PbP Outpost VI - Heroes for Highdelve - GM NOWRUZ (Inactive)

Game Master noral

I think androids eat but you decide for yourself! ;-)

Kyomi returns from the bathroom.

”Sorry for the long wait! What all did I miss?”

Let's go an' volunteer to help sort this ole' mess out. This situation is like some meat pie where the baker put green veggies in it and spoiled the whole damn taste of it.

Looks like we'd better step up and pick out the pees.

Torgen makes a move to the center of the mob.
We'll go and make things right. Collect the two misfits, figure out the root of the problem, and get the items that are missing back. The four of us should be more than up to the task. All you others stay and patch up the
flower power couple. This festival is too nice and jovial to dower the mood. Get it back up and running, knowing that we'z got the situation being handled.

He leans over to Kyomi. I'll give you a quick update in a second.

Torgen makes a move to the center of the mob.
We'll go and make things right. Collect the two misfits, figure out the root of the problem, and get the items that are missing back. The four of us should be more than up to the task. All you others stay and patch up the
flower power couple. This festival is too nice and jovial to dower the mood. Get it back up and running, knowing that we'z got the situation being handled.

A man in the crowd looks at Torgen and shouts "We don’t know you! Why should we trust you?! We have to get Aurelliax to help!"

The mayor looks at the man ruefully. "These bullies are two of our own!"

The people in the crowd give a regretful nod.

"You all know the rules! I'm terribly sorry," Mayor Qarl continues, "but I'm afraid that Aurelliax can't directly help. You see, Aurelliax promised our forebears that she would never interfere in the town's interpersonal matters. She cannot turn her wrath against any of our town-not even if they might deserve it."

She turns to the crowd and also looks at Torgen. "Are there any among you who are willing to be heroes for Highdelve? Could you retrieve these bullies and Aurelliax's amulet? I assure you all that I will award those successful most generously!”

Alyyra, already on her way to speak to the mayor about looking for the two wayward youths, breaks her stride and nods. "My companions and I will go!" There's an eager excitement in her voice, almost a giddiness. "... and don't worry about delivering the amulet to Aurelliax, we'll take care of that too!" She tries to contain her excitement, but likely fails.

”Thank you, visitors! Please, travel up Dendra’s slope, directly west of town about 3 miles," the mayor says gently looking at Alyyra.

"It sounds like the bullies are still there. The brightbloom patch is just past an old abandoned shack-that's where you'll want to start looking."

”Find these wayward youths, and return them along with Aurelliax's amulet to the people. We'll bring back the brightblooms to the square, and Kameer and Kara here can hand them out as planned. We'll commence the Brightbloom Ball and put all of this unpleasantness behind us!"

Nicely done Alyyra. The crowd wasn't certain about me, but when you spoke up - they listened! You had them right in your pocket and I'll make certain the Grandmaster hears about your powers of persuasion and reputation in Highdelve.
torgen takes the cigar out of his mouth and holds it between the middle and index finger of his right hand. He uses his thumb to flick the drag end of the cigar in a rhythmic manner. flick, and the cigar bobs up and down like a toggled level.

Let's put our notes together and understand the depth of the issue. I think there's info some of us got -that others might not know. But let us do this as we walk. We have a 3 mile trek and it appears time is of the essence. I'll take the lead in case the youths want to kick up some monkey dust.

GM, for me at least, feel free to advance us to the shack.

”That shack probably has treasure, in it! Let’s go!”, responds Kyomi, gleefully

Turning to the assembled townsfolk, the mayor asks "Do any of you have things you might loan to this group?"

Yarla steps forward with a smile. "I just so happen to have a crate of items in my inventory right now, bound for a bodyguard firm in Port Ice. I'm sure they wouldn't mind a little quality control testing on one or two."

Looking at you, she adds "I might even have some blunt arrows, too."

She will loan anyone that wants one a sap and 10 blunt arrows.

"Maybe it has treasure, but we've got a mission to do first!" Alyyra can't help but share Kyomi's excitement, but her dedication to the work still prevails.

She takes a moment to browse Yarla's inventory. "Oh, I'm, uh... I was never the best with a bow" she says, now very aware of the bow awkwardly strapped to her back, "but perhaps that's all the more reason to get some blunt arrows! That way, whe--err, um, if I misfire, I won't hurt anyone that badly! Thank you so kindly! Though perhaps more useful would be any information you have on Dendra's Slope? What kinds of creatures should we expect, what's the land like?"

Torgen picks up the Sap. He hefts it and nods.
Yup, just the right tool for the job.

The mayor and the rest of the towns folk tell you that the slope has a hut and cave nearby but there is nothing dangerous about it.

~

You are starting your journey to Dendra's Slope

After a quick trip to Yarla's warehouse, you head toward Dendra's Slope, about three miles away.

As you approach the slope, you see a wagon full of already-picked brightblooms, and remember the mayor saying they would come pick it up once you've dealt with the bullies.

You can see a dilapidated hut, a nearby slope covered in flowers, and a cave entrance a little ways away.

Map is up. Where to?

Does Alyyra know nature?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 Yes, but not enough for this...

"I think I've shared everything I've learned around the town? You know by now that I can't keep my mouth shut." A giggle, a mixture of honest amusement and nervousness.

When not sharing information with her companions, Alyyra plays her flute while walking with the group, a marching song. Not a military tune, but rather something with a rapid pace that helps inspire the group to cover ground while keeping energy levels high. Just to be clear, no mechanical benefit, just doing it for fun :)

She stops playing to examine the hut, curious about whether there'll be anything useful or anything that gives her information about finding Richelle and Tolwin, or any other information.

Guessing this is Perception?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

”Perhaps we check out the campsite? See if there’s any valuable rations there?”

As you approach the hut, you begin to get your bearings.

You quickly scan the surroundings for potential threats or things that seem out of place.

You see no other movement around the valley.

The outside of this dilapidated shack is moldy and has walls full of holes. Its rotted doors hang open on broken hinges. You cannot hear any movement from within.

”Perhaps we check out the campsite? See if there’s any valuable rations there?”

Makeshift Campsite

A rusty metal pot sits over an extinguished campfire in this hastily prepared resting stop. Three logs are pulled near the fire, and in between are several marks scrawled in the dirt.

The marks scrawled in the dirt are crude drawings of a two-headed stick figure that’s shown emerging from a cave and running toward some houses.

The rock formations surrounding the cave are identical to the rock at the west end of the map (area C4).

Alyyra plays her flute while walking with the group, a marching song

Torgen keeps a solid marching cadence with the tune of the flute.

As he gets in the area, he agrees that checking out the campfire seems like the smartest thing.
He takes stock of the area.

intelligence: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10
Hmmm.. looks like someone drew their plans in the dirt. Look -in- likes.... something that's in that cave. Be it a two headed something is being drawn out and aimed at some farms or a town or something.
What say you all? You reading this here picture the same way? Also, what's got two heads? An Ettin? Damn. An Ettin is a fierce beast. No way it's around this place and so close to town and a dragon. What other creatures have two heads?

Also, While I'd like to check out the hut in a bit, there's this strange rock up in the west. You all mind coming over to it (head to C4), I have an eye for unusual stonework.

He does to the rock at the west end of the map and checks for unusual stonework.
perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Can Alyyra survive?: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10 Yes! Can I determine with that roll how many sets of footprints there are?
Intelligence: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 E=mc²! I actually had a chance to work with this equation in university. Gives you a whole new appreciation for scientific notation.

Alyyra blushes at the compliment. "Th-thank you! It's nothing special, just something I learned at the Bard college. Figured it'd get use when I'm out exploring!"

She takes a look at the hut and examines the footprints, then the marks in the dirt. Careful not to disturb them, she confers with Torgen. "Hmm... I'm not really sure. As you know, we got some basic training on creatures to expect in our travels at the Academy, but philosophy isn't where I'm strongest, I'm afraid. Still, dragons don't know everything, they can't be everywhere at once, so I think it's possible something like that could be here." Can I make a knowledge roll to see if I know of any other two-headed humanoids? She shrugs, her brow furrowed, as she follows Torgen to the rocks. While not her favorite scenery, she still appreciates the beauty, taking it all in. "A bit colder than I'd like, but still pretty!"

kn local works. Entering the hut?

Seeing a couple of his companions making a straight line towards the hut, Torgen interjects. Before we go to the hut, I really want to check out that rock formation. I just have a weird feeling about it. If everything checks out, we'll head to the hut next,

While I'd like to check out the hut in a bit, there's this strange rock up in the west. You all mind coming over to it (head to C4),

Survival DC10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Intelligence DC10: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

”Hold up, gang! I may not see any reason for immediate danger, but I still don’t trust these suspiciously ending footprint tracks I spotted! Quick, everyone! Check the trees!”

Alyyra is in the middle of dashing off to follow Torgen when Kyomi catches her attention. "I think we would've heard something if there was someone in the trees, or spotted something, right? Doesn't seem to be anything there. And" she says, moving close to whisper to Kyomi,

Hey Y'all! Hurray up - there's stuff to find here and the two young adults are getting even more of a head start on us.
I bet this stone has got some secrets. Otherwise, let's check out the hut for clues. But, let's all keep together, we are easier to pick off if we get out of sight from each other. There's a two headed whats-it-not around and we don't need to be it's meal.

Also, we'd be needin' to go into that cave. Who here needs some o' that light to see by? I think Alyrra and I are good in the dark. Kyomi and Tuke, can you'z see in the dark?

Whatever it is, it's important; Torgen wouldn't be making this big of a deal about it if not! After pleading her case to Kyomi, Alyyra jogs back up to Torgen and follows him to the stone. She tries to get some sense of what he sees in it, but it's just a big rock in her eyes. They're big, and heavy, and sure, they can be so colorful! But she doesn't have the dwarven talent for making beautiful stonework, doesn't have the dwarven affinity for rocks and other things found deep in the earth. Her heart echoes the songs of trees and other things that grow in the light of day, not in the dark of caves. So she merely listens and nods her head at appropriate points. I wish I could think of a question to ask or something, even if just to be polite...

"I can sort of see in the cave--though not as well as yourself, of course! I did bring some torches in case Kyomi and Tuke need some help there, and beyond that I'm able to conjure magical light. Though I'd sooner not announce our presence that way if possible! I'm afraid that if completely dark deeper inside, I will need to have some light to see by. My eyes aren't quite as good as yours, master dwarf."

Ah, you are being polite - and I love that from ya'. Your college done edu-macated you up just right. You also hit on the root of my question.

Though I'd sooner not announce our presence that way if possible!

Yup. My thoughts exactly. If we can see in the cave without a beacon of sparklies - let's do it. Kyomi is the first Kitsune I have worked with - so I have holes in my head that I'm trying to get filled. Kyomi and Tuke, -you able to see in the dark or do you need a torch or Alyrra's sparkle magic to see?

Alyyra smiles at the compliment, maybe blushes a bit. "Thank you!" Goodness, kitsunes--is that even the proper plural?--and androids. I've only seen them in Absalom, never worked with them. I'm learning so much!

"I do have an idea about the beacon of sparklies as you put it--I could conjure the light on a coin or something one of us could put in our pocket or in our bag. That way we can hide it, and the light, if needed. Not quite the same as approaching without a beacon, but still wiser than having it on a weapon or the like." She turns to Kyomi and Tuke. "So, do you need some light? I'm afraid I don't know much about you!"

Brightbloom Patch

This patch of white and gold flowers presents a lovely scene marred by two jarring elements. Beside the flowers is a lopsided wooden cart with one wheel broken and no cargo. Near the cart are deep scuffle marks as well as a few drops of a dark liquid.

~

You suddenly spot some movement behind the big rock across the valley from the flowers, in front of the cave entrance.

ini +1: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
ini (Alyyra ): 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7
ini ( Torgen: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
ini ( Kyomi Swiftpaw): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
ini(Tuke Aran): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Suddenly, you see two figures making a small step from behind two rock formation and they have longbows in their hands. They look similar to the flyer you found on Richelle and Tolwin.

~

Initiative

Tuke
Torgen

Richelle
Tolwin

Alyyra
Kyomi

Bold is up.

Hey, Hey - no need to have weapons drawn! We can keep this peaceful like. The Venture Captain Drendle Dreng wanted to check in on you - being that your parents were Pathfinders! You don't want to hurt people that are hon'or'inz the memory of your parents doe'z ya? Alyrra, you want to talk them into lowering their bows?

Torgen puts his hands up in a non threatening way, but takes a couple steps forward just to be in front of the others. If an arrow needs to be loosed this day, he wants to be the target vs the others in his group.

Will go on delay, looks like Torgen has a peaceful solution.

I just checked the rules and the CRB (pg 188) says I can speak out of turn, so if you'll let me do that and make a Diplomacy check as part of it...

Alyyra sees the two coming out with bows. oh no oh no She raises her hands in a peaceful gesture.

"Hey, hey. We don't want to hurt you."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 ... figures.

Suddenly, you see two figures making a move and arrows are flying in your direction.

Longbow @torgen: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Longbow damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

One arrow pierced the dwarf’s shoulder.

Longbow @ Alyyra: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Longbow damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

~

Initiative

Tuke
Torgen, -3
Alyyra
Kyomi

Richelle
Tolwin

Bold is up.

With an arrow sticking out of his thigh, Torgen's eyes narrow.
Aw Azmodeus's influence! This ain't right. You kids have been left without proper discipline long enough. There is an ass whippin' coming for the both of you. Time for that nouveau touch-ee feel-ee to be over and good ole' Dwarven clan discipline to kick in. Get 'em Pathfinders!

Torgen advances. Pulling out the sap the received earlier. While he'd prefer to fight two handed, he wants this to be a controlled encounter -meant to get them under control and not maim them.

double move and pull out weapon.

Pull out gun and steps inside hut for cover. Unless we ain't on slide 1.

Torgen mutters under his breath about how the townsfolk handed them blunted and padded arrows and a sap - while the two delinquents are shooting sharp tipped arrows! Unbeknownst to Torgen, Tuke is pulling out the heavy equipment. Possibly going lethal weapon to lethal weapon.

Well, that didn't work... time for another tactic. Alyyra starts playing her flute. She weaves a spell into the song, targetting Richelle. It's a soft, soothing song, almost like a lullaby. We don't want to hurt you...!

Casting Sleep on Richelle, Will DC 14 to negate.

Sleep is 1 round casting time. Kyomi is UP!

GMPC Kyomi? She hasn't posted in two weeks- do we want to see if there's another that will jump into the story?

Kyomi moves forward.

Richelle steps back and shoots an arrow at her but misses.

Longbow @torgen: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Tolwin steps back, drops the bow, draws his longsword and attacks Tolwin but the dwarf can block.

“You do not understand anything!! Go!! Just go!!“ he shouts.

Longsword : 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

~

will : 1d20 ⇒ 16

The sleep spell is ineffective.

~

Initiative

Tuke
Torgen, -3
Alyyra
Kyomi

Richelle
Tolwin

Bold is up.

“You do not understand anything!! Go!! Just go!!“

Looking at Tolwin a bit non-plused,

Thinking there's more that he is missing, he tries to read Tolwin a bit.
sense motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

He also intimidates Tolwin and hopefully Richelle.
intimidate: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

Alright! Critical! Note the nat 20 on the intimidate! I was like Wolverine

Tuke doublemoves, he is slowly making his way back around.

It's clear to Alyyra that a fight is inevitable, so she takes cover behind the hut while starting a different kind of song: this one a battle song. It floats through the air and rouses her companions to battle!

Inspire Courage: An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

Can one of you please bot Kyomi. Thanks

Botting Kyomi

The fox like person stalks forward toward Richelle.
That was not very honorable, jumping out from hiding and shooting at us. I have learned a lot and hold true to the tenets of being a Pathfinder. Explore, Report, and Cooperate.
You- Richelle - had Pathfinder parents, yet you do not cooperate. I'm going to have to take that Bow from you. You are misusing it.

Kyomi moves forward, taking a faux step to the left, but really springing right. Wrapping her arms around the mid section of Richelle.
grapple: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 1 = 17

Kyomi is able to hold on to Richelle but she’s resilient and frees herself.

cmb to escape vs cmd 14: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Tolwin uses his longsword and attacks Tolwin again but the dwarf can block.

“You will die. They will kill you!! Go!! Now!“ he shouts.

Longsword : 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

You are all up!

Alyyra continues playing her rousing battle song, moving up to be within range of Tolwin and Richelle. She hurries her pace, eager to defend her allies. She's still aiming not to use violence, believing that a peaceful solution still exists.

Not quite sure where I am; I said in an earlier post that I positioned myself behind the hut for cover, but my token is still in the middle of the battlefield. My goal is to move myself to within 25 feet of Richelle to cast Daze on her. If I have the movement to do that this round, I'll cast Daze. If not, double move, or even run, to get myself in position.

2/7 rounds of Bardic Performance used today

@ Gm - I rolled a nat 20 on intimidate. That's an auto success. I don't see how that affected the two people in combat. If I did , I should have them affected with the shaken condition for at least a couple rounds.

Alright, time to go through with my threat. You are talking about "THEM" but not be'in specific

sap: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13 damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7 Non Lethal. Inspired

Seeing the girl slip through her fingers, Kyomi sighs.
She moves into position to keep Rochelle from moving far enough away and firing her bow.
I tried with the bark, but you force me to bite.

bite: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 1 = 23 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5 Lethal damage. Inspire.
Possible crit!

bite: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Being right next to Rochelle, her bite is easy to find it's mark, she clamps down hard on the dominant arm of Rochelle, a snap is heard as the bone breaks from the strong jaw muscles of the quasi-fox.
SNAP!

Doublemoves again Yes, he did a lot of doublemoving this combat

Tolwin is hit hard by the sap and the bite wounds Richelle.

stealth : 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22 vs Kyomi perception : 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5

Kyomi does not see the Tiefling that suddenly emerges and stabs her in the back. She looses so much blood that she drops unconscious.

shortsword, sneak attack, no dex bonus : 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 2 = 242d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 4) + 1 = 11
crit? : 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 = 151 + 1d6 ⇒ 1 + (1) = 2

~

Richelle is really afraid of the Tiefling and steps forward and shoots an arrow at Alyyra but misses.

Longbow @Alyyra: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Longbow damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Tolwin is intimidated but slashes with his longsword and attacks Tolwin but the dwarf can block.

“You see now!“ he shouts.

Longsword : 1d20 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) - 2 + 2 = 13
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

~

Initiative

Tuke
Torgen, -3
Alyyra
Kyomi, -13, stabilization roll

Richelle, -5
Tolwin, -7 nl, demoralized 1 more round
Tiefling

Bold is up.

Alyyra screams as she hears Kyomi call out and fall, then rushes up to cast Daze on the tiefling. Will DC 13

Kyomi's in bad shape, folks. I used my spell slot on sleep already, I don't have ranks in Heal, I'm at +0 with either my sword or my bow, and I don't have a potion for her. Though I don't think she's at -13? If she is, she's dead dead. That'd be a oneshot kill from a lucky crit, ouch.