GM R4i's #5-08: The Confirmation (Inactive)

Game Master roll4initiative

"Yea, that never ends well. An army of undead fish folk? Why them, I wonder."

I wonder if he preyed on the gillmen because they are easier than others? Or he wanted to experiment and refine his craft before going on to others...either way, the sicko got his just end...

The note, written in common and most likely penned by the dhampir, details plans to start an army of undead made from the “fish people” who have been frequenting this cave. It is signed with a drawing of a stylized red pentagram almost identical to those decorating the dhampir's robes.

It appears, though, that his creations had turned against him.

"Good news for the world that he was an incompetent necromancer. Perhaps something about Aroden's power corrupted his creations and turned them against him? In any event he won't be bothering anyone anymore. We should continue to explore the cave system and see if we can learn anything else or find anyone else. We also have to meet up with Janira and make sure she is okay."

"I was always of the belief that undead do the the bidding of their master without question; hence why necromancy is so attractive to those who wish to dominate others. Is it possible our deceased quarry here is the victim of an erstwhile ally's perfidy?"

Walks shrugs. "All conjecture. I agree that it is time to move on and complete the exploration, and, hopefully, find out what happened to our leader."

I'm not familiar with undead besides the common knowledge, but it seems like a reasonable assumption. - says Halle - About the amulet and weapon, I don't mind if you want to take benefit from them.

The shifter crosses her arms behind her back, momentarily, but then moves to continue the exploration. Her defenses are formidable - hence why she usually goes towards the front of the pack - so she's fast to reckon the Dwarf may need the help more.

The scenario doesn't give me any information about why the necromancer was going to create an undead army, who he is, or anything else. *Shrug*

The group takes the note and the magic items, then do a thorough search of the cave. Rahu finds a section of wall sticking out in the north section that conceals a narrow opening behind it leading to another tunnel.

The scenario doesn't give me any information about why the necromancer was going to create an undead army, who he is, or anything else. *Shrug*

The group takes the note and the magic items, then do a thorough search of the cave. Rahu finds a section of wall sticking out in the north section that conceals a narrow opening leading to another tunnel.

Gaius whispers, "Excellent eye Rahu...I wonder what's down this tunnel?" and waits for someone to take the lead down the new path.

Do you want to head down this new passage or go back through the holy chamber and work your way around back to where you fought the mites & centipede?

"Let us explore this new tunnel I have found. Mr. Ironhelm, I hope you are still willing to take the lead. If not, I can do it. Just let me light a sunrod."

Rahu takes a sunrod out of his bag and strikes it against the wall. It begins emitting light.

Since we are here to explore, of course we go down the new passage!

The passage from the Chamber of Undeath varies from 3 to 6 feet in height or width and is coated with the omnipresent bioluminescent fungi. Moisture seeps from the walls, creating rivulets that form into small streams that drain into the various tiny crevasses and passages leading deeper into the mountain.

Dorgan (or Rahu?) leads the group through a maze of tight passages that include steep ascents and short climbs as the passage winds through the mountain. After a good hour of spelunking, you begin to hear the faint sounds of a distant battle echoing through the caves.

Carefully continuing on through the damp and dimly lit passage, the sounds of battle increase and --much to Halle's joyful surprise-- you can hear the faint sounds of a familiar woman’s voice half-shouting and half-reciting,
“As the legendary Gregaro Voth successfully battled the wild beasts in the deepest reaches of the Mwangi Expanse, so shall I defeat you, foul servant of Lamashtu!”

Relieved to hear Janira's voice, the group presses on. The passage increases to 2 to 5 feet in width and averages 9 feet in height. Dorgan's dwarven instincts tell him that the passage slopes upward at a slight incline.

"Hurry! Now that we've explored most of the cave system we can assist Janira."

Gaius readies for battle with his bow.

Halle agrees with Gaius and presses on with her weapon in hand, right behind Dorgan.

Walks squirms along behind the others, his extra long spear constantly snagging on one thing or another, which greatly annoys him.

"I can't wait until we get out of here, o matter what awaits."

"Well, at least it sounds like she is alive, and I do note she would not be saying that if she was in pain, lets go help her out now that we did what we were asked to accomplish." Gemtoran said as he made his way through the narrow passage.

Well, she needs help...and I aim to go help her... Dorgan says as he tears off at a run.

on phone atm..can someone move me..triple if possible...

Dorgan hustles as quick as possible through the cramped tunnel with the others close behind. Up ahead, you notice a faint light at the end of the tunnel and the sound of Janira’s oration is close and clear. Reaching the surface involves traversing only another 120 feet of somewhat slick tunnels.

The light of the surface world above provides a welcome reprieve from the blue and green fungus of the caverns below, and the light of the full moon illuminates a stream whose water is hastened by runoff from a recent storm further up the mountains. A ledge to the west rises up to the nearby forest canopy.

The slope to the west gradually rises to a height of 20 feet, and creatures standing at its highest point benefit from both a commanding view of the battlefield and a clear vantage point for ranged attacks.

Nearly 100 feet from the cave’s entrance, Janira is locked in combat with her relentless minotaur foe in a clearing on the southern bank of the stream. After emerging from the cave and spotting the two in combat, Janira shouts,
“You vile beast! I know not what drives your black heart, but I shall not fail in my duty. I shall see you driven from this forest, back to the hills from whence you came!”
It appears Janira has sustained several serious wounds.

Initiatives and more to follow in next post...

The crunchy stuff:
The patches of woodland (green areas with dark brown tree trunks) are filled with underbrush that behaves as light undergrowth, creating difficult terrain and concealment. The trees are only a few decades old and do not completely occupy their respective squares. A creature that shares a space with one or more trees benefits from partial cover. The stream is about 10 feet wide and 5 feet deep in this area, and the water moves downstream from east to west at 30 feet per round. Treat this as rough water, which requires a DC 15 Swim check to navigate. A Large creature can walk through the water as though it were difficult terrain with a successful DC 12 Strength check. On a failed Strength check, such a creature is checked and unable to move farther that turn. A 3-foot-diameter tree truck spans the width of the river, creating an impromptu bridge. The trunk is slippery from the splashing water, and crossing it at half speed requires a successful DC 7 Acrobatics check, during which time the creature is treated as flatfooted for moving on a narrow surface. If the creature fails this check, it falls into the water unless it succeeds at a DC 13 Reflex save, in which case it lands prone on the trunk instead. We're on Slide 9.

Initiatives:
Dorgan: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Rahu: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Walks with Giants: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Halle: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Gaius: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Gemtoran: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Minotaur: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6

Gaius, Gemtoran, and Halle may act! Janira's Inspire Courage (+1) is in effect!

Gaius:
Gem:
Halle:
Rahu:
Walks:
Janira: Inspire Courage 5/5 rnds.
Minotaur:
Dorgan:

Gemtoran sprinted out of the cave, trying to make his way over, only to find the small trees blocking a clear path for him to get any good speed.

Double move

Moved you 1 square back, Gem. As noted above, the green patches are light underbrush/difficult terrain.

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 24

Gaius will expend a free action to activate his Agile Feet power from the Travel domain to ignore difficult terrain penalties to move his full 40'. His swift action will go to his Judgement class ability, and his standard action to fire his bow. It looks like 100ish' distance; if you want me to break out my geometry skillz for an exact number I can do so.

Gaius shouts at the creature, "Foul beast! Cease your attacks or be punished for your transgressions! The power of Hathor metes out Justice to all who disobey!"

MW Composite Longbow (+1 Str), with Justice and Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 191d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 = 10

Gaius, you are on the tan area. Only the green areas are difficult terrain. No need to use your agile feet where you are.

Weapon in hands, Halle double moves towards the trunk to cross. She doesn't say much, but it's visible that she looks even more terribly fey as she does so.

Still not in fey aspect, but very soon :)

ugh...hate going last...when it gets to my turn, just have Dorgan move as fast as possible...triple or quad speed if possible..if not a double do....just to expedite thing so you guys aren't waiting on me should it get to my turn...

Gaius and Halle sprint towards the combatants while Gaius moves a bit closer and lets an arrow loose.
The minotaur grunts in pain as the arrow, seemingly from nowhere, pierces its left bicep.
Janira turns her head towards the cave entrance to see the Pathfinders emerging.
"Thank goodness you're here! I'm hurt... pretty bad. I lost my sword and this whip does less damage than a wet noodle! I did manage to break the beast's axe, though!...
Let's take him down!!!"
She then scowls at the minotaur.
"You're in big trouble now, mister!"

Rahu & Walks are up!

Walks steps forward and pulls out a scroll of bless and casts it affecting everyone in the party. It takes him a moment to read through the smudges left by his dirty fingers.

"It's so good to not be crawling any longer. Hang in there Janira, help is on the way."

Gaius, you are on the tan area. Only the green areas are difficult terrain. No need to use your agile feet where you are.

Yep I read about the green area and the square I ended in, the green is starting to intrude into the square so I wasn't sure if it was difficult terrain or not. I magnified that baby like 3 times so everything is HUGE. :)

@GM and other rules gurus: Trying to help Dorgan out (grimdog73 usually posts from his phone so he can't work the map) and need help calculating his move. Dorgan moves 20', he's a dwarf so his armor doesn't hinder him. Under the 'Run' rules he can't run through difficult terrain. Under the 'Terrain and Obstacle' rules he can't charge across difficult terrain. Does this mean he couldn't make a double move through difficult terrain either? If that's the case then he might be able to move 35' or 40' and end up in the square right under Halle's token?

Rahu briefly basks in the glow of the blessing. "Thank you very much, Mr. Giants."

He then takes off toward the fight. As he runs along, he drops his sunrod and takes out his masterwork sai.

Grimdog & his Jitterbug Flip Phone, sheesh. A PC can double move through difficult terrain. It's basically just taking two single move actions. Each difficult terrain square counts as 10', though.

A double move is fine, as the GM said; it is just running or charging that is impossible in rough terrain, barring a special ability Like dragon style or the freedom of movement spell.

Walks blesses the group with a scroll while Rahu darts quickly towards the battle.

"You shall soon taste our fire, iron, and fury, foul beast!"
Janira continues to inspire the Pathfinders, however, she glances at the group with an anxious look, biting her lip.
She snaps her whip a few times at the minotaur, trying to keep it at bay. She then gives it another snap into its chest.
"Stay back, you ugly thing!"
whip & IC: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10
non-lethal: 1 + 1 = 2
The whip is no match against the hulking beast.

The minotaur cackles with an evil grin as he brings his mighty, but broken, battleaxe above his head and brings it down on the poor halfling.
broken axe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Janira deftly dodges the powerful blow!

Dorgan hustles forward towards the log bridge as quick as possible.

Gaius, Gem, & Halle are up! Bless & Inspire Courage are in effect & stack with each other! (+2 atk & +1 dmg).

Combat Status:
Gaius:
Gem:
Halle:
Rahu:
Walks:
Janira: Inspire Courage 4/5 rnds.
Minotaur: -10 hp
Dorgan:

Halle double moves again, releasing herself from the foliage and finally seeing the bridge.

Level 3 for woodland stride...

lol...it's not a flip phone...although i did have the first Motorola flip when they came out...i just can't navigate the screen with my fat fingers...

lol...it's not a flip phone...although i did have the first Motorola flip when they came out...i just can't navigate the screen with my fat fingers...

He's got dwarf fingers! 8)

Gaius moves forward easily through the underbrush thanks to the blessings of Hathor.

@GM: Using the domain power now to move 40' into the difficult terrain.

"I said cease your attacks or face the Judgement of Hathor!"

MW Composite Longbow (+1 Str), Divine Grace, Justice, and Bless: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 161d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 1 = 9

Still waiting on Gem. I'll bot him in a few hours if there's no word from him soon. Rahu & Walks may act!

Still waiting on Gem. I'll bot him in a few hours if there's no word from him soon. Rahu & Walks may act!

I can tell you, with 100% confidence, that Gemtoran is going to use his 1/module 'Summon Tarrasque' power and sick it on the minotaur! ;)

Either he will use the summon tarrasque or his five beads of fireball 12d6!

I don't have the rules right in front of me for his character, but I'll be sure to activate his summon tarrasque as his Swift action and then the fireball necklace as his standard. Oh wait. He has unlimited teleport for his move actions, right?

Walks just hurries along behind the others, not making much progress. Perhaps because he knows there is no way he's going to be able to cross the stream quickly and safely with all the armor he's wearing.

Rahu continues to rush toward the creature, stopping just out of attack range as he steels hiimself to fight.

LOL
Trying to gather speed, Gemtorian tripped as he foot lost its traction, sending him into the water. Going for a dip, he struggled out of the water on the other side.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Ok, so much for trying to jump over it. I guess that I go 30' down the stream and come out on the other side. Not sure if I still have the longspear

LOL

Trying to gather speed, Gemtorian tripped as he foot lost its traction, sending him into the water. Going for a dip, he struggled out of the water on the other side.

[dice=Acrobatics]d20+4
[dice=Swim]d20+2
Ok, so much for trying to jump over it. I guess that I go 30' down the stream and come out on the other side. Not sure if I still have the longspear

Since you rolled a 1 on your Acrobatics check, the GM has to roll on the 'Critical Failure' chart to see if Gemtoran impaled himself on his longspear... (kidding!)

#2 I'd make you roll an attack roll and if you 'hit' the ground with your spear, I'd let you polevault. ;)

Gaius' arrow sticks into the minotaur's left thigh. It turns and snarls menacingly in the group's direction. Walks hustles behind the party, trying to keep up.

Gemtoran rushes towards the stream and leaps...
Right into the water. He manages to swiftly suli paddle to the other side with spear in hand.
I'll just rule that your second move action is the swim check that gets you to the other side of the stream. No being swept downstream & no impalement on your spear, lol. The edges of the stream are difficult terrain, though, due to the sandy and rock-strewn sides.

Bloodied, battered, and exhausted, Janira staggers back behind the nearest trunk of a tree. She puts her hands on her knees for a moment to catch her breath. She then stands firm, snaps her head to the side to pop a vertebrae in her neck, then rolls her shoulders forward ready to continue to fight.
She calls out to her companions,
"One day, Pathfinders, your grandchildren shall tell the tale of this victorious battle! Make sure it happens!"

The minotaur yanks the arrow out of its bicep (for cinematic purposes), a short spray of blood following. The great beast snorts and moves towards,
1-3 Gem, 4-6 Rahu: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Rahu,
as it snarls and digs its hooves in the ground.
With only half of the cracked iron blade still attached to the haft, the beast twirls the axe in hand and strikes.
broken axe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
slashing: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5) + 4 = 11
Almost dropping the monk with a single blow!

Dorgan continues to hustle forward.
(35' to get you to the log bridge.)

Gaius, Gem, & Halle are up! Bless & Inspire Courage are in effect! (+2 atk & +1 dmg).

Combat Status:
Gaius:
Gem:
Halle:
Rahu: Disabled at 0 hp!
Walks:
Janira: Inspire Courage 3/5 rnds.
Minotaur: -19 hp
Dorgan:

@GM: Since Gaius exited the green area, would he need to use another round of his Travel domain power? I'll do so to get him to his current spot.

Watching one of his teammates take a savage hit from the minotaur, Gaius moves closer and prays to Horus to guide his aim.

"Horus, guide and protect us, let my shot be true!"

MW Composite Longbow (+1 Str), Divine Grace, Justice, PBS: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 211d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 11

@GM #2: I copied and pasted part of the wrong text and there is no +2 to hit from Divine Grace. What's weirder is I didn't have the +2 to damage so I'm not sure how I managed to screw that up; I guess I deleted the +2 damage but forgot to remove the +2 to hit. Please adjust the rolls accordingly for this hit and the previous attack. Sorry for the confusion.

Moved map near to the top of Slide deck.

@Gaius: I don't think you need to use Agile Feet. I don't remember where you were originally. Tan areas are normal terrain. If a square is covered with more than 50% of a type of terrain, treat it as that type.

@Gaius, part 2: You do get +2 to hit from Inspire Courage & Bless, and a +1 to damage from IC.

Brutally wounded by the minotaur's axe, Rahu steps away from the creature and swiftly drinks a healing potion kept in his bandolier.

Potion of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

I can only take out the potion this round, but will drink it next round.

Moved map near to the top of Slide deck.

@Gaius: I don't think you need to use Agile Feet. I don't remember where you were originally. Tan areas are normal terrain. If a square is covered with more than 50% of a type of terrain, treat it as that type.

@Gaius, part 2: You do get +2 to hit from Inspire Courage & Bless, and a +1 to damage from IC.

He started his movement in a green square; I marked on the map with a lightning bolt where he was at. I think it's green plus he has another 2 rounds of his Agile Feet if he needs it.