but still it proves to be more effective than one might think.

Pytor takes a moment to keep himself safe from the swarming ants and gets back a few feet with a magical barrier coming up to protect him as he goes.

Delorn fires a blast of fire at the ants, the ball burning in the middle of them.
Saves vs Fire: 1d20 ⇒ 12
They scatter around the ball, but it still burns through a few hundred or so ants.

Carmelizzia, despite complaining about not being able to do much against the crowds of ants, smashes into the crowded ants and kills large groups of them. Her second kick flings ants all over the place, smashing tiny bodies into plants and trees hard enough to kill them. When she stops moving, the few ants still alive disperse and leave the area.
Crit and combined damage is just over enough to kill the first swarm! Nice job.

Crunch then goes and smacks a few ants around himself. They start to crawl up his weapon, but he did take a few hundred or some of them out with his hammer before that.

I believe it has been 24 hours since Herondal was up. I can't quite tell with the forums displaying posts in Eastern US time... I think?

Herondal keeps sustaining the spell on Mitty.

Mitty, in response backs up a few steps and then chatters something at the arthropods near him.

Diplomacy (Request): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

The ant swarm made of mostly red ants gives a small waver as they seem to listen to the request.

Herondal then casts ray of frost at the centipede.

Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
Cold damage: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3, 3) + 4 = 14

Herondal's glittering ray disappears off into the foliage as the centipede dodges out of the way.

The black ant swarm heads for Crunch, rushing up their hammer and starting to coat the goblin in bugs head to toe.

Single action move to cover Crunch, 2 actions to bite.

Swarming Bites, Piercing damage: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) = 8 DC 21 Fort save or become Clumsy 1 for 1 round
Swarming Bites, Piercing damage: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 1) = 5 DC 21 Fort save or become Clumsy 1 for 1 round

The other red swarm, noticing that the black ants have claimed Crunch instead go for some of the others. They scurry north and skirt around Herondal, skitter over and around Pytor's feet and instead arrive underneath Tapi and Delorn, before they start to climb their legs.

The centipede gets closer and then lashes out at the form of Crunch.

Mandibles vs. Crunch: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

It latches around the goblin's shield instead of the goblin themself.

++++++++++++++++
Bug Negotiations have Broken Down! Round 2/3
General Active Conditions: Light Undergrowth

Tapi 68/68,
Delorn 43/43,
Pytor 50/53,
Crunch ​68/71, 2 DC 21 Fort saves
Carmelizza 68/68, 7 Temp

~~~~~~~~~Round 2~~~~~~~~~~~

Herondal 73/74,
Mitty

Army Ant Swarms
Black: -29 Frightened 1
White Smooshed
Red: Frightened 1
Whiptail Centipede:

Bold are up!
++++++++++++++++
Current map

So to Tapi's knowledge, these bugs all have enough of a mind to be scared of things? If so, he will ◆ bring up dirge, ◆ Stride out of the swarm, and ◆ pull out the provided antidote.

Fort 1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
Fort 2: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
↺ Shield Block as needed (hardness 8 - looks like it would reduce dmg to zero)

Assuming that the swarm is not difficult terrain...
Crunch tries to ignore the ants climbing on their gear and instead focuses on the giant creature in front of them.

◆ Raise Shield
◆ Step
◆ Strike Warwammer: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 1 = 18 for 2d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7, 3) + 4 + 1 = 15 bludgeoning

The whole split rounds thing can be confusing at times. I would actually have stepped back and done Inspire rather then Ray.

lingering Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35

4 rounds of inspire. And my last focus point.

Delorn takes a flamethrower to this place!

Sustain flaming sphere on his swarm, Cast produce flame on it

Damage, Ref save DC 21: 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3, 6) + 3 = 14

Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
Damage: 3d4 + 8 ⇒ (4, 2, 3) + 8 = 17, +Persistent on a crit: 3d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 1) = 9

The whole split rounds thing can be confusing at times. I would actually have stepped back and done Inspire rather then Ray.

[dice=lingering Inspire Courage]d20 +16

4 rounds of inspire. And my last focus point.

Gotcha, you're actually up again, so that could apply to this round?

Sure. Step, Sustain, Inspire.

The monk seeing Delorn throws fire around hope he can get rid of the swarms.

She moves closer to the swarm around Crunch and starts again doing some swiping attacks.

Stride ◆
Flurry of Blows ◆
Fist: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 14 + 1 = 32 for B: 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5, 1) + 3 + 1 = 10
Fist: 1d20 + 14 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 1 - 4 = 22 for B: 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4) + 3 + 1 = 11
Combined damage if both hits.
Tiger Stance ◆

I've painted myself into a corner with Sanctuary and am too proud to immediately dismiss it. Curse the Dark Archive playtest, making me forget this isn't a viable strategy for everyone!

Realizing his mistake (for once), Pyotr tries to make the most of it, stepping closer to the fray than usual as if daring the bugs to attack him. He then takes Tapi's idea, 'summoning' a fire elemental to counter the bugs.

◆ Stride
◆◆ 2nd-Level Illusory Creature

◆ Illusory Strike vs. Purple FF: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 1 = 19
Mental/Bludgeoning: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7
◆ Illusory Strike vs. Purple FF: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 14
Mental/Bludgeoning: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

Is the centipede within the area of the Dirge? Can it be affected?

Is the centipede within the area of the Dirge? Can it be affected?

It is now that Tapi moved I believe.

As Tapi leaves the swarm of ants, they swarm over him. He deals 1d6 ⇒ 4 damage to them when leaving but feels them start to cover him and bite at him as he does.

You now have 3d6 Persistant Piercing damage from the ants clinging to you. You can retcon your actions if you wish to try removing them. You do remember that dousing yourself in water or strong winds can make getting them off inordinately easy (DC5 Flat check).

Crunch shields up, moves in closer to the whiptail centipede and takes a swing at it. The slightly terrified centipede fails to dodge it at the last second and takes the hit along its side.

Herondal moves back a few steps and sustains the spell on Mitty, before acting out a famous scene from a well known play about fighting off a horde of formians who invaded a city on the plane of chaos. It quickly inspires people to try their best with attacking the bugs around them.

Mitty tries to convince the bugs to leave. The centipede looks to start contemplating it, but decides to see if it can't get a meal here first.

Delorn fire save red: 1d20 ⇒ 15

The ants avoid the worst of the flaming ball as it comes flying towards them, but still it burns some of their numbers. Delorn's smaller ball of fire also lands among the swarm and causes a few burned ants here and there.

Carmelizzia proves she is a fairly deft ant smacker. She slams to slaps into the the heaviest area of the black ants. She smooshes the queen and most of her closest workers, leaving the rest of the group directionless. They slowly disperse and don't seem interested in targeting anyone in the process.

Herondal brings in a fire elemental that appears behind the centipede and lays into it. The first punch hits and the centipede recoils in pain, but the second swings wide.

The one remaining ant swarm, swarms over Delorn.
Swarming Bites, Piercing damage: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 2) = 12 DC 20 Fort save or become Clumsy 1 for 1 round
Swarming Bites, Piercing damage: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 5) = 14 DC 20 Fort save or become Clumsy 1 for 1 round
Swarming Bites, Piercing damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 3) = 5 DC 20 Fort save or become Clumsy 1 for 1 round

He takes massive numbers of bites as the ants start trying to tear him apart while he is alive.

The centipede goes in for a taste of Crunch.
Mandibles vs. Crunch: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 11 - 1 = 14
The mandibles clang against the armor of the goblin.
It tries again.
Mandibles vs. Crunch: 1d20 + 11 - 5 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 5 - 1 = 15
Failing to get a bite at them, the centipede whip its tail around in annoyance at the elemental behind it.
Whiptail vs. elemental. agile: 1d20 + 11 - 8 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 11 - 8 - 1 = 10
It can't seem to hit anything.

++++++++++++++++
Bug Negotiations have Broken Down! Round 3/4
General Active Conditions: Light Undergrowth/Inspire Courage 1/4

Tapi 58/68, 3d6 Persistent
Delorn 12/43, 3 DC 20 Fort saves
Pytor 50/53,
Crunch ​68/71,
Carmelizza 68/68, 7 Temp

~~~~~~~~~Round 4~~~~~~~~~~~

Herondal 73/74,
Mitty

Army Ant Swarms
Black: scattered
Red: -33 Frightened 1
Whiptail Centipede: -22 Frightened 1

Bold are up!
++++++++++++++++
Current map

Pyotr summoned the fire elemental not Herondal.

Herondal keeps the Mitflit around. Though it doesn't seem to be helping much. ◆

"I hope he isn't exchanging recipes or something similar."

Then he arcs electricity between the 2 swarms.

DC 22 simple reflex save: 3d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2, 1) + 4 + 1 = 12 ◆◆

I take it the 15 temp HP from earlier are gone?
Fort save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Fort save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Fort save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Yeah I'd douse myself with a waterskin or something instead of pulling out an antidote. Flat Check: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Seeing Delorn covered in bugs, Tapi will ◆ re-up dirge and ◆◆ blast them with concordant choir ii. Sonic Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (4, 3, 4, 3) = 14

Crunch utters a challenge to the over-sized centipede in goblin, which roughly translates into "Eat This!" before smashing their hammer into its carapace - looking for a vulnerable spot.

◆ Raise Shield
◆ Strike Warwammer 1: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 14 + 1 = 35 for 2d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 + 1 = 9 bludgeoning
◆ Strike Warwammer 2: 1d20 + 14 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 14 + 1 - 5 = 12 for 2d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1, 5) + 4 + 1 = 11 bludgeoning

Almost minimum damage, but it does knock it prone for others, at least

Pyotr distractedly puts Delorn's mind to work against his own injuries, most of his attention on the fire elemental.

◆◆ 3rd-Level Soothe @ Delorn: 3d10 + 12 ⇒ (6, 3, 9) + 12 = 30
◆ Sustain

◆ Illusory Strike vs. Purple FF: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 1 = 18
Mental/Bludgeoning: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7
◆ Illusory Strike vs. Purple FF: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16
Mental/Bludgeoning: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6

**HOUSE GM ANNOUNCEMENT**

There is a strange sensation throughout the demiplane of tension being released. It’s as though the plane itself had been holding its breath for a long time and finally exhaled. The Thorned Monarch has fallen. Gregaro Voth, now freed from his planar prison, stands before the assembled group.

“Pathfinders, there are no words to thank you for coming to my rescue. I have talked with Venture-Captain Tolal, and I understand I’ve been trapped here for a great many years. Unfortunately, I cannot return with you to Absalom. If I leave this place, the weight of time would suddenly bear down upon me, and I would immediately die. So, I shall remain here, though I imagine I can make this a more palatable prison.”

Voth, still wearing the crown, looks around him, and the landscape suddenly changes. In an instant, where before there was a copse of trees, there now stands a brand-new Pathfinder lodge with sprawling grounds. The scene is beautiful, with dozens of small buildings dotted across a verdant landscape complete with tall trees, colorful flowers, and chirping birds. “I suppose the adventure can come to me! Please, Pathfinders, stay and enjoy a well-deserved rest. Tell me of all the journeys you’ve taken and the discoveries that you’ve made!”

---

After a full night’s rest, though perhaps with a few odd dreams, Oraiah Tolal and Gregaro Voth ask everyone to meet the next morning. Agents assemble in a garden on the new lodge’s grounds.

Gregaro Voth begins, “Pathfinders, you have done amazing work, defeating the Thorned Monarch and his forces after making the arduous journey out here.” Oraiah Tolal continues, “But if Alseta smiles upon our work, you will have a much easier journey home.” Together, they cast a spell, and a shimmering archway appears. After a few moments, Master of Spells Sorrina Westyr and Decemvirate member Eliza Petulengro walk through. Westyr exclaims happily, “Well done, Pathfinders, all of you!” Petulengro explains more. “We’ve established a link between this new lodge and the Maze of the Open Road, a hedge maze and portal network that used to be carefully restricted by the Decemvirate. The Decemvirate is planning to add new nodes to the maze, allowing Pathfinders to swiftly travel to places far from the Society’s current reach. And so, if you are ready to go home, please follow me. You have more than earned a swift trip home!” Petulengro and Westyr lead the way through the portal, into the maze, and through another archway that leads straight back to the Grand Lodge.

That’s the end! Thank you for all your hard work, GMs, and thanks to everyone for playing!

Rejuvenated by Pyotr, Delorn tries to wipe out the rest of the ants.

Sustain flaming sphere, Cast produce flame
Ref save DC 21: 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 5) + 3 = 16

Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Damage: 3d4 + 8 ⇒ (3, 4, 3) + 8 = 18, +Persistent on a crit: 3d4 ⇒ (3, 2, 3) = 8

Unless all of the bugs made critical saves vs. the reflex spells:

With spells, hammer, and a pair of extremely capable fists/legs, the party is able to take down the last of the bugs, just as Gregaro and a few pathfinders fight off the Thorned Monarch, forcing him to flee the plane and cut ties with it.

==============

After a night at the newest pathfinder lodge, most of the expedition travels back to the Grand Lodge via the hedge maze, allowing everyone to head back to their various lodgings in Absalom and sit down to write up their chronicles of their adventure.