GM Cody Age of Ashes

Game Master Codanous

I couldn't edit my last post, ran out of time but felt like I needed to clarify that things are moving very slowly, not y'all posting, just mean like these next few moments of in game time, we aren't in rounds necessarily but very quickly can end up back in rounds

"Alak, it looks like you are hurt, as well as you Sto-" Lyra stops abruptly as she sees Stom quickly leave the room after the last charau-Ka. Lyra heads down the hall to follow Stom and motions for Alak to follow. Come with me and I can heal you both, it'll be a bit but gives our companions time to search the area." As she leaves the room she sees Violant conversing with the creature and sees that she has it well in hand.

Seeing Stom in the next room Lyra moves in next to him and is dumbstruck at the scene before her.

Violant's eyes light up as soon as the Charau-Ka mention portals, and she responds in a frantic Draconic.

It's pretty much impossible for her to contain her excitement at this point, as she can be seen jittering ever-so-slightly in excitement at what this might mean.

Violant cranes her head to see what's going on, and then sighs as she speaks to the Charau-Ka, a bit of draconic acid burning at her skin:

Hope it's okay to assume she can at least get the gist of "something's going on"

Before you guys are able to do much more, for most of you, the sound of numerous creatures screaming, hooting and hollering come from the room Stom and Lyra just ran into.

For Stom and Lyra the four charau-ka hanging from the curtains become aggressive and attack!

Its only been maybe 12-18 seconds since the last fight ended

round 1 - Too many monkey's jumping in the dungeon
Lyra
Charau-Ka Red
Charau-Ka Green
Alak 15 damage
Violant
Stom 8 damage
Oppa
Charau Ka blue 8 damage
Charau Ka Yellow

Bless is still up for at least the next 3 or 4 more rounds :)

"By her Holy Flame! Thats a lot of charau-kas for a dungeon!

Lyra reaches out and touches Stoms greataxe. As she touches the hilt the blade glows and glimmers as magical runes shimmer along the blade. "LEEITO SWWILLLPUI"

Stom I cast runic weapon on your greataxe, you gain a +1 to attack and an extra damage die, which does stack with the +1 you get from bless!!

After Lyra casts her spell on Stom's weapon she raises her shield.

>>Cast Runic weapon
>Raise Shield

Lyra casts a spell, blessing Stoms greataxe, readying him for a fight.

The red and green Charau-Ka, slide down the curtains, to ground level, stepping forward and throw hatchets at Stom.

Green Hatchet Throw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Red Hatchet Throw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Both hatchets land hilt first, bouncing harmlessly off the Dwarf Barbarian.

Alak, angry, looks at the orange charau-ka in front of him, he'll heft his greatsword and swing it non-lethally trying to knock out the charau-ka.

Greatsword Power Attack non lethal: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 2 = 25
damage: 2d12 + 4 ⇒ (1, 10) + 4 = 15

He smacks it upside the head and the orange charau-ka falls over unconscious.

"I'll keep this one from getting the jump on us, sounds like there are more fighting Stom!"

Round 1 - Too many monkey's jumping in the dungeon
Lyra
Charau-Ka Red
Charau-Ka Green
Alak 15 damage
Violant
Stom 8 damage
Oppa
Charau Ka blue 8 damage
Charau Ka Yellow

Where is Samael in the initiative?

Samael is also up right now, he should be in with the Violant, Stom, Oppa block of folks :| sorry Samael. I rolled initiative for you, guess between drafts missed adding you

Samael gets out a dagger, and moves up to the green Charau-Ka. It isn't in your list, but, the dark orange Charau-Ka is in the way. I am assuming it is not a hostile.

Stab green: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20for: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Yeah the orange one has been knocked unconscious, I'll remove him from the map for now.

Stom points his magically imbued axe at the Charau-Ka's. "Time to feel the fires of Sarenrae." He moves within range of the pack of enemies and swings his axe in a wide arc to slash across two of them.

◆ Step
◆ Strike at Blue
◆ Strike at Yellow

Strike #1: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 13
Slashing/Force Dmg: 2d12 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (9, 3) + 4 + 4 = 20

Strike #2: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 24 Additional +1 from Sweep trait
Slashing/Force Dmg: 2d12 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 9) + 4 + 4 = 19

Violant sighs, replying once again in a language no-one understands as she points at the Red Charau-Ka as she points one finger of her right hand at the creature, and snaps the fingers of her other hand:

Spell Attack Roll: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Ignition: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6 × 2 => 12 fire damage
Persistent Fire: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Afterwards, she raises her shield, but will probably not need to use it. (AC=18)

AFK until Friday. Feel free to DMPC.

Samael tumbles into the room coming up and stabbing the Green Charau-ka while Stom steps up next to him and cleaves Blue and Yellow. Blue dodges, but Yellow takes the full brunt of a magically empowered greataxe, dropping instantly.

Violant runs in after, and launches of a red hot ball of fire straight into the face of the Red Charau-Ka, lighting its clothes on fire!

Oppa casts protect companion and commands Doxie to get in a bite, which Doxie happily does so, running into the room to bite at the blue Charau-Ka.

Bite + Bless: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 1 = 12
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

But her teeth can't find a purchase on the a hopping charau-ka.

The blue one starts a shrieking frenzy, loudly babooning and create such a loud raucous.

It will then draw an extra Hatchet from his belt and chop once at Stom and Doxie.

Hatchet vs stom: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

hatchet vs doxie + sweep: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12 hm double 12s
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Round 2 - Too many monkey's jumping in the dungeon
Lyra
Charau-Ka Red 15 damage
Charau-Ka Green 6 damage
Alak 15 damage
Violant
Stom 8 damage
Samael
Oppa
Charau Ka blue 8 damage

Lyra watching as her companions slash and hack away at the Charau-kas reaches into her spell pouch and thorws her hands towards the creature infont of Samael. "NULLISH CRAAALIFK"

Attack vs Green: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Damage: 3d4 ⇒ (2, 1, 1) = 4

Noticed, my earlier post was actually triple 12s, madness

Lyra fires off her untrusty needle darts, as the Charau-Ka's continue to their hooting and hollering.

The Red and Green Charau-Ka's, draw back up hatchets and attack their nearby adversaries.

Green striking at Samael and Doxie

Attack vs Samael: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 hit for minimum daaaaamage!
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

attack vs Doxie: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

and the Red striking at Stom and Doxie too

attack vs Stom: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

attack vs doxie: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Alak triple moves, hustling his bulky plate armor frame into flanking for Samael.

Round 2 - Too many monkey's jumping in the dungeon
Lyra
Charau-Ka Red 15 damage
Charau-Ka Green 6 damage
Alak 15 damage
Violant
Stom 8 damage
Samael
Oppa/Doxie
Charau Ka blue 8 damage

Samael moves to flank the blue Charau-Ka.

Stab: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18for: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (1) = 7

Stab again: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 4 = 7for: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + (4) = 12

Violant once again decides to shock the Red Charau-Ka and the one next to it, arcing above the Charau-Ka's heads to reach the others.

Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

DC 18 reflex save

Stom continues his multi-pronged attack and swings from left to right this time, careful to avoid colliding with Doxie.

◆ Strike at Blue
◆ Strike at Red

Strike #1: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 26
Slashing/Force Dmg: 2d12 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (12, 3) + 4 + 4 = 23

Strike #2: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 13
Slashing/Force Dmg: 2d12 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 5) + 4 + 4 = 17

I'm assuming that Blue is defeated, but probably a miss on Red.

Seeing that Samael and Doxie outnumber the one remaining Charau-Ka, Stom moves to block one of the other enemies from reaching the casters.

◆ Stride

Violant once again decides to shock the Red Charau-Ka and the one next to it, arcing above the Charau-Ka's heads to reach the others.

[dice=Damage] 2d4

DC 18 reflex save

Woops. Electric Arc here. Writing on a phone is pain

Samael and Violant are able to kill Blue, Stom, I'll shift your 26 to hit the Red Charau-Ka which kills that one instantly.

Samael tumbles to fight the Blue Charau-Ka and together with Violant's electricity the two take it down.

Stom redirect hits axe, catching the red Charau-Ka off guard and cutting it down in one crunching swipe.

Oppa moves into the room, and commands Doxie to full attack the remaining green Charau-ka.

Doxie devours.

Bite: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 = 10
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Claw: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 1 = 23
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

The green charau-ka and only one remaining, teeters on the brink of death.

Round 3 - Too many monkey's jumping in the dungeon
Lyra
Charau-Ka Green 15 damage
Alak 15 damage
Violant
Stom 8 damage
Samael
Oppa/Doxie

Lyra fires off her ever trusty needle darts spell hopeful that one day they will land their mark.

NULLISH CRAAALIFK" She yells as she throws her hand out towards the last standing creature.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 1 = 20
Damage: 3d4 ⇒ (2, 1, 1) = 4

I think, if that hits its my first hit with needle darts! xD

Needles stab into the remaining Charau-Ka, slamming into the screaming simian creature, silencing it as it falls unconscious, bleeding out.

At the parties feet lie four dying charau-ka's, and in the other room one that has been knocked unconscious.

As Stom stows his axe and catches his breath, he surveys the bloody scene with fallen foes in two different rooms.

"Well, that could have gone better. Could have gone worse." He checks a shallow wound on his chest and doesn't seem particularly worried about it.

Turning to Violant, he asks about the charau-ka. "Are you able to speak with these creatures? What are they even called? Should we try to wake this one?"

Oppa smiles and nod's at Doxie's handiwork.

"Good job girl"

Then he turns to Stom.

"Good idea! Let's see why they are here".

Lyra secures her shield to her back and walks over towards Stom. ”you and Alak are hurt if everyone else wants to search the room I can heal you both up.”

"Charau-Kas... normally," she adds, "I doubt I could communicate with them. They're from, of all places, the Mwangi expanse, but these ones speak a pidgin of Draconic and some local language, which I speak Draconic, so...," she trails off.

"I am unsure if we should wake that one, but if Alseta's Ring is anywhere nearby, I think that might be where they came from? All I really know about it is that it's a ring of elfgates, or why else would they dedicate it to The Welcomer. So... they might have come through there?"

Gathering yourselves, you have 5 Charau-Ka's, most of them have bled out, the one Alak bonked with his sword is still sleeping.

You guys are able to gather into a pile, 5 hatchets, 5 daggers and 5 sets of hide armor.

Searching the room the fight ended in, you guys don't find much. The Charau-Ka's had destroyed most of the room and hung up the drapes, curtains and anything else they could to the ceiling.

In the previous room, where the bear and boggard were, searching the Boggard you find a 2H greatclub, studded leather armor and 3 javelins. Additionally you find a small elixir.

Violant, with her alchemical prowess, identifies it as a Lesser Comprehension Elixir

One last room, the one the bear was trapped in. Again this room is so mauled and destroyed in the bear's rampage, additionally the half dozen dead and eaten cultists are spread over the room. Searching through the bodies, you find a vial of alchemist's fire, a glue bomb and about 27 silver pieces.

There are a number of books and ledgers in this room, though it'd probably take an hour of you all reading to digest the information, in part due to their volume and to piece back together some of the books. It does appear to be different material than what you've read or seen so far on the first floor. Despite the blood and destruction, this room could have belonged to someone important.

This searching around probably took y'all 10-20 minutes, lemme know if you are spending the hour to digest the books/ledges/journals you've found

Lyra pulls out her wooden holy symbol and casts a spell on Stom. A warm light spreads from her hand holding her holy symbol.
"Klllarkisha Sarenrae brisshhraka liikk!"

>>Heal vs Stom: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Pulling out her healing kit and heading over to Alak, Lyra treats his wounds.

Treat wounds vs Alak: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
HP restored: 2d8 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9

Since its only been like maybe 5 mins since the last time i healed up stom im using a spell and i went back through the posts and it doesn't look like ive healed up alak

"Hm. A Lesser Comprehension Elixir, an Alchemist's Fire, and a Glue Bomb. I'll prpbably take the Comprehension Elixir for myself. Who here is the best at throwing bombs and vials? None of us are dedicated Alchemists, so I figure I should ask," Violant asks as she peruses through the alchemical substances. Sure, she can create substances from Alchemical Formulae but... using them in combat is a different story entirely.

Are we keeping up with this in the loot tracker?

She pauses, then turns to Samael. "Hm. How many objects can you juggle at once?"

"Currently I can juggle three at once. So, I'll take the alchemist's fire and the glue bomb. And, I'm pretty good at throwing things."

Are we keeping up with this in the loot tracker?

I added the mundane gear. Should be up-to-date now.

"Thank you, Lyra. Sarenrae's light has healed all my wounds. After thanking Lyra, Stom sets about organizing the armor and weapons from the fallen foes. Stom finds a clean enough corner of a room and arranges the items in order. "Samael, do you want another dagger or maybe a hatchet for your juggling? This is too much loot to carry now, but we can make trips later. Maybe the goblins want some of it."

"These books look like an important part of piecing together the story of this place. But, I'm not sure if safe to sit around and read. We can always come back here. I can stand guard if the rest of you want to research before continuing."

"Sure. I can handle another dagger and a hatchet."

Seeing as how all the loot has been sorted and disbursed Lyra walks over towards the door on the northern side of the room. B10 Before opening the door, she cracks her neck and rolls her shoulders. "you all ready? she asks as she reaches her hand towards the handle of the door.

Lyra opens the door, leading past the dead Charau-Ka's and revealing another bedroom, or what remains of one. A steady dripping from the stone ceiling in this ruined bedroom has created a deep, bog-like puddle in the middle of the broken floor. Ringing the puddle are splintered pieces of wood stuck into the flagstones’ rubble, rising up like bizarre foliage. There is the sounds of frogs or toads croaking in this room.

Anyone going inside to investigate?

By RAW, I cannot have a weapon in hand during exploration, but, this seems like it would be a situation where having a dagger in hand would be appropriate.

Samael will peer into the room Perception is +7, then stealth into the room along the eastern wall. Stealth is +8

Without an immediate threat in the next room, Stom relaxes and joins Samael's search of the room. "I wonder if we'll ever find your ring, Alak."

Doxie is busy cleaning her fangs with one sharp claw her voracious appetite for once sated, while Oppa begins to study the books. He looks up as the others move forward and sticks the book in his bag before joining the others. He wistfully looks back at the unexplored books.

Oppa will take the Defend Exploration activity
Doxie will take the Scout Exploration activity.

Just a note from my experience with PF2e... Random encounters are almost non-existent, so it's never a bad idea to take an hour or two here and there to fully heal and do some research.

Stepping into the room, the frogs/toads give one last big croak and then two Boggards jump out of the water, accompanied by a giant frog, it has yellow bandana tied around its neck!

The giant frog leaps from the pool with a loud croak, and launches its sticky tongue to try and grab Stom.

Sticky Tongue 15 ft reach: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 Schloop

A creature hit by the giant frog's tongue becomes grabbed by the giant frog. The creature isn't immobilized, but it can't move beyond the reach of the frog's tongue. A creature can sever the tongue with a Strike against AC 13 that deals at least 2 slashing damage. This deals no damage to the frog but prevents it from using its tongue Strike until it regrows its tongue, which takes a week.

Round 1 - A Ribbitin' Ambush
Giant Frog
Lyra
Alak
Violant
Samael
Stom
Boggard Blue
Boggard Red
Oppa

Stom attempts to avoid the frog's tongue, but moves out of the way too slowly. Realizing that he can still move, Stom engages one of the boggards before swinging at the frog's tongue to disengage.

◇ Rage - 5 temp HP
◆ Step SE
◆ Strike at Boggard Red
◆ Strike at Frog's tongue

Strike #1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Slashing/Force Dmg: 1d12 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 4 = 16

Strike #2: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13 +1 from Sweep trait
Slashing/Force Dmg: 1d12 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 4 = 12

The professor makes some snide comments, then launches two bolts of electricity at the Red Boggart and the giant frog, then raises her shield (AC 18)

Electricity Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3
DC 18 Basic Reflex save.

Lyra strides into the room and throws her hand out towards the creatures. "NULLISH CRAAALIFK! More frogs!?

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Damage vs blue: 3d4 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) = 8

>Stride
>>Cast Needle Darts

Alak draws his greatsword and double moves into position behind of the Boggards, threatening it.

Stom tries to attack the boggard but the giant frogs sticky tongue gets in his way, he rounds out his initial attack with a sweeping blow, severing the frogs tongue. The tongue falls to the ground with a wet smack.

Violant sends an electrical arc coursing between the Red boggard and giant frog.

Reflex giant frog: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
reflex boggard scout ret: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Maybe the wet made the frog a little more conductive cause it is unable to avoid the full electrical blast.

Lyra fires a round of needles, slamming them into the Blue Boggard, striking him to great effect.

Round 1 - A Ribbitin' Ambush
Giant Frog 3 damage
Lyra
Alak
Violant
Samael
Stom
Boggard Blue 8 damage
Boggard Red 1 damage
Oppa

Samael will step forward and stab.

Strike vs blue: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10for: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (5) = 12

Strike vs blue: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 4 = 15for: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (4) = 9

Samael's first strike is merely a faint for the second strike that comes in, catching the off guard boggard scout!

Blue Boggard will attack Samael and Alak one time each, with his morningstar.

Morningstar vs Samael: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Morningstar vs Alak: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Then the Red Boggard lays into Stom for attacking his frog!

Morningstar vs Stom: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Morningstar vs Stom: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Finish out the round with Oppa and Doxie!

Round 1 - A Ribbitin' Ambush
Giant Frog 3 damage
Lyra
Alak
Violant
Samael
Stom
Boggard Blue 17 damage
Boggard Red 1 damage
Oppa/Doxie

◆ Step 5'
◆ Protect Companion
◆ Command Doxie

"I know you're getting full girl... but look at the size of those Frog Legs".

◆ Stride
◆ Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 Bite
1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 Teeth (Piercing)

"Yumm".

Oppa commands and Doxie obeys taking a huge bite out of the frog, its tongue flopping lifelessly around as it bounces in pain.

Angry it bites back at the little dragonlet

Frog Bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Frog Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Unable to do so, it attempts to hop away from the group, retreating in pain.

Round 2 - A Ribbitin' Ambush
Giant Frog 12 damage
Lyra
Alak
Violant
Samael
Stom 1 damage
Boggard Blue 17 damage
Boggard Red 1 damage
Oppa/Doxie

Stabby, Stab, Stab...

Strike vs Blue: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18for: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (5) = 11

Strike vs Blue: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 8 - 4 = 10for: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (3) = 10

Strike vs Blue: 1d20 + 8 - 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 - 8 = 8for: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (6) = 11

Stom moves to follow the giant frog further into the room and rears back for a powerful strike against the now tongueless frog.

◆ Stride
◆◆ Intimidating Strike

Strike: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Slashing/Force Dmg: 1d12 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 4 = 18