GM TOP #10-14: Debt to the Quah (Core)

Game Master Pete H.

Salvio taps himself with a wand, calling up the same protective magic. "Lini, Corba, do you want your animals armored up? Anyone else need a charge?"

"Thank you, Salvio, that’s a very good idea!"

I can't believe that I did not think of this at all! :-O *facepalm*

"Rocky, hold still while this nice man will help protecting you!"

Corba draws her crossbow and loads it.

"Arf!"

The riding dog is well-trained, no bad reaction whatsoever.

"With luck, the place will be empty and we can get this done quickly." Nevertheless, remembering that Society missions tend to be more dangerous than they ought, Iladora loosens her greatsword in its sheath.

No other preparations needed.

Bobbie and I have a few missions together, but for those who don't know me, I not much of a fighter; nevertheless I cast spells summoning strong and resilient creatures (usually an eagle or a wolf) who have some bit of protection agaisnt evil. I managed recently to learn how to make my spells lasting longer, but the trick is I must spend more time too casting it, and I can't cast that many enhanced spells. I can use any magical wand with reasonable chances of success. I try not to use flashy and destructive spells, for fear of hurting the innocent, but I can give your strenght some boost, with can be handy for Bobbie or Iladora, or protect someone against fire, cold or acid, you get the gist.

She pauses as her hair take a golden hue

Of course, we can meet nobody in the tomb, spend a few hours restoring it without being troubled by anyone too, and come back to the Shoanti quietly. But nobody here believe that, right?

"Yes Salvio, Droo would really appreciate to be armoured up."

Mage Armor please. :)

Lini casts a Light spell in the blade of her sickle which she then sheathes in a leather scabbard. She casts Longstrider on herself and she will cast Barkskin (from a scroll) on Droo.

Salvio uses three charges from his wand of mage armor on himself and the animals.

"I'm worried about running into undead, so I haven't prepared a lot of mind-affecting spells."

"Oh, that makes me think..." Erica takes out a wand from her backpack, and hands it over to Salvio. "It's charged to the max. You'll make it work better than I can do."

It's a wand of Disrupt Undead, 30 charges

The wizard grins. "Thanks! I'm a pretty fair shot, if I do say so myself."

I always keep that spell ready. I'm quite afraid of undead.

As she speaks, Desynthia's hair takes a greyish shade, as if she was wearing a mourning veil..or a shroud.

Salvio stares at her hair. "How does it do that?"

"Beats me," Bobbie shrugs. "I don't think she's even aware she's doing it."

While the others talk Lini quickly downs a vial of antitoxin.

"Don't worry. I have... a lot of experience with undead, and I know where their weaknesses lie. If we encounter any, you may leave them to me." Iladora seems almost eager for the chance.

"I am not very good against undead, so thank you, Iladora. But I will do my best to bolster our morale!"

Corba smiles confidently.

The paffies wisely gird their loins with magical protections and prepare for battle. Maybe they won't have battle? But they aren't new to this kinda thing.

Update your taglines if they changed please, thanks!

Large chunks of stone are scattered haphazardly throughout the grassy area, which appear to be what remains of the entrance stone.

The gently sloping passage leads to a cool, dimly lit area. The air is damp. Animal bones, gristle, and long-rotten viscera are haphazardly scattered across the floor. Stairs to the east and west lead to slightly elevated walkways flanking the recess. Doors lead away from the entrance hall to the northwest and southeast.

But more important than that as your eyes adjust to the light inside...

TWO OGRES!

Well, probably. They are large sized lumbering giants with beady eyes devoid of wit or kindness. Their puffy faces feature a wide mouth with ill-fitting teeth. RAWR!!!

Initiative
Bobbie: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Salvio: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Iladora: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Desynthia: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Corba & Rocky: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Lini & Droo: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Enemies: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

They yell out, "KNIP HULLE!"

Definitely Ogres. Yeah. The smell gives it away.

Round 1: OH NO AN ENEMY, WHAT A SURPRISE! :D
Salvio
Red & Blue
Corba & Rocky
Iladora
Lini & Droo
Bobbie
Desynthia

Bold may act!

These are pretty easy to ID (fall into a Common Knowledge Category) so no checks needed. These are Ogres, CE (Giant) Humanoids of a Large Sized with Reach variety. They have greatclubs and javelins. They have darkvision and speak Giant. They aren't friendly.

"Ogres! Wonder what they said. I'm going to have to learn to speak Giant one of these days...oh, yeah. Fight!" Salvio readies his crossbow and shoots the nearer ogre. His bolt fails (I think) to get through the creature's thick hide.

Light crossbow to ogre, incl. PBS: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 = 12

Grunigon is not surprised at all when the bolt fails to penetrate the giant's thick hide. They laugh at him and move up, swinging big ole clubs at the two front pathfinders.

Red v Iladora FF: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Blue v Bobbie FF: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 for B/M: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (2, 3) + 8 = 13

One of them barely manages to catch Bobbie before she can raise her guard, that won't happen again. Or she certainly hopes it won't, that hurt!

Rounds 1 & 2: OH NO AN ENEMY, WHAT A SURPRISE! :D
Buffs: NA
Salvio
Red & Blue
Corba & Rocky
Iladora
Lini & Droo
Bobbie (-13 HP)
Desynthia

Bold may act!

These are pretty easy to ID (fall into a Common Knowledge Category) so no checks needed. These are Ogres, CE (Giant) Humanoids of a Large Sized with Reach variety. They have greatclubs and javelins. They have darkvision and speak Giant. They aren't friendly.

Terrain Detail: The ledge with stairs on the side of the room isn't very high so just treat it as difficult terrain moving up onto it. No checks necessary. The stairs would remove even the difficult terrain.

Corba guides Rocky to the left and a few steps back.

"Rocky, move over there!"

No ride check needed, as Corba has still one hand free to guide her dog.

She then casts grease right under the feet of both ogres. (Fall prone, Reflex DC 16 negates.)

"Are you familiar with the saying 'The bigger they come, the harder they fall'?"

I moved Corba into a space instead of a solid rock face, unless you and Rocky have some unknown ‘move through stone’ ability. :P

Reflex Red: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Reflex Blue: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Both Ogres slip and fall comically. They look super pissed about it though.

Thanks! I don't know how I mistook the walls for tiled floor... must have been the zoom factor when I edited the map... o:-)

"GOTCHA! Paffys, now!"

Lini directs her cat while she summons a ball of magical flame to her hand.

"Get 'em Droo."

Handle Animal check is automatically successful.

Produce Flame CL 4 is cast.

Droogami advances with the trained agility of a hunting cat. Naturally cautious when stalking larger prey Droo attempts to get into position without receiving a large club to the head.

Acrobatics check to avoid Attack of Opportunity while moving through a threatened square: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

The leopard attempts to bite red.

Bite vs Red: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

The Prone penalty for Red should be applied by the GM. It is not factored into the bite attack bonus. :)

Desynthia will start casting a summoning spell, seeing as the ogres are well busy for now.

It might take some time, but I'm too eager to try it!

Cast Extended Summon Monster I, casting time 2 rounds

Lini summons fire, a(n) troll’s ogre’s greatest enemy! They cower in fear! Oh hold up, no they just fell down. Well, it’s probably still pretty darn smart to have. Fire good.

Droo pounces so quickly the ogres can’t respond! The kitty gets a good nom nom in.

Des begins casting a totally harmless spell *wink*. It will take a while but probably just summon a nice breeze. Certainly not some celestial badass!

Rounds 1 & 2: OH NO AN ENEMY, WHAT A SURPRISE! :D
Buffs: NA
Salvio
Red (-7 HP, Prone)
Blue (Prone)
Corba & Rocky
Lini & Droo
Iladora
Bobbie (-13 HP)
Desynthia (casting 1/2)

Bold may act!

These are pretty easy to ID (fall into a Common Knowledge Category) so no checks needed. These are Ogres, CE (Giant) Humanoids of a Large Sized with Reach variety. They have greatclubs and javelins. They have darkvision and speak Giant. They aren't friendly.

Terrain Detail: The ledge with stairs on the side of the room isn't very high so just treat it as difficult terrain moving up onto it. No checks necessary. The stairs would remove even the difficult terrain.

Bobbie does what she does best: unsheathe her sword in one smooth movement, and slash at the enemy before her.

She's obviously still reeling a bit from the big bonk she got right in the solar plexus, though. It did not do wonders on her balance.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 1 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Erica, I think your Power Attack should be-2/+4 now that your BAB is +4.

True. She also did not add the power attack bonus to her damage roll. It should be a total of 11 points of damage not 7. :)

Iladora reaches behind her and draws her greatsword. A blade of solid adamantium pulls free of its sheath. She rushes in and slashes downward. Provokes an AoO.

Round 1:
Greatsword vs red: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (5, 3) + 12 = 20

Round 2:
Greatsword vs red: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (1, 3) + 12 = 16

You're right guys, thanks for keeping track! :)

So it's Attack 15, Damage 11

The rounds 1 & 2 on the tracker don’t mean you get two rounds of actions. It’s just because round one ends and then wraps around to Salvio’s turn in round two. Sorry for any confusion. I’ll get a summary post up of the action so far when I get a chance tonight.

Bobbie manages to take advantage of the prone red cloak wearing ogre, stabbing them harder than she originally thought! It survives, just long enough to swing at Iladora from its disadvantaged position. It’s friend also swings!

Red AoO: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 4 = 7
Blue AoO: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 4 = 23 for B/M: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (4, 2) + 8 = 14

Landing a solid blow before the pathfinder ranger removes their head.

The large grinning face bounces free and rolls over towards Salvio, almost begging him to pick it up.

Round 2: OH NO AN ENEMY, WHAT A SURPRISE! :D
Buffs: NA
Salvio
Red (-38 HP, Ded)
Blue (Prone)
Corba & Rocky
Lini & Droo
Iladora (-14 HP)
Bobbie (-13 HP)
Desynthia (casting 1/2)

Bold may act!

Terrain Detail: The ledge with stairs on the side of the room isn't very high so just treat it as difficult terrain moving up onto it. No checks necessary. The stairs would remove even the difficult terrain.

Salvio?

Also, just realized I called Salvio ‘Grunigon’ in the first post. Grunigon is a dwarf I GM for in a different game so my brain musta been melted that day.

Thanks for your patience--was at an SF con this weekend, and also had friends staying over.

Salvio attempts to cloud the mind of the fallen ogre with a minor spell.

Casting daze; DC 16 Will save or lose this turn's actions.

Will DC 16: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

The Ogre lays there, thinking about things that could have been.

Rounds 2 & 3: OH NO AN ENEMY, WHAT A SURPRISE! :D
Buffs: NA
Round 3
Salvio
Red (-38 HP, Ded)
Blue (Prone, Dazed)

Round 2
Corba & Rocky
Lini & Droo
Iladora (-14 HP)
Bobbie (-13 HP)
Desynthia (casting 1/2)

Bold may act!

Terrain Detail: The ledge with stairs on the side of the room isn't very high so just treat it as difficult terrain moving up onto it. No checks necessary. The stairs would remove even the difficult terrain.

Ride - ACP: 1d20 + 3 - 0 ⇒ (5) + 3 - 0 = 8 (DC 5)

"I'm going to flank it! Rocky, move fast!"

"Arf, arf!"

The pup eagerly moves into position (double move), guided by Corba's knees.

"Good boy! You'll get a treat later!"

Longsword, flank with Bobbie, higher ground(?): 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 11
Slashing: 1d6 ⇒ 1

The ogre is still prone, though, so maybe it's a hit after all. Unfortunately just minimum damage...

And you're in position to take an AoO if it survives long enough to stand up.

Salvio grins as his spell bites on the ogre. Yes! Now the others better kill it quickly, because that cantrip won't work again.

Bobbie brings her sword down on the unsuspecting ogre with all her might.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 2 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 4 = 13

Crit?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 Not sure if I have to count the Power attack malus and bonus a second time; add a -2/+4 if necessary.
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Iladora cautiously steps onto the greasy surface to get within striking distance of the remaining enemy.

Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Greatsword - Power Attack vs blue (enemy prone): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (6, 1) + 12 = 19

Corba takes advantage of the dazed condition and moves into a flank. She doesn’t do much more than that, but the encouragement helps Bobbie and Iladora hack the remaining ogre to pieces.

No Crit, but the normal hits from you two was enough.

Combat Over!

Room Description Again
The gently sloping passage leads to a cool, dimly lit area. The air is damp. Animal bones, gristle, and long-rotten viscera are haphazardly scattered across the floor. Stairs to the east and west lead to slightly elevated walkways flanking the recess. Doors lead away from the entrance hall to the northwest and southeast.

The Ogres have +1 greatclubs, 4 javelins and hide armor, each, all large sized. Perception Check to look around this room.

"Well done, everyone!"

The halfling beams, then addresses her dog.

"Especially you! Who's a good boy, huh? Who's a good boy? You are, Rocky! Here, have a treat!"

Corba sheathes her sword, pulls a doggy treat out of her pocket and feeds it to her riding dog. Then she remembers that the brave fighter of the group got hit.

"Bobbie, are you ok? That was quite the blow you took... Want me to heal you?"

@Bobbie: If you have a healing stick yourself, I will use it on you, otherwise I offer to use mine. Please roll the dice for your healing (1d8+1) until you are full.

Afterwards, the bard looks through the loot, using detect magic just in case and gets excited again.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

"Wow, I did not expect these brutes to have good stuff - these greatclubs are magical! I'm not quite sure what kind of magic - maybe Salvio knows more about it - but, they are definitively worth something!"

Lini approaches the wounded wand in hand. Her other hand is aflame lighting the room as any good torch would.

Produce Flame is such an odd duck spell. It feels like it should be a touch spell but it is not. :)

"Well, better not to get hit at all but still I should have you both patched up in no time."

Cure Light Wounds,wand for Bobbie: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Cure Light Wounds,wand for Bobbie: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Cure Light Wounds,wand for Bobbie: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Cure Light Wounds,wand for Bobbie: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Cure Light Wounds,wand for Illadora: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Cure Light Wounds,wand for Illadora: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Cure Light Wounds,wand for Illadora: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Cure Light Wounds,wand for Illadora: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

@GM Top - The party is now fully healed up courtesy of Lini's wand. :)

The gnome puts her trusty wand away in an accessible pocket and has a look around.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

After Lini heals the wounded Droogami walks over to Lini and gives her a big bloody ogre fuelled lick. He snickers as he knows that he is being a bad boy and has made a really big mess.

With his fun over for now the big cat looks around with his mistress for more prey to jump upon.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Droo also has Scent so if anyone is hiding and is nearby he will know it.

Seeing Lini already healing the injured party members, Corba shrugs, then smiles and gives Rocky another treat.

Lini blushes.

"Sorry Corba. I did not mean to steal your thunder there."

Yes, treats! I love treats!

Rocky pants between munching on the treats, eager to please his rider even more in the future.

Rocky also has the scent ability.

Corba winks.

"No worries, Lini, I've got plenty of thunder left! Also, the more people who are capable of using these healing wands we have, the higher are our survival chances, right?"