Firebrand’s Redoubt
The heroes arrive in the dwarven town of Davarn to participate in the rollicking Spring Muddle competition—only to become embroiled in a revenge plot a century in the making.
M Half-Orc Rouge - 5 HP 34 /34 AC 20 ( Touch 15 Flat 16) / Fort +4 | Ref +9 | Will +5 / CMB +5 | CMD 19 / Init +3 / Perception +15 Trap Spotter +17
GM wrote:
Gru'Gar keeps his balance while walking the beams.
Gru'Gar has a few choices to make. The beam nearest the rock is below the level of the finish line. If he goes west, he'll be 15 feet below the finish area. If he goes east he'll be 10 feet below the ramp that leads to the finish area. If he wants to then climb the rock to get up, it is a DC 30 climb check. With Spider Climb it would normally not require a climb skill check. But, with the bat distracting him, he'll have to roll. He gets +8 to his climb skill from the spell. His profile says his untrained climb skill is +8 but with a STR of only 14, I suspect that may be the +8 from the spell, unless something else boosts his skill. He also must take the -5 penalty from the bat distraction. So it would be a DC 30 roll with a +5 bonus, which is likely to fail.
If I were 'botting him, I'd have him jump the area with the rope swing. With jump and the elixir of tumbling he gets +20 added to his dex bonus for the untrained acrobatics skill of +3. Even with the -5 from the bat, he would have no chance of failing the jump. Then he'd need to move through the combat dummies and up the ramp to the top, dealing with the other contestants if they decide to try to get his flag or knock him out.
The Skills are correct, I just never moved the skills to the trained section, I have a habit of just cut and past from one character sheet to start a new one and don't change the skills from untrained to Trained. So he does have a +8 in climb and a +11 in Acrobatics I will delete the trained and untrained and just have them as skills. So with that in mind
Gru'Gar swats at the flying rat
"If you don't want to disappear, I will"
Grabbing his wand of Invisibility He taps himself. And then starts to move.
Small Male LG Vanara Unchained Monk 1 Shaman 4 | HP 42/42 (+10 temp) | AC 21 T 21 FF 16 (with Mage Armor & Barkskin 27, 22, 21) | CMB 1, CMD 21 | F +6, R +8, W +10 | Init +4 | Perc +13 SM +9 | Speed 30' (Climb 20') |Battle Spirit 4/4 | GM Reroll 1/1 | Active Conditions: Mage Armor, Barkskin, False Life | Acrobatics +8, Climb +10, Swim +2
"C'mon, don't make me beat you up - this is all just for fun and my friends are mostly already over the finish line! Hand it over!"
Presuming that Mavin does not go along with this "request"... Vinnie decides that the best way to get the flag from Mavin, who is curled up at his feet clutching it tightly, is to punch her.
Using Stunning Fist Unarmed strike vs prone & total defense:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 If this hits, DC 17 Fort or stunned for 1 round non-lethal dmg:1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
DC 17
Mavin: Fortitude:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Targrenon: improved Feint Move action DC 19: Bluff:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Vinnie is denied his DEX bonus to AC vs. Targrenon's next attack, which also allows sneak attack damage. AC 16
Sap, nonlethal:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Trevor crosses the finish line.
Gru'gar manages to get over to the area at the northwest area next to the rope swing, then makes himself invisible with a wand.
Mavin dodges Vinnie's first punch, but the second catches her in the side of her head and she says good night, passing out. Vinnie picks up the flag she held.
Gerhard surfaces in the finish area, using his magical ability to burrow slowly through solid rock.
Mavin is unconscious and out of the competition.
The bat, no longer able to see Gru'Gar and with no one else nearby, flies about observing the situation.
Willie moves closer to where he expects Targrenon and Mavin to climb up and readies his practice shortsword to attack any Pathfinder who comes close.
Erna moves next to Willy, ready with a sap to attack anyone on the Pathfinder team.
Targrenon makes as if to stand, but it is a bluff to put Vinnie off guard. It works, but as Targrenon swings his sap at Vinnie's kneecap, he misses.
Gru'Gar is invisible. I'm going to put what I assume he will do under a spoiler. Gru'Gar can post a different action if he wishes.
Gru'Gar:
Gru'Gar jumps across the area with the rope swing and moves toward the combat dummies. Next round he'll need to make a DC 14 Acrobatics check to move through the dummies at half speed or DC 19 to move a regular speed. With the elixir of tumbling, he cannot fail these, so he can move at full speed through the dummies. He'll then be in a position to perhaps help Vinnie get past the Chokers trying to prevent him from getting to the finish line.
Vinnie is up next. Note: Mavin is unconscious and Targrenon is prone.
The Pathfinders have 80 points. The Chokers have just 10, but they have the potential prevent Gru'Gar and/or Vinnie from finishing and perhaps taking some or all of their flags. At best they can tie. Let's see what Vinnie does and play through the confrontation that is likely to come as Gru'Gar and Vinnie try to get their flags past Erna, Willie, and Targrenon.
Small Male LG Vanara Unchained Monk 1 Shaman 4 | HP 42/42 (+10 temp) | AC 21 T 21 FF 16 (with Mage Armor & Barkskin 27, 22, 21) | CMB 1, CMD 21 | F +6, R +8, W +10 | Init +4 | Perc +13 SM +9 | Speed 30' (Climb 20') |Battle Spirit 4/4 | GM Reroll 1/1 | Active Conditions: Mage Armor, Barkskin, False Life | Acrobatics +8, Climb +10, Swim +2
Vinnie scampers up the cliff, carrying the flag with him.
Vinnie has a racial climb speed of 20', which lets him take 10 (even when threatened) for a Climb of 20. I think this means he can climb the cliff without making a check but I believe it will still use both of his actions to do so. If he still has an action left he will move towards the finish line. Also, I think his initial movement up the cliff will provoke an AoO from the prone Targrenon.
M Half-Orc Rouge - 5 HP 34 /34 AC 20 ( Touch 15 Flat 16) / Fort +4 | Ref +9 | Will +5 / CMB +5 | CMD 19 / Init +3 / Perception +15 Trap Spotter +17
The combat dummies are no match to his agility as he speeds his way to help Vinne.
Seeing Vinnie making his way to the finish line. Gru'Gar tries to sneek past and make his way to the finish line.
Stealth:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Gru'Gar surprises his comrades by becoming visible standing behind everyone at the finish, waving two flags in triumph. Negotiated via PM: Gru'gar jumped to the rope dangling down from the pole at the SW edge of the finish area, climbing to the top, and stepping into the finish area. His two flags add to the score and clinches victory.
Targrenon swings a sap at Vinnie as he starts his climb. He connects, but just misses a sensitive spot. 5 nonlethal damage to Vinnie.
Vinnie gets to the top of the rock with a flag.
A loud flourish of horns blares forth next to the judges booth, signifying the Pathfinders have clinched victory and ending the competition, so that no one gets hurt once the contest is decided.
The crowd gives polite applause to the Pathfinders, and when the Chokers gather together to wave the crowd, they receive a rousing ovation for a hard fought contest. Erna leads her team to congratulate the Pathfinders, offering to shake hands.
"Well played," she says with typical dwarven taciturnity.
The contestants are helped off the course with the help of ladders and rafts. Once safely ashore, there is an award ceremony. The winners are awarded a purse of 2500 gp, an adamantine battleaxe, and a pearl of power (1st). The Chokers receive 1000 gp, a masterwork battleaxe, and magic bracers Bracers of armor +1.
Note on winnings:
As this is a PFS game, no one actually gets to pocket all this, but people can use the items and spend money on items of interest.
After the awards are given, the concluding Spring Feast begins.
Davarn’s Spring and Fall Festivals both conclude with large, public feasts in the market square alongside musical performances and speeches from various important locals. Dinner, served across dozens of buffet tables, consists of mushroom dishes, hearty breads, and beer from downside as well as roast boar, game hens, and fresh greens from the surface. Most attendees bring out their own tables or spread blankets on the cobblestones, and festival-goers wander from blanket to blanket, saying their final goodbyes and sharing one last drink before returning to the trade routes or their everyday tasks.
The winners of the Spring Muddle join Mayor Bensik at her table as honored guests, sitting with local officials as well as Erna Stoneheart, who attends as guard captain rather than a competitor. Lukher declines to join them as he needs to find a few business contacts in the crowd.
RP as you wish. When everyone's had a chance to post reactions and interactions with the locals, things will get lively.
Trevor fills his plate with two or three bits of everything he can get his hands on, which soons leaves him with a pile as tall as he is. "Oh I agree that was certainly good fun. Of course I don't know that I've ever encountered a festival I didn't like."
Small Male LG Vanara Unchained Monk 1 Shaman 4 | HP 42/42 (+10 temp) | AC 21 T 21 FF 16 (with Mage Armor & Barkskin 27, 22, 21) | CMB 1, CMD 21 | F +6, R +8, W +10 | Init +4 | Perc +13 SM +9 | Speed 30' (Climb 20') |Battle Spirit 4/4 | GM Reroll 1/1 | Active Conditions: Mage Armor, Barkskin, False Life | Acrobatics +8, Climb +10, Swim +2
Vinnie can make use of the pearl of power but will cede it to anyone else who can also use it (he already has one of his own). If no one else posts an interest I'll assume that Vinnie takes it.
Small Male LG Vanara Unchained Monk 1 Shaman 4 | HP 42/42 (+10 temp) | AC 21 T 21 FF 16 (with Mage Armor & Barkskin 27, 22, 21) | CMB 1, CMD 21 | F +6, R +8, W +10 | Init +4 | Perc +13 SM +9 | Speed 30' (Climb 20') |Battle Spirit 4/4 | GM Reroll 1/1 | Active Conditions: Mage Armor, Barkskin, False Life | Acrobatics +8, Climb +10, Swim +2
Vinnie enjoys the celebration and buys drinks for Mavin and Targrenon. "Sorry about those falls - hope the bruises heal quickly - all in good fun, or at least I hope it felt that way to you!"
Male N Dwarf from Qadira | Druid 5 | HP 58/58| AC 19 T 12 FF 17 | CMB +1, CMD 13 | Darkvision | Reroll 1/1 | Totem Transformation 5/5 | F: +10, R: +5, W: +12 | Init: +2 | Perc: +12 | SM: +10 | Dipl.: +18 | Chaldira trait reroll 1/1 |Speed 20ft | Active conditions:
The pearl is yours. :-) GM, I’d like gather information if that’s possible.
Sadaf looks around and tries to mingle a bit to learn more about this town.
He also asks their host some questions.
“So what is happening here now after the tournament? And can you tell us more about the community you’ve built here? I am not so familiar with dwarven settlements as I’m originally from Qadira!“ Sadaf asks and he tries his empathetic approach although his odorless body usually creates dislike in others because of the lack of pheromones.
Those who were injured during the context are healed by Clerics of Saranrae or Torag.
As for information, the festival is meant in part as an advertisement for trade, so most anyone can get the basic history of the town.
Davarn Information:
In the wake of the Kerse Accords, which united the squabbling dwarven Sky Citadels into a coherent kingdom, the dwarves of the Five Kings Mountains strengthened their trade relationship with the newborn nation of Druma. What began as a simple exit point from the tunnels snaking through the Five Kings Mountains grew as trade with Druma, Isger, and Cheliax increased. With time, the temporary settlement became a fullfledged city. Davarn’s location lies at the confluence of many underground streams and meltwater seeps, and the original founders excavated the cavern surrounding the underground lake and set their defensive gates against the lava tubes that marked the city’s eastern edge. Lake Davarn still dominates the center of the city, using clever channels and interlocks to hold the increased snowmelt that causes the lake to swell every year.
Most of the town’s income comes not from any one trade, but from its role serving as a major commercial hub between the Five Kings Mountains and its human neighbors. Davarn is situated in the primary pass between Druma and Andoran, and its merchants and craftspeople offer food, water, shelter, and fine dwarvenmade goods to travelers in the spring and summer months. Only the harsh winters that close the pass and virtually isolate the town have thus far prevented it from growing in prosperity and size.
Davarn is governed by a council of five members, one of whom, by law, must hail from the surface settlement. All council members are voted in by general election for 10-year terms, staggering the elections to occur every 2 years. This keeps the political atmosphere in the town livelier than most small communities, since at least one council member is almost always subtly campaigning for reelection.
See the Map link in the GM's header with an index of locations. If you are interested in a particular place, let me know.
Screams of terror rise from the picnic area near the market square’s far end. A dwarf dressed in a Davarn guard uniform runs into the pavilion and calls to Erna Stoneheart. “Captain, come quickly, they have Lukher!” Erna Stoneheart grabs her axe and follows the guard back into the crowd toward the screaming people.
Post whether you follow Erna or stay behind. Melee to follow for any that follow. I'll have a map up after lunch.
Those Pathfinders who follow Erna find themselves moving upstream against a flow of panicked festival crowds. Up ahead of where Erna is running, the street has cleared of bystanders and Lukher can be seen amid four figures, one of whom is dragging him along heading west.
After running a hundred feet through makeshift streets between vender tents and stalls, the crowds have cleared the area. A number of dwarves lie on the ground with serious wounds, all wearing the livery of the city guard.
If you are following Erna, place yourself on the map at least 20 feet behind Erna. Roll initiative. If you want to try to identify the enemy, roll knowledge (religion) with a -1 penalty per 10 feet distance to the enemy. DC is 13. You can delay the roll until you are closer after melee begins.
As the chasers close on Lukher's abductors, all can see there are four dwarf-sized humanoids wearing scale mail armor with tattored uniforms over them. One of them has Lukher in his grip and is dragging him down the street. Lukher appears too frightened to resist much. The rest have dwaren urgroshes in hand. The oddest thing about them that can be noticed across the distance is that they appear to have no hair or beards. Their head and hands appear dull yellow in color.
Trevor is up first. There are two knowledge skill checks that can be made, modified by distance to the nearest enemy (DC increases 1 per 10 feet). Make the rolls if/when you choose and consult the spoilers below.
Knowledge (religion) DC 13 + distance mod:
The enemies are a kind of enhanced skeleton, called a skeletal champion. These are not mindless but with an intelligence similar to a dull human and other abilities not possessed by normal skeletons. Request what type of information you want to know. Add one category for each 5 points above 13; ignore the distance penalty for this part of the calculation.
Knowledge (Local) or Knowledge Nobility DC 15 + distance mod:
The tattered uniforms of the creatures has an emblem on the front of the tabard. It looks like a double-headed axe and is the emblem of a noble dwarven family, the house of Lady Delbera.
Since Trevor can't get close enough to use his whip in one round, he moves up while drawing a wand of magic missle and fires off a missle at number 3
Damage(force):1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Trevor's can't-miss magical attack flies into one of the enemies. The wound doesn't affect it much, however. 5 damage to Enemy 3.
Trevor:
Trevor is close enough he can see that the enemies appear to be armed and armored skeletons, with faintly glowing blue eye sockets. He can't tell what the emblem is.
One of the enemies turns and runs back to confront Erna. Once the approaching group sees its face, it is obvious it is not a living creature but some kind of skeleton. Its dwarven urgrosh swishes through the air and cuts into her shoulder. 9 damage to Erna. Rook/Needles
Sadaf/Dandun
Gru'Gar
are up next.
'Botting Gru'Gar. I assume he'll want to get up to melee range. I don't see a listing for movement in his profile, so I'm assuming it's 30 feet.
Gru'Gar advances, getting past the distracted skeleton attacking Erna. His greataxe is drawn. Skeleton already took it's one AOO earlier.
Erna attacks the skeletal warrior with two handaxes. Her only effect was to create the clang of metal blade on the scalemail armor of the creature.
The skeleton drags Lukher further away from the others, but Lukher manages to break free. He runs away down a side lane, but sustains a scratch from his abductor's bony hand. 2 damage to Lukher.
Dundan gets and AOO vs. the skeleton as it moves away from him.
The last skeletal warrior advances on Gru'Gar and swings its urgrosh at him. It finds a weak spot in his armor and cuts into his shoulder. 9 Damage to Gru'Gar.
Sorry I am on a business trip so my post may be slow coming.
Gru'Gar take a step and then swings his great ax at undead(1).
[dice=Greatax Attack]1d20+6+1
[dice=Damage, Slash]1d12+4+1
Sorry but you posted this as I was composing the above post. I had already moved Gru'Gar on the map as part of my 'botting of him, so he does not get to attack this round. It took 60 feet of movement to get him to where he is now on the map. His attack will have to be rerolled next round.
Danduun snaps at the skeleton dragging Lukher away but misses.
'Botting Vinnie: Vinnie trots up behind Erna and casts Hydraulic Push at the skeleton next to Dandun. A torrent of water gushes out of a point just west of the skeleton. The water knocks the skeleton to the east and it falls prone. This is against skeleton #2. Dundan does not get an AOO in this case, per spell description.
This skeletal warrior gets up immediately and runs after the escaping Lukher. Danduun bites him as it gets up and again as it runs away. 7 lethal to Skeleton #2.
Small Male LG Vanara Unchained Monk 1 Shaman 4 | HP 42/42 (+10 temp) | AC 21 T 21 FF 16 (with Mage Armor & Barkskin 27, 22, 21) | CMB 1, CMD 21 | F +6, R +8, W +10 | Init +4 | Perc +13 SM +9 | Speed 30' (Climb 20') |Battle Spirit 4/4 | GM Reroll 1/1 | Active Conditions: Mage Armor, Barkskin, False Life | Acrobatics +8, Climb +10, Swim +2
Whoops, sorry - I missed that it was my turn. Thanks for botting me. Use of Hydraulic Push noted. This is all still the same day as the festival competition, right?
Whoops, sorry - I missed that it was my turn. Thanks for botting me. Use of Hydraulic Push noted. This is all still the same day as the festival competition, right?
Trevor sends more magic projectiles of force at the skeleton on Erna, damaging a few ribs. 5 damage to Enemy 1. This enemy is showing signs of impending collapse, but it is still fighting.
The skeleton swings hard with its urgrosh, aiming at Sadef, but the blade glances off his shield and armor.
