GM Rotation, The COREageous Crew

Game Master Pete H.

"Jack, fight back! Here, this should help you!"

Cortina provides the fighter with a bit of luck.

Bit of Luck: For 1 round roll each D20 twice and take the better result.

Jack is certainly caught surprised, flat footed and off guard, by all of this, but Cortina helps rally him.

Paul takes a short step to the side and draws his rapier.

Nal takes out a crossbow.

Ryul notices the casting and knows it isn’t good. Or at least knows that this is a foe he should deal with quickly. He disengages and slips around the pillar to menace the caster, ”You really should have reconsidered.” The elf strikes.

Move w/ Acrobatics to avoid an AoO from Green. Attack Yellow. Maybe AoO on Yellow if still casting, if not then maybe someone else will provoke.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

MW ECB: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 for Slashing: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

MW ECB AoO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 for Slashing: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Ryul, Yellow is an archer, Red is the caster. You are free to reposition since your post was clear that you meant to threaten the caster.

Green AoO vs Ryul: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Ryul feels a needle-like stab to the back of his leg as he moves clumsily away from the roguish halfling.

Ryul takes 3 piercing damage from Green's AoO, Cashel is still up!

Repositioned.

Not really able to effectively cast a spell at this point, Cashel instead opts to shift sideways, and readies to Force Missile the caster when they next try to cast a spell.

Force Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Force damage.

Blue Rapier Attack vs Jack, flanking: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12 Damage, SA: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (3) = 4
Green Rapier Attack vs Jack, flanking: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 2 = 17Damage, SA: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (2) = 5
Yellow Longbow Attack vs Ryul: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1
Red Concentration vs DC 14: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 1 + 2 = 20

Ryul slashes at the caster, but only parts the air.
Cashel prepares to hopefully disrupt the caster with his spell-like ability.

The pair of halflings needle Jack again, trading off which one strikes true. The sturdy fighter now showing blood from two wounds. Jack takes 5 more piercing damage. He should be at 11 hp currently.

The elf in the ridiculous hat steps to fire on Ryul, scoring a hit, but only for glancing damage. Ryul takes 1 more piercing damage, he should be at 11 hp currently, also.

The human caster sees the threat from the looming Elven Curve Blade and takes a step toward apparent safety and begins to cast again, only to be impacted by Cashel's force missile. He grits his teeth in concentration against the pain, however, and maintains his spell to completion.

Round 1
--------------------
Ryul - tumbles, takes 3 damage from Green, attacks red, misses
Cashel - readies force missle vs Red
??? (Blue) - stabs Jack for 5 damage
??? (Green) - stabs at Jack, misses
??? (Yellow) - steps, fires on Ryul for 1 damage
??? (Red) - steps, casts ???
Cashel - releases force missle vs Red for 3 damage
➤Paul
➤Jack
➤Cortina
➤Nal

Round 2
--------------------
➤Ryul
??? (Blue)
??? (Green)
??? (Yellow)
??? (Red) (-3 hp)
Cashel
Paul
Jack
Cortina
Nal

Everyone but Cashel is up, his order in initiative has been adjusted in round 2 due to readied action.

Waiting for Jack to attack and possibly 5-foot-step forward...

Also, I believe that Cashel should be placed before Red in initiative order:

(...) Your initiative result changes. For the rest of the encounter, your initiative result is the count on which you took the readied action, and you act immediately ahead of the character whose action triggered your readied action. (Source)

Jack steps diagonally and hits Blue with Guidance
gs: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 gs: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 3) + 6 = 15 (two handed)

Ryul slides around the pillar to put his foe between himself and the archer. He sizes up the caster while preparing his strike.

I really should look into supplementing my attacks or defenses with magic. I am at a disadvantage against someone like this.

Shaking himself from his internal monologue he brings a quick slash up and across his target’s body.

MW ECB: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 for Slashing: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Paul rushes through the doorway and between the two halflings, trying to dodge around their blows.

Acrobatics check to avoid AoOs: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Then he spins and stabs at the one in the blue vest.

Rapier attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Also, I believe that Cashel should be placed before Red in initiative order:

Ready action wrote:

(...) Your initiative result changes. For the rest of the encounter, your initiative result is the count on which you took the readied action, and you act immediately ahead of the character whose action triggered your readied action. (Source)

Unfortunately, I use block initiative to make things simpler/faster for PbP, but I will continue to allow Cashel the potential to disrupt Red's casting if he chooses.

Jack's powerful slice fells the halfling in Green with one blow. He crumples to the floor, bleeding out.

Cortina and Nal are still up!

Seeing that the space ahead has cleared slightly, Nal changes the plan and decides to go behind the enemy's back so that it would be easier for the allies to attack the target clamped in a vice.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 to avoid AoO

Cortina, get +2 from the flank .)

Cortina draws her battleaxe, 5-foot-steps forward and swings it at the enemy in blue.

cold iron Battleaxe, flanking: 1d20 + 0 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 0 + 2 = 10 :-(
Slashing: 1d8 ⇒ 5

I don't think that'll hit.

Blue Rapier Attack vs Nal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Confirm vs Nal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Green Stabilize?: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Yellow Longbow Attack vs Ryul: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Red Casts: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

The halfling in Blue takes a step to remove himself from such a surrounded position. He shifts his focus to Nal and strikes a substantial blow with his rapier. Nal takes 5 piercing damage and should currently be at 4 hp.

The elf steps east and fires again at Ryul, but misses badly.

The human caster in Red steps away from Ryul and casts upon himself again and then draws a scroll from his belt.

Round 2
--------------------
Ryul - moves, attacks Red for 5 damage
??? (Blue) - steps, attacks Nal for 5 damage
??? (Green) - fails to stabilize, -1 hp
??? (Yellow) - steps, fires on Ryul, misses
??? (Red) (-8 hp) - steps, casts ???, draws scroll
➤Cashel
➤Paul
➤Jack
➤Cortina
➤Nal

Round 3
--------------------
➤Ryul
??? (Blue)
??? (Green)
??? (Yellow)
??? (Red)
Cashel
Paul
Jack
Cortina
Nal

Everyone is up! If Cashel deals damage to Red, he will force a Concentration check and may disrupt the spell.

Ryul steps up and slashes again at the caster.

MW ECB: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 for Slashing: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

He eyes the bowman, ”You really need to work on your form. It’s all over the place. Maybe run away, practice for a couple years and then try again?”

Paul advances to flank the yellow enemy with Ryul before striking.

Rapier attack, flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 2 = 25

Confirm crit: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10

Ah, well. Probably scared them a bit!

Rapier damage, incl. sneak attack: 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (3) = 8

Cashel once again goes for certain damage, throwing a bolt of force to disrupt the caster's spell.

PatriotForce Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Force damage.

Jack moves to flank Blue with Nal before striking,
gs: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 2 = 18
damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 1) + 6 = 12 (two handed)

Red Concentration vs DC 16: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 1 + 2 = 20
The caster manages to complete his spell, but between Cashel's force missile and Ryul's slice, he finds himself just as wounded as he was before he cast it. And Paul's deft stab leaves the Archer clutching at his side grimacing at Ryul's critique.

Jack saunters over and lays the second halfling low just as completely as he did the first.

Cortina and Nal are still up!

"Hey, Nal, why don't you help Ryul with the caster? Here, this should help you!"

Cortina moves between Jack and Nal and provides the Rogue with a bit of luck.

This should help with the acrobatics check to avoid an AoO (to move into flanking red with Ryul) and the attack roll.

Bit of Luck: For 1 round roll each D20 twice and take the better result.

Nal responds with a curt nod and rushes to help.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Blue Stabilize?: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Green Stabilize?: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Yellow Longbow Attack vs Jack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 12 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Red Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 4

The archer and caster step out of their respective flanks. The archer turns his sights on Jack again, hoping his luck will improve against a despicable human, but is once again disappointed as his arrow flies wild.

The caster throws out his hands, calling on divine aid for himself and his fellows. His and the archers' wounds heal partially and the formerly unconscious halfling stirs at Cortina's feet.

Round 3
--------------------
Ryul - moves, attacks Red for 3 damage
??? (Blue) (Prone, Disabled, -9 hp)
??? (Green) (Unconscious, Prone, Stable)
??? (Yellow) (-4 hp) - steps, fires at Jack, misses
??? (Red) (-4 hp) - steps, selective channels for 4 hp recovered
➤Cashel
➤Paul
➤Jack
➤Cortina
➤Nal

Round 4
--------------------
➤Ryul
??? (Blue)
??? (Green)
??? (Yellow)
??? (Red)
Cashel
Paul
Jack
Cortina
Nal

Everyone is up! Displaced Blue from Cortina's square as he is no longer helpless, but still prone.

Ryul looks at the set up and nods at Paul and Nal, ”You two take out the priest, I’ll flank the archer. Let’s finish this quickly so they can’t heal again.”

Move and Ready to Strike when an ally moves into flanking. No acrobatics, he isn’t worried about an AoO from an archer, even if the dude has a spiked gauntlet or something.

Paul nods, closing with the priest and preparing to strike once Nal does likewise. "You should really surrender."

Held rapier attack, including flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 2 = 21
Rapier damage, including sneak attack: 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (1) = 6

Cashel fires another blast of force at the cleric.

Force Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Force damage.

Jack goes for the archer, moving to the flank with Ryul
gs: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 = 26
damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 5) + 6 = 16 (two handed)

As the martially inclined of your group converge on the pair, their combined might proves too much for these foolish would-be thieves. Ryul and Paul strike the felling blows. And if Jack doesn't pull his massive slice, that archer is SUPER dead. XD

The halfling at Cortina's feet raises his hands in the universal sign of surrender. "Just followin' orders, you know how it is." He admits with an awkward shrug from his prone posture.

That'll do it, crew! Out of Combat and that was the last encounter. Let me know what, if anything, you want to do with these fellows and I will wrap us up!

Cashel raises an eyebrow.

"Who gave you your instructions, then?"

Personally, handing them over to the Watch seems like the best option.

That depends on why they were after us.

"Whose orders?"

Cortina swings her battleaxe at the prone enemy in blue.

Cortina then moves to help with the caster (see map).

Looks like I forgot to hit the 'Submit Post' button... o_O

Cortina raises her battleaxe to slash the prone enemy in blue, but stops her attack when he surrenders.

"You better start talking, then. Who sent you?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 :-(

Jack will try to pull it but ... it's a greatsword - and the laws of momentum and inertia still apply.

Ryul puts a quick hand up towards Jack as their foe falls, ”Woah there, easy. Save that aggression in case we have more enemies.”

He moves over to the barely conscious one and glares, ”You want to survive? Answer the question.”

—————

Aiming for the second part of this FJC here.

Accept the surrender of an enemy combatant (other than an evil outsider or undead creature), and ensure his fair treatment until he can safely be released, ransomed, or delivered to authorities for justice. Alternatively, allow such an enemy combatant with no means of escape to flee without further harm.

Jack will try to pull it but ... it's a greatsword - and the laws of momentum and inertia still apply.

We can assume that his fall allows his head to descend just enough that you can avoid separating it from his shoulders. But his ridiculous hat is toast. XD

The halfling levers himself up on an elbow to confirm that his fellows appear too senseless to be listening and still lowers his voice as he glances around nervously. "You know... the Consortium." He says, stressing the significance and flashing a bronze medallion featuring a snake eating it's own tail. ∞
You'll need an Intimidate or Diplomacy roll for more. =P

No other rival agents wait to ambush you and soon the Shrine of the Failed is repopulated by its usual attendants who greet your party with wide-eyed astonishment at the door that stands open in what they were quite certain was a solid wall. The City Watch is summoned and you are able to relinquish your captives into their custody after making a statement describing the attack.

You pass through the crowd dispersing from their gathering around the Starstone Cathedral, and many of the locals speak in hushed tones of the recent failure. Many are still horrified following Sir Reinhart’s attempt to vault the chasm on horseback, which ended with a fall into oblivion. A fair few of the laments seem to be dedicated to the memory of his horse, rather than the man himself.

Aiming for the second part of this FJC here.

Accept the surrender of an enemy combatant (other than an evil outsider or undead creature), and ensure his fair treatment until he can safely be released, ransomed, or delivered to authorities for justice. Alternatively, allow such an enemy combatant with no means of escape to flee without further harm.

Cortina aims for the same FJC - but Ryul may need to tell her that he aims for the second part... ;-)

Cortina casts guidance on herself, then asks her goddess for another bit of luck, also for herself. She immediately turns to the halfling and says:

”Listen to the man. Answer the question.”

Aid Diplomacy/Intimidate, guidance: 1d20 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) - 2 + 1 = 7
Aid Diplomacy/Intimidate, guidance: 1d20 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) - 2 + 1 = 8

The dicebot doesn't like Cortina... :-(

First part of FJC works fine. GM indicated the guards would take him. Before that I sorta figured we would bolt quickly so the second part would be smarter.

The elf glares.

Intimidate Aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

Whoops - that's the disadvantage of this thing. Once it starts, it's hard to stop.

Jack also attempts to intimidate. Unless you wanna join both your cronies .. then I suggest you comply.
intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

I'll have to learn that skill...it seems a useful one to have.

Untrained Aid Another to intimidate: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Paul frowns menacingly at the captive.

The halfling apparently finds elven features to be the most menacing and raises a hand to fend off their glares. "Boy, that diviner wasn't kidding. You are definitely new fish. The Aspis Consortium likes to keep an eye on Pathfinder activity. Got the order to follow you lot and relieve you of any interesting finds. Guess we needed more mercs though." He shrugs, casting a wary eye at the fighter with the greatsword.

Back at the Grand Lodge, Drandle Dreng receives you directly, eager to debrief you concerning your grand discovery. "I had a feeling about you. I'll admit I had an inkling that The Wounded Wisp still had secrets to disclose, but I never expected anything on this scale. How did you fare?"

Um .. we had a run in with some people from what they called the Aspis Consortium. Who are those guys and do we need to worry about them?

But yeah .. it seems there was this gnome called ... erm ... Elysia ... or something like that .. and some hidden cache of notes

He consults his own notes ... Erm .. sorry sir ... Eylysia ... extra why

Dreng's eyes widen slightly at this news. "Already beset by that troublesome lot, eh? They represent themselves as a syndicate of merchants and tradesmen which is just true enough to conceal their more nefarious machinations. They are headed by a conglomerate of the wealthy and powerful and unsurprisingly, they are always striving to increase that wealth and power. Often by any possible means, no matter how lawless or unscrupulous." He says, with a sour twist to his mouth.

He frowns thoughtfully. "We'll increase the security measures on the sites, just to be on the safe side. You've done great work and the Society will likely be reaping the benefits of your discovery both in the near future and for many years to come." He opens a decanter, likely containing the self same wine you brought him earlier and pours you all a small glass for a toast.

"To your future endeavors as Pathfinders! Cheers!"

May the Lucky Drunk bless us all. Cheers

Responding to the Aspis

”New fish maybe. But certainly not unskilled. Try to pick up a trade or useful skill in prison, it will help you reintegrate into society when you get out.”

Mission Briefing

”Thank you. I think we have a solid group here. I think I need to take some time off and talk to my mentor about how to add some magic to my skillset. I’ll see you all soon, safe travels.”

——————

I should have Citadel up Monday, depending on if the levels of sickness in my house increase or decrease.

Hamshanks ignored all pretense of pleasantries as he pounded into the meeting room in the Grand Lodge in Absalom. “Never time to do it right, is there? Gorum see us through this, then.” He grunted loudly and leveled his glare at the entire room. “Ever been to Qadira? Religion is almost a fad down there, with new cults springing up like weeds and getting crushed just as quickly. It has been that way for centuries.”

“But some make a mark—on Qadira or in the Chronicles. Three centuries ago, the archdevil Moloch, preaching surrender to the desert heat, suddenly became the rage. Qadirans walked into the desert just to die just as if the heat was their paradise. The most devout sought out the hidden Citadel of Flame, where a fearsome bull-headed idol of Moloch judged them and sent the worthy to Malebolge, the sixth layer of Hell. No surprise that Sarenrae’s priests launched a mighty crusade to demolish the citadel. After two weeks, a great sandstorm swallowed the expedition—and, it seemed, the citadel and its idol. Nothing more was heard from either.”

“Until ten days ago, that is. Sandstorms regularly scour the Qadiran highlands, and this time they emptied an entire valley of dunes. Poking out of that valley, visible only to those soaring above—such as a flying Pathfinder wizard—was the lofty spire of a fortress: the Citadel of Flame, presumably.”

“Hopefully we are the first to learn about its reappearance and we need to act fast. The Decemvirate doesn’t expect any trouble, so they’re sending you. But I do expect trouble—who knows what’s infesting that citadel? Get in there fast and find that idol—it could be the key to the entire cult. It’s likely statue-sized, maybe as big as me, and should have a bull’s head on it. And for Gorum’s sake be careful.”

Now, after a swift voyage to Sedeq and a tiring trek through the endless Qadiran dunes, the sun beats down on a maze of red slickstone, with delicate arches and towering columns called hoodoos dotting the landscape. Somewhere within this expanse lies the Citadel of Flame and within, the idol of Moloch.

This pretty much tosses you right out of the gates into the mission. However, you have time to make purchases as you leave Absalom or travel to the temple. There are no additional facts to gain from knowledge checks or diplomacy at this time.

Make re-introductions, any purchases, and some reply and/or travel RP. Then I’ll put the first map up and post the description. Adventure awaits!

Pack animals and extra water, or are we assumed to have them?

Pack animals and extra water, or are we assumed to have them?

The scenario doesn't seem to care about travel issues or conditions while traveling, so assume that you have food and water and pack animals hired and left outside the entrance, all paid for by the society.

Paloma had only been back a few days when she received the summons. But that was the life of a Pathfinder... always packing back up before you've really settled in. It was the life she had chosen, and a choice she defended rather extensively in recent days before her family and her tribe. She had stood her ground and gotten their blessing, begrudging as it was. They had made it clear her duty to the tribe must still be fulfilled, though.

She wore on her back a shield of darkwood, emblazoned with four parallel lines with jagged edges, slightly curved and the deep red of fresh blood. Cheeper wore new leather barding, marked with the same symbol, though it was embroidered on the barding over the cat's breast bone. The cheetah chirped in recognition when they found their friends. Paloma smiled and clasped hands and shoulders in warm greetings.

"That was abrupt. Evil idols again, it seems. How does one go about fighting devils?" She asked in Hamshank's wake, outsiders were definitely not her area of expertise. "Have you ever been to Qadira before? Me either..." She commented, wondering what she should buy for the trip.

Hot weather outfit isn't CORE, is it? Do we need Endure Elements?

Cold Weather outfits are Core, Hot Weather outfits are not. Should you have burned charges or casts of Endure Elements to get there? No, not unless that is your MO (I have a cleric who has it up constantly). But that would be a reasonable thing to have on the backburner for a desert mission. Any local on the trip there would say as much.

FYI, I may accidentally post again on Ryul. Just know it is your illustrious mildly competent GM for this mission. Sorry.