GM Badblood's Down the Verdant Path #09-14 (Inactive)

Game Master Lance K

Bahram looks thoughtfully at the chestnut that Relgar produces.

Well, I'm certainly not giving over my nut. Heh.. Bahram chuckles to himself.

Looking over at the things he does have... Not a weapon, not armor or anything else I would need...

Bahram pulls off a brass ring from his finger and hands it over.

"This is the ring of the high priestess of Saranrae. It was her that led me to revering the lady of the sun. This should do."

At least my wooden armor won't rust.

I have a spare inkpen, since I rotate amongst the three I have while I write. That should work.

He carefully packs away his things, making sure anything that might suffer from being wet is sealed, and covering his Cold Iron Light Mace, lest the Fey be insulted by the sight of it.

He keeps the inkpen in his hand so he can clutch it to his chest during the journey.

"I'll let them have my rolling pin. It's filled with love from all the pies I've made with it, and filled with joy from all the bad guys I've conked over the head with it!"

Relgar nods at the others but especially at Jilla. The gnome's bright blue eyes twinkle with a hint of mischief and joviality.

"Are you sure you want to give them your rolling pin? I know that your gift will take the cake." the gnome says with a grin.

"But how will you make the apple pie at the end of the mission?"

Personally if it was a choice between mission success or apple pie I would choose pie every time. :)

Adowyn offers her flask of acid, "In case they're interested in alchemy."

OK, Alecto is the only one who hasn't picked an item yet!

As the party approaches the well, they look down and see that the water is swirling with specks of green, orange and icy blue.

Jamila says, "I will stay here and prepare a ritual ready to make sure that this rift stays sealed after you safely return."

Falbin takes one look at the strange colors swirling around in the well and shakes his head. "Nah. I think I'll leave this one up to the professionals. Good luck in there."

When they are ready, Azure explains that when they jump into the well they will need to hold their object to their hearts. "Then you will need to be prepared to spin around three times widdershins. After this you will fall into the other side." Azure then explains that once they are finished they can return back to the Material Plane by simply doing the same movements in reverse.

To make it into the other side everyone will have to pass a Swim DC 16 to perform those three spins. Everyone just needs to roll until they make it. And animal companions and combat familiars will also need to make their own Swim checks as well.

Swim with ACP: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Swim for Leryn: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Swim with ACP: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Swim for Leryn: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Swim for Leryn: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Swim for Leryn: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Swim DC 16: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

This may take a while

Swim DC 16: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Swim DC 16: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Swim DC 16: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Swim DC 16: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Swim DC 16: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Swim DC 16: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

One! If necessary, he can pop his Air Crystals

Swim DC 16: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Two!

Swim DC 16: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Swim DC 16: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Swim DC 16: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Swim DC 16: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Three

swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

"Whew! That was exhausting."

My gift to the Eldest will be a wooden symbol of Green Mother. It seems to us that she is also Eldest... This symbol... we pray with it, which means it is full of energy. Let it please Them.

Pressing the symbol to her chest, and clutching the Air Crystal in her other hand, Alecto jumps into the whirlpool...

Swim: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Swim: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Swim: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Jilla pinches her nose and hops in!

Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18
That's one!
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16
That's Two!
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18
Three!

Relgar's eyes brighten at the mention of a new arcane ritual. He is a relatively new member of the Dark Archive but he is eager to learn.

"Jamila, perhaps you can include me in this ritual? This is useful information to bring back to the society."

Relgar also asks Azure if they need to make an offering on the return trip back home.

The gnome leaves his rations with Falbin not wishing to take his lunch for a rinse and a spin. He grabs his two small ioun stones and stores them in his spell component pouch for safekeeping. He removes a scroll of Reduce Person from his scroll box before carefully closing the box and placing it back in his backpack.

Now, something interesting does happen. Gregor shrinks back down a very small size and then lands on Relgar's shoulder. Then the familiar seems to vanish and reappear as a tattoo on Relgar's neck.

Relgar being an absolutely lousy swimmer decides to attempt to ride between the waves instead of fighting against them. He clutches his lucky chestnut as he reads his scroll shrinking himself down to a really tiny size (Reduce Person). Then holding his breath he takes the plunge into the well.

@GM Badblood - Relgar's familiar is now in tattoo form. Relgar is now tiny size and can use his dexterity modifier for climb and swim rolls.

Swim: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Swim: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Swim: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

After three attempts the gnome surfs the waves to the other side.

Adowyn, Leryn, Alecto and Relgar all emerge out of the water at the same time. They find themselves in water that is surprisingly frigid and emerge in the center of a hole in a frozen lake. They quickly realize that if they can't make a slippery climb up onto the broken ice, they will start getting hypothermia and could even die.

Everyone will need to make a DC 13 Climb check to escape from the water. If you're in the water for too long your PC will start taking damage. And of course, anyone who does make it out can then provide Aid checks to someone else (Relgar will be an exception, as a downside of being Tiny is that I just don't think he'd be strong enough to meaningfully assist in pulling someone out of the water)

Jilla will emerge in round 3, Jack will emerge in round 4, and Holmes will emerge in round 5.

You can save your Air crystals, no one is underwater long enough to worry about drowning.

Worst case scenario, would Adowyn's Resist Energy help vs. the cold? Is this a situation where a PC can take 10 on their Climb check?

Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Climb (aid): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 ouch
Climb (aid): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Climb (aid): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Clinging with her own hands-vines, Alecto easily pulls herself out, but it seems that her musculature (or how to call it in such a being) is absolutely not designed to pull something else...

I forgot the +2 Dexterity bonus for being smaller. I have now corrected that oversight.

The tiny Relgar attempts to climb out of the water and after twelve seconds of trying he is successful.

Climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

The gnome is now too small to assist with pulling but he can still use magic. With a gesture he magically dry cleans himself (Prestidigitation is cast) and then turns to wick the chilly water away from Alecto. He is quick to magically clean everyone as they clear the lake. He magically warms up his own (and others) clothing to just the right temperature to help to counter-act the chilly encounter.

when it gets to round 4...

climb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

climb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

two actions in round 4 to get out, and an aid attempt to help Holmes.

aid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Climb with ACP: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Adowyn will assist any others having trouble climbing out of the water and ice.

Climb with ACP Assist: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Climb with ACP Assist: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Climb with ACP Assist: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Climb with ACP Assist: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Hopefully this means no one was left on/in the ice long enough to take any cold damage.

Bringing up the rear, when round 5 rolls around

Climb check to get out, DC 13: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Holmes scrambles up out of the hole in the ice and reaches back to help anyone remaining.

Climb check to aid, DC 10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Climb check to aid, DC 10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Climb check to aid, DC 10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Hopefully everyone is out by then.

Jilla hops out, shivering like a Shiver addict!

To Climb out in Round 3--please factor in Aid Anothers if they are available.

Climb: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Climb: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Climb: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Climb: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Round 1

Adowyn, Leryn, Alecto and Relgar all emerge out of the water at the same time, but find themselves on a lake that is frozen. Adowyn and Leryn both manage to pull themselves out of the water and onto the ice. Alecto also manages to get their leg out of the water and rolls onto the ice. Relgar struggles getting a good enough grip on to ice to pull themselves out of the water and splash around for a bit.

Round 2
Now that they're out of the water, Adowyn and Alecto have a chance to look around.

This picturesque lake and its sylvan surroundings do not just happen to be in a cold climate, but they have been flash-frozen. Radiant flowers hang from nearby boughs, encased in a rime of frost. Just above the tree line frozen birds float suspended in mid-takeoff. On the ground near the lakeshore, a small campfire burns without heat or motion, even its flames sheathed in ice.

Relgar finally manages to climb onto the ice. Unfortunately, the gnome suffered some minor hypothermia from the short period of time he was stuck in the icy water.

Cold damage, non-lethal, Relgar : 1d6 ⇒ 5

Perched in a tree there is a humanoid dressed in green studded leather armor and wielding a bow. "You have created a breach scar in our domain! For this crime, you have been marked for death by Daisag of the Whirlwood wild hunt!"

Round 3
Jilla suddenly emerges from the surface of the lake at this point, to find herself gasping at the cold temperatures.

Adowyn, Leryn, Alecto, and Relgar are out of the water. Jilla is still in the water. Holmes and Jack are "somewhere else."

Attempting to climb out of the water is a move action. Everyone climbing out of the water will also be prone. At the beginning of round 3 Relgar is the only one prone, as he took two actions last turn getting out of the water. Aiding another is a standard action. Attempting to talk to Daisig using a Bluff, Diplomacy or Intimidate check is also a standard action. The action is in rounds, but we're not in initiative yet. From this point on, everyone making Climb checks will make new ones. This may benefit Jack and Jilla; but put Holmes at a disadvantage. I'm doing the rerolls though, in case someone wants to do something else besides Climb now that the situation has changed.

Party members who are on the map can also do other actions; including spell casting and movement; but if anyone wants to attack Daisig on Round 3 then we'll have to go right into initiative.

And finally, this entire map is difficult terrain due to everything being covered in ice.

Knowing she's no diplomat, Adowyn sets about helping her fellow Pathfinders out of the water and onto their feet.

If allowed, I'll use the rolls from Adowyn above to assist those still getting out of the water.

With an absolutely unperturbed look, Alecto, with a click sound, takes out a wand of mage armor that was hidden in her sleeve and casts this spell on herself (swift & standard actions). Then, putting the wand back, she addresses the creatures in Sylvan:

Greetings to you. If you want to fight, so be it. But know this! We didn't open this gap. And we wish to close it. So instead of fighting we can join our efforts if this breach harms your world, because it harms ours too.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

A strange floral fragrance in this frost spreads from her in all directions...

(If it will be seen that they do not understand Sylvan, then Alecto will repeat it in common)

The Diplomacy check is a standard action. It requires effort and concentration.

Good! Then Alecto took out her wand, but she hasn't cast a spell yet - it's much more important to talk now.

@GM Badblood - Would additional Diplomacy checks be aids to Alecto or separate checks?

Relgar stands up and decides to magically dry clean himself, his clothes and equipment. Prestidigitation is cast. At his current size this is a very quick affair.

The archer doesn't seem to recognize Sylvan, so Alecto starts talking in Common instead. The archer does seem to recognize this, but does not speak. Instead she just pauses and keeps her bow trained on the party as they struggle with pulling Jilla out of the frozen lake. Down below her tree big mammal covered in bristly hairs watches the group intently.

Alecto has achieved the best result the party could get with that roll.

If we just want to assume everyone is going to try to climb out first and just go with the Climb rolls already made, Jilla will take damage before getting out of the water. Holmes and Jack can get out without taking damage.

Relgar, Alecto, Adowyn will get two rounds worth of non-violent actions. Jilla and Jack will get 1 round of non-violent actions; although Jack would need to spend a movement action to stand up. Holmes is going to emerge from the water last.

Cold, Non-lethal: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Relgar will also have 5 non-lethal damage from cold and Jilla will have 6 non-lethal damage, on top of the damage that she already took from that frog that was never healed.

Leading up to round six
Relgar - 2 standard, 2 move actions, -5 nl
Alecto - 2 standard, 2 move actions
Adowyn - 2 standard, 2 move actions
Jilla - 1 standard, 1 move action, -6 nl, -11
Jack - 1 standard, 1 move action, prone

Alecto's words have managed to get the archer thinking but its not clear how long that will last and she is showing no signs of lowering her bow. So far, as long as no one is attacking her or moving *closer* than 30 feet away, though, she Daisag doesn't seem like she is going to attack.

Basically, you get some time to heal, cast buffs and to climb out of the water.

Adowyn uses her wand to cure Jilla.

Cure Light Wounds Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

I'll cast mage armor on self. And then I will help comrades to get out of water if needed - I'll to take 10 on aid.

Jilla shivers, bouncing from foot to foot, trying to warm up as she hugs herself. Noticing the strange figure in the trees, she speaks through chattering teeth to her fellow Pathfinders. "Who's this weirdo?"

Jilla shivers, bouncing from foot to foot, trying to warm up as she hugs herself. Noticing the strange figure in the trees, she speaks through chattering teeth to her fellow Pathfinders. "Who's this weirdo?"

"She is under the impression we caused the rift between our world and the First World and said we've been "marked for death by Daisag of the Whirlwood wild hunt" - whomever and whatever those things are."

@Alecto - You can never take 10 on Aid checks. You need to roll it.

@GM Badblood - I am wondering what the wind conditions are like at the frozen lake?

wind conditions are normal.

It is true, you can't take 10 or take 2O on an aid other check

Also, healing will heal BOTH non-lethal and lethal damage at the same time.

Bahram pulls himself up and takes stock of the situation. Seeing that the creature in the tree cannot be swayed after hearing Alecto's concise retort, Bahram prepares himself for battle once again.

"Say, I don't suppose you can help us close up this nasty old rift, could you? He asks. Stalling for time while he recasts mirror image.

Move - stand
Action - Mirror image

images: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Relgar now bone dry from his Prestidigitation spell springs into the action. He draws forth his scroll box from his backpack and then takes out a scroll of Obscuring Mist. He then casts Obscuring Mist and under the concealment of the mist moves to a new location. In the meanwhile Gregor changes from a tattoo into a living familiar and then flies to a nearby location. Gregor grows to medium size and then walks five feet under the concealment of the fog to be adjacent to Relgar.

Obscuring Mist is now up.

"Huh." Jilla screws up her face and then shouts to the figure in the tree. "Hey lady, you've got it ass backwards! We didn't open the rift, we came here to close it. Any tips on how we can do that?"

Are you sure you don't want to help us? - Alecto speaks calmly, despite the spreading fog and the growing tension before the battle of her comrades - However, it will suit us just if you don't interfere. What do you say?

"Huh." Jilla screws up her face and then shouts to the figure in the tree. "Hey lady, you've got it ass backwards! We didn't open the rift, we came here to close it. Any tips on how we can do that?"

Adowyn healed Jilla 7, are her HP in the header accurate? If so she needs another charge.

wind conditions are normal.

It is true, you can't take 10 or take 2O on an aid other check

Also, healing will heal BOTH non-lethal and lethal damage at the same time.

Waiting for Jilla's HP update before taking Adowyn's 2nd standard. It's either healing Jilla again or casting Feather Step since you wrote the ice is "difficult terrain" and Feather Step should eliminate the movement issues.

Sorry, my bad! I've adjusted the tagline. The magical healing takes care of the nonlethal damage and heals most of the "real" damage taken earlier in the session. Thanks!

Sorry, my bad! I've adjusted the tagline. The magical healing takes care of the nonlethal damage and heals most of the "real" damage taken earlier in the session. Thanks!

Seeing that Jilla is still wounded, Adowyn heals her again.

Cure Light Wounds Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Yes I know it's only 4 HP but Adowyn critted and the GM reminded me a longbow is a x3 crit weapon.

Daisag shouts "Your lies aren't going to save you and neither will your summoned mists. When they wear out, there will be nowhere to escape!"

Due to being inside the cloud of fog, no one can actually see the archer right now. As she shouts her intention to kill the party, Holmes' head suddenly emerges from the icy water.

Round 1
DAISAG
Adowyn
-Leryn
Holmes (He can spend his actions automatically climbing out and stand up on his turn if he'd like)
Relgar
Jilla
Bahram "Jack"
Alecto
Hound

Holmes will use his actions to climb out of the hole in the ice and stand up.

"Don't worry everyone! That last wand I tried was a dud, but this one's supposed to be good!" Jilla draws forth a different wand and gives it a good shake, but again nothing happens. "Drat! Maybe I need to flick my wrist more . . ."

Trying and failing to activate my CL3 wand of summon monster I

Use Magic Device: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Hefting his ax over his shoulder, Bahram will trudge forward to escape the fog, and make progress toward the hostiles. Double move

"I really don't want to hurt your pet mister. You're making your own choice, but this guy doesn't deserve it."

Note to self; review subdual attacks...with a great axe.

It looks like the archer has disappeared.

Jack can make a Perception check to spot her.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

The archer has moved to a different tree, and is hiding in the tree branches ten feet off the ground.

Relgar smiles at Jilla's antics. The tiny sorcerer shifts his closed scroll box to his buckler hand while a wand comes shooting out of his spring loaded wrist sheath in his free hand. He speaks a word of power beginning the slow activation process of this wand. In the meanwhile his much larger familiar grabs him in a claw as a person would pick up a rag doll and then takes off. Gregor is careful to ascend slowly and remain within the safety of the cloud.

Gregor and Relgar are flying at an altitude of 15 feet and are occupying the same square.

Relgar
Shift item from hand to hand - free action
Draw wand from spring-loaded wrist sheath - swift action
Activate wand of Summon Monster I, CL 3 - 1 round action
Gregor
Grab Relgar - move action
Fly - move action

Round 1
DAISAG
Adowyn
-Leryn
Holmes
Relgar -casting
Jilla
Bahram "Jack" - 5 images
Alecto
Hound