Longroads Coffeehouse 2.0

Game Master chadius

Botting Vardarel...

DC 16 Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Vardarel senses the shifting of everything!

Botting Clover...

Clover dances away as the walls shift close to her.
DC 18 Reflex T: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

More fireworks shoot off in the distance. Vardarel and Clover quickly bob and weave around the walls, getting ever so much closer to the exit!

1 more success needed to bypass this obstacle.

Time passed: Round 9
Obstacle Number: 7 - Shifting Labyrinth

You enter a section of the maze that is enchanted to constantly shift and change, making it difficult to find a way through. The creature's trail seems to loop on itself, run across a ceiling, and intersect in multiple directions at once. It is illogical.

- DC 16 Perception to anticipate the next change
- DC 18 Reflex to react to a change in the walls
- DC 20 Acrobatics to react to a change in the walls

Stitch (Success)
Vardarel (Success)
Nicole
Clover (Success)
Fran (Success)
Roark (Success)

>Maze Race<

Roark again tries to anticipate the shift and jump out of the way.

Reflex: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Roark secures an exit and Shifting Labyrinth is complete. The paths branch again. One way towards Heavy Snowfall. The other way towards Poison Garden. The raccon dog's trail leads in the direction of the Poison Garden. Do you want to be frozen, or envenomed?

The entire team must overcome one of these obstacles. Once the first person makes a decision the entire team will go there.

Time passed: Round 9
Obstacle Number: 8

Stitch
Vardarel
Nicole
Clover
Fran
Roark

>Maze Race<

"Head this way Meat, nothing serious over here so long as you wash your hands before you pee." He grins and sets his ride to a low mow through the garden, hoping for an easier path ahead.

Expert Medicine, DC16: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 1 = 21

”But those plants look poisonous.” Nicole declares, hesitant to join the duo. Nevertheless she follow them, making sure she isn’t touching any part of those plants along the way.
DC 20 Fortitude save: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 = 30

It looks like Meat Wagon has paved the way for her by mowing down the poisonous plants.

Vardarel keeps an eye out for the dangerous plants.

Nature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20 T

Yay! I got time to post to one of my games during GenCon!

Vardarel and Stitch quickly identify the worst of the poisonous plants, but Nicole seems unaffected.

Time passed: Round 9
Obstacle Number: 8

Stitch (Success)
Vardarel (Success)
Nicole (Critical Success)
Clover
Fran
Roark

>Maze Race<

Can someone bot Clover and Fran?

"Um, they're absolutely poisonous...well, some of them, anyway..."

As the group begins making their way through the garden, Fran joins Vardarel in trying to point out which plants to avoid.

Nature (DC 18): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 = 28

*boop beep*

Clover also helps to point out the most dangerous of the plants!

Nature (DC 18): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 1 = 21

This isn't Fran's first time through a poisonous garden and she picks up on a few critical points Vardarel missed. With a little more nudging from Clover, the team makes their way through the maze.

It took 9 rounds to get through the maze.

Now which way did that creature go? Fireworks shoot off from a clearing not too far from the maze, much louder and closer than before.

In the large clearing ahead, the air is thick with the sounds of laughter, music, and the clinking of cups. The full moon and colorful lanterns paint the maze walls with hues of red and silver, and dozens of raccoon dog-like humanoids dance and frolic on the lawn. They cheer and applaud as performers take the stage. One of the performers jumps in the air, does a backflip, and as she lands on the stage, she has turned into a beautiful crane, standing on one foot.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd yells, “Intruders!” Looking worried, the cavorting creatures turn toward the entrance and fall silent. After a few moments of confusion, two of the furry creatures step forward, one of them gray and burly, >the other short and frail.< The latter speaks up, “What brings you here, to our party, my dears? Why do you look so cross?”

Another firework shoots off and the woman turns sharply towards a familiar sight. The >racoon dog you've been chasing< grins sheepishly at the woman and extinguishes the torch, away from the fireworks. "Hehe, sorry!"

"I think, or we think," Nicole glances to her allies before she continues speaking. "... that he is responsible for what is happening here in the Maze."

"And what party?" she is curious.

Now that Stitch gets a better look at the humanoids, he tries to figure out just what they are, and, if needed, the most effective way to fight them off. Society +10

"Your the ones that's been messing around with our maze, what's the problem?" He sits on top of Meat Wagon, currently idling smokily.

Roark looks on, somewhat bemused. "So are these our troublemakers?"

Stitch recognizes the outfits and realizes this must be a group of Tanuki, creatures from Minkai that resemble a mix of rodent and canine features, often mistaken for raccoons or dogs.

“Troublemakers? Oh dear. It’s been Toshiro and his friends, hasn’t it? Toshiro, show yourself at once!” The mischievous tanuki who has been lighting fireworks (and keeps drinking from a flask with his other hand) waves at you. He and his friends step forward but they let the elder continue to speak.

“I am Mimiko, a village elder of the tanuki enclave upriver from Wanshi in Minkai. This is Kenta, also an elder,” the tanuki says, and Kenta nods in agreement. Looking at the crowd around her, she continues, “And these, these are my people. My fellow tanuki. We love a good party, as you can see."

Stitch pipes up from aboard Meat Wagon, and Mimiko pauses to control her response. “Your maze? Dear friend, we understand your concern, but the maze is not exclusively yours. What’s more, the maze has accepted us—welcomed us. Observe.” Mimiko extends her arm toward the hedge wall. A branch extends from the wall, gently touching the tip of her finger. She continues, “We do not wish to cause any harm. Is there a
way for us to co-exist in this lovely maze?”

“And who do we have the honor to be talking to?”

"Uhhh.." Stitch stammers a bit as he thinks over the reality that the Society isn't the only one that is claiming the maze as their own. Elementals, Tanuki, who else calls this place home?

"We're from the Pathfinder Society. We've been trying to stabilize this maze for a while, and your drunk buddy Toshiro has been making things difficult on everyone involved." Meat Wagon revvs his engine in agreement and displeasure.

"Its definitely best for all of us if we did come to some sort of arrangement to coexist here. We mostly just pass through, but if you're looking to live here maybe we can figure something out that works for all of us?" He rubs some more grease on the white, scorched chin stubble. "Playing nice with the elementals down the way would be a good start.. and not taking down the signs and statues would be a sign of good faith."

"Hey! The crab made of water didn't mind!" Toshiro puffs his chest. "And the donkey head looked hilarious!"

Mimiko frowns at Toshiro and he shrugs and shirks back. "Oh my... I must apologize. Sometimes we get carried away with our entertainment. There must be some way... aha!"

“I think a fair contest would be appropriate to determine who gets to decide whether we should stay or go. As for what that contest should be, there’s only one honorable way to settle the matter!” As usual, Kenta takes a swig from his mug and echoes Mimiko’s words, “Yes, one way only!”

Mimiko continues, “And that way is a dance-off!” Kenta nearly chokes on his sake and retorts, “What did you say, Mimiko? A dance-off? I say trial by combat is the only way!” Mimiko looks at Toshiro and his prankster friends, who merely shrug, then at you. “Strangers, looks like it’s up to you to decide. What will it be?”

“Could me maybe decide it with an archery contest?”

Character speaking here, the player is fine with any group decision.

"So we looking at 1 vs 1 competition.. choose your champion type of thing or is this a group project? And we spillin' blood or just knocking people around a bit?" Stitch asks the pressing questions before making a decision.

"Ah! I should have been more clear." Mimiko responds. "The dancing competition would be a series of 1 on 1 dances. There are 6 of you, and Toshiro with his 5 friends will lead to 6 rounds of dances. Don't worry, we're fans of interpretive dance, even if you aren't good at Performances."

Kenta coughs. "As for combat, our medics will be on standby right outside the ring. No one's going to die, but I don't want you pulling any punches. It's a 6 on 6 group fight." He puffs his chest. "Now pick something will you? Dance or Duel?"

"Can we dance? I would love to dance!" Clover says, already bouncing on her feet.

"Ooh oooh yes! Dance!"

"Bah!" Kenta frowns, but Mimiko claps her hands. "Splendid! A dance competition! This shall decide who is right!” The tanuki crowd starts chanting: “Dance-off, dance-off, dance-off!” and clapping their hands and drumming their bellies, creating a beat to dance to.

Mimiko beams, hopping back and forth with excitement. "Now then. We have 5 dances to choose from, one for each of you. I'll tell you the names of them, and you can decide who will do which ones, alright?"

- Mysterious Dance
- Warrior Dance
- Courtly Dance
- Acrobatic Dance
- Freestyle Dance
- Freestyle Dance

"Oh! There are 6 of you. We'll do a second freestyle dance at the end."

Each player must perform 3 skill checks during their dance. Performance can always be used, but the dances have alternate skills I will list after you choose who will perform what dance. You must pass the DC on 2 of the 3 dances to win that round. A critical success will lower the DC for the next round, while a critical failure will increase it.

You can make a Society check to Recall Knowledge about which skills each dance uses. You must make a check for each dance separately.

Before the tanuki huddle together to pick their dances, Mochi gives you all a bow. "Good luck to all of you, outsiders. I warn you, I'm the best dancer around here, I've been training for years! Whoever goes against me is bound to lose!" She laughs before Toshiro waves her back.

What dance will she participate in?

Exactly ONE of you can attempt a Deception check to Lie, Perception check to Seek, or Stealth check to Sneak up to the tanuki huddle and figure out which dance Mochi will perform.

So, which dance will you participate in? Feel free to discuss!

Stitch is about to speak up when he's quickly drowned out by Roark and Clover's sudden enthusiasm "Ya.. dancing... sounds great..." He awkwardly looks down at his knobby knees and crooked back. Those two balls of energy better carry us!

He sits back and tries to figure out just what these dances will require.

I'd be a poor choice to try eavesdropping on their dance choice. Before knowing which skills are tied to which dance, courtly hopefully goes with Society, which Stitch is trained in.

Stitch keeps his mouth shut as the villagers form a stage. He spends his time getting hints about the dances.

He knows Performance will work with all of the dances. He figures a few more of them out. In fact he knows so much about the Acrobatic Dance he feels he has an edge on it.
Stitch gets a +1 Circumstance bonus to skills made during the Acrobatic Dance.

The Freestyle Dance sounds like a complete mess. Bah!

- Mysterious Dance
- Warrior Dance (Melee Attacks, Athletics, Intimidation)
- Courtly Dance (Nature, Religion, Society)
- Acrobatic Dance (Acrobatics, Deception, Stealth) (Stitch gets a +1 bonus)
- Freestyle Dance
- Freestyle Dance

"I think I can do the courtly dance?" Nicole volunteers for the courtly dance.

Vardarel looks like he was about to volunteer for a dance and then backs down. He hopes one of the other dances might fit his skills.

Nicole and Vardarel figure out the details behind the remaining dances. They even manage to get an edge on a few of them. Nicole volunteers to take on the Courtly Dance, but maybe a teammate will change her mind.

Skills involved for each dance, in addition to Performance:
- Mysterious Dance (Arcana, Occultism, Thievery)
- Warrior Dance (Melee Attacks, Athletics, Intimidation)
- Courtly Dance (Nature, Religion, Society)
- Acrobatic Dance (Acrobatics, Deception, Stealth)
- Freestyle Dance (Any Skill, but skills used in previous rounds are more difficult.)

+1 Circumstance bonus. You can make a Society check for each dance to see if you get a bonus.
Stitch: Acrobatic Dance
Vardarel: Courtly Dance, Acrobatic Dance
Nicole: Freestyle Dance

Current Dance Assignments
- Mysterious Dance
- Warrior Dance
- Courtly Dance (Nicole)
- Acrobatic Dance
- Freestyle Dance
- Freestyle Dance

Toshiro pokes his head from the huddle, burps and looks down again. Mochi, the trained dancer, sighs in an overdramatic fashion. Which dance will she participate in? Exactly ONE of you can perform A Deception check to Lie, Perception check to Seek, or Stealth check to Sneak and find out!

Roark looks hesitant as well, but decides on one of the freestyle rounds.

Roark tiptoes up to the tanuki huddle and attempts to spy on their plans.

Stealth +9

Vardarel says “I would do best at the Courtly or Acrobatic dance, but could also attempt the Mysterious dance.”

Bonus would be +13, +9, +7 for the three listed. Freestyle would be +9

Roark will take the other freestyle.

Roark tries to sneak up to the tanuki. They are clearly whispering, trying to coordinate their plans. Toshiro's head pops up and he burps again.

"Hey! It's the bird headed guy! Once we finish whoopin' you in this dance off, I'll show you around the brewery. We got some spicy ale in the back. Special recipe."

Mochi clicks her tongue. "He's trying to spy on us, Toshiro. Come on, let's discuss this somewhere else." She urges her team to move deeper into the crowd. Roark realizes he blew his one chance to get some intel.

Skills involved for each dance, in addition to Performance:
- Mysterious Dance (Arcana, Occultism, Thievery)
- Warrior Dance (Melee Attacks, Athletics, Intimidation)
- Courtly Dance (Nature, Religion, Society)
- Acrobatic Dance (Acrobatics, Deception, Stealth)
- Freestyle Dance (Any Skill, but skills used in previous rounds are more difficult.)

+1 Circumstance bonus. You can make a Society check for each dance to see if you get a bonus.
Stitch: Acrobatic Dance
Vardarel: Courtly Dance, Acrobatic Dance
Nicole: Freestyle Dance
Roark: None
Fran:
Clover:

Current Dance Nominations
- Mysterious Dance (Vardarel)
- Warrior Dance
- Courtly Dance (Nicole, Vardarel)
- Acrobatic Dance (Vardarel)
- Freestyle Dance (Vardarel)
- Freestyle Dance (Roark)

If Stitch can have Meat Wagon 'dance' then he'd be quite good for the Warrior Dance. +10. Otherwise mysterious at +10 with Stitch's skill set. Courtly +10, Acrobatic +8.

It appears Stitch is trying to make a decision, either talking to himself or Meat Wagon "Dancing is all in the eye of the audience... I mean, a good physical mosh pit counts as a dance to a few people right? Mostly orcs.."

Clover is willing to try any of the dances. "Assign me to do the one that you don't want -- I am happy to dance any of them!"

When the time comes, Clover just dances and dances.

Performance T: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Hero Point: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 1 = 29

Performance T: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
Performance T: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Looking to Clover, Vardarel suggests “Perhaps we should have you take the last dance.”

Looking to Stitch and Nicole, he suggests “Seems it would be best if Nicole takes the Courtly dance, Stitch the Mysterious dance and I the Acrobatic dance.”

"Yes please!" Nicole agrees to Vardarel.

Skills involved for each dance, in addition to Performance:
- Mysterious Dance (Arcana, Occultism, Thievery)
- Warrior Dance (Melee Attacks, Athletics, Intimidation)
- Courtly Dance (Nature, Religion, Society)
- Acrobatic Dance (Acrobatics, Deception, Stealth)
- Freestyle Dance (Any Skill, but skills used in previous rounds are more difficult.)

+1 Circumstance bonus. You can make a Society check for each dance to see if you get a bonus.
Stitch: Acrobatic Dance
Vardarel: Courtly Dance, Acrobatic Dance
Nicole: Freestyle Dance
Roark: None
Fran:
Clover: Acrobatic

Current Dance Nominations (I bolded a suggested dancing order based on your comments.)
- Mysterious Dance (Vardarel, Stitch)
- Warrior Dance (Stitch)
- Courtly Dance (Nicole, Vardarel)
- Acrobatic Dance (Vardarel, Stitch)
- Freestyle Dance (Roark, Vardarel)
- Freestyle Dance (Clover >prerolled<, Roark)

Waiting on Fran. Can choose a dance for her? Looks like Mysterious and Acrobatic are the most likely. Or Vardarel can pick one and Fran will get the other by default.

Seeing how things are going, Fran decides to take on the mysterious dance. She decides to mix her knowledge of wizardry and the occult to create a veiled dance of illusion and grace.

With a veil over her face and lights dancing around her, she begins her dance.
Occultism: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Deciding the wizardry is working better, she uses that for her finish.
Arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

I don’t know if she has any hero points.

Vardarel does some stretches before beginning his own dance. His is focused on cartwheels, flips, and other acrobatic maneuvers.

Acrobatics, bonus: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 1 = 27
Acrobatics, bonus: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 = 17
Acrobatics, bonus: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 = 10 Hero Point
Acrobatics, bonus: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 = 22

"And now, let the dance begin!" Mimiko claps as the villagers begin clap their dancers on. "First thing first: The Mysterious Dance!"

A young tanuki woman bows to you respectfully. "I am named Suzu. It is an honor to meet you. Good luck." She begins a stylized version of a druidic spring ritual.

The movements of this style are slow and deliberate, with the dancer appearing to be in a trance-like state. The hand movements are precise and intricate and may be used to convey hidden messages.

Fran takes the stage and takes the crowd's attention with a combination of lights, veils, and a very curious talking floating kitty. Suzu bows, acknowledging defeat.

---

As soon as Fran and Suzu step off, one tanuki flips onto the stage. "My name is Tonta! Wanshi's finest warrior! KYAAAAAH!" He begins performing unarmed kata with mighty leaps and shouts!

This performance can be a war dance, weapon dance, or kata, often consisting of vigorous movements, combat techniques, stamping of the feet, and shouts.

Stitch tests the stage, and it seems strong enough to handle Meat Wagon's weight. Time to show these tanuki how to get it done.

Stitch: Please make 3 checks. You can choose from: A Melee attack against AC, Athletics, Intimidation, Performance

Dance off!
- Mysterious Dance (Fran, Skills Used: Occultism, Arcana)
- Warrior Dance (Stitch: Melee vs AC, Athletics, Intimidation, Performance)
- Courtly Dance (Nicole)
- Acrobatic Dance (Vardarel, >Prerolled<)
- Freestyle Dance (Roark)
- Freestyle Dance (Clover, >Prerolled<)

"Well I'm Stitch, of Clan Steeltoe! And this is my masterful creation MEAT WAGGGGOOOOONNNN!" Who rockets up onto the stage with blasts of flame and billowing clouds of thick smoke!

Meat Wagon squeals their tires and rams solidly into a nearby tree, apparently the start of its 'dance' demonstration.

Melee vs AC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Athletics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

"And the grand finale!" Meat Wagon's tires dig in and sling rocks, dirt, and debris around at the crowd.

Melee vs AC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Huh, not the best results..

Meat Wagon comes rolling onto the stage. Spinning wildly, belching smoke and slamming into the local fauna. The villagers cough, blinded by the thick smoke. Some are startled as Stitch slams into the tree once and almost misses it a second time. The crowd falls quiet as the smoke clears and leaves Stitch proudly on Meat Wagon. He grins as he hears clapping...

Only to realize they are all looking up. He frowns as Tonta is standing on top of Meat Wagon, flexing his muscles. "Metal and Thunder strike hard, but Muscle and Training are built to last! HAAAAA!" He leaps off the stage to a roaring applause.

These tanuki don't appreciate fine crafting...

---

"Dedicated to the memory of owlbears. I hope those orcs are happy!" A tanuki begins an owlbear courtship dance. The villagers cheer "Go Dainiki, Go!"

Often used to demonstrate social status, the Courtly dance is highly structured and formal like ballroom dances, certain ceremonies, or courtship dances performed by birds and some other animals.

Nicole prepares to take the stage...

Nicole: Please make 3 checks. You can choose from: Nature, Religion, Society, Performance

Dance off!
- Mysterious Dance (Fran, Skills Used: Occultism, Arcana) Success
- Warrior Dance (Stitch, Melee vs AC, Athletics) Failure
- Courtly Dance (Nicole)
- Acrobatic Dance (Vardarel, >Prerolled<)
- Freestyle Dance (Roark)
- Freestyle Dance (Clover, >Prerolled<)

Nicole takes a deep breath, gathering her courage before stepping onto the stage. She then begins to dance, with almost mechanical movements. Her hips sway in sharp, rhythmic motions, captivating the tanuki audience. She steps back and forth as if dancing with an invisible partner, her focus unwavering as she gives it her all.

Society: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Hero Point? Society: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Society: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Society: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Nicole takes the stage. The sharp motions cause a few tanuki to chuckle before they seem absorbed by her movements. Even Dainiki is taken aback. "I have much to learn..."

As she finishes, Nicole takes a bow as she gets praise.

The winds gust around Kagebashi as they seemingly float onto the stage. Their mask is adorned with bells that seem to jingle in perfect harmony. The begin performing aerial ballet enhanced by air elemental powers, jingling as they leap and glide through wind unfelt.

This style is graceful, elegant, and expressive, featuring intricate footwork and fluid, sweeping movements.

Vardarel follows soon after and focuses on an attention grabbing sequence of >flips, cartwheels and leaps<, managing to vault over Kagebashi during a particularly potent leap.

Toshiro mumbles to himself. "They sent in the dwarf to make us complacent and lower our guard... they're good!"

He swaggers onto the stage and redoubles his confidence. "Finally, my turn! Hope I didn't tire you out from our chase back there!" He grins. "Cause I'm running on a tank of gas!" He burps and begins to lean way back! He performs a “smooth prankster” dance that involves backslides and other moves that deceive the eye.

The performers are free to perform any dance style, but it should be different from the previous four styles. As an example, you might use Crafting to Recall Knowledge about constructs for a “robot dance”.

Roark prepares to show off. He realizes the crowd seems very focused on what he will present to the performance - they should be easy to impress.

Nicole and Vardarel both Critically Succeeded, reducing the skill DCs by 1.

He also notices Mochi hasn't taken her turn yet. Looks like she and Clover will butt heads during the final round.

Roark: Please make 3 checks. If the same skill has been used in any of the previous rounds, the DC is higher