Longroads Coffeehouse 2.0

Game Master chadius

Jackpot continues to ham it up...

"SAVE ME" he wails.

If anyone tries to 'heal' Jackpot, please do so before following Urwal... Posting ahead to keep us moving

As you enjoy your victory, you hear rustling from the edge of the forest line.

"One can read the stars, but not the future." A voice from overhead proclaims. Two centaurs flinch as a copper-scaled iruxi drops from the tree behind them. "I am Urwal of the Verdant Wheel," the iruxi proclaims. "Like the Wanderer, we must make haste." With a brief nod, Urwal slings a pack over his shoulder and heads into the woods.

Bella and Khiari literally butt heads as they catch up to the finish line, at least until Jackpot screams in agony. They both turn to him, and Bella kneels down to check. "Ah... how... hmm." Bella is confused and amused over the entire spectacle.

"Stitch, I think we need your help!" Khiari cries out. "We don't know the first thing about medical treatment!" She looks down. "Do you think he'll be okay?"

Clover shouts, "I will save you, Jackpot!"

Abruptly, a pool of fiery phoenixes erupt around Jackpot, healing him.

◈◈ Rejuvenating Flames (15 or 20 ft Cone, Reflex DC 20 for foes): 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 4) + 3 = 15

"Gah! I am burning! I am... healing?!"

Jackpot abruptly stops spraying himself with jam and looks to Blackberry. "Um... what's my motivation in this scene?"

Vardarel thinks a moment, then says “Flames of renewal?”

With a shrug, considering the situation resolved Vardarel moves over to where Urwal is.

Bella and Khiari glare at each other when Jackpot breaks character.
The annoyance breaks into laughter.

"Jackpot, you're alive!" Bella cries out dramatically. "You're going to be okay, you're going to be okay."

Khiari lays low to hold Jackpot's hand. "Don't worry. Dad said it's natural to meet your end, but you shouldn't rush it! Don't go! Not yet! Don't look at the light! Look at the flames. Um... not the bad flames, the good flames!" She points at Clover and giggles.

The two sisters are much more amicable, enjoying the silence.

"Well Khiari. Ready for a nature walk?"

"Duh. Satyr!" She points at her horns as they follow Urwal.

Blackberry groans as more flames come out, though he's slightly mollified when he notices that they're healing. Remembering his place, he nudges you in Urwal's direction. "We'll clean up here"

You leave the leshys and follow after Urwal, who says little during a short hike into the woods.

"Destinations. We speak of them as if we always know the places we must go. But if you do not know where you must go, can you find your way back? More importantly, can you feed yourself along the way? Let us see if you can. While we have some provisions, see if you can fetch some food for our journey from the surrounding terrain."

Each PC may attempt a DC 10 Survival check to prove to Urwal that you can live off the land. As you've been exploring for 8 hours or less, you each take a -5 penalty. You need 3 successes (or be able to feed half the party) to succeed

Puzzled, Vardarel asks Urwal “Is this supposed to be some sort of Desnan puzzle, where it is all about the trip rather than the destination?”

He starts foraging for food. Fortunately the group is in a forest with plenty of wildlife.
Survival, rushed job: 1d20 + 13 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 13 - 5 = 12

"Oh. Um." Khiari and Bella stare at each other. "Right. We're both kind of... pampered. Usually people bring food to us..."

Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

"I think I can eat this one?" Khiari reaches for the berry before realizing it's a thorny bush. "Nnnnnope."

I forgot to subtract -5, that should be a failure

"Now I'm hungry for jam..." Fran sighs as the group heads off to do some foraging innawoods. "Oh, maybe we can find some berries that didn't get burnt to a crisp!"

Survival: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 8 - 5 = 7

"Ow! Nothing but thorns!"

DC 10 Survival: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 7 - 5 = 10

Nicole looks around for edible stuff while they wander the place.

"Clover can make us soup. How about this mushroom? Do you think this is edible?" Nicole picks up some mushrooms.

Nicole and Vardarel manage to find food but Fran and Khiari only find thorns. Urwal looks doubtful...

Clover and Stitch -- you're needed to ensure the party's survival! :)

Stitch starts to pull out his scalpel to help turn pumpkin head into a jack o lantern, but Clover beats him to the punch. "A good scorch can be good to stave off infections." He grins.

---

Aren't you lucky Stitch gained survival with his level up!

"Lucky for you folks I got bored on my vacation and read up on some survival mags my brother left behind. Make a great throne read." He pretends to hit the flush before getting in on the hunt.

Survival, Rushed, DC10: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 11 - 5 = 8
Hero Point: Survival, Rushed, DC10: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 11 - 5 = 9

Clover Survival T: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 9 - 5 = 13

Stitch doesn't find anything edible but fortunately Clover does. She plops the herbs she found into Mr Potbelly and soon you are having soup. Even Urwal is impressed by the quality of the meal. Soon after, he's off again.

The journey into the Finadar Forest continues on for several hours, during which Urwal provides little additional context for the trip beyond staring up into the open sky. Along the way, the forest thickens, and Urwal requests that you find him a clearer path through the forest that can still take them in the same direction.

One PC can attempt a DC 15 Survival check to Sense Direction

Vardarel takes point, having no problem navigating through the forest. It may be different trees than he is used to, but it is still a forest.

Vardarel's Survival (E): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

"You point, I'll make the path." Stitch grins, green teeth glistening in the filtered light. He thumps on Meat Wagon's dash and the pulse of mower blades starts to thrum.

Survival: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

"Watch out for the rocks this time, I'm tired of sharpening those blades every time you mow an old field or grown in woods' road." He tries to point out the mowing obstacles.

Vardarel has no problem picking out a different path. He leads you to a clearing where Urwal stops.

Urwal’s tail twitches as he glances up at a patch of sky, barely visible through the trees. "You may wonder why I tested you your skills at a seemingly trivial obstacle course and at wilderness survival. This is not just a random lesson. A powerful force calls in my dreams, and the stars tell me that we must heed it. I cannot sense them while awake, so I must enter a trance. Like Jackpot, I embark on a vulnerable, sightless journey, and need your protection. I don’t know who or what calls. I can only feel the urgency. They sent me a vision of two partial constellations, the Stargazer and the Stranger. The Stargazer studies the heavens so intently that he cannot see his surroundings." Urwal pauses and shrugs. "Some signs need little interpretation."

"These items may help you during our journey. Do you have any questions?"

Urwal provides you with some other supplies, including a greater rope of climbing, a climbing kit, four pup tents, and tackle.

With some concern, Vardarel says “Are you sure of your interpretation? Although I can not think of another explanation at this moment, prophecy is a tricky thing.”

"It's like a wander through the wood?" Bella cocks her head to the side. "I pray this is not a trap." She hears a tiny snort from Khiari and continues. "But we won't know until we see it."

"Nothing is ever certain when dealing with the stars. One can only hope that the interpretation is accurate. I am counting on you to keep me safe as I see this to its completion" Urwal replies cryptically. With that, he nods and closes his eyes. Shortly after, he begins walking...

In his trance state, Urwal is unaware and unrousable. When you try to feed him or give him water, swallows automatically, but he eats minimally. You can guide him around obstacles but he keeps walking towards his unknowable destination, no matter what hazards lay in the way. You also discover that standing in front of Urwal and grasping his shoulders stops him from moving for 1 round. Urwal’s speed in trance state is 15 feet. His face and body are relaxed, and his movement is both heavier and more grounded.

A few hours following his entrance into the trance, Urwal leads you deeper into the forest of ruddy pines. In this part of the woods, the shadows deepen and the sky peeks through only on the deer path that the party treads. The constant chitter of birds and squirrels falls away, and the only sound is the crunch of pine needles under the party’s feet. It is late afternoon and sunlight still illuminates the path.

"I think we should wound the rope he gave us, around his waist so we can easily pull him back just in case he comes across something dangerous." Nicole is somewhat concerned with Urwal's style of interpreting things.

“Might want to hook the other end of the rope to someone more sturdy than I.”

Vardarel's Perception (E): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21 (Ancestral Suspicion ) (w Low-Light Vision)

Vardarel signals a stop and points up. “Spider webs.” Quickly realizing his mistake, he then gets in front of Urwal so that they stop as well.

"How about we tie the other end to Meat Wagon?" Nicole suggests with a grin on her face.

"Ooh, tying the rope around his waist is a good idea. I'll hold his shoulders." Khiari grips Urwal. "Slow down, buddy."

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

"What about webs? Oh, I see..." Khiari bluffs. "We can cut them down. Meat Wagon, can you do the honors?"

“I guess getting your weapon stuck in webbing is one way to get the spiders to come out…”

Clover looks around. "Do we really want to cut them down? The spiders have not done anything to us. Let's just be careful as we go through."

"I also worry about how long Urwal is willing to wait." Bella watches her sister holding the iruxi's shoulders. "It may be faster to move around rather than cause a mess."

Searchers can give me 2 more perception checks while Urwal keep walking (though he's straining at whoever's holding him for now)...

Vardarel carefully moves forward, searching for any more webs or the creatures that made them.

Vardarel's Perception (E): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32 (Ancestral Suspicion ) (w Low-Light Vision)
Vardarel's Perception (E): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 (Ancestral Suspicion ) (w Low-Light Vision)

Stitch feels the tendrils of old webbing brush has patchy beard "Wouldn't be a forest without some spiders hanging around would it? Hopefully they're small and few." He peeks around up into the trees, squinting to help his vision.

Perception, Darkvision: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Perception, Darkvision: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

I'd like to try to get an idea how long we can keep Urwal from moving ahead at some point. aka: would we get enough time for a 10min check for heal/refocus? 1min for quick repair? A few rounds for potions or healing spells?

Perception T: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Perception T: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Clover looks around, but is not quite sure what she is looking at.

Oh your journey will occur over the course of days so you'll definitely have time to heal/refocus.

Khiari Perc: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Khiari Perc: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Vardarel and Khiari manage to spot another web trap and direct you around it. Unfortunately, nobody notices the third web trap and Urwal blunders straight into it.

Immediately thereafter, the webs' owners come looking.

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Disable Web Trap:
DC 20 Survival (T) or Thievery (E) to rearrange the web
------------------
Those with ** may go

**Stitch Steeltoe - AC 23 (25 w/shield) 65/65; Meat Wagon AC 21, 55/55
Blue
Fran Rosemont - AC 18 (19 w/Mage Armor) 53/53; Mr Midnight AC 18, 25/25
Red
Bella Sidare - AC 23 78/78; Khiari AC 23
Vardarel - AC 21 (22 w/shield) 51/51
Nicole Flames - AC 23 (24 w/shield) 58/58
Spider
White
Clover - AC 20 45/45
Urwal

"Vermin dead ahead, coming through!" Stitch supercharges himself and Meat Wagon with a fresh can of WD4976 and throttles up. Meat Wagon spares no moments, rolling into melee with the red and blue spider creatures.

Overdrive ◆: Overdrive: Standard Craft Check, DC20?: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
*Success: +3 damage to personal and construct damage rolls for 1 minute.

◆ Overdrive and ◆◆ Command

Things to squish. Must squish the things. Meat Wagon rumbles ahead pulsing its mower blades menacingly until it engages the front line, red more specifically.

Melee (Overdrive): Bumper Ram: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19 Damage (B): 2d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (5, 7) + 4 + 3 = 19

Melee (Overdrive): Mower Blade (Agile)(Finesse): 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 4 = 17 Damage (S): 2d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 + 3 = 12

◆ Stride, ◆ Strike, ◆ Strike

As meat charges the front line, it and Stitch also run into more web traps!

Web Trap vs Stitch AC 23: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

Stitch barely dodges the first trap and easily avoids the second when he sees the web sparkling in his peripheral vision. Meat charges ahead but doesn't make contact with the creatures.

Blue shoots a web trap at Meat, trying to immobilize it.

Web vs Meat Wagon AC 21: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Web vs Meat Wagon AC 21, MAP: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

It shifts its target and tries for the dwarf on top.

Web vs Stitch AC 23, MAP 2+: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

But misses...

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Disable Web Trap:
DC 20 Survival (T) or Thievery (E) to rearrange the web

Web Trap Escape DC: 20
------------------
Those with ** may go

Stitch Steeltoe - AC 23 (25 w/shield) 65/65; Meat Wagon AC 21, 55/55 (Immobilized, OG)
Blue
**Fran Rosemont - AC 18 (19 w/Mage Armor) 53/53; Mr Midnight AC 18, 25/25
Red
Bella Sidare - AC 23 78/78; Khiari AC 23
Vardarel - AC 21 (22 w/shield) 51/51
Nicole Flames - AC 23 (24 w/shield) 58/58
Spider
White
Clover - AC 20 45/45
Urwal

"Sad aim spiderman." Stitch ducks the web laser before looking unphased by Meat Wagon's new issue.

Wonder how flammable they are? Damned lizard guy is in the way... how flammable are they I wonder..

Can someone bot Fran please?

How close do we need to be to the web to disable it? If she can get there with a single stride action:

Fran realizes she can unwind part of the web if she is careful about it.

Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

If Fran has an action remaining, she will cast Shield.

She can be beside it to untangle it, which is the option I took.

Fran runs forward and untangles the web from around Urwal's neck. He starts moving off again. The creatures pay him no mind as they don't see him as a threat.

Red makes three swipes at Meat Wagon.

Claw vs Meat AC 21: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29 for Slashing: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Claw vs Meat AC 21, MAP, Agile: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22 for Slashing: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Claw vs Meat AC 21, MAP 2+, Agile: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 for Slashing: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

All three strikes connect, Meat's paint job is ruined!

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Disable Web Trap:
DC 20 Survival (T) or Thievery (E) to rearrange the web

Web Trap Escape DC: 20
------------------
Those with ** may go

Stitch Steeltoe - AC 23 (25 w/shield) 65/65; Meat Wagon AC 21, 16/55 (Immobilized, OG)
Blue
Fran Rosemont - AC 18 (19 w/Mage Armor) 53/53; Mr Midnight AC 18, 25/25
Red
**Bella Sidare - AC 23 78/78; Khiari AC 23
**Vardarel - AC 21 (22 w/shield) 51/51
**Nicole Flames - AC 23 (24 w/shield) 58/58
Spider
White
Clover - AC 20 45/45
Urwal

Vardarel uses his magic to protect himself and then moves up behind Urwal and points him away from the battle.

◆ Cast Shield
◆ Stride
◆ Point Urwal away from battle

"Thank you Vardarel!" Bella nods to the elf before skipping ahead. "As for you, one in Blue. We are not your meal, and your defeat is due!"

Khiari rolls her eyes. "She always does a color rhyme."

Hopefully filled with Panache (or at least Bravado), she ignores Khiari's criticism and turns to the creature in Red, complete with a spinning kick!

Confident Strike: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
Nonlethal Bludgeoning: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3) + 3 = 10
Confident Finisher: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 1) = 12

If Bella did not get Bravado or Panache, she only deals 3 extra damage instead of her Finisher Damage.
If Bella misses, she only deals half Finisher Damage.

◆ Bella Strides
◆ Bella uses >Fascinating Performance< on Blue. Thanks to >Focused Fascination<, she only needs a Success to Fascinate. Thanks to >Assurance< her Performance check is 19. As long as she does not critically fail, she gets Panache.
◆ Confident Finisher