[PF2] Menace Under Otari (GM Watery Soup, Table 2) (Inactive)

Game Master Watery Soup

"Sounds like a good idea", replies Qidan. "I just hope nothing happens in the meantime though, we are leaving a hatchling dragon alone now, with no one to feed or control it."

As trainees of the arcane, the heroes would know (I won't make you roll) that, in general, dragons tend to grow in power very slowly. Without a steady supply of food, it could take years - or decades - for the dragon to grow large enough to menace the city.

I'm supposed to give you an OOC warning about the final fight. It's the toughest encounter of the scenario. Then again, the boss fight you just completed was supposed to be pretty tough, and you guys had zero trouble. The encounter is also optional - the dragon growing slowly is the narrative off-ramp if you choose not to fight it.

Please decide whether you will rest and push forward, or whether you'd like to call it a day. That will decide what Tamily says when you return to the surface.

Fibek shows off his thieves tools as they head upstairs.

"Turns out the thieves guild is easier to find than a wizard guild in Otari. I will see if I can open some stuff with these."

Thievery +6 trained Fibek is itching to open something maybe even use his two spare picks if he breaks some

Okay, so I feel like doubling back upstairs loses some of the nice momentum that you've built here. Neither are critical path for finishing the adventure, so what I'm going to do is resolve the upstairs portion narratively, give you the chance to level up, and then we can move on to the final fight.

The heroes return to the cage upstairs, where Fibek, armed with a Costco-sized bag of spare picks, sets to work on the cage.

Thievery: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Boom! First try, Fibek unlocks the cage. Inside the cell is a pile of old crates and a few barrels. While most of these contain long-spoiled food and stained cloth, one of them contains a small pile of treasure: 20 gp, a gold ring worth 5 gp, and a beautiful +1 shortsword — a magic weapon!

---

Beyond the barricade, an old cavern corridor winds down into the earth, ending in an ancient burial vault lit by a strange torch with a blue flame. Alcoves line the walls, each one containing a rotten wooden coffin, while the center of the room has a raised platform holding a stone sarcophagus.

This crypt holds foul undead creatures that rise to attack any living thing foolish enough to disturb their slumber. Because the wizards made a lot of noise breaking through the barricade, the skeletons and zombie have already broken free from their coffins and are standing, ready for a fight.

Electric arcs fly, sizzling the undead mini-horde, which are resistant to many forms of physical attacks, but not to electricity. Banding together, the group defeats the skseltons and zombie, and feel like they are a coherent team by the time they are done fighting.

After a good night's rest, the party wakes up and begins their daily meditations and spell preparations. Each one of the heroes notice that they're able to prepare more spells than they used to be able to. They also feel stronger and that they might be able to take more damage than they did even a day ago.

Level up to Level 2!

woohoo!!

Alright, all levelled up!

As the wizards make their way back down to the lower level, Khaldan will be chatting "A dragon, well, I thought it would be many years before I encountered such a legendary creature! However, in this excellent company I am sure we will prevail."

Later as they get closer, he will pipe up "Oh and with summoning I am less likely to make best use of the magic missile scroll we grabbed earlier - would anyone else like to use it?"

Fibek accepts the scroll. ”If I use it, we are definitely in trouble.”

Leveled up — added mage armor

"Very well, this is going to be a tough one, so here, I have 6 elixirs one for each of us to use."

Ready to go. Leanrt Beffudle and took Enhanced Familiar & Battle Medicine + going with draconic as my ancestral language for the day.

Waiting on Taong and Kenoryth.

”Let’s do this and face that fish stealer!” Taong tells the others with conviction. With all the spells prepared, she draws his weapon and shield ready.

The group feels healthier, smarter, and they can cast more powerfully when they wake up. After a pep talk, they head downstairs.

See art on Slide 2, see map on Slide 3. Note that I've rotated the map so that the room fits at the same zoom as the previous room, and also, to give you space.

Towering yellow mushrooms cover the floor of this vast cave, some reaching over ten feet in height. They seem to emit a pale light, giving the entire chamber an eerie glow. Shattered remnants of barrels—torn open with their contents nowhere to be seen—lay scattered around the base of the mushrooms. Mushrooms can be Climbed with a DC 20 Athletics check.

Somewhere off on the far side of the chamber, something stirs, and a faint snarl comes from the shadows. A bright-green dragon leaps into view, and although the beast isn’t much larger than you, large leathery wings and snapping jaws make the hatchling look like an ancient wyrm.

The creature gazes at you with cunning eyes and snorts a cloud of yellow vapor. With a fierce roar, the dragon charges forward!

--Round 1
Khaldan (20/20)
Fibek (22/22, hidden)
Dragon (-0)
Taong (20/20, shield)
Kenoryth
Qidan (22/22, shield)

"Oh its cute, but a menace none the less!"
Khaldan will cast ◆◆◆ Summon Animal and call forth a Compsognathus as far forward as he can.

Compsognathus
The compsognathus will then ◆stride the remaining distance to the dragon and ◆bite.

jaws : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 for 1d6 ⇒ 4 piercing damage plus venom.

If it hits,
Compsognathus Venom (poison) Saving Throw DC 16 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 4 rounds;
Stage 1: 1d6 ⇒ 6 poison damage and enfeebled 1 (1 round)
Stage 2: 1d8 ⇒ 4 poison damage and enfeebled 1 (1 round)

Compsognathus
AC 15; Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +4
HP 8
Speed 30 ft , swim 15 feet

Fibek let a string of magic force bolts go in a blast of arcane fury all at the pet.

magic missiles: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 2) + 3 = 11
mage armor active —3 action mm

Khaldan, the compsonagthus is a Tiny creature, which has 0' reach by default - it will need to move into the dragon's square in order to attack.

Khaldan summons a tiny dinosaur, that rushes up bravely, despite the dragon's twitching tail.

The dragon has a reaction, that is normally provoked by movement through a threatened square. However, since the dragon hasn't acted yet, it doesn't have a Reaction to use. I think it's fair game to let you know about it, though, since the dinosaur would have triggered.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17 vs DC 16

The dragon laughs off the poison.

Fibek's magic missiles, though, can't be shrugged off.

The dragon roars with pain, but takes the time to bite at the tiny creature nipping at its heels.

Jaws: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Piercing: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8 plus Poison: 1d4 ⇒ 2

With a single bite, it snaps the summoned dinosaur in two. Then, it moves forward. 2 actions to move 35'.

--Round 1
Taong (20/20)
Kenoryth (22/22)
Qidan (22/22)
--Round 2
Khaldan (20/20)
Fibek (22/22)
Dragon (-15)

As I mentioned before, the dragon has a reaction, which will trigger if anyone within 10' uses a Stride action (but not other Manipulate actions such as casting spells). The first of Fibek, Qidan, Khaldan, and Taong to Stride, please open the spoiler below.

Fibek gestures and chants again. Another salvo of three bolts of force leave his hands.
second 3 action mm: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2, 4) + 3 = 13

"Missiles all the way!" Taong joins them in bombarding the dragon with more bolts of force.
Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 1) + 3 = 12 force damage

◆◆◆ Cast a Spell, Magic Missile

LOL, does everyone have magic missile? This will be interesting.

--Round 1
Taong (20/20)
Kenoryth (22/22)
Qidan (22/22)
--Round 2
Khaldan (20/20)
Fibek (22/22)
Dragon (-40, "bloodied" [<50%])

Khaldan will exclaim"Oof that thing bites hard - glad it was the dinosaur and not us that time. Let's hope we can bring it down quickly! "

and will then join in the barrage with a full salvo of magic missiles at the dragon

◆◆◆Cast magic missile for 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2, 1) + 3 = 10 force damage

As much as he'd like to continue the barrage of foce missiles towards the dragon, Qidan can't help but be overly worried about everyone being so tightly packed together ... dragons are know for having breath weapons after all, though he isn't sure if such a young one can already use that attack ... still, better act with caution.

Having seen how the dragon decimated the summon with such ease, Qidan moves with incredible caution to reposition himself, either to act as a decoy or to continue the barrage himself afterwards.

◆Step 5' north
◆Step 5' north
◆Step 5' north

Khaldan sends another barrage into the dragon, and Qidan tries to draw the dragon's attention away.

Delaying Kenoryth.

The dragon ignores Qidan, and steps southward, exhalind a large cloud of yellow poison.

Poison: 5d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 1, 5, 4) = 17
DC 24 basic Reflex save

--Round 2
Taong (20/20, Reflex save first)
Kenoryth (22/22, Reflex save first)
Qidan (22/22)
--Round 3
Khaldan (20/20, Reflex save first)
Fibek (22/22, Reflex save first)
Dragon (-50, "bloodied" [<50%])

Remember your Hero Points!

Fibek tries to avoid the blast of poison but is still on his feet.

Not knowing if he should feel thankful or not for being ignored by the dragon, Qidan is quite intent on making the most out of it.

◆◆◆ Cast Magic Missile Force Damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1, 3) + 3 = 10

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

"Your doom is nigh!" squeaks Kenoryth, trying to frighten the dragon.

1,2. Cast Fear
3. Take Cover.

Fibek drains some power from his familiar to repower more magic missiles.

mm damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3, 3) + 3 = 10
free action drain familiar 3 action mm

Reflex DC 24: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Khaldan tries to dodge but fails, using a hero point to retry

Reflex DC 24 retry: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

but fate remains firm on Khaldan's exposure to the poison!

Coughing, Khaldan says "Oh that is foul! All or nothing at this stage! See how you like this"

◇ Drain bonded item to recall the magic missile spell
◆◆◆ Cast magic missile for 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 4, 4) + 3 = 12 force damage

DC 24 basic Reflex save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Hero Point! DC 24 basic Reflex save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 (Critical Success for no damage)

Good thing, he hass another magic missile spell prepared. "take that, you fish stealer!"
Magic Missile: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1, 3) + 4 = 9 force damage

◆◆◆ Cast a Spell, Magic Missile

The poison is deadly, but transient, and nobody is incapacitated by the vapors.

Instead, the group focuses on damage. Amidst a cacophony of arcane sayings and a wave of somatic gesticulations, 12 balls of force are summoned, flying at the dragon. They cannot be dodged, they cannot be blocked, they cannot be stopped.

Will: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

The dragon appears frightened as it is swarmed with the magic, and the fear only intensifies as its life is drained one missile at a time.

Soon, the cavern is quiet as the dragon lies dead on the floor.

End of combat! That was the last combat encounter, no need to consider healing.

---

The ledge in the northeast corner of the room holds the treasure the kobolds offered to the dragon. Atop the ledge sits a small chest and a huge pile of coins. There is 28.59 gp in this vast pile. There’s also a single giant emerald atop the heap that vaguely looks like the dragon’s eye, which can be sold for 20 gp.

The back of the mushroom grotto has a tunnel leading to a long, winding passageway. You can choose whether to follow this tunnel back up, or, head back up through the fishery. This choice is for flavor only.

44914-2002 Vigilant Seal
Fibek jumps up and down excitedly. ”We did it!!

When the dragon falls, Khladan will whoop with excitement (and relief)

"Yes! We did! Otari is safe from that menace. I think we've proven whatf an all wizard party can do too!"

After we have gathered the dragon's hoard, Khaldan will say "Let's have a look at that passage at the back, it looks like it might head upwards."

"What is the name of our group again?" Taong chuckles. "We are invincible!"

"Amazing! I'm sure those who doubt the might of wizards will have to rethink their views once they hear of our heroics!" Qidan says exited.

"If I were to name this group, I'd say force barrage would be fitting, considering our last encounter"