[ACO] PF2e Q14 - The Swordlord's Challenge (P2) (Inactive)

Game Master UncleFroggy

Haohji rummages through his pack, producing his healer's toolkit and sets to the task.

Medicine: First Aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Going to use my Hero Point.

Medicine: First Aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 Better

Orlaelia clearly relaxes as Haohji wraps a bandage around her arm.

That's 2 successes! One more and you've taken the challenge!

Knowing that there are more capable healers than he is, he will try
to help them by looking for the most grievous wounds
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 Perception

Zahnder determines that after the arm, Orlaelia's most grievous injury was a broken leg, which Haohji splinted and bandaged next. Orlaelia's face relaxes and you also notice that she's smiling.

Marcos, appearing to be wrapped like a mummy, jumps up and crows "HA! I told you my Pathfinders are better! That's one challenge Orlaelia!" Removing some of the bandages, Marcos suddenly laps up the "blood" on his arm. You realize after a few seconds of gawking, that the blood is, in fact, jam.

The 'injuries' were made using a disguise kit and jam. :)

Marcos and Orlaelia take a short time to clean up. They produce a 30-foot length of rope and lead you outside.

Two lines are drawn in the grass in front of the lodge, 30 feet apart. A long rope with a ribbon tied at its center is placed so the ribbon lies at the midpoint between the lines. The students take up one end of the rope, and you take the other end. The goal is to pull the ribbon completely over a team's line.

The tug of war takes place over several rounds. Every round, each PC attempts one skill check, chosen from the following options:
Acrobatics to plant your feet
Athletics to pull
Performance/Diplomacy to motivate and coordinate your teammates
Any other skill ok if you can make it fit. I'm an easy sell.

Each round, your skill checks generate "Pull Points (PP)":
CS: 2 PP
S: 1 PP
CF: -1 PP
3 PP at the end of the round and the ribbon moves 5 feet towards your line.
6 PP at the end of the round and the ribbon moves 10 feet towards your line.

When both sides are ready, Marcos yells "GO!"

Rd 1 - make your checks please

Is this a whole team exercise/challenge?

Heave!

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Is this a whole team exercise/challenge?

yes. unless you mean to sit by the sidelines and let everyone else do the work :)

Athletics (Trained): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Through his heavy armor, our pallid hero's body conveys sickness, frailty, and decay, his thin limbs stiff and taut, hairless, and eerily silent, except for the creak of metal scrapping against the floor. With sudden, unexpected speed, Ghul steps to behind the rope, and heaves with supernatural strength, tugging with a pained grip, shedding some of his flaky skin onto the rope in the same spot where a proper "burn" might otherwise imprint itself upon more supple flesh!

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Ghul sets himself and heaves backwards, catching the students off guard and moving the ribbon towards the Pathfinder line. Maurice joins in and also sets up a steady tug. Rosa's efforts also have a telling effect.

4 PP

Zahnder and Moonshadow need to make checks. 2 successes get you 10'. Otherwise you're guaranteed 5'. Just don't crit fail your checks

He will try to use his acrobatic skill to plant his feet and help the group

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 >.< I guess that makes up for the nat 20... It certainly sucks when you biff something you are supposed to be good at... :(

EDIT: Sorry, guys, Haohji says as he holds his back... I guess I didn't stretch properly...

Moonshadow scowls at the ribbon, as he takes up the rope. ”No escape”, he rasps, as he pulls back.

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Zahnder plants his feet and manages to hold the line. Moonshadow's effort also contributes. Unfortunately Haohji slips and accidentally knocks Zahnder off his feet, giving some ground. However, the effort is still enough to get the ribbon 5 feet over to your side.

Rd 1: 5 PP. 5 feet

Round 2 - Make your checks please

Sorry, sorry! Haohji redoubles his efforts!

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 Fuuuuu-! >.<

Certain that the skills of tug-o-war will never have practical application in the field, our pallid hero continues to heave none-the-less!

Athletics (Trained): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Ghul hauls backwards on the rope and holds the line. Haohji tries to make up for his earlier slip, to no avail. However, his lack of success doesn't hamper the team.

It's not a crit fail :)

1 PP

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Put your backs into it!

Rosa braces and heaves, giving a large surge to the Pathfinders. The ribbon moves closer to your lines.

Crit Success, 2 PP. You're guaranteed 5 feet as long as nobody gets a crit fail on their checks.

Yeah. Still sucks, because this is Haohji's best skill... :(

Moonshadow grits his teeth at the ribbon. ”Justice is coming for you!”, he growls.

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Moonshadow also contributes his pulling strength to the cause.

1 PP. A crit success or 2 successes will take the challenge!

My posts seem to keep going missing. Here, I'll try again

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

As he gets up, the young man gives Haohji a dirty look for knocking him down and then tries to help the party again
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 acrobatcs

Maurice pulls but he fails to fully plant his feet. The Pathfinders lose some ground, but not enough to make a difference.

Zahnder sets himself and manages to plant his feet on the ground. The students don't make progress and the Ribbon moves closer to your line.

Rd 2 - 4 PP. 5 feet

Round 3 - PULL!

He tries again to help his teammates
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 acrobatics

I feel like this is the Battle of the Network Stars!

Athletics (Trained): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Supernatural strength too much for the thin flaky skin of his palms, it is with horrible gore that the knotted rope burns off much of our dhampir hero's geriatric handflesh - exposing the bones and ligaments and black blood beneath! - and losing him his firm grip nearly altogether...

Zahnder sets his feet, giving the Pathfinders stability while Ghul hauls back on the rope. The ribbon edges ever so close to your side of the lawn.

1 more success and you have it!

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 There we go!

Haohji grins sheepishly at Zahnder and redoubled his efforts, setting a low stance and heaving!

Haohji goes into a low stance and heaves. A loud cheer comes from Marcos as the rope suddenly goes slack and the Pathfinders all fall backwards.

Orlaelia calls for a break. "Let's all have some lunch. We should rest and regain our strength. After all, " she says with a smile, "I wouldn't want Marcos here to complain that you were tired if you lose."

Fresh baked bread, vegetable soup, and sausages are all brought in, still hot and steaming. As you all tuck into the meal, Orlaelia and Marcos engage in light-hearted banter. Marcos even offers to teach Orlaelia the Farabellus Flip. The students look at you with interest and ask if you have each been on missions for the Society.

A few, helped restore a lodge in unfriendly territory and stopped a con man who tried to get violent among others.

Moonshadow gives a stern nod. ”The usual”, he replies. ”Stopping monsters from ravaging the countryside. And also a fishing contest”

This is my first mission, one I happily accepted when I heard where the mission was going. I am fascinated with learning the Aldori dualing techniques and how to use the sword. he says, eating what has been given to them.

"We once had to recover a Perilous Oubliette which almost cost us everything..." looking over to Ghul with merciful eyes "...but in the end it's corruption waned, and we were able to stow it somewhere where it wouldn't pose a threat"

I have been on a few short missions. One in the swamps near the Expanse, one helping the Andoran with some grey dwarf slavers, and one at an archeological dig in Geb. It has been very interesting... I must say, though, I am having a lot of fun spending a little downtime with you all. How about you all? How did you come to enter training with a Swordlord?

"I've travelled in a spirit forest, and fished in a competition."

"I've travelled in a spirit forest, and fished in a competition."

Moonshadow looks knowingly at Maurice. ”The people are trickier than the fish”, he intones.

The students appear startled since nobody they've ever met showed any interest in how they became students. Thisnabel shyly says, "Well, most of us came from poor families. Our families figured that if we learned to fight we could become either soldiers or bodyguards for high ranking nobles and such."

About an hour after the beginning of the feast, Orlaelia stands and claps her hands once to get everyone's attention. Smiling at the success of the exercises so far, she says, "Now that the food has had a chance to settle, and everyone has had a chance to rest and relax a bit, we should move to your final challenge." She looks to Marcos.

The Master of Blades nods, and he takes over what is obviously a rehearsed speech. "Aldori students, Pathfinders, both of you have demonstrated skill and creativity, but there's no test like a real fight. And so, that's what the last challenge will be."

Orlaelia then again takes the lead. "Of course, a combat where you had to hold back would hardly be a fair assessment, so we've had a special ritual cast over the combat arena. Fight to your hearts content, for none of the damage or injuries suffered therein can be lasting or lethal. Your test will be a fight, one group against the other. Defeat only comes when all on your team are unable or unwilling to continue. Show us what we've taught you!" Her students are surprised, and their nerves show through briefly before they quickly compose themselves. Noticing this, Orlaelia adds "I know you were expecting single combat, but if you only ever fight the same fight, you'll never grow."

"Good luck, Pathfinders!" Marcos calls.

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions: Nonlethal combat; KO means "death"
Before your Turn:
------------------
Those with ** may go

**Ghul - AC 21 (23 w/shield), 38/38; Unifax AC 19
Thisnabel
Rhenei
"Moonshadow" - AC 19 (21 w/shield), 28/28 (AC 21)
Halran
Haohji Umesaki - AC 17 (18 w/shield), 22/22
Maurice Bonaparte - AC 19, 28/28
Dura
Zahnder - AC 18, 17/17
Rosa Valentine - AC 19 (20 w/shield), 32/32

Like an animal, Ghul crawls forward on all fours, stopping just short of the halfway breach, and holding his shield with both hands, he rises to a bestial slouch, bracing the protective barrier against impact.

◆) Stride
◆) Everstand Stance
◆) Raise Shield (to AC 23)
+
↺) Glimpse of Redemption (Redeem or Resist 5 + Enfeeble 2)
↺) Shield Block (if 18 or less damage)
~) First Reaction to Trigger

Ghul assumes a defensive position, bracing himself for an attack. Rhenei takes one look at Ghul and wiggles his fingers, pointing at him.

Tanglefoot vs Ghul AC 23: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Chattering with annoyance, he ducks behind Halran. Thisnabel assumes a defensive posture and prepares to strike the first Pathfinder to come within range.

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions: Nonlethal combat; KO means "death"
Before your Turn:
------------------
Those with ** may go

Ghul - AC 21 (23 w/shield), 38/38 (AC 23); Unifax AC 19
Thisnabel (Aldori Parry, +2 AC; Readied Action)
Rhenei
**"Moonshadow" - AC 19 (21 w/shield), 28/28 (AC 21)
Halran
Haohji Umesaki - AC 17 (18 w/shield), 22/22
Maurice Bonaparte - AC 19, 28/28
Dura
Zahnder - AC 18, 17/17
Rosa Valentine - AC 19 (20 w/shield), 32/32

Moonshadow accepts Thisnabel’s invitation, and springs into action. Closing with her, he lunges with his rapier, before bringing his shield to bear.

Stride, Strike, Raise Shield

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Why are you surprised? I have always felt that everyone you come in contact with is a potential friend. The trick is discovering them. What better way than to look into their past? Haohji says with a smile. He is cut short when lady Orlaelia claps, gaining their attention. Welp, I guess it is time to go to work. I look forward to facing you all!

The young brawler's excitement is plain to see, as his easy smile seems to highlight his plain features...

--

Just waiting my turn! ^_^

Moonshadow closes with Thisnabel and tries to stab her but she easily dodges aside. Her return thrust, however, gets past his defenses and opens a small scratch on his hand.

Halran closes with Moonshadow and attempts to finish him off.

Aldori Dueling Sword vs Moonshadow AC 21: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Aldori Dueling Sword vs Moonshadow AC 21 AC, MAP: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Slashing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions: Nonlethal combat; KO means "death"
Before your Turn:
------------------
Those with ** may go

Ghul - AC 21 (23 w/shield), 38/38 (AC 23); Unifax AC 19
Thisnabel (Aldori Parry, +2 AC)
Rhenei
"Moonshadow" - AC 19 (21 w/shield), 15/28 (AC 21; Shield hp: 17/20)
Halran
**Haohji Umesaki - AC 17 (18 w/shield), 22/22
**Maurice Bonaparte - AC 19, 28/28
Dura
Zahnder - AC 18, 17/17
Rosa Valentine - AC 19 (20 w/shield), 32/32

Seeing that Dura is the only one without a dance partner, Haohji gives a little warrior's salute and draws his club, twirling it with a little flourish and comes in!

Draw weapon, Stride to Dura, Snagging Strike; sorry on my phone otherwise I would be using the symbols.

Snagging Strike: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Target is flat-footed until the end of my next turn, if I hit.

Hoahji needs to rethink his class decisions :)

Maybe I'll just be a hospitaler instead. :p

LOL

Action 1: Tell mount to rush in, then after my attack to rush out.

Mount rushes in, ten feet away from Thisnabel.

Spellstrike at Thisnabel (action 2 & 3) with Acid Splash: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Physical damage (Jousting makes it 1d6 and add 1: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10
If it is critical, then add deadly d8: 1d8 ⇒ 2
Acid Splash damage, including splash: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5, with a splash damage to neighboring creatures.

Then, mount moves back to my starting position.