Longroads Coffeehouse 2.0

Game Master chadius

Viltydus appears puzzled for a moment. "Curse?" They take a moment to stare intently at each of the Pathfinders in turn. "Oh, I see. Well that's easily dealt with." The fey concentrates for a moment then places their hand on Quickblade's forehead. They repeat the process on Vardarel. "That should do it. I can't have you growing fur and fangs while you still have work to do. Go back to your lodgings and get a good night's rest. You've done a good job so feel free to sleep in. Meet me back here just after lunch for your final task."

During a late breakfast the next day, Tjolfor approaches the Pathfinders. "Thanks again for rescuing me last night. Sorry you got cursed." The Ulfen shrugs apologetically. "Anyway Viltydus wanted me to remind you they want to see you at their stump just after highsun. Oh and you might want to delay making any preparations until you've spoken with them."

Later at Viltydus's stump...

Viltydus holds a mall map of the shoreline. They draw a line with their finger along their map, tapping a marking circled in red. "My focus lies with the Forest of Trials and with the adventurers who brave its dangers to reach Valenhall. Those adventurers, however, need a safe place to rest their heads before facing their destinies, and Port Valen has not been as safe as it needs to be. A group of monsters have laired in an abandoned fishing village not far from here, and their predations have caused the people of Port Valen great harm. I task you Pathfinders to travel to this forsaken village and destroy the evil creatures that threaten these good people. Bring back evidence to prove to the people of Port Valen that you have succeeded."

The fey looks intently at the Pathfinders. "Whatever has holed up in the abandoned village should not be underestimated. I have seen many a burgeoning hero get cut down prematurely after trying to stop the attacks alone. I recommend speaking to some of the locals about what they've seen and heard about the threat. Use that information to prepare for battle. Oh and you can also use these." They reach into a belt pouch and pull out five lesser healing potions which they hand to the group. "Good luck Pathfinders."

Each PC can attempt a DC 20 Diplomacy check to Gather Information or a DC 22 Perception check to listen for rumors and gossip.

Bella seems to light up at the prospect. "Defending a village from invaders? I accept this task with gusto."

Viltydus's nobility appeals to Bella. Protecting the land you benefit from seems natural. Despite the issues about the Rose Witch and her Father, Bella does sense she can protect Galt the way Khiari wants to help Evanescent Green.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

And so she begins politely asking the residents of Port Valen for assistance. Any information on the attackers would be useful. Do they patrol? Is there a specific type of food they feast upon? What time of day do they strike? Khiari writes everything down when she isn't flirting with the locals.

"Sleep in? Who can sleep in when there's so much to do?" Stitch wonders outloud, eagerly awaiting a bit of time for adjustments to Meat Wagon's drive train and sharpening their mower blades.

---

"I'll see what I can find out, I've got a way with the locals you can say!" He boasts, oddly. He does attract a crowd, but not usually for the right reasons.

Perception vs DC22: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

"What do you mean my wagon smells like burnt rubber and chewing gum? What's wrong with that?" He chides, narrowly avoiding running over yet another curious child.

Vardarel tries to listen in on the local gossip but doesn’t hear anything that seems relevant.
Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

While Vardarel loiters about town and Stitch argues with the local children, Bella discovers that there hasn't been much activity at the abandoned village in recent weeks. Perhaps the creatures lurking there have moved on?

Viltydus frowns at this knowledge. "Could they have left? I'll need to verify this." The fey taps their chin and stares off into the distance for a moment before finally gesturing to the forest's border. "Legends about the Forest of Trials, Arcadia’s first barrier on the path to Valenhall, are many and varied. Locals whisper of curses that shroud it in secrecy, of bloodthirsty beasts that dwell among the trees. But the forest has long been my home, and I think it supports those who come to know it. Pathfinders, my task is for you to fulfill your Society’s namesake: use the day’s light to map one of the many footpaths along the forest’s edge. Respect the forest, but do not fear it, and gather what you need to introduce it to future explorers."

They pull out the map of the village and indicates a point nearby. "There's an unmapped path along the forest's edge that runs not too far from that abandoned village. Go and chart that trail for me. Watch out for bandits and monsters that roam those woods. On the way back perhaps you could stop by that village and verify it to be empty."

Several menhirs etched with Ulfen runes populate this rocky and uneven path, suggesting potentially greater secrets to be found
further within.

Everyone can make one relevant skill check of Arcana, Athletics, Mountain Lore, Ulfen Lore, Occultism, or Survival.

Survival(T): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

blech

"Perhaps the enemies realized they had attracted too much attention?" Bella fluffs her ego. "I would flee if I heard Pathfinders were investigating!"

Bella and Khiari continue their game as they practice prancing, leaping and skipping about the mountain trail. Bella's training and practice versus Khiari's natural agility from her goat-like legs.

Athletics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

"I'm sure we'll find something to test our equipment, er skills on Bella. We can count on these missions always having someone or something trying to kill us." Stitch counters, wondering just what sort of curiosity it will be this time.

Stitch motors along perched on top of Meat Wagon, dueling pistol in hand.

Trained in Occultism (INT): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Vardarel inspects the menhirs.
Vardarel's Survival (E): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

Survival T: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Clover checks out the menhirs. "I have no idea what I'm looking for... Tracks? Animal signs?"

As the Pathfinders pause to study a ring of menhirs they are ambushed by several strange creatures.

A tiny, spindly creature seemingly made of twigs moves closer and launches a brace of thorns at Bella.

Brown splinter vs Bella: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
damage, piercing: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Brown splinter vs Bella: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 5 = 26
damage, piercing: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

A green humanoid emerges from the undergrowth to slash at Bella with its claws.

Blue claw vs Bella: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25
damage, slashing: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 6) + 7 = 19

Blue claw vs Bella: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 15 - 4 = 23
damage, slashing: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 1) + 7 = 14

Bella gets a nasty splinter from the tiny creature and a wicked wound from the larger humanoid. Need fort save DC22 from Bella

Green areas are difficult terrain that provide concealment. Rocks are obstacles that provide cover.

Round 1
Bold can act

Blue
Brown
Vardarel
Green
Yellow
Stitch
-Meat Wagon
Quickblade
Bella 55/92 Fort save DC22
-Kiari 55/92
Clover
Red

Shouldn’t Bella have had concealment from the splintery thing since it is in the dark green area?

Vardarel casts his spell to summon a spiritual bow and attacks Blue with it,
Spiritual Armament: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
Holy Piercing or Spiritual Damage: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 4) = 11

Then he moves to cover behind one of the menhirs.

A second green humanoid charges forward and slashes at Khiari.

Green claw vs Khiari: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32
damage, slashing: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 3) + 7 = 12

Green claw vs Khiari: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 15 - 4 = 20
damage, slashing: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 6) + 7 = 19

Another tiny creature moves forward and sets its sights on Clover.

Yellow splinter vs Clover: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
damage, piercing: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Yellow splinter vs Clover: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (13) + 11 - 5 = 19
damage, piercing: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Khiari is also slashed by ichor dripping claws. Need fort save DC22 from Khiari

Green areas are difficult terrain that provide concealment. Rocks are obstacles that provide cover.

Round 1
Bold can act

Blue
Brown
Vardarel
Green
Yellow
Stitch
-Meat Wagon
Quickblade
Bella 43/92 Fort save DC22
-Kiari 43/92 Fort save DC22
Clover
Red

Shouldn’t Bella have had concealment from the splintery thing since it is in the dark green area?

Good catch.

Brown, flat check DC5: 1d20 ⇒ 12

"Interlopers! Poisonous interlopers!" Bella huffs.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Bella's muscles seize as the poison takes hold.

Khiari's Fort Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

"Besides, they should put the poison in a pestle."
"Usually you put in a chalice in a palace." Khiari picks up on Bella's thoughts immediately.
"It somewhat acceptable if they used a flagon with a figure of a dragon."
"But what if they used a pellet with the poison in the vessel with the pestle?"
"No no no." Bella shakes her head. "A pellet with the poison goes in the flagon with the dragon. That means the vessel with the pestle has the brew that is true."
"Oh, right! The pellet with the poison's in the flagon with the dragon, the vessel with the pestle has the brew that is true." Khiari nods. "Thank you!"

While they've been rambling, Khiari has been trying to understand the nature of the attackers. What are they? How is their Willpower?
Khiari has +11 Nature and +8 Society to ◆Recall Knowledge.

Bella/Khiari take poison: 1d6 ⇒ 5 poison damage

Whoops, Bella's Fort save is +13. Not that it would have mattered here.

Khiari blurts out. "Oh! Grimstalkers! Willpower isn't their strongest or worst resistance. They're also fey."

Bella nods and applies her comedy routine towards the very Green Grimstalker.

Performance: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31
◆ Bella uses >Fascinating Performance< on Green. Thanks to >Focused Fascination<, she only needs a Success to Fascinate. As long as she doesn't critically fail, she gets Panache.

Full of panache, Bella ◆confidently applies a high kick to the Grimstalker's head.

Fist: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28
Bludgeoning Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1) + 3 = 6
Confident Finisher: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 2) = 11 I miss I deal half of this amount as damage
Critical Specialization Effect(Brawling): The target must succeed at a Fortitude save against your class DC or be slowed 1 until the end of your next turn.

Then she prepares a ↺>Flashy Dodge as the poison begins to work its way through her.
Bella will react against the first Strike on her. Her AC is 26.

"Grim Stalkers? Fey.." Stitch repeats as he lubes up himself and Meat Wagon for the incoming yard work. It distracts him and the overdrive is a bit sparky and inconsistent.

Overdrive ◆: Overdrive: Standard Craft Check, DC22: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20
*Failure: +1 fire damage to strikes.

"Meaty, move around to flank on green and get to mowing that veg." He ◆◆ commands.

Meat Wagon spins their tires and ◆◆ picks their way around the statues to flank green, lurching ahead with its bumper.

Lay down so I can chop you!

◆ Melee Strike (Overdrive): Bumper Ram vs OG?: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31 Damage (B), 1 Fire: 2d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7, 2) + 4 + 1 = 14

Green is gobsmacked by Bella's comedic timing in the face of danger and fails to protect itself from her attack. Meat Wagon circles around and delivers a particularly nasty blow as well.

Green areas are difficult terrain that provide concealment. Rocks are obstacles that provide cover.

Round 1
Bold can act

Blue
Brown
Vardarel
Green -45
Yellow
Stitch
-Meat Wagon
Quickblade
Bella 38/92 Poisoned 1
-Kiari 38/92
Clover
Red

Clover moves to get Bella, Khiari, Green and Blue in her flames, allowing a pool of phoenixes to erupt from her hands, healing allies and burning foes. "Vardarel, I'm going to need you to finish healing Bella!"

◈ Stride
◈◈ Rejuvenating Flames (15 ft Cone, Reflex DC 22 for foes): 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1, 3) + 3 = 11

Quickblade takes a step and slaps a battle dressing on Khiari before taking a swipe at Green.

Battle Medicine, DC 20: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31
Healing, DC 20 (Battle Med/Treat Wounds): 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 8) + 10 = 26
Crit, Extra Healing: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 5) = 12

+1 Striking Halberd, 10' Reach: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22 for Piercing/Slashing: 2d10 + 2 ⇒ (4, 10) + 2 = 16

◈ Step/Stride
◈ Battle Med
◈ Slash

You need a free hand to do the battle medicine action. You can drop a hand from the halberd as a free action, battle medicine, regrip the halberd then attack and not step if you like.

Quickblade did the Battle Med first. He has Quick Draw so the halberd would still be stowed before he took the swipe