[PF2] Troubles in Otari (GM Watery Soup)

Game Master Watery Soup

"Hi! I'm Grimmylow and these are my friends, although Sarenrae is my greatest friend and the greatest friend anyone could have. Do you know about Sarenrae?"

"I've of course heard of Sarenrae, foe of Lamashtu."

"I can tell you all about her and then she can be your friend, too. She such a great friend that she'll forgive any bad things that you do if you make amends for it, even if those bad things are burning down buildings.

"I mean, who is to say what is good and what is bad, in the end the only thing that really matters is that-"

"Anyway, we're couriers so we're couriering. Well, WE'RE couriers" he gestures to include the rest of the party. "Sarenrae's not a courier, she's a goddess.

"Yes, you've mentioned that, but what are you carry-"

"Did I mention Sarenrae's a goddess?"

"That really has nothing to do with-"

"It seems like something all people should know but you don't want to assume. Anyway, Sarenrae IS a goddess so she's goddessing."

"Look, none of us want to hear about your stupid goddess-"

"That's a job in itself and probably the greatest, hardest job there is. What's your name and why are you here?"

"Kotgar Leadbuster, of the Leadbuster Lads. I'M the one asking YOU the quest-"

"Is this your bridge?"

"This bridge is property of Maunder Castle, which-"

"It's a nice bridge."

"Yes, but-"

"Did you build it?"

"No, but-"

"How long did it take?"

"-my brothers and I-"

"Where did you get the rocks?"

"-in charge and-"

"Or are they stones?"

"-trespassing-"

"When do rocks become stones?"

"-I demand to know-"

"What's the difference?"

"-and where you're-"

"Did you tell me your name"

"KOTGAR!"

"and why you're here, yet?"

"ALRIGHT JUST GO ALREADY!"

Exasperated, he steps aside and points the wagon down the road.

The heroes reach the Inkleholtz lumber camp by traveling another 2 miles or so from Maunder Bridge.

The foreman in charge is a pudgy, tired-looking human man named Jollibin Urphell. He carries a long-handled felling axe over one shoulder, and his eyes dart around the lumber camp. Jollibin is happy to see the heroes and the wagon, and quickly sets his workers to unloading it.

Jollibin has eight lumberjacks working for him here, but three are badly injured and recuperating in the cabin.

At first, Jollibin speaks as if the heroes have come here to help him. When the heroes inform him that Oloria made no such mention of a request for help, he explains that he sent his cook back to Otari 2 days ago to seek help. When the heroes explain nobody has received the distress call, Jollibin explains.

“It’s been going on about a week. At first, our prospective sites were targeted. We scout a site nearby, ensure it’ll provide a good, clean harvest, and mark the trees with chalk. At first, the chalk marks were being erased overnight, but soon enough, the trees we’d marked were all burned up. Good thing we’ve had a lot of rain lately otherwise there might have been a forest fire."

“Second, aggressive animals have injured three of my eight lumberjacks, leaving me understaffed. They’re recuperating in the cabin now. Most of them were attacked by gigantic red-furred rats, but Torklo spotted a big dog that looked like it was on fire from inside its body."

“The last three nights, we’ve had fires right in the camp. The first two were in the storage tents, but we put them out quickly. No sign of who set them. The most recent was an attempt to set the cabin on fire. Luckily, we put that out, too.”

We'll be on Slide 2, but you can proselytize speak with Jollibin before things happen.

"We are couriers, and we deliver goods, but we as well can deliver violence and peace if needed be." Says Thorn trying to sound brave, as he hears Jollibin story.

"We saw big dogs on fire ... I wonder if those are connected"

"More fire animals!" Grimmylow says, his tone as easily interpreted as excitement as dismay.

"I can help your injured men," he continues. "Where are they?

"Then we can look at the burned stuff," he continues, clearly disappointed that duty is calling him to deal with the wounded before going to see burned stuff.

"I can help your injured men," he continues. "Where are they?

Three injured men come out. Grimmylow can roll Medicine for initiative.

"We saw big dogs on fire ... I wonder if those are connected"

As Thorn tells his story, Jollibin frowns. "These must be related. Obviously, someone knows that fire is destructive, but particularly destructive to the lumber industry. I suspect that Kortos Consortium - the Inkleholtz family broke away from the Consortium, and ever since, these attacks have targeted things that are vital to the lumbering industry. They don't like to do their own dirty work, though. They usually hire-"

He doesn't get a chance to say "mercenaries," because one appears at the edge of the camp. Simultaneously, a cry comes out from the far side - four flaming rats have appeared.

The dwarf activates a scroll in his hand. "Asmodeus, I am your servant!" he cries. "May your enemies die by my hand!

His dagger glows with power. And fire. But the fire was there before the spell.

--Round 1
Beggar So (47/47)
Thorn (43/43)
Red Rat (-0 hp, Recall: Nature)
Yellow Rat (-0 hp, Recall: Nature)
Green Rat (-0 hp, Recall: Nature)
Blue Rat (-0 hp, Recall: Nature)
Grimmylow (40/40)
Buzz (30/30) / Loudmouth (30/30)
Kzem (43/43)
--Round 2
Dwarf [White] (-0 hp, runic weapon, Recall: Society)

Thorn grabs the gun and moves north, having a clear shot against the rat he fires

Boom@yellow rat: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
Damage, p/b: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Then he reloads

"Incomming!"

Beggar So drops into a fighting stance and pulls out a pair of shuriken from his robes.

◆ Stoked Flame Stance
◆◆ Interact to Draw

A shot rings out, and all the lumberjacks hit the ground. Usually when something is that loud, it's a tree falling over unexpectedly.

"You'll have to tell me about this boom stick of yours later," Jollibin says, grabbing an axe, and defending the southern flank. He's narratively part of the combat, but not mechanically part of the combat.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 vs DC 16
Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 vs DC 16

Nobody notices a second dwarf Sneaking out from behind a pile of lumber at first, but Buzz manages to catch him just as he stabs with his rapier. Not off-guard. The dwarves look similar, but one is shorter and a little scrawnier.

Rapier: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Piercing: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

He wishes he were just a bit Stealthier. Would have hit off-guard!

The rats rush forward. Each Strides twice, then attacks.

Red Jaws vs Thorn: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Miss

Yellow Jaws vs Thorn: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Hit - Living Fortification lasts until the beginning of your first turn, which has elapsed.

Green Jaws vs So: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Miss

Blue Jaws vs Grimmylow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Hit

Grimmylow gets nicked.

--Round 1
Grimmylow (37/40)
Buzz (30/30) / Loudmouth (30/30)
Kzem (43/43)
--Round 2
Dwarf [White] (-0 hp, runic weapon, Recall: Society)
Beggar So (47/47, flame stance, shurikens)
Thorn (43/43)
Dwarf [Black] (-0 hp, Recall: Society)
Red Rat (-0 hp, Recall: Nature)
Yellow Rat (-0 hp, Recall: Nature)
Green Rat (-0 hp, Recall: Nature)
Blue Rat (-3 hp, Recall: Nature)

The new version of Bless is so much better!

Grimmylow would really like to blast these rats with fire. He would like to blast most things with fire, honestly. But these rats are already on fire so it seems a bit redundant.

So, instead, he calls upon Sarenrae to draw her ardent follower and his friends to her warm, protective bosom.

Then, he calls upon her special favor as her special favorite to give him more protection.

Casting Bless (which has a 15' radius and affects everyone now) and Shield.

Whoa, I didn't notice that! I've always thought that Bless was kind of too weak, even for a 1st level spell. That's pretty cool, now, and Sustain brings it out 10' at a time, which is awesome.

Buzz hops on Loudouth and takes to the air, heavy wings beat as it lifts the sprite to the air, remaining low enough to send needle-like stingers at the dwarf. Fly 10'

Sting Shot: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Damage (Poison): 1d4 ⇒ 1

Sting Shot: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 5 = 14
Damage (Poison): 1d4 ⇒ 3

Kzem moves about the far side of the black dwarf, setting up an opportunistic position for his shield bash.

E.L. vs Standard DC Creature Level: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Shield Boss, Bless: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 1 = 27 Damage (b): 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 1) + 7 = 11 + either highest weakness, or weakness of 3 (if EL wasn't a critical failure)

◆ Move
◆ EL
◆ Strike

Buzz takes to the air, but his stingers get caught up in the air currents and fly wide. However, the dwarf uses its Nimble Dodge reaction against the first shot.

Kzem smashes the dwarf's face, a swirly pattern on Kzem's talisman causing pain to the dwarf's unblinking eyes. Crit Success on Exploit Vulnerability, although, unfortunately, the dwarves have no resistances, weaknesses, or immunities. The Strike is a critical hit vs off-guard, and it used Nimble Dodge against Buzz so has no reaction remaining.

With a single massive hit, Black appears to be near death.

"Bruh," White calls out. "You good?"

They do look kind of similar. They may be actual brothers. As a matter of fact, the dwarf at the bridge looks similar as well, and nobody's being ancestrist by thinking that.

White runs up to stop the orc bully from beating up his brother. Stride x3

--Round 2
Beggar So (47/47, flame stance, shurikens)
Thorn (43/43)
Dwarf [Black] (-25 hp, Recall: Society)
Red Rat (-0 hp, Recall: Nature)
Yellow Rat (-0 hp, Recall: Nature)
Green Rat (-0 hp, Recall: Nature)
Blue Rat (-3 hp, Recall: Nature)
Grimmylow (37/40, bless 15')
Buzz (30/30) / Loudmouth (30/30)
Kzem (43/43, personal antithesis: Black)
--Round 3
Dwarf [White] (-0 hp, runic weapon, Recall: Society)

Thorn looks around the field and turns towards wounded dwarf "Warning shot!"

Boom@black: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Damage, p/b: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

Then he reloads while pushing one of the rats away

Clear the path@red: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 = 24

Finally he raises his gun in defensive manner Parry +1 to AC

Beggar So takes a step back and hurls both shuriken at the weakened dwarf.

Ranged Attack; Shuriken: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Ranged Attack; Shuriken: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Ranged Damage; Shuriken: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Doubled if a 25 is a crit

◆ Step
◆ Strike
◆ Whiff

Thorn shoots the wounded dwarf, who reels from the attack, on his last legs. Beggar So's shuriken finishes him off, and the second shuriken flies off into the sunset. Redirected to a rat, but it misses.

Thorn pushes the rat away. Success, but not Crit Success.

Red runs back to Thorn and nibbles, alongside Yellow.

Jaws: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Jaws, agile: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 7 - 4 = 9
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Jaws: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Jaws, agile: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 4 = 19
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Jaws, agile: 1d20 + 7 - 8 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 8 = 1
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

They get big mouthfuls of Thorn's armor, but little else.

Green moves up to Beggar So, chomping.

Jaws: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Jaws, agile: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 7 - 4 = 13
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Blue attacks Grimmylow.

Jaws: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Jaws, agile: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 7 - 4 = 9
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Jaws, agile: 1d20 + 7 - 8 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 8 = 17
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The unarmored Grimmylow takes several nibbles to the ankles.

--Round 2
Grimmylow (26/40, bless 15')
Buzz (30/30) / Loudmouth (30/30)
Kzem (43/43, exploit vulnerability: none)
--Round 3
Dwarf [White] (-0 hp, runic weapon, Recall: Society)
Beggar So (47/47, flame stance, shurikens)
Thorn (43/43)
Dwarf [Black] (-35 hp)
Red Rat (-0 hp, Recall: Nature)
Yellow Rat (-0 hp, Recall: Nature)
Green Rat (-0 hp, Recall: Nature)
Blue Rat (-3 hp, Recall: Nature)

Kzem slides over, again attempting to put the white dwarf a little off guard. His eyes narrow, as he stares down the humanoid- searching for a weakness, before lashing out with his shield again.

E.L. vs Standard DC Creature Level: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

Shield Boss: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 Damage (b): 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 1) + 7 = 12 + either highest weakness, or weakness of 3 (if EL wasn't a critical failure)

◆Stride
◆EL
◆Strike

"Bad rat! Bad rat!" Grimmylow yelps as the rodent mistakes him for cheese.

He focuses on helping the people who hurt people hurt people rather than striking back.

Concentrate on Bless to expand it another 10'.

But also protects himself.

Shield

And heals himself up from the bites, slapping some sticky salve and bandages on his shins where he's been nibbled.

Battle Medicine: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Healing: 2d8 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

But the rat distracts him too much and he just gets salve and bandages on his hands.

Kzem readily identifies the dwarf's personal antithesis: any holy symbol other than Asmodeus's. However, he forgets what hand his shield is in.

Grimmylow shields himself and tries to put on a bandage, but fumbles it.

--Round 2
Grimmylow (26/40, bless 25', shield)
Buzz (30/30, mounted) / Loudmouth (30/30, 10' up)
Kzem (43/43, personal antithesis: White)
--Round 3
Dwarf [White] (-0 hp, runic weapon, Recall: Society)
Beggar So (47/47, flame stance, shurikens)
Thorn (43/43)
Dwarf [Black] (-35 hp)
Red Rat (-0 hp, Recall: Nature)
Yellow Rat (-0 hp, Recall: Nature)
Green Rat (-0 hp, Recall: Nature)
Blue Rat (-3 hp, Recall: Nature)

Seeing the dwarf dodge Buzz flies closer around his backside and sends down a pair of darts.

Sting Shot: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Damage (Poison): 1d4 ⇒ 2

Sting Shot: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 8 - 5 = 9
Damage (Poison): 1d4 ⇒ 3

Though Loudmouth turns to quick and throws his aim off target.

Buzz fires two stingers, but unfortunately, they bounce off the dwarf's armor.

The dwarf makes a powerful, flaming strike against Kzem.

+1 Striking Dagger: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 1 = 34
Slashing: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 = 7 plus Fire: 1d10 ⇒ 9

Satisfied that they've scared the orc off, they turn and take a deep breath, sending a cone of fire at Buzz and Loudmouth.

Breathe Fire: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8
DC 21 basic Reflex save for both Buzz and Loudmouth, and not for Grimmy because Pythagoras.

--Round 3
Beggar So (47/47, flame stance)
Thorn (43/43)
Dwarf [Black] (-35 hp)
Red Rat (-0 hp)
Yellow Rat (-0 hp)
Green Rat (-0 hp)
Blue Rat (-3 hp)
Grimmylow (26/40, bless 25', shield)
Buzz (30/30, mounted, Reflex vs -8) / Loudmouth (30/30, 10' up, Reflex vs -8)
Kzem (11/43, personal antithesis: White)
--Round 4
Dwarf [White] (-0 hp, runic weapon)

Thorn looks at the rat trying to nib on Grimmy and shoots it "Lean left! The other left!"

Boom@Blue: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Damage, p/b: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4
Crit Damage, p/b: 1d12 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 1 = 12
Crit Damage, fatal: 1d12 ⇒ 1 25 dmg if crit

Then he reloads while pushing one of the rats away

Clear the path@red: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 1 = 21

Finally he raises his gun in defensive manner Parry +1 to AC

Beggar So unleashes a flurry of strikes on the Green rat.

Flashing Spark; 1st Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Flashing Spark; 2nd Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Flashing Spark; 1st Attack Damage, Slashing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Flashing Spark; 2nd Attack Damage, Slashing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Crit - double damage + d6 persistent fire, though I'm assuming these are immune to fire; combine damage before applying weaknesses/resistances

◆ Flurry

Thorn shoots Blue, obliterating it. Crit!

Beggar So punches Green, also obliterating it. Crit!

Will move to flank with Thorn instead of Grimmylow, since Blue is down too.

He punches Yellow, catching it off-guard and smashing it. Yellow down!

Red, constantly pushed away from Thorn, goes after Beggar So instead.

Jaws: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Jaws, agile: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 7 - 4 = 13
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

--Round 3
Grimmylow (26/40, bless 25', shield)
Buzz (30/30, mounted, Reflex vs -8) / Loudmouth (30/30, 10' up, Reflex vs -8[)
Kzem (11/43, personal antithesis: White)
--Round 4
Dwarf [White] (-0 hp, runic weapon)
Beggar So (47/47, flame stance)
Thorn (43/43, parry)
Dwarf [Black] (-35 hp)
Red Rat (-0 hp)
Yellow Rat (-10 hp)
Green Rat (-20 hp)
Blue Rat (-28 hp)

"Stay with me, Kzem! Don't you dare give up on me!" Grimmylow calls out melodramatically while calling down the healing warmth of Sarenrae over the other man.

2 Action Heal: 2d10 + 16 ⇒ (4, 4) + 16 = 24

But he also keeps a little protection for himself.

Shielding again.

Grimmylow heals Kzem and shields himself.

Beggar So, I'll note you have actions pending, but White is going to act before you do.

--Round 3
Grimmylow (26/40, bless 25', shield)
Buzz (30/30, mounted, Reflex vs -8) / Loudmouth (30/30, 10' up, Reflex vs -8)
Kzem (35/43, personal antithesis: White)
--Round 4
Dwarf [White] (-0 hp, runic weapon)
Beggar So (47/47, flame stance) queued actions
Thorn (43/43, parry)
Dwarf [Black] (-35 hp)
Red Rat (-0 hp)
Yellow Rat (-10 hp)
Green Rat (-20 hp)
Blue Rat (-28 hp)

Buzz Reflex DC 21: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Loudmouth Reflex DC 21: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Buzz continues to systematically drop stinger after stinger from above. "That hurt!"

Sting Shot: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Damage (Poison): 1d4 ⇒ 2

Sting Shot: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 5 = 15
Damage (Poison): 1d4 ⇒ 2

"Thanks Mate, I fear I owe you again!"

He turns his attention back to white and strikes out with his shield, making two weak strikes before raising his shield in defense.

Shield Boss, vs OG: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 1 = 15 Damage (b): 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 4) + 7 = 12 + 3
Shield Boss, vs OG: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 = 15 Damage (b): 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 5) + 7 = 13 + 3

◆ Strike
◆ Strike
◆ Raise Shield

Grimmylow heals Kzem and shields himself.

Beggar So, I'll note you have actions pending, but White is going to act before you do.

Oh that's fine. I thought Buzz and Kzem were going to act overnight so I just posted my actions to not hold everyone up.

Buzz drops a stinger right on the dwarf's neck, but one bounces off his armor.

Kzem swings with his shield, but is ineffective. Kzem, Buzz is 10' off the air, so you're not flanking with him. If you want, you can retcon one action to mirror yourself to the far corner, under Buzz/Loudmouth. The only attack still misses, though, this round.

White points at Kzem, casting a spell.
DC 21 Will save

Dagger, Runic Weapon: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 14 + 1 = 19
Slashing: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 = 11 plus Fire: 1d10 ⇒ 10

Ooh, I'm going to bot your Will save because it'll matter for resolving this. You can retcon a Hero Point later if you don't like the result.

Kzem Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 vs DC 21
Frightened 2, so AC with shield is 20.

Beggar So's first attack drops Red. 2 actions remaining.

--Round 4
Beggar So (47/47, flame stance) 2 actions
Thorn (43/43, parry)
Dwarf [Black] (-35 hp)
Red Rat (-11 hp)
Yellow Rat (-10 hp)
Green Rat (-20 hp)
Blue Rat (-28 hp)
Grimmylow (26/40, bless 25', shield)
Buzz (22/30, mounted) / Loudmouth (26/30, 10' up)
Kzem (35/43, personal antithesis: White, shield)
--Round 5
Dwarf [White] (-2 hp, runic weapon)

Thorn turns towarads the last foe and raises his rifle, he pauses and aims, then fires!

Boom@Dwarf: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Damage, p/b: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8

Then he reloads and fires again

Boom@Dwarf: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 5 = 26
Damage, p/b: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Damage crit, p/b: 1d12 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 + 1 = 13
Fatal die: 1d12 ⇒ 4

30 dmg crit

Beggar So hustles up to White and takes an ineffective swing at him.

◆ Stride
◆ Whiff (I don't think a 12 hits)

Thorn makes a wild shot, and then a deadly accurate shot. Crit!

Beggar So moves up to White and misses.

--Round 4
Beggar So (47/47, flame stance)
Thorn (43/43)
Dwarf [Black] (-35 hp)
Red Rat (-11 hp)
Yellow Rat (-10 hp)
Green Rat (-20 hp)
Blue Rat (-28 hp)
Grimmylow (26/40, bless 25')
Buzz (22/30, mounted) / Loudmouth (26/30, 10' up)
Kzem (35/43, personal antithesis: White)
--Round 5
Dwarf [White] (-32 hp, runic weapon)

Grimmylow tries to Daze the dwarf with the glory of Sarenrae.

Daze: 1d6 ⇒ 5 Mental.

DC18 Basic Will save. On Crit Fail, he's also Stunned 1.

He also keeps his Shield up.

Will: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21 vs DC 18

The dwarf winces a little, but seems otherwise fine.

--Round 4
Beggar So (47/47, flame stance)
Thorn (43/43)
Dwarf [Black] (-35 hp)
Red Rat (-11 hp)
Yellow Rat (-10 hp)
Green Rat (-20 hp)
Blue Rat (-28 hp)
Grimmylow (26/40, bless 25')
Buzz (22/30, mounted) / Loudmouth (26/30, 10' up)
Kzem (35/43, personal antithesis: White)
--Round 5
Dwarf [White] (-34 hp, runic weapon)

Repositioning himself, now across from So, Kzem uses the back of his hand to wipe the blood away from his mouth and refocus on the white dwarf in front of him.

Shield Boss, vs OG: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 - 2 = 12 Damage, Personal Antithesis (b): 2d6 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 7 + 3 = 13

Shield Boss, vs OG: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 4 - 2 = 14 Damage, Personal Antithesis (b): 2d6 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2) + 7 + 3 = 15

◆ Stride
◆ Strike
◆ Strike

Buzz continues to toss stingers at the dwarf, not quite worthy of his few and precious bombs he keeps in his satchel.

Sting Shot: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Damage (Poison): 1d4 ⇒ 2

Sting Shot: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 5 = 17
Damage (Poison): 1d4 ⇒ 4

Sting Shot: 1d20 + 8 - 10 ⇒ (6) + 8 - 10 = 4
Damage (Poison): 1d4 ⇒ 3

The dwarf laughs at Kzem and Buzz's attacks. "Thank you, Asmodeus, for saving me from my enemies!" he bellows.

He Steps out from between Kzem and Beggar So, and slashes at the newcomer.

Dagger, Runic Weapon: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 14 + 1 = 29
Slashing, Runic Weapon: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4) + 4 = 12 plus Fire: 1d10 ⇒ 1

Dagger, Runic Weapon, agile: 1d20 + 14 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 14 + 1 - 4 = 25
Slashing, Runic Weapon: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 = 11 plus Fire: 1d10 ⇒ 4

--Round 4
Beggar So (19/47, flame stance)
Thorn (43/43)
Dwarf [Black] (-35 hp)
Red Rat (-11 hp)
Yellow Rat (-10 hp)
Green Rat (-20 hp)
Blue Rat (-28 hp)
Grimmylow (26/40, bless 25')
Buzz (22/30, mounted) / Loudmouth (26/30, 10' up)
Kzem (35/43, personal antithesis: White)
--Round 5
Dwarf [White] (-34 hp, runic weapon)

"Let me wipe that smile of your face!" yells Thorn as he reloads

Boom@Dwarf, bless: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 1 = 25
Damage, p/b: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6

Then he reloads again

"See if Asmodeus can protect you from this!" Grimmylow exclaims.

"Oh mighty Sarenrae, verily do I request thee to smite this fool!"

And, indeed, she does as a glowing scimitar appears next to the Asmodean and slashes at him.

Spiritual Weapon: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Slashing: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 8) = 15

And, just in case he is not smote...smitten...smited, Grimmylow erects a Shield of faith in Sarenrae between them.

Thorn's bullet strikes true, as does Sarenrae's ghostly scimitar, but the power of Asmodeus is strong within the dwarf.

--Round 4
Beggar So (19/47, flame stance)
Thorn (43/43)
Dwarf [Black] (-35 hp)
Red Rat (-11 hp)
Yellow Rat (-10 hp)
Green Rat (-20 hp)
Blue Rat (-28 hp)
Grimmylow (26/40, bless 25')
Buzz (22/30, mounted) / Loudmouth (26/30, 10' up)
Kzem (35/43, personal antithesis: White)
--Round 5
Dwarf [White] (-55 hp, runic weapon)

"Hold still, dwarf!" the Orc bellows. With a subtle flick of the wrist, a second Kzem appears opposite of the Asmodian worshiper- moving in unison with its counterpart.

Shield Boss, OG, Frightened, bless: 1d20 + 9 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 1 + 1 = 20 Damage, Personal antithesis (b): 2d6 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (1, 4) + 7 + 3 = 15

Shield Boss, OG, Frightened, bless: 1d20 + 4 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 1 + 1 = 21 Damage, Personal antithesis (b): 2d6 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (4, 5) + 7 + 3 = 19

The first blow seemingly comes from the original body, while the second seems, by some strange magic, to come from the reflection itself.

◆ Mirror
◆ Strike
◆ Strike

Kzem appears on both sides of the dwarf, who is confused, but not for long, as two massive shield bashes send him crumpling to the ground.

--End of Combat!

"Thank you, it was fortunate you were here," Jollibin says. As a token of their appreciation, the lumberjacks provide the heroes 10 gp and a bracelet of dashing for saving them.

The big dwarf carries an incriminating map of the region that shows their plans in detail, standard issue for all villains.

The dwarves, known as the Leadbuster Lads, were hired by the Kortos Consortium, a powerful lumber company with interests across the Starstone Isles. The Inkleholtz family broke off from the Kortos Consortium to challenge the larger company’s influence over the region. Certain shady managers in the Consortium hired subcontractors, such as the Leadbuster Lads, to advance the company’s interests while maintaining plausible deniability.

The attacks on the shroon farm and the flume were planned by the Leadbuster Lads. The hellhounds were provided by Hargrit (the dwarf with the white outline) as a worshipper of Asmodeus.

This map also shows a castle known as Maunder Castle and notes it as the Leadbuster Lads’ current base of operations. It was right by the bridge where the dwarf asked about your business in the area. You passed enough skill checks to get past, but failed the Perception checks to notice what he was protecting.

You can rest at the lumber camp all you want before heading out. I'm assuming you'll visit the castle. If not, this is the end of Chapter 2.

Tharpe makes sure that his gun is loaded, he looks at the map and grunts

"We should take a look at that castle..."

"It wasn't fortune! It was the beneficent hand of Sarenrae tugging us in the right direction!" Grimmylow declares.

He then spends the requisite time healing everyone up.

I'll use assurance. So's down the most so, if you don't mind, I'll roll his and just assume that the rolls for everyone else would add up to the needed amount.

Healing Power: 2d8 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5

Spit and Dirt: 2d8 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10

Granny Grunderbuff's Special: 2d8 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

Ripping off the band-aid: 2d8 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7

I think that's good enough: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 7) = 14

We're back on Slide 1.

Not far from the trail to the lumber camp, a ruined castle squats in a low dell. A few crumbling stones indicate that a road and entry once stood here, but they’ve long ago fallen away, swallowed by weeds. A sturdy lean-to has been recently constructed in the open space where the castle’s entrance once stood. A lowered portcullis bars passage farther into the castle.

The dwarf that the group met on the way to the lumber camp is standing in front of the porticullis, and yells, "You won't fast-talk your way through this time!"

Everyone except for Buzz sees a leopard, crouching in the underbrush, waiting for its master's orders.

Combat is pretty inevitable, but if you want to do something else, I'll let you roll something else for initiative.

"Did we fast talk our way through last time? I don't think we went through last time. We went past. Unless you mean that the way we went last time was through, in which case we still aren't going through, we're coming out. But this time we do want to go through because you and your friends have been very bad.

"But don't worry! You've got a friend in Sarenrae! Just ask for her forgiveness and it will be given! Then you don't have to feel bad about what you've done and you really don't have to feel bad about being burned, shot, punched and bashed because that stuff won't happen," Grimmylow says and waits expectantly for their erstwhile opponent to see the error of his mistake.

Thorn grunts to strengthen the message from Grimmy as he keeps his hands not far from the gun.

"Did we fast talk our way through last time? I don't think we went through last time. We went past. Unless you mean that the way we went last time was through, in which case we still aren't going through, we're coming out. But this time we do want to go through because you and your friends have been very bad.

"But don't worry! You've got a friend in Sarenrae! Just ask for her forgiveness and it will be given! Then you don't have to feel bad about what you've done and you really don't have to feel bad about being burned, shot, punched and bashed because that stuff won't happen," Grimmylow says and waits expectantly for their erstwhile opponent to see the error of his mistake.

"LALALALALALALALALALA!!!"

He covers his ears and refuses to listen, much less repent. He'll start the combat unarmed, rolling default for Grimmylow since it's higher than Diplomacy.

The leopard comes charging out, spooked by the noise, biting at Beggar So.

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 vs Perception DC 16
Still Hidden, attack will be vs Off-Guard

Jaws: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 vs off-guard
Piercing: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 plus Grab
This is a crit vs OG.

Grab, no MAP: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 vs Reflex DC

Sinking its teeth into Beggar So's leg, it tries to hold on, but can't. Sneak, Strike, Grab.

--Round 1
Grimmylow (40/40)
Thorn (43/43)
Kzem (45/45, unarmed)
Beggar So (31/47, no stance)
Buzz (30/30, mounted) / Loudmouth (30/30)
Dwarf (-0 hp, unarmed)
--Round 2
Leopard (-0 hp, unobserved to Buzz, Hidden to all others)