Longroads Coffeehouse 2.0

Game Master chadius

Khiari's allergies cause her to sneeze, as the sound echoes through the forest clearing.

"Sorry! Usually cold-forged iron gets my nostrils act up." Bella hands her a handkerchief, once she doesn't expect to be returned. "Also, it's really quiet out here all of a sudden."

Bella's Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Khiari's Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Hero Point yeah: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 Not how I expected to go out, but OK game.

"Sister!" Bella tries to shove Khiari out of the way, but an untimely sneeze throws off her balance as the tree crashes down on them.

By the time the wreckage clears Khiari is nowhere to be found, and Bella is bleeding out underneath the trees.

Bella is Dying 2, Khiari is unmanifested.

Dang! O.O

"Bella! Khiari!"

Fran hurriedly picks her way through the snow and fallen branches, anxiously glancing upward all the while. Once she reaches Bella she focuses her power for a moment and then gives her companion a small healing boost before doing her best to drag her clear of the trees.

Fran spends 1 Focus and casts Life Boost on Bella. I believe this gives her Fast Healing 2...or 3, I'm not sure.

"Stitch! Can you p-patch her up??"

The trees fall on Bella and Khiari. Although she can’t see Khiari, Fran quickly pours healing energy into Bella which is enough to bring her conscious and prevent her from bleeding out.

Given Fran’s immediate action, I see no reason to go into Encounter Mode here.
Based on what you were told, you are very close to where you expect to find the King of the Wood.

Bella's eyes flutter awake and she groans, feeling her back. Reaching for her ever uneeded glasses, Bella rises to her feet.

Deception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

"If a tree falls on on Sidare and no one is there to see it, the world WILL know!" Bella puts her hands on her hips and exudes the invincible confidence she needs to patch her ego.

"I could use some recovery right about now. I must be presentable to the King of the Wood."

The rose motif on her armor glows faintly as she calls Khiari back. "Sister Khiari. Please watch your footing- urk!" Khiari doesn't wait to hug her sister.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry sis! It was so fast, and the tree fell and I could feel it hitting my head and the pain went to your head and I went back to Evanescent Green and I- oh, sorry." She finally releases Bella, who hides her grimace behind a smile.

"Everyone stay alert. We are close. And keep an eye out for any traps."

Stitch slams on the brakes and slowly climbs down "Stop moving around so much, let me check for broken bones and a concussion girly." He waves a dirty finger back and forth between Bella's eyes before poking and prodding for broken human limbs.

"Ok, time for the bandages, you ready?"

Medicine vs DC15: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 172d8 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12

After ten minutes he shrugs "Not perfect but not worse! AND we got some firewood!"

I should be at 20 HP by now. 12 HP from Treat Wounds and 8 HP from Life Boost.

"Thank you, Mister Steeltoe. Your skills are always appreciated." She remains thankful, although the dirty finger needs a thorough washing.

She waits for the rest of the team to finish. "Were these trees marked? I am surprised the King of the Wood would sacrifice their land for a simple trap."

Nature +6 to identify if the trees were dead already. Perception +8 to check if they were rigged as a trap with a trip wire of some sort. Basically Bella & Khiari are trying to understand the trap's mechanics.

Bella finds signs that the trees were set as a trap, including a few marks indicating that the trunk was sawed into. There are no trees marked with an X.

"Hmm. This trap seems... unnatural. The cut is too mechanical in nature."

Once the team is ready, Bella decides to switch tactics and Avoid Notice. Stealth +8 for my exploration check.

This doesn't make sense. Perhaps someone is pretending to be the king.

Roark charges ahead, rushing to Khiari, healing potion out.

"Are you all right? It happened so fast that suddenly you disappeared. Are your allergies better? Here! Drink this! It should make it better!"

Roark babbles, his concern obviously getting the better of him... He pushes a lesser healing potion at Khiari and does not go away until she drinks it down.

Lesser Healing: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (1, 1) + 5 = 7

Looking at the potion, he notices that it's a year past the sell by date (AGAIN).

"That's it! I'm changing my potion dealer!!"

As for the spear -- it's not a agile or finesse weapon so Roark can't use his precision with it. Someone else can take it.

"Yes I'm alright as long as Bella- Allergies are still- Wait, what is this- Uh okay. Okay. I'm gonna drink it."

Khiari looks at the bottle's expiration date, looks up at the concerned Roark, and drinks up to save face.

"Thank you. It seems a bit fermented."

27 HP for Bella/Khiari.

While Stitch administers additional medical aid to Bella, Fran takes the opportunity to refocus herself (and to calm herself; her hands are noticeably shaking as Bella gets to her feet).

"That was a n-nasty trap," she finally sighs as everyone makes ready to get moving again. "I thought people were just getting ambushed and attacked, not falling into traps as well..."

Bella / Khiari should have 16 (life boost) + 12 (Stitch’s medicine) + 7 (lesser healing) = 35 of her 45 Hit Points.
Any more healing before moving on?

Ok, Stitch keeps that cold iron spear in hand instead of his pistol.

Seeing Bella is still slightly injured Stitch shrugs "If you wanna wait a time I can do some more work once the swelling goes down, but that'll be about an hour." He climbs back up on top his mount, spear in hand.

"We can always grab up some of this wood on the way back through. Maybe strap a bit to Meat's caboose."

Ya Stitch doesn't have continual recovery yet, no any consumable healies. I swapped him to search instead of investigate. Considering the trap I suggest we get as many people as possible hitting the search action.

Bella is fine with proceeding onward. Every hour they waste is another hour without food or heat for the people of this town.

Noting Stitch's concern about how cleverly-hidden the trap was, Fran nods in agreement. "P-probably not a bad idea. I'll keep watch, too."

And just in case, before the group gets moving again she takes a moment to cast a couple of protective spells on herself.
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I also switched Fran's activity to Search. Fran will also cast Mage Armor and False Life on herself.

Nicole keeps looking back to the building where they come from, not realizing that Bella and Khiari have fallen into the trap. Looking toward the direction they are going to, she finds them on the ground already, but thanks to Fran, they are no more in danger of death.

"Oh my, here take this." she pulls out two minor elixirs of life for each of them.
Minor Elixirs of Life: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11 HP for Bella/Khiari

Getting near the site, she pulls out two lesser eagle eye elixirs, drinking one and giving the other to anyone who might want it. "I should have taken this out earlier." She also draws her hand crossbow and loads it before drawing an alchemist's fire in another hand

Changing Exploration Activity to Search with Perception +6 (+1 from eagle eye elixir, or +2 to find traps, etc.)

The group moves forward.

The trees give way to an opening of rock that snakes around the woods. The wind howls ominously around the rocks. The rocks are about ten feet tall and would not be that difficult for an athletic person to climb. There does not appear to be anything up there.

DC 15 to climb to the top of the rocks.

Roark pulls out a throwing knife and advances cautiously. He sees the rocks and attempts to get to the top.

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

btw, when Roark comes down he'll just dive off. He has cat fall...

Khiari is quick to follow Roark, motioning Bella to stay down. Dismiss her if it gets too dangerous.

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Anything interesting up here? Besides Roark?

"Oh hello, there! Are you feeling better?"

Khiari grins and nods, but keeps her mouth shut. She's trying to keep quiet.

Roark catches the drift and also clamps his beak shut.

Which set of rocks are you climbing? Please update your avatar locations on the map Roark and Khiari.

Roark and Khiari are both able to climb up on the rocks, Roark makes it look easy.

There is nothing up there other than snow and a nice view of the area.

Place your avatars and I can tell you if there is anything interesting from that view.

Khiari stays close to Bella, who remains near the tree line. So she climbs the nearest rock formation. Not a problem when you have hooves and easy leg joints.

Khiari can clearly see the other rock formations and the clearing to the west. She can see that there is a wide path leading to the west beyond the clearing and another smaller clearing to the southwest beyond another rock outcropping.

She does not see any creatures from her position, but her view of the path west and the other clearing is obscured by the forest.

Khiari climbs down. "All clear. But there are a few spots I couldn't see. Maybe we check them out?"

Khiari and Bella tiptoes around the eastern edge of the clearing, rounding around the south side. Once they are at the southern rock formation, Khiari will try to climb up and get another view.

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Stitch and Meat Wagon rumble ahead between the rock outcrops, keeping eyes peeled.

Athletics T: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Clover climbs up the rock to get a view of the area.

Khiari climbs up the southern-most outcropping. From there she has a good view into the smaller clearing. A single dead tree marked with a carved X stands in the small clearing to the south. Several dozen human heads dangle from its dried branches.

While that is happening, Stitch and Meat Wagon travel along the gap between the rock outcroppings and a cliff.

Clover climbs up the rocks that Khiari had climbed. She sees the same things that Khiari had.

Looking up to the looming rocks above Stitch rethinks his location Obit reads: Stitch was a dumbass, he enjoyed being crushed to death by landslides, falling rocks, and avalanches.. time to move!

He reverses track and heads to more open area, keeping his eyes peeled as the scouts survey the land ahead from high.

Khiari climbs down the rocks and makes a series of gestures. Bella stares them with a bit of confusion before sighing. Almost killed once by falling trees, Bella takes no chances and draws her cold iron dagger. Khiari recognizes the hilt and her eyes go wide. She takes a deep breath to calm herself and simply points towards the tree with the X.

Bella knows she has some explaining to do. But first thing's first. Investigating the tree. They await their teammates before trying to approach. This could be an ambush point.

Not being the most athletically-inclined, Fran hangs back a bit with Nicole while some of the others go rock climbing. As Stitch and Meat Wagon rumble forward, she looks around nervously.

"Um, we should probably try to kind of stick together," she remarks aloud, mostly to Nicole and Mister Midnight. Once Khiari makes her way back down and explains what she's seen, Fran slowly nods in agreement. "The, um, tree does seem like the best place to start. Come on kitty, let's go...just be careful, okay?"
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In case event sequence might come into play, Fran & Mister Midnight head towards Bella & Khiari's position on the map but I've only moved them as far as where Stitch & Meat Wagon currently are.

"Good idea!" Clover signals to Roark and Nicole to hurry up, and waits for them to come forward before joining Stitch, Meat Wagon and Fran. "Let's head to that tree, okay?"

I took the liberty of moving Nicole and Roark forward so that they have less distance to cover if/when combat breaks out.

As Bella and Khiari approach the smaller clearing, a rustling whisper springs up from the nearby trees. While it sounds gentle, it's the first sign of hidden movement within the forest trees. The heads are still hanging from the branches of the tree.

The rest of the group is following, still about sixty feet behind them.

"Miss Bella, Khiari, wait for us!" Nicole quickly follows Bella and Khiari, her eyes peeled for any traps that might come upon again to the siblings.

Perception to Search for traps w Lesser Eagle Eye Elixir: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 = 23

Roark moves ahead but stays close to the group, particularly to Fran and Mister Midnight. Roark is more apprehensive than normal as he looks this way and that, almost as if expecting something to jump out at them.

"Wanna ride on my shoulder, Mister Midnight?"

though he's not aware that cats will usually grab on tightly if they're scared! :)

With the team behind her, Bella seems much more confident. She keeps her dagger in her hand, but in a light grip.

Assuming Madame Flames finds no traps, Bella steps into the clearing. "King of the Wood! I beseech you! I approach on behalf of the people of Zekrotska. They are searching for a protector against..." She gestures at the tree. "This."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Bella's back still aches from the tree trap, and she's gripping her dagger a bit too strongly...

Stitch and Meat Wagon rumble ahead, keeping close to Bella and the others "Ya, what's the problem with that town? They just need some firewood." He keeps his hand on the spear.

Stitch isn't any help in diplomacy, but will certainly give it a go first.

Clover moves forward to join her fellows near the tree. "King of the Wood! As you know, gnomes were once denizens of the First World, and I have the blood of the Phoenix running through my veins. Let us talk."

Diplomacy T: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Hero Point: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

"The people of the village are suffering, and surely they are poor prey for one as exalted as yourself. Pray, tell us what you want! Can we negotiate a truce over soup?"

You hear a voice coming from in the woods to the north. It sounds like a mixture of dried leaves and splitting trees. Whatever it is, it is remaining hidden right now.

“Prey is exactly what I want. Are you volunteering?”

There is a pause, and then from a slightly different direction it says “You look to be on the small side for proper prey. Rabbits maybe?”

"And why would you try to crush people with trees?" Bella brandishes her dagger a bit more clearly. "You can't eat that kind of mess."

"Besides, I already brought you some food. A tasty faun, all spiced up. She owes me a favor or two."

Deception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

"King of the Wood, why don't you come out of hiding and collect your reward?" Bella looks to Khiari, who sighs and comes forward to play her part.

Evidently the creature likes moving around. You hear from a slightly different location “I prefer a more sustained worship.”

There is another pause before it speaks again.

“Worship by the town and a sacrifice four times a year sounds better. At each equinox and solstice the town can send out a sacrifice to be hunted and slain by me. If I find the victims a satisfactory hunt, I will allow others in my woods without being hunted.”

His suggestion is nothing short of a reign of terror. Well then, we'll fight. But first we will get him to reveal himself.

"If you wish to be worshipped, come out where we can see you. I like to know whom I am treating with." Clover speaks sweetly, waiting patiently for him to reveal himself.

Diplomacy T: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

If he is invisible, Clover will happily cast See Invisibility. If he is visible, she will equally happily throw a Sudden Bolt at his face.

Khiari frowns. Not because she was offered as bait. But because this fey was indeed a menace. Fighting this thing off was the only way out.

And that means Bella's- her father's- dagger was a good idea.

"Worship? Sounds like you're too lazy to hunt someone who can fight back. Or scared."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

"Anyway, why don't you step out already, so-called King of the Wood? We're getting bored waiting for you to finish drinking you liquid courage."

Bella can't help but hide a wry grin.

Bella and Khiari will switch exploration to Search, and begin Seeking the King. Anyone wants to Intimidate?

Stitch's eyes roam the woods for this King Tricky fella, no one likes tricky!

Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22 No one has +12 Perception, so the creature is Undetected to all of you at the beginning of combat.

That same voice calls out from the woods on the other side of the clearing “I suppose it would help to have one survivor who knows what I look like. I will have to decide which of you I allow to survive.”

It seems the creature wants to move on to the hunt.

Speach bubble marks the location that the speech came from. You already know that it has moved after speaking every time it spoke.

Round 1:

Sqaures with trees in them are natural difficult terrain. Woodland stride and other similar abilities would apply.

Fran
Stitch
Meat Wagon
Roark
King of the Woods
Bella & Khiari
Nicole
Clover

"It's n-never a good idea to deal with things that slither in the dark," Fran whispers as it becomes apparent that only blood will satisfy the King of the Woods. "Kitty, stay close."

Without a visible target to strike, Fran instead conjures protective shields for herself and her feline companion. Then, she turns and scans the trees just to the north.
______________

◆ Shield
◆ Protect Companion
◆ Seek

Fran's Perception (T): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Fran protects herself and Mr, Midnight, then tries to find the King of the Woods. Too many trees, she can’t make out where it is.

Round 1:

Sqaures with trees in them are natural difficult terrain. Woodland stride and other similar abilities would apply.

Fran shield, protect companion
Stitch
Meat Wagon
Roark
King of the Woods
Bella & Khiari
Nicole
Clover

Roark delays. His talents are best used when his audience can see him :)

The hairs in Stitch's ears start to go tingly, he knows things are about to get messy "Let's be ready eh Meaty?" He starts lubing up all of their gears.

Overdrive ◆: Overdrive: Standard Craft Check, DC18?: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
*Failure: Nothing happens.

He pushes the nozzle on his miracle lube can and nothing happens. He gives it another try and perfection!

Overdrive ◆: Overdrive: Standard Craft Check, DC18?: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
*Crit Success: +5 damage to personal and construct damage rolls for 1 minute.

"Ooo baby now we're running on high grade!" Then he looks around for the source of the voice.

Overdrive, Overdrive, Seek.