Zoomba's Trapping the Hag's Claw [Low tier] (Inactive)

Game Master Zoomba

A little confused myself. I am only seeing green near Bakbat, but green is after me in init...?

$&%*$ you're right' I somehow read green as up rather than the red/blue block

So, to try and rewind slightly/set things correct, Red and Blue would have advanced on Itka and Zabu and lashed out

Strike v Itka: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22 for Void damage: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 6, 5) = 22
Strike v Itka: 1d20 + 17 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 17 - 4 = 18 for Void damage: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 6, 1) = 13
both miss (as the Frightened condition isn't in effect yet)

Strike v Zabu: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (19) + 17 = 36 for Void damage: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 1, 3) = 14
Strike v Zabu: 1d20 + 17 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 17 - 4 = 21 for Void damage: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 2, 3) = 16
Zabu, need another Fort save

then manny would have still ran and attacked blue in his confused state (you would have gotten a 3rd Strike due to it being closer. Using your pre-rolled 'Opportune Strike as that, it would have missed). Then from Anjo:

Already hurt by Manny's slashes, the blue dream is skewered by Anjo's first bolt a crit!. The second follows right afterwards to finish it off as it dies into another sludge pile.

Anjo's third arrow shifts targets but goes wide Unless you would like to take a different 3rd action knowing your Prey is dead? as the Green dream <does its action suite above, but for real now>

Initiative
Inspire Courage up (1 round)

Atae 44/69 HP, Fatigued, need Will save
Red dream 11 damage
Manny, hasted, confused, frightened 1
Anjo
Green dream
Bakbat 22/62 HP, frightened 2
Itka, frightened 1, protection from evil'd
Zabu 87/156 HP, heroism'd, need Will save, need Fort save

"Hmp. Grrr!" Itka limps over to a spot where her Circle of Protection can aid the most allies and casts Soothe on Bakbat.

Soothe: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Bakbat also gets +2 status bonus to saves against mental effects for 1 minute.

Her eyes are drawn to the spot where the portal was. Hmp. Something's not right about that. Is it an illusion? Or did she dispel the portal? And where is she? Hmp!

◆ Stride, ◆◆ Cast a spell

Anjo would use his third action to designate Red as his prey. Triggering another Monster Hunter recall check.

"Flee'en Aveck"

BakBat casts Fly, and moves ten feet up, ten feet west, and five feet SW.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 19 + 1 = 36
Juggernaut so Successes become Crits.

Will: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 1 + 1 = 19

Zabu easily fights off the assault on his body but he's looking a little shaky and wild eyed from the fearful effects the nightmare is able to bring to bear.

That doesn't stop him from acting though. He takes a bite out of Red.

◆Jaws(Raging, Heroism): 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 17 + 1 = 38
Piercing: 2d12 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 + 5 = 15

Then snatches up the Draught from the sand.

◆Interact

Then takes a sniff of the air, trying to see if he can smell any dry and dusty old hags around.

◆Seek - I have Imprecise Scent of 30ft, so I can detect invisible creatures in that range and get a +2 to my perception when trying. My perception is +13.

Itka Soothes Bakbat’s wounds, the goblin takes to the sky, and Zabu - though a bit frightened - bites down hard on the dream next to him Crit!
Red Fort v Slow: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

The gnome then looks and sniffs around. There are no notes of hag on the air, and he does not sense any strange movements or sounds in the desert around him (apart from those he can already see of course). You don’t sense/perceive any invisible creatures or objects around you.

Initiative
Inspire Courage up (1 round)

Atae 44/69 HP, Fatigued, need Will save
Red dream 37 damage
Manny, hasted, confused, frightened 1
Anjo
Green dream
Bakbat 22/62 HP, frightened 1, Soothe’d, flying
Itka, protection from evil'd
Zabu 87/156 HP, heroism'd, frightened 1

Will save 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 15 + 1 = 34

The cleric, knowing that these things are weak against will attacks will cast daze on the red creature
2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8 mental damage
DC 25 Will save

Is there something that she can do to help Manny's save, like to talk him out of it? If so, that would be her 3rd action

Is there something that she can do to help Manny's save, like to talk him out of it? If so, that would be her 3rd action

In a way...

Red Will: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 1 = 18

Casting Daze on the dream, Atae does see it affected by the magic, though not as much as she may have hoped still has some Resistance to that

Then, trying to think of ways to snap Manny out of his strange funk, she tries something radical - bonking him with her staff.

Strike v Manny: 1d20 + 9 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 1 + 1 = 23 for Bludgeoning: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Manny: taking damage while confused gives you a free DC 11 Flat check to try and rid yourself of the condition!

With Zabu right before it, the damaged dream alights on the sand as it lashes back at the barbarian.
Strike v Zabu: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20 for Void damage: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 4, 2) = 10
Strike v Zabu: 1d20 + 17 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 17 - 4 = 18 for Void damage: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 6, 6) = 18
Strike v Zabu: 1d20 + 17 - 8 ⇒ (6) + 17 - 8 = 15 for Void damage: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 1, 6) = 10

Manny: if the above Flat check failed and you're still confused, the target of your ire this round is...

Initiative

Atae 44/69 HP, Fatigued
Red dream 41 damage
Manny, hasted, confused, frightened 1
Anjo
Green dream
Bakbat 22/62 HP, frightened 1, Soothe’d, flying
Itka, protection from evil'd
Zabu 87/156 HP, heroism'd, frightened 1

A good slap across the face gives a +1 circumstance bonus. And even if it doesn't, why not when he's acting like thatt, right?

Seeing the red dream surrounded, Anjo shifts to green. Trigger Monster Hunter for possible +1 on attack

Damage combined before resistance on Hunted Shots
HS 1 vs Green: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34 Dmg + GW+Fire: 2d8 + 4 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (7, 5) + 4 + 3 + (1) = 20

HS 2 vs Green: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24 Dmg + Fire: 2d8 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 8) + 3 + (6) = 18

Strike 3 vs Green: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 Dmg + Fire: 2d8 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (8, 2) + 3 + (1) = 14

If Crit
Deadly: 1d10 ⇒ 7

Plus flaming adds 1d10 persistent fire damage

If hunted shot kills green, then Hunt Prey on Red for third action

She would rather give him a passionate kiss so as to rock his world!

I forgot her +1 damage cuz of Manny's inspiration.

Does need to involve at least some damage - perhaps a bit of biting in there

Anjo fails to get any fresh insights on his newest prey, but his arrows fly true anyway. Two skewer it (the first Critically) and the nightmare is starting to lose a bit of its shape

Initiative

Atae 44/69 HP, Fatigued
Red dream 42 damage
Manny, hasted, confused, frightened 1
Anjo
Green dream 57 damage
Bakbat 22/62 HP, frightened 1, Soothe’d, flying
Itka, protection from evil'd
Zabu 87/156 HP, heroism'd, frightened 1

They're still infighting- do they even notice me? Oh no!
Manny sees a beautiful but deadly Femme Fatale close in on him and hit him with her staff!

<Manny, calm down. Come on.>
Flat Chat: 1d20 ⇒ 18

"Ow..." Manny rubs his cheek. "Uh... thanks. I owe you one. Let's do this!"

Manny calls out with a courageous anthem, inspiring courage amongst the team. Then he moves in to flank the Red tinged dream with Zabu. "Get out of my head! That's where my dreams are!"

Cold Iron, Ghost Touch, Longsword, Fightened: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 13 + 1 - 1 = 31
Slashing: 2d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6, 6) + 3 + 1 = 16

Cold Iron, Ghost Touch, Longsword, Fightened: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 1 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 1 - 1 - 5 = 14
Slashing: 2d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8, 6) + 3 + 1 = 18

◇ Flat Check ends Confusion after getting a Wake up Slap
◆ Inspire Courage for a +1 to attack, damage, saves vs fear
◆ Stride
◆◆ Strike Red x2
↺ Opportunist. Manny will make a Reactive Strike if someone provokes.

Status: Hasted, Inspire Courage

Manny, with a clear head at last, races to engage the dream menacing Zabu. With a perfectly placed strike he deeply cuts the dream, leaving it looking extremely wispy. the second swing misses unfortunately

The other dream looks to the west. With a shimmering motion it vanishes. Only to reappear right beside Anjo! The archer ducks out of the way of the slash.

Strike: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24 for Void: 4d8 - 2 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 2) - 2 = 9

Initiative
Inspire Courage

Atae 44/69 HP, Fatigued
Red dream 74 damage
Manny, hasted
Anjo
Green dream 57 damage
Bakbat 22/62 HP, frightened 1, Soothe’d, flying
Itka, protection from evil'd
Zabu 87/156 HP, heroism'd, frightened 1

"Get a room!" Zabu calls out as it seems that Atae and Manny get confused about what sort of time they're supposed to be having.

As the bard moves in to distract the wispy spirit, the gnome lays into the creature.

Jaws(Raging): 1d20 + 17 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 17 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 32
Piercing: 2d12 + 6 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4, 7) + 6 + 5 + 1 = 23

Claw (Raging,MAP): 1d20 + 17 - 4 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 17 - 4 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 32
Slashing: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 7) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 18

Claw (Raging,MAP): 1d20 + 17 - 8 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 17 - 8 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 29
Slashing: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 17

If the Jaws attack takes Red out, my second and third actions will be sudden charge at Green to get into flank with Anjo and use the first Claw attack.

That first bite WILL finish off red. And the sudden claw swipe sprint will crit and leave green on its last legs.

Her eyes are drawn to the spot where the portal was. Hmp. Something's not right about that. Is it an illusion? Or did she dispel the portal? And where is she? Hmp!

Itka's train of thought continues: Hmp. She could simply be wearing us down with minions before appearing herself. Especially if she knew about the trap and was able to dispel the portal.

With one foe remaining, surrounded and near oblivion, Itka turns her attention to the ground where the portal was. Limping to its erstwhile edge, she casts Read Aura (4th level), focusing only on the spot where it had been. Hmp. If the portal is really gone, we need to keep her from touching the chalice at all costs!

◆ Stride, ◆◆ Cast a spell

BakBat will fly 25 feet west

"Fai Air Oyf"

Produce Flame (w/frightened 1): 1d20 + 15 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 15 - 1 = 19for: 3d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3, 4) + 4 + 2 = 14 fire damage.

With Manny's inspiring words still ringing in the air, Bakbat's flames just manage to catch the damaged dream. With a mental screams it collapses dead on the sands.

COMBAT OVER!!!
Atae 44/69 HP, Fatigued
Bakbat 22/62 HP
Zabu 87/156 HP, heroism'd

The Draught of Dreams is still in Zabu's clutches. But the portal to Zarta's dreamscape has vanished! And while Itka detects lingering illusion and sleep magic where the portal once sat it is already beginning to fade

What do you do now? Also now that you're not in imminent danger you can try Arcana or Occultism checks on the area.

Thank you, Shylye.
<No problem. Head's in the game, alright? You gotta catch up to her.>

"We do have a whistle we can use, if we think Aslynn didn't activate the trap."

Occultism +9

with the change to Focus spell recovery, Anjo can heal a bit and also do some natural medicine while he recovers spells

She will spend time healing those members of the party that need healing using her medicine skill.

How can she get rid of her fatigued condition?

You have 10 minutes before a next thing will happen - if you want to spend that Focusing or doing one set of Medicine (or anything else) feel free but let me know

There may also be chances after 'the next thing' but IC you don't know yet :)

The Arcana or Occultism checks aren't secret here - feel free to roll yourselves!

Atae: The fatigue condition seems to be part of a Curse afflicting you. Even with the dreams dead your mind is still flashing and filling with terrifying visions that are tiring you. You can try to remove it with curse-removing magics, otherwise it will linger for a while.

Arcana: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Anjo uses his natural medicine to heal whomever Atae directs him to heal and refocuses while doing so.

Natural Medicine w(Assurance) vs DC 20: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (3, 7) + 10 = 20

Occultism: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Manny is glad to be mostly unhurt, besides his pride. There's more work to do, though.

Once Atae heals Manny will prepare to cast Soothe as needed.

"That dusty old bag of bones didn't even have the decency to show up for our trap!" Zabu growls, kicking the dirt since there aren't even any corpses around for him to abuse.

He prowls around with the draught in his hand, looking for more targets as his rage fades.

"Hmp. I wonder how many more rounds she has in store for us." Itka mutters as she does her level best to figure out what happened.

Occultism: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19
Looks like a bunch of us are getting our low rolls out of the way now, huh?

It's not great, but luckily for you this isn't the most important thing in the world to make

Anjo tends to some of the party's injuries while the more magically inclined of the group investigate the area. The dreamscape portal is defintiely shut. A tinge of illusory magic lingers in the air, but as that school is associated with many types of dream magic that's not in itself unexpected. You don't notice any signs of tampering with the area or the draught of dreams: whihc implies that whoever/whatever closed the portal did so from the other side.

Shortly you have company. The Waterfall arrives along with several Pathfinders and scholars who begin canvassing the scene. The Decimverate member's expression and tone remain hidden behind her flowing mask but even its distortions reveal notes of concern as she speaks to you.

We were observing only from afar. We saw you engage with some creatures, and then Aslynn appeared and took the chalice. The chirper triggered the Ardis Scholars to activate the containment field as planned, after that it became more difficult to make out the details but we saw you interacting with Aslynn and then the portal close. But her head turns to take in the chalice still here and in Zabu's hands. Clearly something is amiss.

The masked figure approaches the portal area and crouches to examine it. Her mask glows for a moment, and then you hear her mutter something unintelligable but sounding like a curse. It seems the night hag might have spotted us regardless. Or perhaps was just even more paranoid than we expected. There are traces of her magic around here. The hag was present - and now I'm afraid the Draught may not have been her highest priority. I think Aslynn may have gone through the portal before the Stasian field was even raised. Which would mean she may have evaded the trap's first step entirely. Waterfall stands up abruptly and begins moving briskly to the west, speaking as she walks ...Which would mean she has more strength to bear within Zarta's dreamscape than we thought. Come! We need to check on her!

After several minutes of hurrying across the dunes Waterfall brings you to an area also surrounded by the blue glow of a Stasian containment field. A pair of Scholars lower the field at Waterfall's direction and the eight of you move past it and open a door to a covered, single room structure sparsely furnished with a small cot upon which Zarta is soundly sleeping. The Waterfall approaches Zarta, gently nudging her before pausing and attempting to awaken her again, this time with more urgency. She isn’t awakening. She says after a moment, concern filling her voice. There must be something wrong.

The Waterfall turns. Aslynn must have somehow seized control over Zarta’s sleeping mind while she’s in the dreamscape. This is deeply troubling, and we’ll need to act quickly and decisively. I can send you into a shared dream with her: it should allow you and Zarta to communicate and interact with one another, and hopefully together you can find out how to rouse her awake. It will take me a short bit to acquire the necessary components for the spell. While I am doing that, I would suggest you gather as much information as you can regarding dreamscapes. They can be dangerous and unpredictable at the best of times. And Aslynn's presence in this one means it will not be the best of times.

You have about 20 Minutes before Waterfall will be ready to send you into Zarta's dreams to help her. In that time, you can each attempt up to two sets of checks to try and prepare. This could be researching the nature and 'rules' of dreamscapes, creating totems to help ground yourselves (for those who watched that play Inception too many time in Absalom), seeking notes and clues amongst Zarta's gear to indicate what you might face in her head, etc.

Provided example skills are the following, though if you have an alternate creative approach that would make sense describe what you want to do and how it applies and I'll let you know if it could work instead: Arcana, Crafting, Diplomacy, Dreamlands Lore, Hag Lore, Pathfinder Society Lore, Medicine, Nature, Occultism, Perception, or Society (Gather Information or Recall Knowledge)

Alternately, any of you could forgo one/both of your checks to Treat Wounds or perform another activity (still keeping in mind Continual Recovery would be needed to re-Treat party members so soon) Keep in mind Anjo already healed one of you (who Anjo?) and Atae you can also make your roll from that first 'right-after-combat' bit if you would like

If Anjo can refocus while researching Nature, then he will cast Soothing Mist twice and regain the focus points. As far as healing, I was letting Atae figure out who I healed. But since I healed 20, let that go to Atae

If I can refocus while research

Soothing mist at 4th level: 4d8 ⇒ (6, 2, 8, 8) = 24
Soothing mist at 4th level: 4d8 ⇒ (6, 8, 3, 6) = 23

Nature research w Assurance: 10 + 15 = 25

"BakBat talk, talk, talk."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25

"BakBat know things."

Arcana: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

Medicine 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19 Gobbo

2d8 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

Medicine 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28 Zabu
4d8 ⇒ (6, 2, 3, 7) = 18 crit heal

Herself 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35
4d8 ⇒ (7, 3, 8, 3) = 21

The cleric directs Anju to heal Zabu after she gets her hands on him to heal.

As she heals she thinks out loud The hag was indeed tricky. We expended valuable resources in stopping a simulacrum of the fiend. It may take a bit longer but I would rather use natural healing than spells as we may need them when at last we encounter our foe.

She will focus on healing rather than on research. Who else needs healing after Anjou's spells?

If Anjo can refocus while researching Nature, then he will cast Soothing Mist twice and regain the focus points.

I'm going to say no that here: while Refocusing while foraging herbs and using Natural Medicine makes perfect sense (so the point expended for Gravity Weapon is back). this use of the Nature skill represents more times flipping through books and scrolls to research instead of getting in touch with nature.

Anjo takes time looking through various treatises and works on the planes. While the Dimension of Dreams is a subplane still not fully understood, the ranger deciphers a few descriptions of techniques in how to navigate it that look to actually prove useful (amidst the many half-baked theories and questionably-sourced accounts). Bakbat for his part doesn't quite understand the magi-science behind it. But the goblin's personable, and manages to get Narcela to help them translate a few obscure texts.

After the 'desert time' and Atae spending one of her rounds on healing, party is at:
Atae 64/69 HP, Fatigued
Bakbat 32/62 HP
Zabu 105/156 HP

Atae: unless you have Continual Healing (which I'm not seeing) everyone's immune to Treat Wounds for a bit after the first 'round'. Do you want to do something else for your second check?

I do not think that she has any of the skills to help

Seeing no more healing for a while from his allies, BakBat will drink a couple of Lesser Healing Potions.

2d8 + 5 ⇒ (6, 3) + 5 = 14
2d8 + 5 ⇒ (5, 8) + 5 = 18

BakBat will then offer two Lesser Healing Potions to Zabu.

I do not think that she has any of the skills to help

Diplomacy, Society, and Perception are all options (though if you don't want to roll any of the checks Atae does not strictly have to)

"Aslynn's one tough cookie." Manny looks around. "Hey Zabu, hold still a minute."

Rank 3 Soothe on Zabu: 3d10 + 12 ⇒ (10, 9, 3) + 12 = 34
I'll spend 10 minutes in the desert Refocusing to get my Focus Point back.

The best laid plans always find a wrinkle or two. Manny hopes Zarta's mind can last. Aslynn has her own plans with Zarta, it seems.

"Shylye, I'm going to need your help protecting me. I wasn't sure who... who was my friend and who was my enemy back there." He spends some time concentrating on his holy symbol of Shelyn, and a curious white feather he claims his guardian angel dropped after helping him from a voracious vampire lord.

Religion: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

Manny spends the rest of his time talking to the people around the camp, picking up any last bits of advice about the dreamscape and Aslynn's favorite tricks.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

I did a 20 point heal with natural medicine, so I think that puts Zabu at 115 before Manny heals.

"Thanks," Zabu says casually to those who heal him. He stretches and swings his arms a few times to see how serious the remaining damage is and gives a nod.

He doesn't hate the excuse to rummage through Zarta's things, in fact, he does so with relish.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

Eventually, he gets waved away when people realize that clues aren't what he's primarily interested in and he settles down to trying to figure out what might actually help in a dreamscape.

Nature: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

"Hmp." Unsurprised that Aslynn found a way to foil their plans, Itka digs into the research, reading as quickly as she can.

Occultism: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23
Arcana: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24

While Waterfall prepares, the lot of you continue to spend your time centering yourselves and digging down into research about the nature of dreams - which is a very real and tangible topic on this world instead of just being a philosophy riddle. Together, you uncover quite the set of well-supported facts about what you might find when travelling into Zarta's mind:

As you re-gather around Zarta, Waterfall returns with a scroll of dream council. This should bring you into a shared dream with Zarta. The spell will last for only one hour, though hopefully awaking her will not take that long.

Several nearby Ardis Scholars bring you each a simple bedroll to rest on. They also arrange the room with a variety of items to help you each prepare you for slumber: a set of embroidered Jalmeri sleeping cushions, a finely-woven blanket of Osirian cotton, a celestial down pillow, and a silk-woven, plush butterfly.

Do I still need to do a roll?

"Huh. I wonder how long that hour will seem to us..." Manny ponders. "Oh, so I could dream Shylye to back me up?" He tests the pillows.

"Alright, time for a nap. See you on the other side." He winks to his teammates before closing his eyes.

You can attempt your roll, yes Atae

Zabu just flops down on the ground in an open space. He sleeps in a starfish pattern, his arms and legs wide to take up as much room as possible.

"We need more missions where the Society sends us to sleep," he comments before smacking his lips a few times.

A few moments later, he is asleep.