[GameDay XII] DM Carbide's CORE Tide of Morning (0-23) (Inactive)

Game Master John Woodford

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In Absalom, the Venture-Captains claimed it would be a nice walk in the woods, a pleasant change of pace from the bustle of the city. Obviously they forgot about the brambles, boulders, and biting insects of the Verduran Forest, which turned the jouney into an arduous three-day scramble of detours, torn clothes, and near falls. Fortunately, Venture-Captain Dennel Hamshanks made a firm impression before the expedition left Absalom.

The room grew still as Hamshanks rolled into the meeting, deep inside the Pathfinder Lodge in Absalom, his jowls jiggling and his enormous axe clanking against his thigh. The man’s black eyes scanned the room. “You lot?” Hamshanks spat. “Well, maybe you’ll surprise me.

“Your boat leaves in an hour, so I’ll be brief. One of the Society’s contacts in Andoran sent us an interesting little nugget this morning. A druid named Hemzel swept into Augustana’s Civic Library last week, demanding his right of research. Our contact learned that Hemzel acquired a lorestone from somewhere in the Verduran Forest. Heard of such a thing?” Hamshanks paused expectantly and spat again. “Of course not. Heard of druids, at least? And their crazy stone circles? Well thank Gorum for that. Lorestones are somehow connected to them—supposedly they can bestow you with all of the knowledge of the druids. We’d like to know how, so we want that stone and you’re going to get it for us.

“Unfortunately, the Society is not a friend to Hemzel. He’s the self-declared protector of the Verduran Forest inside Andoran’s borders and some of our more eager explorers have angered him and his little band of gnomes. He’s sworn a blood feud with the Pathfinders.

“Break out your skills of persuasion and get me that lorestone. Do what you need to—sweep the floors or plant some trees for the old man. Something nice—let him know we’re there to study and not to slash and burn.”

As the sun sets on the third day of travel in the Verduran Forest, the welcome sight of a puffing chimney—Hemzel’s home, according to the map—reveals itself atop a hill.

Nala's pursed lips indicate the direction of the residence, ”Well, that’s the extent of my skills. Getting us here. I respect nature and all, but druids are quite a bit above my level. And convincing anyone of anything is well beyond my expertise. All I can do is promise to work hard.”

Knowledge: Geography regarding this area?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

The elf had spent the majority of his time traveling complaining most loudly about the forest. ”Its too hot out here! And there’s creepy crawly things everywhere. Why couldn’t this mission have taken place in a cool library,” he grumbled as he tried to shake mud off the hem of his robe.

He thought back to the mission briefing and the directions given to the group.

Any knowledge skills useful for the briefing, GM?

”I at least wish he’d told us to wear a hat. My ears are getting burnt!”

Any knowledge skills useful for the briefing, GM?

Alas, no.

“Break out your skills of persuasion and get me that lorestone. Do what you need to—sweep the floors or plant some trees for the old man. Something nice—let him know we’re there to study and not to slash and burn.”

Gwen gives the Venture-Captain (and his axe) a suspicious look at that last statement, and leaves on him hoping to illicit a response.

-----

The elf had spent the majority of his time traveling complaining most loudly about the forest. ”Its too hot out here! And there’s creepy crawly things everywhere. Why couldn’t this mission have taken place in a cool library...”

"A men to that." Gwendolyn says out loud. She would have loved nothing more than to be back at her librarian job on the Society campus. Even having to share a room, with her highly chaotic roommate, the young paladin Apollyanna would be better than this. She was a city girl and despite that the Society was always sending her (often by long ship journey) to all sorts of horrible places like frozen, witch haunted Irrisen, and even once into the distant past via a time traveling flower bed he felt for sure had been invented by someone who just didn't want to cut the campus' lawn. The very thought of that excursion had flashing back to her younger self nervously looking about for butterflies to not trod upon. It gave her the willies. It also made her worry what other harebrained scheme some of her "superiors" might try to pull off while she was not around. "A men to that."

”I at least wish he’d told us to wear a hat. My ears are getting burnt!”

"If you want, Malon, I have a spare scroll of endure elements."

Overhead her familiar, Hera, an owl that Apollyanna talked Gwen into adopting "to make her look more authoritative" in front of all the wizards working in and around the Grand Lodge's many libraries, was flying stealth reconnaissance.

Gwen would have cast mage armor on Hera when they were about a half-hour out. Hera stays about half-a-mile out in front of the party, skimming the forest canopy to avoid enemy radar.

After a long time on temple duty, Miriel was delighted to get again on a mission. And the goal of the mission, improving relations with a druid sounded just what a paladin of Shelyn, with knowledge of the nature, would be good at. She was happy to see her old companion, Gwendolyn and of course the owl Hera, again, and share the latest news, both from Gwendolyn and Apollyanna, her sister in faith.

Miriel admired the rugged beauty of the Verduran Forest to her companions. Her stoic acceptance of the problems of insects and thorny plants came quickly at first, but as the days went on, she seemed to need an increasing time of breathing before her statement of seeing beauty in all creations. Her knowledgeable discussion about the local flora and fauna seemed a bit at odds with her total lack of sense of direction, even with her wayfinder, being responsible for a significant part of the detours.

As they see their goal, she stops for a moment to repair her originally carefully arranged outfit. She tries to get all the tangled plant parts off, hide the tears puts all her equipment meticulously to their aesthetically chosen places. Finishing with arranging her hair, she takes a deep breath, and says: "Well, that is the best I can currently manage in these conditions." She looks to her companions, and asks: "Shall we go meet this druid and convince him of our, and the whole Pathfinder Society's, honorable intentions and cooperative nature, and request forgiveness for whatever has caused his animosity toward our organization in the past? Or does someone still have some preparation to do?"

The lightly armored half-elf nods her head side to side. She puts her shield away and tries to look a bit less combative.

”It’s not that bad really, a little claustrophobic without being able to see the sea or sky much. But the walk here was relaxing, other than the detours.”

Nala tries to recall if she introduced herself earlier. She must have, right? And these other three are… crud. Names are hard when you constantly cycle through new teammates. One started with a M and another a G, pretty sure. There was a bird, Hera. Great name. She flew off earlier though to hunt.

She touches her silver seagull necklace for comfort.

Hopefully introductions will be made again when we meet the druid. I’ll pay more attention this time.

____________

No prep to make. She has a Longstrider wand when expecting combat, but is really hoping for no combat here.

@GM: Would it have been possible to purchase an Oil of Daylight for 2PP before we left? We sorta started in medias res, which threw me off a bit. If not, she will do it after the mission.

Malon casts Mage Armor on himself, as it appeared to be time for protection. He pulls his magic missile wand, and nods to the others. ”I’m as ready as I can be, I think!”

Gwendolyn, you know that owls don't generally fly by day, so anyone with any knowledge of nature who sees Hera will find it odd.

Most owls are nocturnal, but a few do operate during the day. Regardless, she can fly at half speed (which is normally 40') and still keep or exceed the party's pace on the ground and have a +15 on stealth checks in forested spaces, plus whatever distance modifiers might be applied to potential watchers on the ground.
Hera has flown 42 missions over North Korea.

Previously.

"Nǐ hǎo, Miriel. Nǐ duì Tiān Xià de yánjiū yǒu gēn shàng ma?"

....

....

"Er, I'm guessing 'not'. Still it's good to see a friendly face."

She'll reminisce in the Common tongue with the elven paladin, about their adventures in Dtang Ma and how she expects there to be even more snakes here in the woods than there were along the mountain path to the ruined temple of Yamatsumi.

Most owls are nocturnal, but a few do operate during the day. Regardless, she can fly at half speed (which is normally 40') and still keep or exceed the party's pace on the ground and have a +15 on stealth checks in forested spaces, plus whatever distance modifiers might be applied to potential watchers on the ground.

Hera has flown 42 missions over North Korea.

Though you are correct in noting that she might stand out if she is seen. Hera is probably not of a species of owl that is native to this particular forest.

Anyhow, she generally scouts ahead when Gwen is outdoors. Gwen still only gets Hera's feelings (surprise, trepidation, eagerness, etc...) via their empathic link, although Hera herself is a genius intellect among birds.

As for Gwen and the Marching Order, she typically stays toward the middle/middle back of the marching order. Much of her magical combat ability relies heavily upon surprise.

"Well, we seem to all be as prepared as we will ever be. For myself, I am very interested in discussing with this druid and learning more about the nature around here."

Miriel starts heading toward the presumed home of the druid on top of the hill.

Hera hasn't noticed anything that troubles her, though there have been some delicious little rodents that failed to notice her until it was too late.

The sun has just barely set, so the woods are shadowed. The smoke from Hemzel's chimney seems to glow a deep red as it rises to catch the last rays of the sun. The hill is mostly covered with an impassable barrier of vines and brambles, broken only by a narrow path.

I have a marching order set on the map linked in the campaign header--let me know if that's acceptable.

Just as the party reaches the edge of the bramble barrier, though, a high-pitched voice cackles from behind the hut. "Too late, too late for Hemzel! Gire, finish them!" In response, a fallen log on the other side of the barrier bursts, releasing a torrent of rats.

Round 1:

Initiative order
Miriel
Rat swarms
Gwendolyn
Keynala
Enemy A
Malon

Miriel can act!

Enemy A: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0
Rat swarms: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken - Blue: 0 Yellow: 0

"Come and show yourself to end this pathetic plot twist!" Miriel shouts back at the cackling voice. She runs forward, pulls out her blade and slashes at the yellowish-furred rats. "Poor things, they are in a frenzy and will bite until beaten" she mourns the fate of the rats.

Move: Move and ready Elven Curve Blade
Standard: Attack yellow swarm (Power Attack): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Damage (Slashing, Adamantine, Power Attack): 1d10 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Miriel agrees to be at the front in marching order.

Just as the party reaches the edge of the bramble barrier, though, a high-pitched voice cackles from behind the hut. "Too late, too late for Hemzel! Gire, finish them!" In response, a fallen log on the other side of the barrier bursts, releasing a torrent of rats.

Gwendolyn half turns to Keynala, and says in an almost bored tone "So, which one do you suppose 'Gire' is?" while nodding toward the swarms of oncoming vermin.

"And Miriel, she's got this, right? I mean she just ran at them. You don't just run at a horde of hundreds of ravenous rats without a plan, right? She's a pala--Oh, no." Gwendolyn remembers her roommate, Apollyanna, the only other paladin of Shelyn that she knews. They can't all be like that? "...Oh, no."

Round 1 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Miriel-acted
Rat swarms-acted
Gwendolyn
Keynala
Enemy A
Malon

Miriel strides forward and cuts through innumerable rat bodies, nearly dispersing the first swarm. Something small blurs into existence where the mocking voice was heard, but before anyone can get a good look it streaks away behind the round house and is gone. The remaining rats in the first swarm live up to their name as they cover the paladin, biting at her through her armor. While that's happening, the other swarm goes after the rest of the party. Miriel, take 2 HP, plus a DC 12 Fort save or nauseated. Everyone else, take 3 HP, plus a DC 12 Fort save to avoid being nauseated and another DC 12 Fort save or something happens.

Gwendolyn and Keynala can act!

Enemy A: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0
Rat swarms: AC 14 T 14 FF 12 HP taken - Blue: 0 Yellow: 9

DC 12 Fort vs Nausea: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
DC 12 Fort vs Other Thing: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

The ranger has no issues with the biting clawing rats, simply stepping out of them and equipping her…

Knowledge: Nature t: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Does that get her any info? She would like to know if a specific weapon hurts them or hurts them more than others. If not, she will just smack a few around to see what happens. Alternative damage options include slashing and piercing.

…shield, slamming it into the swarm.

MW Light Shield: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 for Bludgeoning: 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

”Gross.”

"Ack!"

Fort vs thing: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Fort vs other thing: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

climb maybe?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Gwen retreats up(?) the ridge to get away from the swarm and get a bead on all the rats. She shouts a word in some language other than the Common tongue and scintillating light sparkles forth from her finger tips.

Gwen casts color spray (Will DC 16) hitting the clump of rats she just exited.

"Hera! See what's going on around the house!"

Hera takes a move action forward to see what she can see.

Round 1 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Miriel-acted
Rat swarms-acted
Gwendolyn-acted
Keynala-acted
Enemy A-acted
Malon

Keynala recalls that swarms of tiny creatures tend to resist slashing and piercing attacks, so her shield is probably her best weapon. Indeed, it does inflict rather a lot of damage on the rats. Gwendolyn retreats from the fray and looses a spell on the swarms, causing them to stop acting. Hera rises into the air and calls back to the sorceress.

The grasses all around the area start to move, entwining themselves around the party! DC 13 Reflex save or entangled. A different voice comes from near the cottage: "Too late to run away now! You're all going to die horribly, just like Hemzel!"

Malon is up!

Enemy A: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0
Rat swarms: AC 14 T 14 FF 12 HP taken - Blue: 7 Yellow: 9

Keynala recalls that swarms of tiny creatures tend to resist slashing and piercing attacks, so her shield is probably her best weapon. Indeed, it does inflict rather a lot of damage on the rats. Gwendolyn retreats from the fray and looses a spell on the swarms, causing them to stop acting. Hera rises into the air and calls back to the sorceress.

Gwen, can only target one swarm (as hard as I tried to stretch that 15' cone)--the one she left behind (green).

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Gwen avoids the entangling ground cover by reaching a bare patch earth.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Hm....

Fun Fact I once killed someone with strangling grass in a Call of Cthulhu game. So this is secretly terrifying. ;)

Nala yells out, ”Bludgeon the rats if you can.”

She glances at the stunned rat pile and adds, ”Or uh, use magic I guess.”

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

She tries to move her feet but they get tangled up in the grass. The half-elf mouths a curse word.

"Methinks you protest too much!" Gwen shouts in the general direction of the unseen speaker.

Fortitude DC 12: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

One of the rats climbed on Miriel's face and she can't do anything else than try to shake it off, and cough and spit away the fur and dirt it brought.

Hmm, did the swarm move provoke attack of opportunity? I vaguely remember they did sometimes.

Reflex DC 13: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Sense motive DC 15: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (9) - 2 = 7

Fort 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Fort 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Malon resisted the nausea from the creatures skittering all over him.

Reflex 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

The elf moves 30’ south, trying to avoid the swarms and the grasses.

If someone could move me on the map, please.

Miriel, you would have gotten an AoO if the swarm hadn't distracted you. Gwendolyn, is that when "touch grass" becomes a curse? Unfortunately for Malon, the map doesn't go that far. It's definitely an early module in many ways (if it being written in 3.5 wasn't enough to tell that).

Round 2:

Initiative order
Miriel-distracted
Rat swarms-
Gwendolyn
Keynala
Enemy A
Malon

"Oh, you'll see how much I protest when you're laid open on the forest floor!"

Miriel, you can take a single move action.

"Oh, you'll see how much I protest when you're laid open on the forest floor!"

Miriel, you can take a single move action.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 20

"You don't sound so sure of that! Come out! We can talk."

GM, Where is the area of the entangle effect?

Miriel continues to cough and spit as she gets away from the rats, and tries to see what's behind the house.

Move: Move 20'

Sense Motive DC 15: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (9) - 2 = 7

Gwendolyn, give me a Diplomacy check.

ETA: Spell AoE is marked on the map.

Keep them talking.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Thanks for your patience--it's been a busy week.

Round 2 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Miriel-acted
Rat swarms-acted
Gwendolyn
Keynala
Enemy A
Malon

"All right! I can't stop the rats, but as soon as I can I'll get rid of the entangle spell." The southern swarm recovers from the worst effects of Gwendolyn's spell, while the northern swarm goes after Keynala. Take 1 HP damage, and DC 12 Fort save to avoid being nauseated.

Gwendolyn and Keynala are up!

Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

The aquatic ranger shrugs, ”No worries, I’ll stop them. Dirty little vermin.”

She pulls out a nasty looking spiked club and starts playing whack-a-critter.

MW Cold Iron Morningstar - Entangle vs North Swarm: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 2 = 19 for Piercing and Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Round 2 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Miriel-acted
Rat swarms-acted
Gwendolyn
Keynala-acted
Enemy A
Malon

With a mighty blow, Keynala disperses the active swarm.

Gwendolyn?

Enemy A: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0
Rat swarms: AC 14 T 14 FF 12 HP taken - Blue: 7 Yellow: done

Looking a bit put out Gwen lets fly another burst of rainbow energy.

Gwen casts color spray (Will DC 16) hitting the clump of dazed and now partially bludgeoned rats again--a part of the clump that Keynala isn't standing in.

Does the voice seem to be coming from inside or out? If Hera can't keep up with the escapee she tries to find the owner of voice. If it's coming from inside she lands on a window sill and looks in.

perception(?): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Round 2 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Miriel-acted
Rat swarms-acted
Gwendolyn-acted
Keynala-acted
Enemy (?) A-acted
Malon-

The spell stuns and blinds the mass of rats. Hera doesn't spot anything outside of the house, but when she looks in through the window she immediately realizes that there's a rapidly-spreading fire inside.

The entangle effect ends.

Malon?

Malon moves back to the group with the spells being dispersed. ”Now what’s the deal with all of this chicanery,” Malon asks the strange voice.

"Cyflymder has sworn to clear the Verduran Forest of the scum who stole our heritage. I think he's far too cruel...it would be better if you fled on your own, wouldn't it?"

Is it Miriel's turn now? Are we still fighting the rat swarm? If so, turn is in spoiler.

It is, and you are.

Round 3 (ongoing):

Miriel's arrow spits a few rats as it cuts a narrow swath through the densely-packed mass.

The swarm is still stunned.

Gwendolyn and Keynala are up!

Gwendolyn rushes to the door to open it.

Hera comes to perch on a nearby tree.

With a grunt, Nala brings her mace and shield down into the rats, ”NALA SMASH!”

MW Morningstar - TWF: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 - 2 = 10 for Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

and

MW Light Shield - TWF: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 - 2 = 23 for Bludgeoning Double Slice: 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

”Hah, always wanted to say that.”

Her weapons are now quite bloodied.

Gwendolyn advances and opens the door. A wave of heat hits her, as though the primitive, one-room hovel had become an oven...which is not far from the truth. Coals from the fireplace are strewn about, sparking the flames that even now climb the mud-daubed reed walls. The room itself is in shambles. An eviscerated human body sprawls across the floor, and a butchered wolf lies against the wall near the front (and only) door. The man's hands are tied to a rough wooden table, on which sits an ornate but empty box and a blood-spattered pile of paper.

Keynala annihilates the remaining swarm, leaving only a few rats scattering in all directions.

Round 2 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Miriel-acted
Rat swarms-dead
Gwendolyn-acted
Keynala-acted
Enemy (?) A-acted
Malon-

"Watch out! I think there are still some of Cyflymder's warriors inside!"

Malon can act!

Sorry GM, didn’t realize I was up.

Hearing the fight ending, Malon begins moving his way towards the home, wanting to help the others however he could.

No problem; I should have been clearer.

Round 3:

Initiative order
??-?
Miriel-
Gwendolyn-
Keynala-
Enemy (?) A-
Malon-

Miriel, Gwendolyn, and Keynala can act! Note that the fire in the hut is spreading.