[PF2/Farol] #1-19: Iolite Squad Alpha - Delta Squad (high tier) (Inactive)

Game Master Farol

Is maybe we find magic badge to show how they controls land sharks?

"Hopefully one of them is skilled enough to identify its magic, as I hope no more bulettes arrive to test it on."

"I hopes, too, but I stand under my hopes always inside veins."

You spend some time discussing the meaning of found materials and if you should take them or not. Finally, you do and you head back to the caves, using the ladder and trying to cover the hatch as you found it.

Yeah follow the corridors and you arrive at a rather large cave

A thick stench clings to the air in this expansive chamber the floor. Heavy drops of dark liquid seep through a stain in the earthen ceiling, and fall upon a slathering of dense, animal droppings that cover the floor. A collection of large, roughly oval-shaped stones rest along the chamber’s western wall.

On the stones stand a kobold yelling in draconic

"Treten Sie zurück! Überlassen Sie das Ei mir!"

When you enter the chamber you see three giant ants closing on the kobold. But as you enter the ants turns towards you.

Round 1

Battle Map

Teja
Arlo
Jiki

Ant Blue
Ant Yellow
Ant Green

Manny
Zizark
Zabu

Greeleep

"I'm sure the founders of the Pathfinder Society envisioned a goblin saving a kobold from ants."

◇ Cast Lingering Composition

Performance: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

Sadly, not quite a crit.

◆ Cast Inspire Courage

Allies get +1 to attack, damage and saves against fear for 3 rounds.

◆ Stride

◆ Strike

+1 Striking Shortbow vs. Yellow: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 1 = 20
Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 3) + 1 = 9

Arlo delays. I have something I want to do, but my Druidic vows prevent me from opening hostilities on the ants.

Arlo delays. I have something I want to do, but my Druidic vows prevent me from opening hostilities on the ants.

You could try Wild Empathy (if you have it) to avoid the fight, alternatively other spells, etc.

Archetype Druids don't get Empathy. It's fine, I'll wait until next initiative block.

Teja draws a dagger and flicks it at the closest of the ants - trying to cut it down before it is really ready.

attack,IC: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 1 = 19
damage,IC: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
sneak?: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

She then draws her rapier.

Jiki inspires you all for the upcoming fight then he sends an arrow that hits the ant with yellow antennas. Yellow hit -9

Teja takes out her dagger and throws it at the ant, but misses due to range. The dagger hits the carapace with its handhold and falls to the ground. She takes out her rapier and prepares for combat.

The ants run towards you, the yellow ant with an arrow sticking from its carapace strikes Jiki

Jaws@Jiki: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Damage, piercing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

The mandibles misses Jiki but then the creature attacks with its stinger

Stinger@Jiki, agile(map): 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 11 - 4 = 23
Damage, piercing: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 Hit Jiki -11

And it strikes goblin in its leg, pumping venom. DC 18 Fortitude against Giant Ant Venom

The other ant goes after Zabu.

Jaws@Zabu: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Damage, piercing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

It strikes with mandibles and gets a hold on him. Hit -11 and grabbed

The other ant also goes after Zabu

Jaws@Zabu: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Damage, piercing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Stinger@Zabu, agile(map): 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 11 - 4 = 18
Damage, piercing: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Despite Zabu being held the ant misses.

Round 1

Battle Map

Teja
Jiki -10 Fortitude save DC18

Ant Blue grabbing Zabu
Ant Yellow
Ant Green

Arlo
Manny
Zizark
Zabu -11 grabbed by blue (DC18 to escape)

Greeleep

From your view of it, Greeleep might join the fight but you are not sure on which side ;)

Fortitude DC 18: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Jiki feels the sting, but easily fights off the poison.

"There he is. Hey! We're here to help!" Manny waves to Greeleep.

"This chamber is cramped. Shylye, help me out here!" A >Spiritual Weapon< appears next to the Blueish Ant grabbing Zabu.

Spiritual Weapon: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Force Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Then he draws his whip.

I have a bad feeling about people shouting in German... :P

Arlo was waiting to see how things shook out, but now that Blue has taken hold of Zabu, he decides to jump into action. He stretches out his arm, makes a fist, and... aims it at Blue? The ring on his finger starts to glow as Arlo concentrates, and then a phantasmal ram shoots out of it.

Three-action Ring of the Ram activation. If I don't have proper line of sight at blue, I'll take Green instead.

Ring damage: 6d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 3, 5, 1, 4) = 22
DC 22 Fortitude save to halve the damage and not get pushed away.
I'm not sure how that interacts with grabbed creatures. I'm fine either way.

Zizark can't see the voice shouting in Draconic, but he does hear it. He shouts back

He then takes a piece of really rotten trash out of his pocket and hurls it as far behind the ants as he possibly can, while shouting "Hey you guyyyysssss!". Mid-arc, it turns into a cloud of decay that covers some of the ants.

I don't have the right line of sight to affect all three ants without hitting the party, so it's a 20' burst aimed in such a way as to affect just blue and green (and the spiritual weapon, if that matters) and avoids encompassing Zabu.

◆◆ Sudden Blight
Negative damage to blue and green, basic Fort save DC22: 2d10 ⇒ (10, 3) = 13

He then grabs his pick and prepares to enter the fight properly.
◆ Interact

↺ Blood Vendetta if hit with piercing or slashing, or is made to bleed.

Jiki fights off the poison, his small goblin body is surprisingly strong.

Manny casts a spell bringing a spiritual weapon that smacks into the ant. Hit blue -6, then he draws his weapon.

Arlo uses his ring, a phantasmal ram smacks into the ant

Fort save, DC22: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

The ant is pushed away from Zabu with great strength. Blue -22 and 15 ft forced movement that ends grabbed. And that is draconic, not german!

Zizark then throws a piece of rotten trash

Fortitude save, blue, DC22: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Fortitude save, green, DC22: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Blue ant dies consumed by the rot. The other ant is impacted by the damage.

Round 1

Battle Map

Teja
Jiki -10

Ant Blue
Ant Yellow
Ant Green -13

Arlo
Manny
Zizark
Zabu -11

Greeleep

Botting Zabu, I saw him yesterday on boards as he updated couple of other tables, either he missed this notification or smt.

Zabu begins to rage, his claws and teeth grow larger and he jumps on the wounded ant

Jaws: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 1 = 33 Piercing: 2d10 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5, 1) + 4 + 1 = 11(Unarmed)
Claw: 1d20 + 14 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 1 - 4 = 14 Slashing: 2d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6, 6) + 4 + 1 = 17 (Agile, unarmed)

His jaws break the neck of his foe, he attacks with claws the other one but misses.

The last remaining ant looks around and begins to flee, it climbs the wall and try to escape.

Greeleep thinks for a moment and yells "Stop this. Who are you and what are you doing here. You are the pathfinders, right? I saw you up on the surface"

That went quick, failed saves, a couple of solid damage rolls and ants were no problem. Also, the fact that Greeleep was last and couldn't cast lightning bolt on you was a huge advantage ;)

"Yes, we're the Pathfinders," Arlo steps forward cautiously, "and we know you are Greeleep, though we're not sure why you're masquerading to be a halfling. We're here to investigate the bulette attack, and it doesn't look good for the Aspis. Why are you hanging out with them, anyway?"

Zizark cocks his head in confusion. "You the Gree Leap, Valley to Apsy peoples? They says you halfling, but you look like dragon! Why you look like dragon? You kills the dragons?"

"Sup, Greeleep. I'm Emmanuel Holysmith, but my friends call me Manny." He offers a hand to shake. "It looked like you were in danger, back there. We're Pathfinders, so we came to help."

"The Aspis- no, Raike herself. She's no good, but you know that better than I do. Look at how many creatures she sacrificed. And for what? A Trade deal? There's gotta be an ulterior motive."

"We offer our protection from her, in exchange for the truth. She used your bulettes to attack the village to make her look good. I'm certain your home treated them much better."

"Please, help us do the right thing. She can't get away with this."

Diplomacy, Glad Hand: 1d20 + 13 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 13 - 5 = 13

Diplomacy, If Glad Hand failed or critically failed: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

Manny's not used to speaking to kobolds.

"I was Apsis once, Greeleep. I know what they are capable of. Powerful, yes, but ruthless. What they are doing will hurt so many people, and you can help us stop them."

I'm just as well off doing my own rather than aiding, so...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

Teja nods along with the others.

"We really want to help." she adds "If we get the trade deal, great. But we are not going to go and kill a tribe of kobolds or set up a bulette attack to score it."

diplomacy(aid): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Sorry. I don't know what happened. I remember seeing that it was my turn but then spaced on actually taking it. Thanks for botting me.

Zabu looks disappointed that the fight ends so quickly. He waits for the moment to see how the diplomatic approach works before switching to his specialty.

Greeleep looks at you all speaking, and begin to answer the questions.

He turns towards Arlo

"Halfing not my idea. Raike insisted, she did not want to show up with kobold. To suspicions that hobos will figure out. She gave the hat and asked to use it."

He turns towards Zizark "The dragon seems to be lost, let me give you a hand" and he passes a skeleton hand that he passes to Zizark. It belonged to a humanoid creature That's for the bear hands ;)

Greeleep does not trust Manny and even his long sentences does not change his mind. "I need help, I save one bulette egg. I need to take it to safety. Otherwise, Raike will kill it as well. If you help to protect me, I will give you something. I don't like the Raike woman, she killed my clan, and my beautiful creatures. Look at those tunnels that we made..."

Greeleep was convinced by jiki ;) Now the creature waits for your declaration if you will protect them.

"We'll do all that we can to protect the egg." Manny turns to Jikl. "Right?"

Maybe Manny's too tall for get Greeleep's trust. But Raike made a huge mistake. The enemy of my enemy?

Zizark stares blankly at the hand and then at Greeleep. "Is... thanking, but no thanking."

To the GM, real me says HAHAHAHA!

Zizark then turns to Man Knee.
"Is good. We do."

"Of course we will, Manny."

Greeleep sighs and smiles broadly "I will go with you and speak to the hobos tomorrow. Tell what Raike was doing, I have also this as a proof."

He pulls out a crude pendant "This is zoic fetish, it allows to control creatures"

He passes a crude amulet depicting an animal, crudely made from bone, branches, grass, and twine. This one might be depicting ant "I was changing it to control ants to help me move the egg. Egg so heavy."

When you look at the pendant, it seems that Greeleep is saying the truth.

The charm somewhat protects an invested wearer against attacks from animals. If presented to an animal of the same classification as the figure of the fetish, it allows the wearer to influence that animal. Poorly constructed, the fetish must be worn for 24 hours for investing.

Those are the same amulets that Aspis agents were carrying, you could have also found them in aspis guard hut. With that, you have chased every lead that there is. Besides stealing from Morgroar, at this point, it is not needed. I will move us to the final scene during the weekend. You can think about your speech.

"Guard duty? That's the 3rd worst duty!" Zabu grumbles.

"But I suppose Raike may put up a fight.

"If I had one of those fetishes, could I ride a bullette? How long from when it's hatched does it take before one is rideable? I have a friend who wants to know," he says, eyeing the pendant and the egg greedily.

"So...." Arlo scratches his head, "Your clan lived on this exact spot, or at least nearby? That's cruel, even for the Aspis."

Might've missed that during the mission somewhere.

"Though it pains me to ask this, can we borrow your ant to show how the pendant works? Or you can use it yourself, if you prefer. I don't think we can find a bulette on time to show how the other pendants work."

Now that the final ant is no longer a threat, Arlo moves closer and tries to feed it apple slices.

Teja nods to the group. "Let's go show up the Aspis... and hope that the hobgoblins don't think that such a tricky group would make good allies..."

"Rideable, who would want to ride a bulette? They scratch their back against rocks, underground you would be pulped nome." says Greeleep, then addresses Arlo

"No, my clan was not here, but we have plenty of tunnels all under the mountains. We also take over bulettes tunnels whenever we encounter them. This place was not special for us." In raike's journal there is a paragraph about stone roads ;) You are on one of those

"Ants, yes. This charm did not work well, but I can fix it for tomorrow."

You escort Greeleep to your hut and rest for the night

The trade talks reconvene shortly after sunrise. As before, Raike arrives
with her fellow Aspis bodyguards ahead of the scheduled meeting time. Morgroar, Drussem, and other hobgoblin security forces spread out throughout the meeting hall and await the Lieutenant’s commands.

As before, the hobgoblin soldiers quietly usher you and the remaining Aspis agents into the meeting hall. Eloqi turns to the party’s prolocutors and directs them to speak their piece. This time first goes Manny.

This is the time for you to present the case, feel free to RP bringing in the Ant, speaking what you found and what does it mean.

Remember Emmanuel. The organization is made of those blessed with free will. Some of them can choose the path of virtues. Others will choose to exploit. Most are forced onto the path of survival. Which paths can you alter?

The night brings another message from his guardian angel, Shylye. And new day brings forth a chance to do what's right.

"Greetings, Lieutenant Eloqi. Greetings, Artennod Raike. It was impressive, watching everyone fend off yesterday's surprising assault. Land Sharks are strong, tenacious and ferocious."

He pauses. "But they are not invaders. They will leave civilizations like this village alone, unless provoked. Pathfinders are curious by nature, and we wondered what would bring these bulettes here. So we did some investigations and found tunnels underneath the village. When the bulettes breach the ground, it sounds like an explosion. You've heard of these explosions before we even got here." He lets his revelations soak in. They have to understand the gravity of the situation.

"In the tunnels, we found an alchemical laboratory. The key ingredient: >Pheremones< designed to attract bulettes. Teja was able to analyze them and I found some poison samples below." Manny offers them to the Lieutenant.

"We also found one kobold, under attack. You may know him better as a halfling. >Greeleep< is the last survivor of his tribe. They learned how to befriend and tame bulettes." Manny turns and motions Greeleep to present himself, and the hat.

"He knows the secret to charming bulettes, and the Aspis took advantage of it and the poison to secure their victory. He modified one such charm to speak to ants." He turns to Greeleep. "Uh, right?" He hopes Greeleep can call the ant in. Maybe Zabu can ride it to prove the point.

"He says on 5 Calistri, >Raike< and her Aspis delegation forced him to help abuse the bulettes after slaughtering the rest of his tribe." Manny makes his attack and sees if Raike will lie. Good, he can present her journal and catch her.

Whether or not she takes the bait, Manny concludes. "Do you trust the Aspis not to do the same, once they have your secrets? The Pathfinders just want a trade route. I give this information not as a bargaining chip, but to expose the truth. The choice is yours, Lieutenant. But we both know you'll make the right one."

Phew. Much longer to type that than rolling attack + damage! I'm assuming Diplomacy is the key skill, here. If I'm wrong, please use my Hero Point on the first roll.

Diplomacy, Glad Hand: 1d20 + 13 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 13 - 5 = 15
Diplomacy if that Failed or Crit Failed: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Teja nods along. "The real question here is... would you prefer an ally who brings attacks into your camp... or any ally that helps you against them. You saw the bulette badges the Aspis all wore. You saw them spill the blood that attracted the creatures. And we have here a kobold witness to their treachery."

diplomacy (aid): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 Done in the clear, as I can't crit fail, so no reason not to accept the aid

Technically, a natural 1 will still crit fail, but yeah.

Arlo nods in agreement to Manny's points. When it comes to Greeleep to demonstrate the ant-talisman, Arlo helps with demonstrating the talisman's power.

"See how, if I command this ant, there is still some reluctance, but when Greeleep uses his talisman, the ant does so automatically, without hesitation."

Arlo then commands the ant to fetch an object.

Diplomacy to aid Manny: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Bah. It's a new day, so let's use Halfling Luck again!

Diplomacy to aid Manny: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Diplomacy, Aid: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

"I was once one of them. I have seen their treachery firsthand. And that is what you will receive if you welcome the Consortium into your arms - treachery. Forget not that they brought death to your camp in hopes of scoring a few coins when deciding who to contract with."

Zizark will stand quietly by, knowing his "eloquence" is neither required nor desired.

Manny present your case, after the first allegations Raike raises to her feet yelling

"Lies! These are all lies said by those cowards!" she is asked to be silent and let Manny speak.

Eloqi comments "I do hope Pathfinders have solid proofs to back those claims."

Manny continues describing the pheromones and who Greeleep really is and again Raike raises to her feet "Greeleep was my friend and he was a halfling, if that bloody kobold killed him. It must have been him who did all this! I wonder if he was not planted by Pathfinders!"

But then Greeleep begins to speak when he says about meeting Raike weeks ago, and saying about her involvement in destroying his clan and forcing him to cooperate.

Eloqi looks at the ant being controlled by first Arlo and then Greeleep. He is surprised to see Zabu sitting on it, wondering why anyone would want to ride on an ant.

"I did remember seeing those charms myself. I must say it does not look good for you." says Eloqi once again letting Manny speak and then other Pathfinders.

Raike finally stands and says "I can't drag it longer, I admit there was a foul play here. It was Morgroar, he began the plot to overthrow you. I took no part in this"

Eloqi looks at Margroar "Do you have anything to say?"

Margroar says "She gave me ciphered letter but I couldn't understand it. I would not plan an attack on our people! I stood arm in arm during that attack!"

Eloqi turns towards Raike "Be assured that Hobgoblins will not do any business with Aspis Consortium. And that is because of you. I give you 4 hours to leave, then I will send my scouts after you."

Raike turns red on her face and she storms out of the Mess Hall "You will pay for that Pathfinders! Our paths will cross! And I will get my revenge!"

Eloqi nods their head "What have happened was terrible, but I am glad to find solid allies to aid us. We will sign an exclusive trade deal with Pathfinders. You should join us today to commemorate our fallen and celebrate signing of the agreement"

And that would conclude the scenario, feel free to RP along!

Manny lets Raike rail on with her bizarre excuses and weak lies. Greeleep killed the halfling? Margroar set this all up and planted the charms? Hmpf. This snake in the grass can't stop lying. But relationships are built upon trust. And truth is the strongest foundation you can find.

"We are honored to have earned your trust and this trade deal." Manny bows. "If you ever need any help from the Pathfinder Society, we'll be here faster than snowfall."

Did I do that right?

"Greeleep, I'm sorry for everything that happened. The Pathfinder Society can help you protect the egg and help rebuild your clan if you wish. Or we can find out a good place to leave your egg. Whichever you want. Thanks for giving us a chance to speak." Manny goes for a handshake.

"So, what do Hobgoblins do for fun?" Manny pulls out his lute and keeps his eyes and ears open. This Aspis delegation didn't and that's why they're on the run.

Teja is just pleased that the event is concluded without more fighting.

"I'd love to explore those stone roads a bit. I can see a paper on them already.."

Zabu is quiet while the others talk. Partially because he has no interest, partially because he knows he'll be less than helpful if he chimes in and partially because he's trying to figure out how he can trade his pony in for a giant ant.

"Move faster, lady or you're not going to have to wait for the Oprak scouts to come looking for you. Take the loss before you lose more," he says to Raike, meeting threat with threat.

But, when she's suitably dealt with and on her way he grins and nods his agreement at Manny's question.

"Celebration time! Where's the booze?"

Once the revelry (in whatever form it takes) is underway, he sidles up to Drussem.

"So, two successful missions in a row. I think that deserves some more personal celebrating..."

Arlo leaves Raike be. She has her own problems for now. He helps with mourning and burying the fallen, and celebrates afterward, but goes to bed at a reasonable time.

The next morning, at the crack of dawn, he shakes Manny awake. When Manny wakes up, he sees Arlo dressed up in full exploration gear, grinning ear to ear.

"Hey Manny, good morning! Remember the promise you made? It's time to live in the woods for a week!"

"With silver tongues like ours," Jiki says, playfully punching Manny in the thigh, "the Consortium didn't have a chance."

Then, seeing Arlo approach with survival gear, the goblin quickly adds, "Well, that's enough teamwork for now. Catch up to you at the lodge!" and promptly skitters away.

"Jikl, no! You gotta back me up before he..."

"Does the thing..."

"With the eyes..."

Manny's a shivering mess as Arlo insists on a just one more hour of natural moonlight before building a campfire. Manny's certain his chattering teeth can become an instrument if he could focus- it's clacking loudly enough every predator should hear it. Hands are too frozen to strum the lute. Good thing the hobgoblins heard him before he started this hike.

And he still doesn't know which berries he can and cannot eat. They all look the same!

Heheh, thanks for indulging me, Manny! :)

After three days, Arlo calls it quits on the camping trip. He's having a wonderful time, but Manny's clearly not suited for this lifestyle. He'd hoped Manny would come around, but Arlo feels too sorry for him.

"Come on Manny, let's get back to the lodge. I think we've both earned a cup of hot cocoa and a nice warm bath, yeah? Maybe you can show me how you'd like to spend your evenings. I wanna hear you play your lute!"