TOZ's What The Helms Hide [Outpost V] (Inactive)

Game Master TriOmegaZero

Dora sighs and moves toward the pumpkin, dagger in hand.
(double move)

With a surge of strength, Zehameti breaks free of the grasping vines as Dora advances.

Acrobatics: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Creeping through the overgrowth, the pumpkin mouth opens wide and unleashes a torrent of fire that washes over Cora, Knuckles, and Maaldrek! Zehameti feels the heat as it narrowly passes by her position.

Fire Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 1 Ah yes, of course.

The Pathfinders manage to avoid the brunt of the fire, coming out with only singes.

19 Maaldrek
18 Dora
14 Knuckles (Damage: 1)
13 Cora (Damage: 1)
10 Zehameti (Damage: 8)
10 Green (Damage: 6)
9 Wulbert

The party is up! I would say reflex saves for people, but half of 1 point is still 1. Zehameti gets to make an AoO as it did not succeed at the Acrobatics to move normally.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Wulbert loads his crossbow again and takes another shot at the pumpkin.

Masterwork Light Crossbow + df + ff: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 14
Piercing Damage + df + ff: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Knuckles moves forwards, and punches the Pumpkin in the face.
attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
damage: 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Wulbert takes a close shot at the plant monster, but Knuckles fist crunches into the gourdy face, the vines losing their rigidness and falling to the ground. The flames still burn within however.

14 Knuckles (Damage: 1)
13 Maaldrek
13 Dora
13 Cora (Damage: 1)
10 Zehameti (Damage: 8)
10 Green (Damage: 16, Unconcious)
9 Wulbert

What does the party do?

”Is it dead?” shout Wulbert.
”Do you need healing Zehameti?”

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Wulbert double moves and gets ready to heal.

I'm going to help Knuckles...Wulbert, take care of Zehameti... cara says as she boldly strides forward and strikes at the creature with her scimitar.

attack: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 = 101d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

As the pumpkin creature advances, Maaldrek is filled with fear.

Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 Assuming this is a pass:

Maaldrek recognizes this as an external source of fear, probably a curse or magic spell from the creature, and ignores it. He draws his scythe and moves up towards the fray.

I assume the AoO is superfluous now that it's unconscious due to Knuckles anyway

Yes, she *did* need healing but also she could take care of herself with her wand or potion. The continuing flames did make her somewhat nervous though, and she takes a moment to ponder if she should sever the "head" with her naginata or heal herself.
odds heal / even attack: 1d2 ⇒ 1

She eventually sighs, waves off Wulbert's offer, and acts "responsibly" by pulling out her CLW wand and tapping herself. It looks like her companions have the thing under control by now anyway.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 ugggggh I'm so glad I chose that instead of doing 30 damage coup de gras LOL
A few of her scratches knit back together. But not as much as she was expecting. She frowns.

I think we still probably want you to take that AoO...

Do we know if this thing is actually unconscious or dead or if it is still a threat?

Cara slices the pumpkin apart, exposing the still burning flame further!

14 Knuckles (Damage: 1)
13 Maaldrek
13 Dora
13 Cora (Damage: 1)
10 Zehameti (Damage: 2)
10 Green (Damage: 20, Unconcious)
9 Wulbert

If you haven't rolled Nature you still may.

Not trained in Nature, I think Dora is the only one. But sure I'll take the AoO just in case I guess?
AoO Naginata to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 Since that was before it was unconscious I doubt that hits, but just in case...
AoO Naginata damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

As the party gathers round, the flames gutter for a moment before surging in an explosive blast! Wulbert is just out of the explosion, but the rest of the party is not so lucky.

Fire Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10 DC14 Reflex for half.

Knuckles (Damage: 6/10)
Maaldrek (Damage: 0/5)
Dora (Damage: 5/10)
Cora (Damage: 6/10)
Zehameti (Damage: 7/12)
Wulbert

Maaldrek Ref DC 14: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"....yyyyeeeeEEEEOOOOWWWW! what is this... new feeling? it STINGS!!! ...and the pain remains!! help, help! I need help now! please, NOW Cara! this is not normal..."

Reflex save vs death explosion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Her natural paranoia, combined with the reach of her weapon, gives her the precious few milliseconds to dodge the majority of the blast.

I don't understand the party status numbers - that isn't any of our max health? I should be at 11/19 before the blast (due to healing 2 last turn) and 6/19 after the blast? If it's supposed to be how much damage we take with/ without the save, then wouldn't all our numbers (except Maaldrek) be the same?

Maaldrek takes the brunt of the blast, but his natural resistance helps shield him, as Zehameti manages to twist away!

Knuckles (Damage: 6/10)
Maaldrek (Damage: 5)
Dora (Damage: 5/10)
Cora (Damage: 6/10)
Zehameti (Damage: 7)
Wulbert

Tracker lists damage taken in this fight, not hit points.

Ah, gotcha. I also had 2 damage from the goblin caves combat earlier (unhealed unless travel took more than a day), the slam attack dealt me 8 damage, and the CLW wand healed me for a total of 2 (not 1), that's how I got the current total of 11/19 before the explosion and 6/19 after.

She grumbles and activates her wand some more. "Stupid exploding pumpkin plant."
CLW wand (others if unconscious): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 (If there are 2 people unconscious after the blast I will use this charge on one of them while Wulbert attends to the other)

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
So 11 healing for me, for a total of 17/19 current hp

ref save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

CLW from wand: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Dora looks around to see if anyone needs help using their healing wands.

Dora sighs at the nasty trick the plant creature played.

reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Ewww....gross... cara says as she ducks behind her shield at the last second to avoid the brunt of the explosion. she then tends to the others.

Who's hurt worst? Wulbert...can you stand back a few paces?, please? I'm going to use my healing aura...i dn't want to hurt you...

channel: 1d6 ⇒ 4

will channel more if needed..want to see where everyone is at first...

”I should be fine if you are just healing, the problem is more when it’s used to damage. But thanks for the warning.” Wulbert still takes a few steps back just to be on the safe side.

"Ahhhhhhh... this feels better... still feeling a bit of stinging on the left side of my face though..." says Maaldrek, pouring on the wine and batting what's left of his eyelashes at Cara.

The Pathfinders continue to heal, while the ruins of the lumber mill loom on the other side of the overgrown garden.

Knuckles (Damage: 2/6)
Maaldrek
Dora
Cora
Zehameti
Wulbert

That eyebrow might not grow back...I've seen it happen... Cara says as she examines Maaldrek's face.

Hmmm...nope...that's permanent...actually an improvement, I think... she says, then bursts out laughing.

Sorry...i couldn't keep a straight face. Shall we? she points to the lumber mill.

Maadlrek HP 9/10

"Ahem... well.. if you say so, Milady..." replies the large tiefling, mowing the tall grass towards the mill as he goes. He seems... sullen... somewhat. Perhaps grown used to the comforts of nobility and luxury, and unable to fully process that he suffered actual burns during this last encounter...

Light green areas show freshly cut grass! :)

Shaken condition from the Jack-o'-lantern lasts for minutes, so it'll still be active during the following!

The sound of footsteps give Maaldrek pause as a handsome woman wearing crocus-emblazoned armor steps into the doorway of the ruined mill. Her cascade of red hair catches the light - as does the silver lance held easily in her hand - but her face is concealed by the cowl she has pulled over it.

“Take ye not a step further into Ng’s sacred realm," she commands, a fox-like tail swishing behind her. "I am the Crocus Knight, sworn protector of the Thicket of Endless Fall and rightful successor to Ng’s chosen, Zaul Blystone. Are you here to join in the grove’s protection, or defile its splendor? Speak now, lest I add you to the great harvest.” She points her lance at each of you in turn.

You can try to put her more at ease by answering her questions and rolling one of the following checks:
- Bluff
- Diplomacy
- Intimidate
- Knowledge (arcana)
- Knowledge (nature)
- Knowledge (religion)
- Sense Motive

Each check can be attempted only once, but allies can try to Aid each other. (So, for example, only one Diplomacy check can be attempted by the Pathfinders regardless of who rolls the primary check.)

Wulbert smiles at the knight "Hello, I'm Wulbert and these are my friend. I'm really sorry for the intrusion, we're definitely not here to defile anything. We're actually here on a bit of an investigation. Did you say you know Zaul Blystone?"

I can lead on Diplomacy.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Wulbert wonders if perhaps the knight happens to be in an especially good mood today.
Wulbert will Misfortune that.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Appraise: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13

"Oh look she's wearing the Autumn's Cowl." Wulbert whispers to his companions.

"I am Visbaron Maaldrek of Oppara, and I vouch for this halfling's honesty. Let us parlay and lower our weapons shall we?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 +2 with Taldor nobles

'Look lady, if we wanted to mess up your grove, we wouldn't be standing here talking, we'd be busy using you as a punching bag"
Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

"Bold words with the ring of truth, but boldness can hide trickery in plain sight. If ye are here to speak, then speak that I might know thou art worthy of trust or unworthy of mine blade. I am acquainted with Zaul Blystone, indeed. What is thy knowledge of this name?" The shadowed frown softens, but the tip of her lance does not waver.

Skills Available
- Bluff
- Diplomacy
- Intimidate
- Knowledge (arcana)
- Knowledge (nature)
- Knowledge (religion)
- Sense Motive

Maaldrek produces the Wayfinder, saying "We are Pathfinders. Behold, 'A wayfinder will provide the path!' As you can see, this is genuine, and can produce light at will. I can demonstrate if you want. Alas, the Society's notes are divided on the subject of Zaul. Some of our predecessors were in awe of his numerous finds and adventures, but some were unimpressed and believed some of his discoveries were forgeries. What can you say on the subject of his characters? did you know him personally?"

Knowledge Arcanda: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Cara approaches with the others, her weapon sheathed.
I am Cara, servant of the Dawnflower. Who do you serve?

religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Zehameti casually removes an Alchemists' Fire from her Adventurer's Sash and inspects it before replacing it.
Intimidate (Aid Knuckles): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 SUCCEED, +2 for Knuckles' check for a total of 24

"I have heard that Zaul himself was himself full of trickery and not trustworthy, so what makes you think you can rightfully judge?"
Diplomacy (Aid ?): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 FAIL

I can primary for Sense Motive?

I think everyone else has gone already besides Dora, and it doesn't like we have any skill overlap, so I'll just roll...
Zehameti tries to get a read on the creature's mood, whether she is 'buying what they are selling' so far or not.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Just realized no one has used Bluff so far either, dunno how I missed it in the first list.
Bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

"Of course we are here to join in the grove’s protection! It is magnificent - why would anyone want to destroy such a thing of natural beauty? Ng himself sent us to disillusion the lies that Zaul planted long ago."

As an afterthought she adds "Oh by the way have you seen a gnome woman travel through this way at all?" trying to keep her voice casual.

Wulbert wonders if fate might conspire to give Zehameti additional insight into the Knights thoughts.
Wulbert will use Misfortune to give Zehameti a re-roll on her Sense Motive check. He’ll also try an aid the check by trying to get a read on the Knight himself.

Sense Motive to Aid: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20

Oooh, thanks!
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 +2 from Wulbert

"Ye step into Ng's grove and recognize not his name? Such a pity, enough to stay this hand from ye." She rests the point of the lance on the ground. "If knowledge is all ye seek, then I welcome ye as friends and allies. It was Zaul whom revealed the secrets of the Thicket of Endless Fall to me. Once I swore to take up the guardianship, he departed to find more allies, but never returned."

The knight pauses before clearing her throat. "If ye have proof of treachery on his part, I would gladly hear it. But first, attend here to Lorg Ng, in whose name I have served these many years." Her free hand gestures to the large wooden statue that protrudes from the front of the mill, a hooded figure much like the one found on the path to the thicket. A pile of pumpkins and bright red berries sit on the ground before the hooded figure, and above them words are carved into the statue's base.

"Like the Lord of Seasons, our hoods illuminate truth while their masks shelter deceit. Let this be the sign of our covenant. - E"

"Ah, that was just Wulbert's idea of a joke. No sense of humor, that one. Of course we know of Ng." she ribs good-naturedly.

The best lies are mixed with truth.
"The greatest proof of Zaul's treachery is obvious in his failure to fulfill his promise to you of returning, is it not? I tell you the truth, he never had any intention of returning, for you are fulfilling his only purpose here - protecting that." She gestures to the cowl. "He was never an agent of Ng, but Ng has seen your devotion regardless, and sent us to free you from your pointless guardianship."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Zehameti tries to catch her companions' eyes as she very obviously and deliberately grabs her traveling hood with both hands and slides it up over her head.

She then slides her eyes over to the Crocus Knight and dips her head slightly in polite acknowledgement.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8

Wulbert has no idea what Zehameti is up to, but assumes she knows what she is doing, so follows suit.

"I feared him slain by those he warned would defile the sacred grounds. If they be naught but phantoms, his absence comes into new light." She touches the edge of the cowl thoughtfully. "What more do ye know of this relic then?"

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

”I believe that’s the Autumn's Cowl, but don’t know not much beyond that.”

spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Yes...it is indeed a cowl... Cara says, dumbfounded by the cloak.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Dora shares what she knows with her teammate, hoping someone else will handly the talky part.

Wulbert listens to Dora's explanation and then turns to the Knight. "My friend Dora here is much more learned on such matters than me. Based on her insight it would appear that this Thicket could well have been brought into existence as a consequence of the magics within the Cowl. It is clearly an item of some power."

"So this place is not Holy to Ng, but has instead been transformed by the relic you wear - the relic Zaul tricked you into protecting for him, all this time."

"Then it would seem my watch has ended. What of the traitor then? Not slain by imaginary defilers, nor returned here for whatever purpose intended. Do ye know his fate?"

"We do not, though we are seeking his trail. Most mortal races do not tend to live past 300 years.. except Elves, Dwarves, & Gnomes, that I know of. So it is possible he may be dead. Did you notice what race he was when you met him?"

No..we don't know his fate...likely dead... Cara reaffirms what Zehameti has stated.

”Such is the way of the world. He seemed much as you do to me, a younger race. He was not of the First World, unlike the visitor I had since. It was she that inscribed the prayer you see before Ng. It seems you have a better understanding of its meaning than I.”

"Oh!" exclaims Wulbert "I don't suppose the visitor you speak of was a gnome? Is there any more you can tell us about her?"