Supreme Beings Pathfinder 2E Shattered Star (Inactive)

Game Master scranford

Telurion travels along the game trail as best as he can looking and listening for water.

Search

Per: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Rail finds it easy to follow the group as they are making no efforts to hide their tracks, and three individuals leading horses (With no names or descriptions). are having to cut and move aside things to make their way through the narrow trail.

Brennus finds that he misses some of his flight feathers but is able to flit from treetop to treetop looking for this pool.

If you're Avoiding Notice, you'll have to let the others know you've found the pool. If you're scouting that is included.

With Brennus's guidance Telurion and Caks are able to find the pool after about an hour and a half of struggling through the forest. The foliage goes right down to the edge of the pool except for the small area where the trail ends. The water of the pool is still, and there is little to know vegetation floating on its surface.

Rail will arrive in about 5 minutes if he is hustling as an exploration activity. If not, he will arrive in about 45 minutes.

Pool in the Forest

Sure let's hustle, then.

Yeah, Brennus will go with Avoid Notice

Brennus finds continually having to land tiresome, but at least he's not having to muddle through on foot like his allies. And a raven like him is hardly out-of-place in a forest like this. Still, he's wary--just because he can blast some hungry hawk out of the air with a spell doesn't mean something more dangerous won't take an interest in him.

Once he finds a likely pool, he cautiously returns to the rest of the group.

"Just ahead, there's a pool that seems likely. Once you're there, I'll check to see if it has any magical properties. Keep an eye out for trouble," he tells the land-bound humanoids.

Assuming no one sees anything dangerous, Brennus gets about 30' from the pool (Preferably in a tree, if one's in range) and concentrates. A faint blue glow enshrouds his head and shines from his eyes as he focuses his magical senses.

He does have the boost to detect magic from his Conscious Mind from his psychic archetype, if there's a magical hazard or creature in the area.

Caks will, like always Avoid Notice by hiding in bushes, behind trees or rocks, etc.

Once Telurion makes it to the pool he tethers his horse and scans the area for trouble.

Scout:

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Rail continues trying to catch up 5 minutes behind the action.

Brennus informs the others that he thinks he found the pool. Telurion moves forward and sees the glimmer of sun on water ahead. Brennus also mentions that the Elven Bard is about 5-minutes away on the trail. Caks takes to the bushes making sure to be unseen.

Before we continue this section of the adventure, I need to know if you're waiting for Rail to arrive before moving forward.

Brennus detects something magical as he flies over, perhaps an object in the pool??? It doesn't seem very powerful... perhaps the water is a barrier of some sort... or it's just a minor item.

The water of the pool itself is very slightly magical as well.

Brennus lands on a branch above the others. "There's a slight bit of magic to the pool, and a bit more in the depths. I'm not certain if it's an item of some sort or something more. Thus far I haven't seen any dangers, but that just means I'm probably missing something, given how rarely magical things are left unguarded."

That said, Brennus looks around warily for any signs of danger. Are there any tracks around this pool? Water sources in forests would usually be visited by animals, if there's no sign of any here it would be as much a sign of danger as seeing something.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

"I do think we should wait to approach the pool until we have our full strength here," he adds as he scans the area with his dark little eyes.

"Let's wait for Rail," Telurion says to know one in particular. Seeing no immediate threat but wanting to be ready he draws his sword and hefts his shield then leans against a tree to wait.

Caks sits down and fiddles with her equipment... She's not on edge, but, seems to be a little impatient.

Assuming nobody gets eaten in the next 5 minutes:

Rail hustles out of the trees about 5 minutes later. Seeing the group, he holds up a crystal decanter, a smile on his face. "That peddler back at the camp had the perfect thing for us." He looks at the pool. "Is that the spring?"

After being informed that Rail is just minutes away the party settles in just outside the pool area and waits for the Bard to arrive... which he does with his normal bravado... announcing that he has the crystal decanter.

Brennus sitting in a tree above notices that several animal trails end at the pool, and that there are disturbances in the bank of the pool where the bank slopes but can't really tell anything more about them from his distance.

The now united party is surprised when at the NE end of the Pool the mud begins to bubble and rise, and a creature seemingly composed entirely of Mud begins to arise from the bank of the pond, morphing into a hummanoid shape.

Don't forget that it takes the Recall Knowledge action to determine what this might be, and how to fight it. This is a secret roll, you just need to let me know what the bonus is.

Round 1 (Initiatives).

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 Perception(Telurion)
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 Perception or Stealth (Caks) Low light vision
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 Perception (Rail) Low Light vision
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 Perception (Brennus)
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25 Perception (Creature)

Caks is up Creature on deck.

Pool Encounter

Action order:
Caks
Creature
Rail
Telurion
Brennus

Caks will get out her sling.

Sling attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Damage w/sneak attack because of surprise: 1d6 - 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) - 1 + (4) = 9 bludgeoning.

Then Caks will swap out the dagger for her sling.

Caks will get out her sling.

[dice=Sling attack]1d20+8
[dice=Damage w/sneak attack because of surprise]1d6-1+1d6 bludgeoning.

Then Caks will swap out the dagger for her sling.

Okay. Lots to unpack here. First time this particular group has been in one of my combats, so I'll address it in the Gameplay thread.

First, because there is no prep action, the mud creature hasn't formed yet... so the first thing would be to delay until it forms. You would still get the added damage due to it being off guard using Avoid Notice as your perception, but not the extra damage for "Surprise Attack", as you must act in initiative before whatever you're fighting to get that. If the creature was already formed you would also get that 1d6 extra. You are within 45' of the target so your 50' range with the sling doesn't cause any range penalties.

Second, we prefer to use the "◆" symbol to designate actions as it makes it easier to keep up with... so Caks actions would be...

◆ Draw Sling
◆ Load Sling (The sling has the load property)
◆ Strike (-1 Due to Telurion giving soft cover)

Caks watches the mud form into the humanoid creature then quickly loads his sling and sends a well-aimed strike directly at its mass from across the pond.

Creature

◆ Rise from Prone
◆ Stride (20' Swim speed)
◆ Stride

Caks bullet strikes the creature full on the side as he closes with Rail, and mud goes flying everywhere. The stench of rotten swamp water becomes ever more intense as the creature closes next to Rail, its fetid breath causing the Bard's eyes to water. The squares within 10' of the creature become difficult terrain as they instantly morph into stick mud.

Action order:

Creature (-9) HP
Caks
Rail
Telurion
Brennus

Rail is up Telurion on deck.

Telurion madly searches his brain housing group to see if he recalls ever hearing anything about such a creature.

As far as i can tell it is an animated object or construct which would be arcana which i don’t have. Int is +0

Telurion madly searches his brain housing group to see if he recalls ever hearing anything about such a creature.

As far as i can tell it is an animated object or construct which would be arcana which i don’t have. Int is +0

It's either Nature or Arcana in this case.

SB Screen

◆ RK: Nature You think this is a elemental Known as a Mudwretch, though you don't know more than that.

You still have 2-actions remaining when it is your turn.

Wow, didn't realize RK would use an action. Now I know better, unless I think I can get a high enough roll to help. I'm surprised I recognized it, must have been a nice roll.

Since we're still integrating the new group, I'll allow you to re-spend that action if you'd like... just keep it in mind for future applications. The only way to make RK rolls not in initiative is to be using the "Investigate" exploration activity.

The DC for level-based encounters is what you use for your roll. You didn't make it, but it was close enough that I at least gave you the name for it. I think as long as you don't critically fail the roll, if you spend an action on it, I'll at least give you the name of it.

Rail yelps as the creature rushes him and he tries to move away as quickly as possible.

◆ Stride west past Telurion (30' move so with the difficult terrain he should get to the square south of Caks)
◆ Draw bow
◆ RK: Arcana +7

SB Screen

Normally I'd allow you to ask a couple of questions with a success, but to speed things up for PbP I'm just going to provide some information about the creature in a spoiler.

Rail

Rail scatters as the creature lunges forward to share its odor with the bard, he quickly runs over to the side pulling his bow and nocking an arrow as he goes.

You still have an action as your Recall Knowledge check was free due to your exploration activity.

Action order:

Creature (-9) HP
Caks
Rail
Telurion
Brennus

Telurion is up (w/ 3-actions). Brennus on deck.

Rail breathes heavily from a few feet behind Telurion. "It's pretty clumsy (low Ref save) and can spew mud at range, so watch out." he says to everyone.

"But no problem, everybody! We've got this, just be careful and keep on your toes and we'll take this thing down easily!"

◆ Courageous Anthem focus spell (his Courageous Anthem is basically making suggestions and giving encouragement with Performance: Oratory)

◇ Lingering Composition: make a Performance check to extend composition cantrip.

Performance:Oratory: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 I think the DC is 16, which makes that a failed check, but thankfully there's no Critical Failure listed for Lingering Composition. It just doesn't work (the lingering part, not the Courageous part).

I don't need the third action, I was just surprised. It's one of the things the 2e nerds are talking about needing to be fixed.

Telurion steps up to the stinking creature and swings to cut it in half.

atk: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Getting Brennus's action in before I head for bed.

"Hmmm, some sort of elemental creature, perhaps?" Brennus muses, but he decides against spending time identifying it.

Instead, he hunches his head down and slightly opens his wings. A faint azure glow builds in his throat for a moment, before he flings his wings open with a surprisingly deep, commanding croak. A trio of translucent darts, vaguely feather-shaped, shoot out from his outstretched wings and punch holes in the mud creature.

◆◆◆ Force Barrage
damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4, 1) + 3 = 11

I don't need the third action, I was just surprised. It's one of the things the 2e nerds are talking about needing to be fixed.

Telurion steps up to the stinking creature and swings to cut it in half.

[dice=atk]1d20+10
[dice=dmg]1d8+4

I dont know. I Find raise shield to be useful.

@ Rail:

The thin elven bard steps away from the immediate threat taking a moment to discuss something important with Caks. He draws his bow as he goes, and seeing the party sticking around for combat, begins an inspiring speech to spur his allies to greatness.

for (1) Round all allies get a +2 to Strikes, Damage, and saves vs. Fear.

@ Telurion:

Telurion steps closer to the Mudwretch, and swings his hand-and-a-half sword at the creature. At the last minute the inspiration of Rail hits home and his strike which would have missed finds purchase in the beast.

Would have missed but for the Courageous Anthem :-). Which also adds a point of damage.

The blow carves out a hunk of clay, but the sticky clay self-heals a bit, and the strike does a little less damage than expected.

@ Brennus:

The scruffy Raven from his perch in a nearby tree spreads his tattered wings, and from his throat issues a sound that is somehow too deep, and too loud for his tiny body to emit. {Magic}.

Three translucent feathers seem to emerge from the bird, which quickly accelerate and tear into the creature ripping into its muddy flesh. He smiles a bit as Rail's song seemed to speed the darts along more quickly as well.

End of Round 1

Round 2

Action order:

Creature (-28) HP
Caks
Rail
Telurion
Brennus

The Mudwretch reeling a bit from the onslaught of these trespassers turns to the closest enemy and attempts to slug him with a giant fist.

◆ Strike: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19 Fist and is able to make contact
1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 Bludgeoning
◆ Grab
◆ Constrict 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Constrict Basic Fort save DC20

Caks is up Rail on deck.

◆◆ Caks will stride twice to flank Muddy Buddy.

◆ Strike w/Anthem: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 = 17for: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (5) + 1 = 11

◆◆ Caks will stride twice to flank Muddy Buddy.

◆ [dice=Strike w/Anthem]1d20+8+1[dice=for]1d4+4+1d6+1

you need to spend an action to swap weapons

Ah, I forgot that I did not swap last round. In that case change the turn to...

◆ Stride closer, but not flanking.

◆ Load Sling

◆ Attack with sling (use strike number above)
Damage w/Anthem: 1d6 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 + 1 = 3

Telurion has reactive shield if it becomes necessary.

Telurion has reactive shield if it becomes necessary.

Good call! First attack missed… so no grab or constrict. I’ll try to remember that. I’ll re-do tomorrow.

Assuming Telurion used his shield block last round. I'm not going to retro as everyone has already moved. We'll just pretend he missed two more attacks.

@ Caks:
This time Caks shot only deals a glancing blow to the creature doing no damage. (Missed but only barely). Perhaps it is the slippery mud that causes his strike to miss despite the inspiring message from Rail.

SB Screen

All of you notice the water in the pond beginning to agitate, and two small whirlpools begin to form slowly rising from the surface.

Action order:

Creature (-28) HP
Caks
Rail
Telurion
New Player
Brennus

Rail is up: Telurion on Deck

Rail glances over at the pool and shouts a warning. "Two more things coming out of the pool!" He moves away from the new threats as he alerts his companions.

"You've got this, Telurion! That thing's going down!"

◆ Stride 30' south (off the edge of the map, if possible, while still maintaining line of sight on the mudwretch)
◆ Courageous Anthem
◇ Lingering Composition
Lingering Composition Performance check, DC 16: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
◆ Strike with shortbow
Shortbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Dmg if hit (Piercing): 1d6 ⇒ 6

HAPPY MONDAY ALL!

Rail retreats into the thick foliage away from the developing combat... but he's not running away, just repositioning himself. He keeps on with his inspiration and stops to shoot his bow at the Mudwretch. However, the line-of-site through the bushes and trees spoils his aim... but his inspiration keeps everyone else motivated to do their best.

@ Rail : What is your performance... speech, singing, dancing... dirty jokes?

Telurion is up Water thingies on deck

his Courageous Anthem is basically making suggestions and giving encouragement with Performance: Oratory (he's like a boxing coach going 'they're weak on their underbelly! that broke his rib, hit him there again! the blood's blocking his left eye, get on that side!')

Telurion relies on Reactive Shield to raise his shield when attacked to get the +2AC. In the last instance that would have given him a 21 AC so enough to cause the creature to miss. I think we were all solid there. He will always use Reactive Shield as his reaction in the opening round if caught without his shield raised. I may try a shield block or two. Need to read more on it.

Telurion lays into the thing with a massive swing (vicious swing). "Anyone know a way to keep it from pulling itself back together?" After the swing he redirects the energy of his sword for a back swing.

◆◆ Vicious Swing
◆ Attack

Vicious swing: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
VS dmg: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (8, 4) + 4 = 16

Attack: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 10 - 5 = 25
dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Telurion cuts deeply into the core of the Mudwretch, and it looks down at the fresh wound only to see the sword come back around and finish the job of cutting the beast completely in half.

Despite the slashing damage resistance, that second critical blow was able to end the poor mud creatures miserable existence.

Almost immediately it slumps into the ground spreading out and joining the muddy terrain he had created.

The terrain will remain difficult terrain till it dries up naturally.

Both of the water creatures finish forming and focus their anger on the most threatening interloper. <<Telurion>>

Water Creature 1
◆◆ Cast: Acid Grip
Telurion: DC 15 Basic Reflex Save.
2d8 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10 Acid Damage,
◆ Sink into the Water

Water Creature 2
◆◆ Cast: Acid Grip
Telurion: DC 15 Basic Reflex Save.
2d8 ⇒ (1, 8) = 9 Acid Damage,
◆ Sink into the Water

Acid Grip

Brennus up Caks on deck

"You seem to have it figured out," Brennus comments as the mud creature disintegrates. "Now, if you can hold the attention of these others for a bit..."

The raven holds the tips of his wings out in front of him as he starts repeating a low, staccato chant. Arcs of lightning start to jump between his feathers, coalescing into an orb in front of him.

◆◆◆ Channeling Horizon Thunder Sphere

◆ Caks will stride forward

◆ Throw dagger at Water Thing 2
Strike: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18for: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 piercing damage.

◆ Quick Draw and throw another dagger at Water Thing 2
Strike: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 4 = 11for: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 piercing damage.

Telurion expertly avoids the first acid claw only to slide directly into the second. "Good night!" the warrior roars as the acid seems to hit him everywhere at once. "It burns! Will the water stop it?" He calls out to the others.

REF: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

REF: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

◆ Caks will stride forward

◆ Throw dagger at Water Thing 2
[dice=Strike]1d20+8[dice=for]1d4+4 piercing damage.

◆ Quick Draw and throw another dagger at Water Thing 2
[dice=Strike]1d20+8-4[dice=for]1d4+4 piercing damage.

Might want to rethink this. The area inside the square is difficult terrain so not sure you can move that far in one action. Also, you still have your sling in hand, so you'll need to spend an action to draw a dagger unless you use quickdraw for that, which means you drop your sling and quickdraw a dagger leaving you two actions or one if you used two actions to move. Dagger also has a 10' range, so there is a -2 penalty for every range increment beyond that if you don't take two moves.

In addition, the creatures sunk back into the water so are hidden, so it's a DC11 Flat Check to target them.

Hidden

"You seem to have it figured out," Brennus comments as the mud creature disintegrates. "Now, if you can hold the attention of these others for a bit..."

The raven holds the tips of his wings out in front of him as he starts repeating a low, staccato chant. Arcs of lightning start to jump between his feathers, coalescing into an orb in front of him.

◆◆◆ Channeling Horizon Thunder Sphere

Brennus from his save perch high in a tree starts chanting something, and you can all see small tendrils of lightening as he seems to be building a orb of energy between his wings.

Telurion expertly avoids the first acid claw only to slide directly into the second. "Good night!" the warrior roars as the acid seems to hit him everywhere at once. "It burns! Will the water stop it?" He calls out to the others.

[dice=REF]1d20+7

[dice=REF]1d20+7

Telurion takes 9 Acid damage from the spell and will take 1d6 persistent Acid damage at the end of your next turn. The Acidic hand also moves you closer to Caks.

END of Round 2

Round 3

*Creature (-28) HP (Dead)
Caks (Still to be resolved).
Rail
Telurion (-18) Persistent Acid
Water Thingies
Brennus

Caks & Rail are up. Telurion on Deck.

Don't forget about the delay, and Ready Actions.

Not that I want to take extra damage but I thought a nat 1 resulted in a critical failure. If so, doesn't this spell do double damage in that case?

Not that I want to take extra damage but I thought a nat 1 resulted in a critical failure. If so, doesn't this spell do double damage in that case?

You are correct sir. I just saw the 8 and didn't look close enough. Thanks for the honesty. Also, don't forget everyone has a Hero point if you haven't used it.

Excellent point, I forget about that. I will spend my point to reroll.

REF: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Still a major improvement.