GM Tyranius (PF2) Gameday XII Blessings of the Forest (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Dot in here

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You find yourselves in a grand meeting hall in Iadara, the capital of the elven nation Kyonin. The air in this cavernous room holds a palpable excitement as Pathfinders fill it, joining together in small groups as they evaluate supplies and whisper excitedly about why everyone has been summoned to Kyonin.

Representatives from all the nations of the Inner Sea and beyond have come, gathering together amid the haphazard assortment of tables and chairs, seemingly pulled together in support of this unprecedented mustering.

Please introduce your PCs and complete any last minute purchases at this time.

A somewhat small and indistinct kayal (fetchling), whose skin appears to be absent of color and partially void of substance, arrives to the meeting hall. They wear fashionable yet functional clothing underneath a somewhat bulky half plate that fits well and has a series of dots and lines etched into it forming what appears to be constellations. At their side is a kukri and a starknife with a central grip that depicts a silver dragon whose neck, wings, and tail wrap around the blades. Lastly, a moon-shaped medallion is worn around their neck and rests atop the armor.

They slowly scan the hall with their eyes. Where will the stars take me they think wondering whose team they should join.

A tall woman of obviously Kellid ancestry enters the room. While tall, she walks with surprising grace. While her face mostly screams Kellid her dress is Varasian, and her movement is that of a dancer.

She doesn't bear the traditional heavy weapons of a Kellid, although a dagger and rapier hang at her waist. A glance at her hands don't show the calluses of a swordswoman though. Rather they are covered in ink. Stepping back you might even notice her robe is that of a scholar.

She eyes up the Fetchling with interest. "Another Pathfinder? I'm Teja Khellekdottir. I don't suppose you have noticed any elderly scholars of Varisian heritage in the crowd? I swear one of these days I'm going to catch up with him."

Zenith is soon joined by a glowing sprite who seems fascinated with the dots and lines on the half plate. It's hard to tell what she is wearing because of the yellow glow that surrounds her but you get glimpses of what could be a short, sleeveless, translucent, skirt, that is opaque in the right places, unless that's something under the skirt. The only weapon visible is a dagger.

Currently she's standing on top of a corgi although she uses her wings to gain a little height for a short time.

Another person is a dwarf clad in heavy armor, she carries a round sturdy shield on her back and a large warhamemr on her side. Her smile is bright and genuine

"Pleasure to see you, Makai Goldenoak cleric of Torag."

You can see by her firm handshake and posture that she is no stranger to fighting. You might have heard someone describing her as 'Hard as an anvil, subtle like a hammer', which seem to match

A goblin with a lute waves to you all. ”I’m Sznark. Pleased to meet you all. I play tunes and scare the enemy!”

A row of pathfinders parts like wheat being blown by the wind in a straight line from one of the doors to the already gathered group. The motion is followed by cries of surprise and indignation.

It isn't until the last few between you and the cause that you see a gnome man with feral features and wild hair pushing his way through the crowd. Though he is not smiling, the gleam in his eyes indicates he is pleased by the chaos he is causing.

"I also scare people...to death," he follows up from Sznark's introduction and actually does smile.

Wearing only buckskin pants and a vest with fur hems, sturdy boots and a wide belt with an enormous buckle depicting a man jumping down elbow first on a prone victim he scratches his bare chest and gives the ladies, and Zenith a suggestive smirk with no apparent preference for size or shape.

His only armament appears to be a spiked gauntlet.

"The pleasure is definitely mine," he replies to Makai. "I hope this isn't one of those missions with a lot of thinking and talking."

**HOUSE GM ANNOUNCEMENT**

The raucous excitement that has filled the room comes to a calm as four figures step to the center. Fola Barun and Eando Kline are accompanied by a scholarly elven man and a lithe, hooded figure. Eando clears his throat and begins.

“Agents, thank you for braving the not-quite-so safe trip to join us here in the heart of Iadara. While publicly still unwelcome within Kyonin, when we received a cryptic message bearing her majesty’s seal, asking us to come here and lend aid, we took the chance. One of our foundational principles is cooperation, and in doing so here we have opened the door to an opportunity to foster mutual respect, loyalty, and trust; perhaps even to rebuild a bridge long burnt. However, this is better explained by the envoy the queen has sent to us.”

With that, the hooded figure takes the center of the floor. A feminine voice begins to speak from behind the cowl that obscures their face. “Thank you, Pathfinders, for obliging the request to come. You see, things here in Kyonin are not what they seem... And, let me start by clearing some of the confusion by introducing myself properly.”

As the elf lifts her hood, it starts to shimmer, and then falls back upon her shoulders. She lifts her head, making eye contact with the audience surrounding her, all the while the crystal in the center of the circlet encircling her fair forehead glows with the new day’s dawn.

“I am Queen Telandia, and I hope you will accept my apologies for concealing my identity, but there are many here in Iadara, in Kyonin as a whole, who still hear the title Pathfinder and find a bad taste in their mouth. For them to find me meeting with you would be very... bad for my health. However, I know this opinion doesn’t need to stay the case—even if the glacial pace of elven politics seems nigh impossible to change. After speaking with your former Venture-Captain of Kyonin,” she gestures to the other elf in the entourage. “I have come to ask a great favor from your society, one that is surely dangerous, though I’m still trying to discern how much so. I am certain that your success at this mission will help me to prove your worth as allies to others, possibly even speeding up politics.

“As for why I have called you to this place: the Tanglebriar at the edge of Kyonin is a horrid place. A twisting swamp filled with abyssal energy and other horrors one dares not speak of. Thankfully, the corruption within Kyonin has been kept to there—that is,until now. My agents have found information that indicates an individual named Nathatel Zephon is actively working to spread the message of his ‘elves first’ manifesto and is possibly involved with the spreading corruption.”

Amplifying his voice for the room to hear, Venture-Captain Ciobanu comes into the explanation. “There are pockets of woods in Kyonin that are starting to resemble places that have been tampered with, not the least of all my hometown of Folien. Reports state the area around the town has become darker, more sinister. You can never take the same way home as how you got there, and the shifting navigation has made it nearly impossible to get through if you don’t already know exactly where it is you’re going.”

The queen continues, “I’m certain something is messing with the town, working to find a way to take control of it and the ley lines running through there. What I need from you is to find your way to the town, find out exactly what is causing these concerns, and neutralize it with whatever means you must.”

Fola looks to the agents gathered in the large underground tavern, and then back to the queen. “Your Highness, I believe this is a challenge we can take on, and we’re grateful you’ve determined we’re the right people to help you.”

Eando smiles. “Of course we are. Containing power from being accessed by an evil enemy? This happens to be my area of expertise.” Venture-Captain Ciobanu looks at the rest of the agents in the room. “What say you? Are you with us?” As a cheer erupts from the crowd, he smiles. “Well, we have but a few moments for questions, feel free to come and ask, but then we must be on our way.”

Table GMs, please begin Part 1

Teja, Zenith and Makai remember pertinent details about Venture-Captain Ciobanu. Venture-Captain Ciobanu is from the town of Folien, and was the leader of the lodge in Kyonin, known as the Leaves of Talhindir. The Society had been making great headwinds in gathering information about the history of Kyonin prior to Earthfall when suddenly he disappeared.

Teja also remembers pertinent details about the Society’s history with Kyonin. Kyonin and the Pathfinder Society have been on uneasy terms for many years. When the elves returned after Earthfall, they found many of their artifacts had been looted from their homes, and with the Society’s reputation for taking first and asking later the residents of Kyonin have trouble trusting them.

★ -- ★ -- ★ -- ★

In groups you head out along the trails. Venture-Captain Ciobanu looks at the twisted path ahead and then at his wayfinder. Closing it, he looks up. “I remember, when I was leading my lodge, the most important tasks came when I was helping other agents to overcome obstacles they couldn’t on their own. Getting to our destination is going to take supporting each other in much the same way. All of us have skills that we are better at than others, and we should use this opportunity to support each other. I need you to look around at your fellow agents and help them complete any tasks they’re struggling with.”

Looking around the caravan traveling to Folien, you find several groups of Pathfinders who could use their help.

Each PC can attempt two checks to assist their chosen group. Each PC can pick one group to assist, though multiple PCs can help the same group.

Groups are listed below:

Group 1 Some agents fared poorly against the dangers of the forest and have returned to camp injured. They need help getting patched up so they can continue. Skills: Medicine, Survival, an appropriate Lore skill, or a PC can expend a spell slot to cast a spell that helps restore Hit Points.

Group 2 One of the wagons carrying supplies for the group has broken an axle. None of the other Pathfinders here are wainwrights, so it’s going to be a group effort to lift the wagon and put it back together. Skills: Athletics, Crafting, or an appropriate Lore skill.

Group 3 A few casters are working to pull together items that could be used to replenish material components for spellcasting and rituals. They could use some help with locating and gathering supplies. Skills: Arcana, Nature, Occultism, Religion, an appropriate Lore skill.

Group 4 A group of Pathfinders has been tasked with catching some small wildlife for dinner. With the number of people they need to feed, they’re also going to need to sneakily track some and trap them. Skills: Acrobatics, Stealth, Thievery, or an appropriate Lore skill.

Luciola will go help the agents that need healing. She'll use some of her Heal spells.

short on time until i am home tomorrow evening so sorry for low effort

Zenith chooses to help the pathfinders tasked with catching dinner group 4 by trying to show them how to rapidly approach their prey via acrobatic maneuvers.

acrobatics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32
acrobatics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19

Group 4 as well - stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

Sznark teaches folks how to effectively hide and disable stuff.

Teja looks around at the various groups in need of assistance. Heading toward the casters, she sighs. "The more powerful they are, it seems the more forgetful. Lets see what I can find."
arcana: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35
occultism: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25

"Look! Mana flowers!"

Athletics, group 2: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
Athletics, group 2: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Makai heads to help with the cart. But she can't find the right grip

"Here. Let me show you...you grab it at the bottom and then you hold real tight and go smooth," Zabu says, joining Makai at the wagon with the broken axel.

Athletics: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29

"And then you just hold steady."

Athletics: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26

Spreading out you help out some of the less experienced Pathfinders as Luciola heals some of the injured, Zenith and Sznark catch some dinner for latter in the evening, Makai and Zabu helps right the cart while Teja gathers some last minute spell components for the casters. Luciola spends two healing spells and the group overall got 8 Task Points which is a Navigation Success.

★ -- ★ -- ★ -- ★

Eando swears softly at the maps he’s holding, frustration creasing his brow. “Looking at these charts, the way to town should be clear from here. Unfortunately, with all this overgrowth, I’m not sure which way we need to go next. I need you to go ahead of the rest of us and find a way through it, otherwise who knows what could happen while we’re stuck here?”

You will need to help scout out a safe route. This involves a combination of environmental knowledge, searching for danger, and physical prowess moving from each spot. Each PC can use one or two skills to be used (within reason) with a DC of 25. I will also take creative solutions. This will need multiple successes.

Zabu treats the undergrowth and blockages on their path the same way he treated the Pathfinders at the gathering earlier.

The way out is through.

Stones and logs are tossed aside. Saplings, vines and bushes are ripped down, torn up or snapped in two.

Athletics: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22

He doesn't depend entirely on brute strength, though and keeps his bearings as best he can while avoiding the most stubborn vegetation.

Survival: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Apparently, nature is tougher than gnome.

Nature: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Nature: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

Makai first tries to use her knowledge of nature to find the right path, but either the plants are different or she lost her touch. Later on she follows the path of her faith. Torag is the forge father, the creator of all ...

The scholar looks around the dense underbrush without much love. "See, this is why I like libraries and books.. Speaking of which, there was this interesting article about warped plants.."

nature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

"So... keep your eyes open. Who knows what might be out here."
perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

Zenith does what they always do when they are lost-- consult the stars, or the memory of them from the night prior. Zenith thinks back to their reading from last night.

Occultism: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Occultism: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Struggling to think back of anything relevant, suddenly it comes to them. "A joke! That's what the stars meant last night. We need a joke to find our way! I'll start, How many pathfinders does it take to find the path?"

They wait for responses before responding

Sznark tries to find a sneaky way through the growth.
stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

And looks around for a safe path.
perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

You are right on the edge. Let's see if Luciola can get us over the hump.

Sznark will do an inspire competence to aid Lucilola. performace: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23

”Let me play you a tune…”

Luciola is quite happy to dance to Sznark's tune - in fact he discovers she's rather good at it.
performance: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23

She also uses her Nature skill to find the best way through without damaging the flora too much, while using her 'glow' to guide the way.
nature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
((Hero Point))
nature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

... and Acrobatics for the difficult bits
acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
((Hero Point)
acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Evidently not

Due to the unseasonable flooding in the area followed by unnatural winds blowing leaves and other debris around, this hidden forest bog catches everyone in the party by surprise.

Luciola spots a hidden bog as you begin to sink to your waists. Only some quick thinking will get you out of this.

Disable- DC 28 (Trained) Survival x2 to find roots and tree limbs sturdy enough for everyone to use as escape paths ends the hazard’s threat to all creatures in the area.

A creature partially or fully submerged in the bog can attempt a DC 26 Athletics check to Swim to either raise itself by one step (pulled under to submerged to its neck, or submerged to its neck to submerged to its waist), or to escape from the bog if it’s submerged only up to its waist. This DC increases to DC 28 for creatures submerged up to their neck or worse.

★★★
The Overgrowth! Round 1

Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Teja (88/88 HP) │ Submerged (Waist)
➤ Zenith (99/99 HP) │ Submerged (Waist)
➤ Makai (87/87 HP) │ Submerged (Waist)
Hidden Forest Bog (- HP) │ Disable: DC 28 (T) Survival x2 (2 actions)
Zabu (144/144 HP) │ Submerged (Waist)
Luciola (55/55 HP) │ Submerged (Waist)
Sznark (0/ HP) │ Submerged (Waist)

"... like bogs.." sighs the suddenly muddy scholar.

"My books!"
athletics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
she calls out, trying desperately to keep out of the mud. With a sick sucking sound the scholar's stretched sleeve snags a snarl and she slowly stretches, swimming safely clear.

Athletics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Makai trashes trying to free herself from the bog, but she can't seem to find the right footing.

"On Torag's beard, I can't free myself"

Zenith first tries to break themself free before trying to identify which branches are sturdy enough for others to use.

Athletics to Escape: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28
Survival (T) to Disable: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

"Remember, to find our way we need to make jokes!" they say as they pull themself out of the bog.

Actions: ◆Escape ◆◆ Disable
Reaction ↺ If an enemy damages, grabs, or grapples ally when both the enemy and ally are within 15 feet of Zenith: Liberating Step!

Teja manages to quickly pull herself free from the bog as she grips a nearby branch. Makai struggles and makes no new ground as she stays trapped waist deep.

Zenith too manages to free himself. Looking around he finds a few branches, though no suitable ones.

Everyone left in the bog quickly sinks down to their necks!

★★★
The Overgrowth! Round 1/2

Battlemap

Sznark: Submerged (Neck)

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Teja (88/88 HP)
➤ Zenith (99/99 HP)
➤ Makai (87/87 HP) │ Submerged (Neck)
Hidden Forest Bog (- HP) │ Disable: DC 28 (T) Survival x2 (2 actions)
➤ Zabu (144/144 HP) │ Submerged (Neck)
➤ Luciola (55/55 HP) │ Submerged (Neck)
➤ Sznark (0/ HP) │ Submerged (Neck)

Luciola casts Fly on herself and attempts to gain altitude. She is not trained in athletics.

Athletics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28

Makai continues to try and free herself, and this time she has better result. Then she extends her hand towards Zenith saying "May Torag Bless you!" Casting guidance on Zenith

Teja looks around for vines that she may be able to throw to help people out...

survival: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Can I assume this is a full round action?

But none are in easy reach.

The Disable (Survival) is 2 actions. So you still have an action such as aid.

survival: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Sznark says ”Oh no not this again…”

Sznark casts guidance on himself and tries to pull himself out…

"May Torag help us see the stars!" Zenith says as they pull on more limbs to check their strength.

Survival (T) to Disable, guidance: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 1 = 27

Not finding any, they try to assist Teja assuming for next round
Survival, Aid Teja, DC 20: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25 +1 circumstance bonus to next Disable

Luciola casts a spell just before she gets dragged under. Slowly she floats, rising above the muck as a small plop is heard as she frees herself.

Sznark thrashes about and finds nothing to grab ahold of. Teja just finds weak, deadend sticks lying about.

Heading a little further out Zenith finds a longer log. Calling those freed over you are able to get the log across one side of the bog. 1 Success to disable. Need 1 more

Makai grabs ahold of the log, slowly dragging herself back up to waist depth.

Can Zabu bring in the last success to disable this hazard.

★★★
The Overgrowth! Round 1/2

Battlemap

Sznark: Submerged (Neck)

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Teja (88/88 HP)
Zenith (99/99 HP)
Makai (87/87 HP) │ Submerged (Waist)
Hidden Forest Bog (- HP) │ Disable: DC 28 (T) Survival x2 (2 actions) | 1 Success
➤ Zabu (144/144 HP) │ Submerged (Neck)
Luciola (55/55 HP)
Sznark (0/ HP) │ Submerged (Neck)

Glubglubglub…

**HOUSE GM ANNOUNCEMENT**

As you continue your way toward Folien, Fola Barun calls out words of encouragement. “Agents, we are making good time! Keep us moving along!”

Table GMs, the On the Path condition is in effect.

"The most important part is to stay relaxed and use your surroundings," Zabu says, though he has to strain to be able to talk over the quicksand that is coming very close to his mouth.

Survival: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

It's not very good advice and as he starts to sink further, he does not relax or use his surroundings and flails around to get out.

Athletics: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21

@Sznark- What is your Con score?

Zabu isn't able to help much more as he begins to panic. Makai slips and falls back down submerging to her neck as Zabu and Sznark take a last large gulp of breath as they submerge completely under.

Disable- DC 28 (Trained) Survival x2 to find roots and tree limbs sturdy enough for everyone to use as escape paths ends the hazard’s threat to all creatures in the area.

A creature partially or fully submerged in the bog can attempt a DC 26 Athletics check to Swim to either raise itself by one step (pulled under to submerged to its neck, or submerged to its neck to submerged to its waist), or to escape from the bog if it’s submerged only up to its waist. This DC increases to DC 28 for creatures submerged up to their neck or worse.

★★★
The Overgrowth! Round 2/3

Battlemap

Sznark: Submerged (Completely Under) | Hold Breath ?/?

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Teja (88/88 HP)
➤ Zenith (99/99 HP)
➤ Makai (87/87 HP) │ Submerged (Waist)
Hidden Forest Bog (- HP) │ Disable: DC 28 (T) Survival x2 (2 actions) | 1 Success
➤ Zabu (144/144 HP) │ Submerged (Completely Under) | Hold Breath 9/9
➤ Luciola (55/55 HP)
➤ Sznark (80/80 HP) │ Submerged (Completely Under) | Hold Breath ?/?

Luciola casts yet another spell and now she looks more like a mud covered halfling (Humanoid Form) First she rescues her corgi before it too goes under, then rummages in the mud to pull Sznark out with the aid of the Fly spell.

Doesn't have trained Survival either

Survival (T) to Disable DC 28: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17 hero point, slide updated
Survival (T) to Disable DC 28: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Zenith watches two of their companions be overtaken by the bog. Frantically they continue their search for a way to get everyone out. Thats when they find it-- a giant tree root network.

"Grab this!!" they shout before diving in with some of the tree roots to help Zabu and Sznark.

Actions: ◆◆Disable ◆Jump back in to help

So this is what gruel feels like... Sznark thinks as he sinks...

Zenith finds another log and tosses it across the bog. With this you are able to pull your remaining party back to the surface to catch their breath.

Hazard is now disabled. Navigation Success

Hero Point to Zenith.

★ -- ★ -- ★ -- ★

Fola tilts her head, curling up her nose as a new thought hits her. “Agents, elves aren’t the only ones who inhabit this forest, though they are the most prevalent. The forest is also home to many fey, denizens who are no doubt being affected by these changes as well. Maybe we should see if we can find some of them, and if so, seek an alliance.”

With that, Fola sends you off to attempt to make allies with the local fey. Finding them is a little difficult though, forcing you to utilize your tracking skills to look for signs of fey.

Will need 2 successful DC 23 Survival or Perception checks.

The kayal is no stranger to finding the strangest places to live in a forest. They rely on their past life to guide them in their tracking

Survival: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Con score is 14.

"T-thanks for saving me. I thought I was gonna be sludge..." he says to Luciola.

Sznark coughs up the mud. He tries to remove the mud from his lute and other stuff.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Assuming Fey Lore is helpful.

Yeah .... me too .... that wasn't nice. But I couldn't let you or your music go down without a fight

After cleaning up she goes help look for fey, lighting up her fey glow to attract attention, changing it's colour every so often. Maybe it would help if she sat on someone's shoulder. And after the catastrophe she's now wearing the bare minimum.

Fey Lore: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32