Let's catch some fish.
Hello, everyone! GM Frost here. Thank you for joining in on this game with me and welcome to GM Frost's Fishing in Anthusis [Outpost V] PbP Game. As we start, kindly fill up the Macros for the secret checks and Slides for your character information and tokens. Kindly update the RPG Chronicles to sign up for the game and if you need some changes to make. The links are posted just above the game thread.
Here are some rules:
1. Please post at least once a day every day and at least once during the weekend. If you are absent for 24 hours, especially during combat, I will simply place your character on infinite delay just to keep things moving. If you're missing for 36 hours I'll mark you inactive and your Player Character (PC) will simply delay and that's not fun! For your information, I am based in Southeast Asia (UTC+8) so my posting hours may be unusual (especially for those in North America & Europe). I usually update at least once or twice per day.
2. Under your name, please add a stat block, so I can quickly find your stats and keep the game moving. You can edit your character's Race, Class/Levels and Gender fields to include information such as Hit Points (HP), Armor Class (AC), Saving Throws (Fortitude, Reflex, Will), Perception Bonus, etc.
3. Pathfinder 2e has a lot of secret rolls the GM is supposed to make for the players, so the PCs can't react to a bad roll. Any skill with the Secret tag should be rolled privately. If I show the DC, feel free to make the roll openly. Otherwise, there are two ways to do this in my games:
- You can say which skill and which bonus you want to apply. ()
- Or you can spoiler your dice roll and everyone sticks to the honor system of not opening it.
4. As we play the game, I would like to remind everyone that as per the Organized Play Foundation Community Standards and Expectations, it reads:
No Character-versus-Character Combat
In keeping with the “Explore, Report, Cooperate” motto of the Pathfinder Society, engaging in non-consensual character-versus-character conflict is prohibited. While accidental friendly fire happens due to missed attack rolls or other factors, players must obtain the consent of other players before deliberately including fellow PCs in damaging effects [emphasis mine]. Engaging in character-versus-character conflict will award Infamy points and may render a character unplayable. This rule does not apply in situations where a character is not acting of their own free will, such as if they’re being mind-controlled by an NPC and forced to attack a fellow Pathfinder.
You can click the links to read more about the Organized Play Foundation Community Standards and Expectations and the Paizo Organized Play Code of Conduct.
If you have questions or concerns, feel free to share them here in the Discussion tab. Let's have some fun and tell a great story together! After all, that's what we are here for.
Your adventure begins and you have recently arrived in Anthusis. You find yourself in Broad Captain Inn, a favorite gathering place for aspiring adventurers, mercenaries, and sailors due to its low prices, decent fare, and a meticulously maintained bulletin board displaying job
opportunities and upcoming events. Shortly after whatever you are doing inside the inn, you see two people walk up to the board to read a prominently displayed scroll.
One of the people, a tall Mwangi woman with dark hair and a red headband, lets out a booming laugh. “Think you can do better this time, Demed?”
“Better than you and your crew? Certainly!” retorts the other one, a slender Mwangi man, who pulls out a notebook as he walks to his seat.
The woman snorts derisively before joining him at a table. [b]“If you can avoid falling into the water, that would already be an improvement.”
“I think you forget that my crew is the only one that managed two victories in a row, sis,” the man boasts. “This year we’ll do even better, and you’ll eat your words before the day is over.”
The two are twin siblings, Deka and Demed, and they smile widely at each other, a fierce love for competition burning brightly in their eyes.
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A sandy-haired halfling wanders over to the twins, licking jelly off of his fingers and peeking around Omar's waist as he does. One can see pans sticking out of his backpack and utensils hanging from his belt where weapons and other more 'adventurous' equipment ought to be. He is above-average in height... almost 40 inches... and clearly eats very well. In fact, after he quickly wiping his hands, he pulls out two more jelly tarts, holding them out to the others with a grin.
After Omar's question, he adds, "Hi! I'm Armin. ... All kinds of curious about this tourney. Sounds like you two go head-to-head each year?
A moment later, a wolfhound trots up behind the little man and bumps its head against his pack. After only a second, it does this again, and Armin instinctively reaches into a pouch and produces a bone that the canine happily takes in its teeth and, sitting obediently next to its master, begins gnawing on.
"Oh, and this is Shelley. Isn't she cute?"
Demed looks at Omar from head to talk as if judging him. ”Well, you see, Silverscales Tournament is more of a performative competition, if you ask me. I encourage you to impress the judges by embodying the core values of the Vidric Revolution: dedication, bravery, ingenuity, and collaboration.” Demed explains while doing some weird hand gestures in the air to emphasize the core values, as if he is really embodying it.
”Sounds like you two go head-to-head each year?”
”Oh yes, indeed!” Deka answers Armin enthusiastically. We have been competing for the last four tournaments and are currently tied at two victories apiece. During our last tournament, if I may tell you, Demed took the early lead thanks to one of his elaborate contraptions, but it soon malfunctioned. I laughed so hard because I remember vividly that the manfunctioned device sent Demed’s entire crew flying into the sea!” she says, bursting in laughing, even striking Demed with her hand as she laugh, causing the other to be embarassed.”I didn't know how it happened but it is so funny!” she adds.
”Not this time anymore because I prepared better than before, you'll see!” Demed chuckles in retort.
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"Hmm. Fishing, is it? Why not? I don't mind learning something new." The source of the musical voice is a slender woman of what appears to be Tian origin (). She carries a pack yet carries no other visible weapon save for a hand crossbow and a handful of darts. The daggers at her belt appear to be more of a tool than a weapon.
"Shanti is my name. I am actually a physician who grew up in the poorer sections of Absalom. I'm here to broaden my horizons and happen to walk into this tavern."
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Overhearing the conversation, an elf dressed in belted traveler's robes with his cloak cowl drawn up over his head walks up. "Pardon the interruption, but can anyone join the tournament? You said your crew; is there a minimum crew size?"
He reads the displayed scroll, "Hmm, interesting. Sorry, not to be dismissing but my name is Kor'velor."
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A young, muscular human is at the board reading the various bulletins when the twin siblings come up to read the scroll. When they walk away, he moves over to read it himself. He then turns to listen to the conversation, moving closer as more people join in.
"I would be interested in finding out more about this tournament also. What does the winner receive?" he says when there is a lull in the conversation.
"Oh, yes anyone can join in the..." Demed says and as he turns, he finds another person is actually asking. He again looks to Kor'velor from head to toe before he continue to answer indifferently. "Well, yes, anyone can join but I know it is limited."
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"Ah yes, limited, well then, I best be off. The waters around Anthusis teem with all kinds of sea life. Some probably dangerous no doubt. Just one moment." He heads over to a vendor and purchases snacks for both Deka and Demed and hands them over. "Thank you for your assistance. Good luck to you. Anyone else care to join me at a try in this tournament?"
The rewards of course is 4 gp each and the title Silver Sovereigns and you will get invited for next year's tournament to defend it.” Demed answers Gunthar's question.
Thanks to Shanti's drink, Deka becomes friendly to everyone of you. ”Aww, sweet. Thanks!” she says to Shanti and sips on the drink. Even Demed's face brighten with the snacks Ker'velor give them.
Deka has a thought. ”Why don't you join together as a group?”
Deka and Demed move to join a crowd of people heading toward the Lower Harbor for the tournament. They wave for you to follow, and the innkeeper ushers you out as well, seeming just as impatient to join the throng.
The journey from the inn to the Lower Harbor takes two hours due to the crowds converging along the rocky cliffside path leading down to the harbor. By the time you arrive at the docks, the contest only has room for one more team, so you must participate in the event together and can’t split into multiple teams.
The docks creak under the weight of the crowd. Mwangi and Chelaxian citizens stand shoulder to shoulder in the midday sun, waiting for the excitement to begin. The contestants stand in line with their teammates, waiting for the signal to claim their fishing spots. Some aspiring anglers seem to have already chosen their spot, while others are carefully scanning the waters for a glimpse of the glimmering scales that give the tournament its name. Tall and imposing, Deka stands out from the crowd as she inspects her reinforced grappling hook. To her right, Demed hurriedly jots down notes before telling his crew to be ready to cast. A silver-haired Zenj woman wearing a judge’s colorful sash raises her hands to silence the crowd. With a warm smile, she utters a single sentence that unleashes a flurry of activity. “Find your station!”
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"Wow, I didn't expect so many people," Gunthar says as he tries to find out more about the tournament while they walk down to the Lower Harbor.
While waiting for the competition to begin, Gunthar notices Deka's grappling hook. "How big are the fish?" he asks, surprised by the equipment being used.
He scans the water and shoreline, trying to figure out a good spot to fish. "I don't think I've been fishing since I was a kid."
Armin's admiration of her work makes Deka teach hhim how to do it, even teaching him which spot will make a better use of the fishing hooks. Shanti and Kor'velor race through with the crowd to secure a nice spot, as well as Omar. Shanti finds herself sprayed with sand on her face instead while the other two managed to save an ideal spot in which Gunthar approves based crude but correct knowledge in fishing.
”Well, fish size varies. But there are lots here.” Deka answers Gunthar.
After you find an ideal fishing spot, you then proceed to four rounds of fishing tournament.
Slashing and bludgeoning weapons: These weapons aren’t ideal for use underwater. PCs take a –2 circumstance penalty to melee slashing or bludgeoning attacks that pass through water. Ranged attacks that deal bludgeoning or slashing damage automatically miss underwater targets; the PCs can’t use these attacks to catch fish.
Acid and fire: Creatures underwater gain resistance 5 to acid and fire.
ROUND ONE begins! You can now start fishing.
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"Seems as good a spot as any," Gunthar says of the spot. It's at this point that he realizes he doesn't have a fishing rod. He glances around at what some of the other contestants are using. Having seen Deka use a grappling hook, he pulls his out and ties it to his rope. Uncertain of how well it will work, he begins swinging it in a circle above his head and releases it, hoping to get it out into the water away from the shore.
Unfortunately, he miss-times the release and it goes behind him towards the spectators, almost hitting one. "Whoops, sorry about that," he says, embarrassed at how poorly his first attempt is as he reels the rope back in.
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Armin thanks Deka for her help and makes a big show of how he can now use the hook to reel some fish in.
Before his first throw, though, he goes digging into his pouches for some choice nibbles that will act as the perfect bait. Ever the gentleman, he even offers a small portion to Deka, before tossing the majority of it to the other pathfinders.
Shanti successfully sneaks behind the fish and catches it. Omar makes a trap suitable for catching additional fish. Gunthar already knows what happens on his creation, to the spectator's dismay and his embarrassment. The elf wizard's spell is too slow for the pufferfish. Armin's bait works well to lure some of the fish.
Meanwhile in the other team...
“Deka, your lines!” shouts Demed. Four lines snap in quick succession, causing those nearby to yell in surprise and frustration. While the crew hurries to pull the remaining line, Deka points at a dark shadow in the water.
On the other hand...
Deka curses her luck, inspecting the damage. “Almost all of our lines snapped, and we’re out of spares,” she growls. With an angry sigh, she grabs her grappling hook and nods to the robust Chelaxian man holding the team’s only remaining line. “Never give up, right?” asks the man with a grin. “Never give up,” agrees Deka, hoisting her grappling hook.
Shanti swims into the water and follows the linesnapper. Moments later, she is holding the fish, wriggling and wagging itself, and their biggest catch so far. The judges are impressed and the crowd is shouting and cheering. Omar helps fixing Deka's line and is successful, Demed comes to help but he finds everything is alright already. The judges finds his act impressive as well, taking notes to their score.
Tournament Scores Tally
Team Deka - 3
Team Demed - 4
Team Pathfinders - 5
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Gunthar watches as Shanti dives into the water and wonders what is going on with all of the splashing. He's relieved to see she is ok when she emerges with her catch. "Nicely done!"
Not wanting to embarrass himself again with the grappling hook, Gunthar draws his dagger and wades out into the water. He stands as still as he can, hoping a fish will get close enough for him to stab it.
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As Gunthar moves into the water, Armin jumps up onto one of the support posts for the dock, and begins tightroping along the railing, singing to the crowd (and trying to get them to sing the chorus) as he does.
"Come all you young sailor men, listen to me!
I'll sing you a song of the fish in the sea!
And it's windy weather, boys, stormy weather, boys
When the wind blows, we're all together, boys;
Blow ye winds westerly, blow ye winds, blow
Jolly sou'wester, boys, steady she goes
Up jumps the eel with his slippery tail
Climbs up aloft and reefs the topsail
(Chorus)"
Gunthar, impressed by Shanti's skill on the linesnapper, effectively catches fish with his dagger as well. Armin, on the other hand, focuses on entertaining the crowd, making the crowd go frenzy and the judges be wildly impressed. Ker'velor's well-crafted lure does not miss unsuspecting sea creatures. Shanti recalls some tricks to hypnotize the fish, and it is effective. Omar, meanwhile, shoots using his crossbow with precision, catching some along the arrows path.
Tournament Scores Tally
Team Deka - 6
Team Demed - 8
Team Pathfinders - 11
”It seems the new challengers are leading this tournament. But we are just halfway the game! Let's see what the defending champions have in their sleeves.” one of the judges announces while the crowd begins to cheer loudly of their team bets
”Round 3 begins!” says the same judge.
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Armin continues his shanty and, as the crowd sings the chorus, ties a fishing line around the fletching on one of his crossbow bolts. Just as they reach the "steady as she goes," he fires into the water.
Sadly, the fish are none too keen about the noise he's making and stay clear of his first shot. He yanks the line to pull the bolt back and reseat it, then fires again!
Shanti looks around for materials around the beach to create a lure which effectively catches some. Omar shoots with his crossbow but he misses. Armin does the same but misses as well. Kor'velor outperforms the fish with the hide-and-seek strategy, while Gunthar manages to catch again with his dagger.
Meanwhile, on the other teams as the third round comes to a close...
“Ten more!” shouts Demed. “It’s not over until the fish are counted,” grumbles Deka as she hoists another catch into her half-full basket. “Might as well be! You have no hope to catch up,” replies Demed as fish start jumping from the water directly into his overflowing basket. What is happening?!
Ker'voler quickly identifies the mystery of what is with the bait but before he finishes examining and explaining the thing, two massive crabs have wandered close to the shore, lured by the bait’s magic!
Red quickly moves to Gunthar and attacks him with its meaty claw.
slashing damage plus Grab
The crab successfully grabs him as well and attempts to constrict him.
bludgeoning damage
Environment: The waters are shallow but is a difficult terrain.
Active condition: None
Encounter Map
Red Crab
Shanti HP 20/20, AC 18
Armin HP 17/17, AC 17
Blue Crab
Gunthar HP 16/22, AC 17 | Grabbed (FF, Immobilized), DC 17 Athletics check vs Constrict
Kor'velor HP 13/13, AC 16
Omar HP 18/18, AC 18