[Gameday XIII, PF2/Farol] #5-15 Cleansing the Flame (Inactive)

Game Master Farol

"Hey, we got a runner!"

GM, what's the timeframe on the chase? If it's around 10 minutes or less per obstacle, Manny will cast >Heroism< on himself. Please add +1 to this check, if so:

Athletics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

"Get back here!" Manny quickly knocks dead foliage aside to help the team get through.

Dreadfang looks quizzically at Manny’s raised hand, before waving back.

When the chase begins, he parkours through the brush, squeezing between small spaces among the branches.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27

Then...
DC 21 Religion to RK: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15 Nope

Now...
"Hey! Where are you going?!" Raph calls out the attention of the one running away and takes advantage of the surroundings so he can easily catch the runner up.
Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

"The path here is easy to navigate!" Raph points the way to his allies.

Folmyr goes as a bulldozer making space of him and others.

Isaku jumps over some obstacles and he helps to find a path between the branches. 1 success

Samna triest to use her knowledge, but the pressure of chase is to much for her. Manny seems to be stronger than one could assume, as he moves obstacles from his way. This chase consist of number of obstacles, each would take a round (6 seconds) to overcome, so Heroism would last on the whoel way

That makes 4 successes, letting you move to the next obstacle. I will move Dreadfang and Raphaelos checks for next obstacle giving you 3 successes

As the runner goes through into the thicker forest, the cultist ahead blows a loud whistle, rousing the giant beasts in the area behind him
as he rushes ahead. A large collection of wolves and boars begin filling the area, angered by the strange noise from the whistle and ready to charge at nearby moving targets.

Dreadfang zigzags around the beasts while Raphaeleos finds the less aggresive beasts and leads you next to them.

GETTING PAST THE BELKZEN BEASTS - 3 successes already

Bold are up! Round 2
Samna
Manny
Isaku
Dreadfang
Raphaelos
Folmyr

Most obvious checks:
- Diplomacy, Intimidation, Deception
- Nature/Survival
- Stealth
the DC is low-mid 20s (21-25), so one success is needed for you to move further, I will post next obstacle so that you can roll against it if you see 1 more success on the above

Meanwhile, the cultist turns and pours a massive line of alchemical liquids to catch the dried materials of the newly regrowing forests alight in a 15-foot-tall line of fire between the PCs and the cultist. A large 15-foot-tall wall of flames catches from the alchemical liquids and new growth in the area. While it will quickly burn out, given there is very little growth for it to spread to, it could hold the Pathfinders off long enough to lose the tracks if they don’t push through the area rather than waiting for it to burn out.

Most obvious skills:
- Crafting
- Survival/Nature
- Athletics/Acrobatics

Diplomacy with Heroism: 1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 16 + 1 = 26

"Hey hey! Chill out! That whistle was pretty off-key, kind of annoying I know. But how about this?" Manny sings a single note, matching the whistle, but holding it as purely as he can to calm the critters down.

Or maybe they're just annoyed by the entire thing and back off. Mission accomplished!

"Alright, onward fellow heroes! Whoa, a wall of flame! Our quarry's got some explosive tricks!"

Manny knows how to speak with the beast, nad leads you from the frying pan into the fire!

Meanwhile, the cultist turns and pours a massive line of alchemical liquids to catch the dried materials of the newly regrowing forests alight in a 15-foot-tall line of fire between the PCs and the cultist. A large 15-foot-tall wall of flames catches from the alchemical liquids and new growth in the area. While it will quickly burn out, given there is very little growth for it to spread to, it could hold the Pathfinders off long enough to lose the tracks if they don’t push through the area rather than waiting for it to burn out.

Wall of fire! Bold are up! Round 2
Samna
Manny
Isaku
Dreadfang
Raphaelos
Folmyr

Most obvious skills:
- Crafting
- Survival/Nature
- Athletics/Acrobatics

Athletics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

Crafting(E): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

Isaku builds a fan-like device made of fresh leaves to beat out the flames.

Dreadfang tries to fly over the flames, his widdle wings flapping as hard as they can.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33

Isaku can only gape at what he's seeing...

"Oh, no! They are burning everything along our path!" Raph finds a shortcut for the group to follow instead of being hindered by the roaring wall of flames.
Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Hero Point! Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

He is kinda lost time. "Where are we now?"

"Looks like the brush is less flammable this way." Samna points.

Nature: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35

Wow, those rolls! Wow

Folmyr pushes through the firewall without much effort, Dreadfang flies above it, proving that his tiny wings can work if he wants strong enough. Isaku builds a fan like device which makes enough of a corridor for the other to pass. 5 successes - 1 from Raphaelos still beats it

Raphaeleos trips and falls into the flame, his allies quickly pull him out of it.

=======================

A cloud of smoke obscures traces of the cultist and makes it difficult to breath or see while within this area. The massive choking cloud of alchemical smoke that follows this area makes it hard to keep pace with the fleeing cultist.

Samna successfully finds a path through the smoke 2 successes

Residual Smoke Round 3 - 2 successes

Samna
Manny
Isaku
Dreadfang
Raphaelos
Folmyr

Most obvious skills:
- Fortitude
- Perception
- Nature/Survival

Fortitude: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Folmyr holds their breath and squints their eyes...

Fortitude: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

Manny is certain Shylye is protecting him as he forces his way through the smoke.

Dreadfang holds his breath and tries to plow through.

Fort save: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

Isaku attempts to find a way through the smoke.

Perc, Lead: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31

Raphaeleos tries once more, this time with more focus and determination.
Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

"Cover your noses!" he advises. "And squint!" he adds while doing the same he is instructing them.

Looks like we made it, but just in case:

Nature: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18

Folmyr have no issues with the smoke, Manny does a bit worse but still makes it. that gives 4 and moves you forwards

The cultist quickly flees through a larger clearing, running in
a strange weaving and careful path, which should warn the
PCs immediately to look around for traps trying to block their
way into the clearing

Dreadfang pursue the cultist by following their footsteps. Repurposed remaining rolls to most adequate skills ;)

Isaku does the same, just a tiny bit better. Raphaeleos is a bit smarter on where he walks, selecting the path for himself.

Following through tree line - 3 successes so far Round 4

Most obvious skills:
- Survival/Nature
- Stealth
- Perception
Need 1 more success, DC is still low-mid 20s

Samna
Manny
Isaku
Dreadfang
Raphaelos
Folmyr

==========================================

The area surrounding the camp has been trapped to the teeth. Upon weaving through his set traps without harm, the cultist suddenly disappears, almost as if popping out of existence, as he rushes through an illusory scene used to hide their primary campsite.

Overcomming Traps (next obstacle after you get 1 success on teh above) - Round 4

Most obvious skills:
- Thievery
- Crafting
- Acrobatics
- Perception

Nature: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35

"Look for blue flowers--the traps are marked!"

Crafting(E), Lead: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 15 + 1 = 25

Isaku confirms what Samna says and points out the blue flowers.

Samna finds the path, and boy she does that well. Crit but extra success does not go through:(

The area surrounding the camp has been trapped to the teeth. Upon weaving through his set traps without harm, the cultist suddenly disappears, almost as if popping out of existence, as he rushes through an illusory scene used to hide their primary campsite.

Isaku understands the traps well enough to find path between them

Overcomming Traps - Round 4 - 1 success

Most obvious skills:
- Thievery
- Crafting
- Acrobatics
- Perception

Samna
Isaku
Manny
Dreadfang
Raphaelos
Folmyr

"Ooo, blue goes well with my vest..." Manny almost blunders into the trap next to the flower when Samna gets his attention. "Oh, sorry!" He snaps his finger and adds a floral pattern to his clothing.

"Oh, more traps? Check this out!" Manny cartwheels around the environment, mimicking the cultist's movement.

Acrobatics with Heroism: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 13 + 1 = 34

Manny can't help but add an extra flip. He swore he heard someone clap as he completes his three-point landing.

"So just do that and you'll get through."

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

Dreadfang bounds through the area, in a series of wing-assisted leaps.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26

"Let's not be tricked!" Raphaeleos then summons a Crawling Hand from Summond Undead (Rank 1) to trigger some traps that can help them lessen the traps they need to find and avoid!
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Manny and Folmyr bring the team home. After bypassing the traps for a moment you see nothing but glimmering, you know that cultist run right into it, and you believe it has to be some sort of illusion.

Hidden Illusory Camp - Round 5

Most obvious skills:
- Arcana/Nature/Religion
- Will save

Samna
Isaku
Manny
Dreadfang
Raphaelos
Folmyr

Dread + Raphaeleos you can take your rolls from round 4 and apply them here as well

Nature: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32

"Look, some of those trees aren't even swaying in the wind. An obvious illusion!"

Will: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

"Alright, very sparkly."

Will with Heroism: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 1 = 14
"Pretty..."

Hero Point: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 1 = 20
Manny feels someone elbow him in the side. "I mean, what?"

Arcana(T), Lead: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 13 + 1 = 22

"What? Is that real??"

Dreadfang growls at the trickery before him, then sniffs around as he makes his way through.

Will save: 8+16=24, Success = Crit Success

Will save: 6 + 14 = 20

"It is not true! I think they are illusions!" Raph tries things to make sense and points out the obvious lie, or not.

With your skills and strenght of mind, you see through the illusion, catching up with the cultist.

Beyond the illusory wall, the area opens to a large clearing littered with the bodies of dead daeodons, arrows still sticking out of their corpses from the scouts who killed them. In the center of the site, a large circular area covered in glowing runes lights up. In its center sits a large bonfire with a strange image of a burning boar’s head floating and glowing above it. The area ripples with magic energy so strong it briefly stuns anyone who approaches unprepared.

The cultist falls to the ground in the center of the large ritual circle, on top of a small central bonfire surrounded by dark smoke-filled runes. A fiery energy releases from his motionless body and flies into the bodies of each of the dead daeodons, animating them. The circular ring around the site lights itself ablaze once more around the chasing agents. The sound of crackling f ire and rushing flames fill the area as a spectral energy explodes outward, awakening the daeodon corpses who mindlessly rush the heroes.

Initiative, hazard: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (8) + 22 = 30

Fire damage, reflex save DC26: 6d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 3, 6, 4, 6) = 25

Please roll your initiative, whoever breaks 30 goes before the hazard, each one of you may be damaged by flames.

To disable the hazard you can:
DC 24 Occultism or Religion to disrupt the magic animating the spirits, DC 28 Athletics to hold down one of the daeodons, or dispel magic (4th-level, counteract DC 28). 2 successes are required.

Initiative (Perception): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17

The flames roll across Samna before she gets a chance to react.

Reflex: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37

But she manages to dodge them completely. She blows a strange of singed hair out of her face. "The dangers of being in a cult."

Religion (Disable): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

"Desna, shine your beams on this unholy place!"

Perception, Init: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

Reflex: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21 25 damage, ouch!

Isaku yells in pain as the flames roll over him. He attempts to discern what makes the hazard tick..

Occultism(T): 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 1 = 29

Perception, Initiative: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

DC 26 basic(?) Reflex save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20 Fail, 25 fire damage

Raph is too stunned by what he just witnessed that he is unable to quickly react against the bursting flames!

Once he is back into his senses, Raph quickly appeases the animal spirits with prayers and incantations!
DC 24 Religion to Disable Hazard: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

He also raises his magical shield.

◆◆ Disable Hazard
◆ Shield

Initiative: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

Folmyr is completely taken by surprise.

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Hero Point Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

The flames almost burned the tiny sprite, but, with a gnashing of tiny teeth and a flurry of tiny wings, Folmyr evades most of the fire.

Athletics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28

Folmyr holds down one of the daeodons in their tiny grasp.

Initiative: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

Ref save: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35

Athletics: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19

Dreadfang quickly tackles a daeodon, but it’s unfazed, and continues to charge, dragging the kobold’s feet behind it. However, he does manage to use its body to block the worst of the blast. 12 damage

"Wow, lots of dead boar..." Manny seems confused as the cultist drops dead?

Initiative with Heroism: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 12 + 1 = 31

"Whoa!" Before the flaming boars charge in, Manny rushes towards the symbol and tries to disable it. "Shylye, help me out- help these spirits go to rest."

Religion with Heroism: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 12 + 1 = 28

"Thanks Shylye." Manny notices the fire rage out of control. Maybe he has to dodge, Dreadfang was pretty quick!

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 15 + 1 = 34

Regardless, Manny does a backflip.

Manny and Dreadfang jumps before the hazard, Dreadfang grabs one daeodon and is dragged behind it, while Manny is able to weaken the hazard. 1 Success

The deodonts begin trampling the agents,

Trampled@all, reflex save DC25: 2d10 + 11 ⇒ (5, 7) + 11 = 23

Than Samna, Isaku, Folmyr and Raphaeleos stop the hazard completely.

After that wounded agents begin to inspect the camp, you can easily see that animals and easily assess the creatures were very much dead before getting up and attacking them. They were killed by weapon damage, likely by the town’s scouts. You also recognize the creatures are branded with the same symbol that was displayed previously above the central bonfire.

You can collect some of the materials used to make the ritual circle that the citizens of Freedom Town could use against the undead forces in the area. Additionally, the cultist, though killed by the divine bonfire, still holds his +1 striking mace.

What are your means of healing out of combat?

Reflex: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23

Religion: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

"I'm unfamiliar with this magic--it looks quite unusual."

Samna has a focus spell that heals 4d8. She can use that on someone, then refocus as wounds are being treated.

Reflex: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 1 = 29 23 damage total from the hazard.

"Okay then. That was a complete mystery. And the person we were chasing...isn't going to say much."

Religion: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 1 = 23

"What a mess. At least we can return some supplies to the town. I still don't know what was going on here- and Shylye isn't helping me this time!"

Pearly White Spindle Aeon Stone, Soothe, Potions, Assurance Medicine, Versatile Vials (Isaku's primary methodology is alchemy)

Reflex: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

Isaku pulls out one of his Society Provisions and chugs it.

Moderate Healing: 3d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 8, 1) + 10 = 27
64/85 hp; though he heals at 1 hp/minute. Do we have time to do medicine checks?

Ref save: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20

Hero Point

Ref save: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31

Dreadfang gets roughed up, but hanging onto that boar let him avoid the worst of the stampede.

Adding some images from pdf, top is the symbol that you saw over the fire (haunt) and burned on daeodn's bodies, the burning orc is burning cultist in the flames.

When you investigate all of the places you return to the residence and speak with the Ashcaller twins. When you brief them what you find, they say

"It really sounds like Sezelrian, obscure yet dangerous orc god of fire and deceit. This must be the deity that was challenged, or Sezelrian cultists don't want to risk the chance of their god being challenged and potentially loosing. It really sound like there is malicious party that may want to sabotage the crucible, you should investigate the house"

As you enter, the main room of this large building is mostly unfurnished, with a sun-shaped red-and-yellow circular rug taking up most of the center of the floor. Laying atop of the rug is the well-preserved corpse of an orc woman, her arms raised in a dignified battle pose, and a complicated ritual mark upon her neck. The northeastern corner of the room has a small altar with food offerings and lit candles displaying a painted portrait of the same woman’s face. Mahja Firehair’s body lies on a circular rug in the center of the room, with the rest of the cabin only minorly furnished. While there appears to be bedrooms in other parts of the house, Mahja’s body is openly displayed in the main room, so she’s visible from most areas of the house and from windows on the outside. On the far wall, an altar has been set up for other Burning Sun orcs to place their offerings for her success in the Crucible. Currently, several small notes and cards written in Orcish adorn the top of it, most of which are wishing Mahja success.

Raph has pearly white spindle aeon stone to heal himself. If anyone needs their wounds be treated, he is willing to do so.

DC 23 Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Raph looks around the outside of the house.

"It looks like someone attempted to open the windows from outside. And look at these smoke stains and singed woods," he points out the walls of the cabin that indicates that fire and smoke had been started around the building lately.

DC 22 Medicine: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
"So far, there is no sign of additional harm inflicted to Mahja's body." he tells them after inspecting the body's clean burn marks and cuts inflicted at the time of her death.

Rank 2 Soothe: 2d10 + 8 ⇒ (9, 5) + 8 = 22 1 damage remaining, I'm good for now

Manny's usually pretty chatty, but upon entering the cabin he falls quiet. He looks upon Mahja Firehair's body with deep respect, and is very careful where he moves, not wanting to disturb anything.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
Religion: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

"Someone tried to break in, possibly the arsonist and illusion expert we bumped into out in the woods. Sounds like they may have more allies."

He kneels down to look at her body closely. "Don't worry, no one's going to hurt you. You suffered enough from burns and cuts before you died."

"Well spotted, everyone," Samna compliments. "It's clear that someone really is trying to interfere with the Cruicible, likely those cultists. Let's be on our guard."