[Farol / PF2] Prey for death

Game Master Farol

Ketsu-kiba gloats and sends a projectile at the troops, but they block it. Miss

Ann fails to mislead them, she also fails to land her stirkes, maybe it's the force prison that limits how she can strike. Fun fact Prayer Attack says: next successful Strike, which is independent if feint worked and in theory does not restrict it to this round

Sien Lands a massive blow causing the prison to shimmer with magic.

Hit for 51

Moonlight blasts the solder with a spell and they all fall to the ground.

End of combat! It took 3 rounds which gave you 3 Awarness Points due to the noise. You also get 2 infiltration points (1 for defeating the troops, the other for finding passage) There are a lot of bodies lying there, but no one escaped to call for help! So nicely done.

When you search through the room you find a 162 gp worth of personal valuables among the few dozen drawers under the beds. I suspect you are taking them?

You have cleared the whole ground floor, do you go up or down now?

Do we know that the map is accurate - that there's one basement level and two upper levels? If so, I suggest going down, so that that we don't get sandwiched in case of an alarm.

Do we know that the map is accurate - that there's one basement level and two upper levels? If so, I suggest going down, so that that we don't get sandwiched in case of an alarm.

You know that there are 2 levels above you and that there is basement, question if basement goes for many levels down is open matter, but you suspect so

Ann wipes her blades on a less-bloody corpse. "Let's go up first. We don't know how many basement levels there are, and I don't want anyone descending on our tails to sandwich us underground. At least upstairs we can jump out a window to get some room to maneuver."

"Not only that" Hammid adds to Ann's suggestion "But the master bedroom is where the consecration ritual is centered - removing that ward may enable our egress - we may even meet The Mark himself there, so as to limit his preparations in case our entrance becomes discovered"

Two votes to go upstairs

As you decide and scavange any valuables from the room you hear a footsteps going down!

UNEXPECTED PATROL COMPLICATION
Trigger A patrol approaches the PC’s position. If more than one PC is in the area, each PC must attempt to overcome the complication.
Overcome DC 32 Deception (to distract the patrol, such as by throwing a stone) or DC 30 Stealth (to hide and remain undetected any other check with explanation could be welcome

You are unsure how many soldiers are comming, is it regular patrol of 3 or something bigger...

I would love for Sien and Ketsu-Kiba to voice where they want to go + decision on what do you do with 12 bodies, do you put them back to beds? hide them? DC 28 Athletics (to quickly and efficiently haul bodies away to a hiding spot) or DC 25 Stealth (to clean up and obscure evidence) - one check would be enough

Sien will clean up and obfuscate.

Stealth: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (2) + 26 = 28 vs DC 25

Sheesh. Not gonna Hero Point that, though.

Sien has no better solution than to hide from the enemies. Untrained Deception

Ketsu-kiba nods "Into their beds as best we can I think, then lets head down stairs."

The patrol goes down the stairs and take a look into the room of kogiaks, and then soldiers. Not seeing anything suspicious they walk back up ...

We have 2 votes to go up and 1 to go down.

You sneak up the stairs, and you get into kitchen.

This kitchen contains multiple counters, a double-wide brick oven, and tall standing cabinets. Doors exit to the west and south. A steep stairway leads down deeper into the fortress.

Two treasures related to cooking have been looted and put to good use by Ordulf and his army: a standard-grade mithral frying pan (it’s non-stick!) and an adamantine cleaver designed to more easily butcher megafauna that functions as a standard-grade adamantine hatchet.

Does anyone want to officially claim the adamantine hatchet or mithral non-stick frying pan? (I can't help but grin at the latter.)

Ann takes a moment to listen at each of the doors, hoping to catch a hint of what's on the other side. Unless anyone objects, she attempts to stealthily crack open the north door to peek inside without being seen.

Perception +20, Stealth +24

No claims on either.

Moonlight is unwilling to carry the additional items due to their bulk - as well as his characteristic elven ego of superiority - even as he intends to retain his fair share of the spoils. To his defense, he intends to prove his usefulness in other ways.

Outvoted, he prepares to descend.

Fools...

Ketsu-kiba will take the frying pan for now.

Ann slowlsy cracks the door open and she spots two creatures one is the cold giant that you noticed before (( I hope someone have beens ;) )) the other creature is a humanoid but they have terra-cotta skin, straight black hair, and compact, powerful build. Ann hear them speaking and there are probably more creatures in this room.

"I say it again, we should get control over Western Stormspear Mountains, you cannot control even your own people..." says the giant

We are on the 2nd floor Do you go in or try the other door

Silently, Ann gestures to Moonlight, mouthing the word: "Fireball?" She'd much rather take that giant by surprise than have him lumber in to join troops her team is already fighting. Besides, as cramped as the kitchen is, it's reasonably defensible. The giant can't fit through the doors without squeezing, and they can easily retreat down the stairs if things go sideways.

Moonlight shakes his head "no" and holds up a hand: pointer finger up, he folds down into an empty fist.

Ketsu-kiba shrugs still with a variety of spells to help deal with trouble but not an infinite number.

Sien will take anything valuable that the others leave behind - he's got Bulk to spare.

---

Sien pretends his fingers are legs, scurrying around quickly; he offers to just haste the party and finish the enemy off quickly.

Ann passes a "thumbs up" to Sien's plan.

So the plan is to cast haste and go in?

I missed that you liked my message ;)

A haste is cast which does not caught others attention, and you pus the door open, you surprise the four creatures in the room, he is definitely not expecting an attack

This grand chamber has walls lined with a variety of tapestries and banners, each with a different color scheme and insignia. At the center of the room, a grand oak table divides the chamber in two, with comfortable-looking chairs surrounding the table. Two maps, one of Hagreach and one of the Linnorm Kingdoms, covers the table, each with several wooden markers arranged on the map indicating potential wartime maneuvers. Double doors exit to the south, and two doors exit east while another exits west.

You see four creatures, two terra-cota skin creatures, one frost giant that Ann spotted before and one creature with gigantic spider legs at their back. Society to RK any of the creatures

Assasins go first!

★★★
First floor Round 1

Terrain: Discussion
Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Ann (218/218 HP) │ Haste
➤ Moonlight (160/160 HP) │ Haste
➤ Ketsu-kiba (162/162 HP) │ Haste
➤ Sien (176/176 HP) │ Haste
P!nk, sipder-lady (Celasik) (-0 HP)
Green, monk (Dajia) (-0 HP)
Red, Spear-man(Raevi) (-0 HP)
Yellow, spear-man(Ulveh) (-0 HP)

◆ Sien moves in and slashes immediately. Apologies to the team for taking the "close" spot; I don't have enough movement to get to the far side of any of them, or else I would have set up a flank. I can use my Focus Spell to fly around at the beginning of next turn.

◆◆ Spellstrike: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (16) + 27 = 43
Slashing: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 5, 2) + 6 = 16 plus Force: 1d6 ⇒ 2 plus Gouging Claw: 8d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 6, 6, 4, 4, 3, 3) = 33

◆ Arcane Cascade.

As Sien slashes into the first target, Ann zips into the room, leaps onto the table, settles into her Ironblood Stance, and rakes a sawtooth saber across the yellow-robed figure's torso.

+2 Greater Striking Sawtooth Saber M: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (12) + 27 = 39
Slashing damage: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 3, 6) + 8 = 21

◆ Hasted Stride, ◆ Leap, ◆ Ironblood Stance, ◆ Strike

Regarding their plan to coordinate earlier Ketsu-kiba puts a hand on Anna's shoulder as they go to move up, clearly asking for a moment to move first.

Hoping to have Ann delay to move after Ketsu-kiba, no other changes to their turn.

Either way Ketsu-kiba moves up to gang up on Yellow with an opportune backstab, before unleashing temporal magics on the room.

Slow(6) targeting all enemies. Will DC 33

Ketsu-kiba takes advantage of her haste to sneak in a strike.
Saber vs Yellow OG: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (17) + 24 = 41
slashing+Mental: 3d6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 3) + 3 + (2) = 18
1d6 Bleed
Crit is double damage and stupefied 1 (If already stupefied, frightened 2)

Gang Up lets us flank any target I threaten from any angles

Hammid files in, leans against the corner, and let's his crossbow rip to distract the Yellow-robed figure.

Power Shared Hand Crossbow (P) w/ Consecrate (-1) vs Yellow Robed: 1d20 + 24 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 24 - 1 = 293d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 4, 1) + 2 = 9

◆) Stride
◆) Hasted Strike
◆◆) Void Warp

Void Warp (void) vs Yellow Robed (Basic Fortitude DC 32) else Green: 8d4 ⇒ (1, 3, 3, 3, 3, 1, 3, 3) = 20

Ketsu-kiba moves in and casts a spell. Slow was targeting fortitude right? Or did something change?

DC for save is 32 due to consecration of the castle, red crit failed slowed 2, Green, Yellow, Pink success slowed 1 for 1 round

Then he comes and strikes surprised ambassador. Crit -36 supefied 1 2d6 bleed

Ann moves in and strikes yellow, giving Ketsu-kiba ability to follow up. Crit -42 From Ann and hit -13 form Ketsu-kiba opportune backstab

Sien moves in and strikes wounded creature sending their head to roll on the floor then entering the stance

Moonlight moves closer and shoots green giant, but misses despite his effect of surprise! He casts a spell

The spider lady hisses and spits web at Sien trying to keep it from moving

Web spit@sien: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (6) + 23 = 29

Than she spits again at Ann

Web spit@sien: 1d20 + 23 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 23 - 5 = 34

But all misses.

"Fools, do you think that all of us are as weak as this one?" says Snow giant and he raises his hands and whole room covers with biting cold concealing vision. 2-action: The giant calls down a bolt of icy lightning, white as fallen snow. The bolt strikes a location within 60 feet, freezing the air into a cloud of snow that fills a 20-foot burst and lasts for 1 minute. All creatures within the snow become concealed, and all creatures outside the snow become concealed to creatures within it. A creature that enters the snow or begins its turn there takes 15 cold damage, with a DC 33 basic Fortitude save.

The remaining spear-man seems to be not affected by the cold and moves closer to the giant Can't do much with one action :(

★★★
First floor Round 2

Party Conditions: Room covered in snow, conealment, Fort save DC33 vs 15 cold dmg
Terrain: Rock floor covered with cold
Battlemap

──────────
BEFORE YOUR TURN:
──────────
Ann: Fort save DC33 vs 15 cold
Moonlight: Fort save DC33 vs 15 cold
Ketsu-kiba: Fort save DC33 vs 15 cold
Sien: Fort save DC33 vs 15 cold
P!nk, sipder-lady (Celasik): Fort save DC33 vs 15 cold
Green, monk (Dajia): Fort save DC33 vs 15 cold

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Ann (218/218 HP) │ Haste, stance
➤ Moonlight (160/160 HP) │ Haste
➤ Ketsu-kiba (162/162 HP) │ Haste
➤ Sien (176/176 HP) │ Haste, arcane stance
P!nk, sipder-lady (Celasik) (-0 HP)
Green, monk (Dajia) (-10 HP)
Red, Spear-man(Raevi) (-0 HP) │ slowed 2

I keep forgetting about Arcane Shroud. When Sien enters Arcane Cascade, he can be invisible, or have mountain resilience, or a +30' speed for 1 turn. In this case, he'd have chosen the resilience (resistance 5 to physical damage).

Fortitude: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 27
15 damage, minus 5 resistance

Sien casts shield ◆, then Sky Laughs Like Waves ◆, flying through the air and slashing Red. This recharges Spellstrike.

Concealed: 1d20 ⇒ 1 vs DC 3 (Whisper Elf)
Sawtooth Saber: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (8) + 27 = 35
Slashing: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 6, 1) + 6 = 19 plus Force: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The accumulated snow on Sien's face as he flies through the air blinds him.

Sien makes a regular Strike at Red ◆, and then Steps towards Green ◆.

Concealed: 1d20 ⇒ 20 vs DC 3
Sawtooth Saber, MAP: 1d20 + 27 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 27 - 5 = 24
Slashing: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2, 5) + 6 = 16 plus Force: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

I've marked out my path on the map.

Correct on the save type and good catch. Slow was Will back in D&D and PF1 and is going to be stuck in my head like that for years still.

Ketsukiba unleashes a funeral dirge for their foes.

Enemies within 30ft frightened 1, can't reduce while in the area.

Before approaching Green with great alacrity and slicing.

saber vs Green OG: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (4) + 24 = 28
slashing+mental: 3d6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 6) + 3 + (5) = 21
1d6 Bleed. Crit is double damage and stupefied 1 (If already stupefied, frightened 2)

Ketsu-kiba actually respecting her foe, at least a little, bothers to cast shield.

AC 36 will block(20 hardness)

(Dirge of Doom, Stride(Haste), Strike, Shield)

Fort save DC33 vs 15 cold: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (3) + 25 = 28
Success for 7 damage

"Fools, do you think that all of us are as weak as this one?" says Snow giant and he raises his hands and whole room covers with biting cold concealing vision.

"Yeah, if you've gotta hide like that, you ain't that great." Ann drawls lazily, hopping down from the table and sauntering over to the giant. Her sawtooth sabers flash through the whirling snow as she tries to hamstring him.

Concealed flat check DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 8
Twin Feint A: +2 Greater Striking Sawtooth Saber M vs. Green: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (6) + 27 = 33
Slashing damage: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 2, 6) + 8 = 19

Concealed flat check DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 13
Twin Feint B: +2 Greater Striking Sawtooth Saber M vs. Green (Off Guard): 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (5) + 27 = 32
Slashing damage w/ Twin trait: 3d6 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 4, 1) + 8 + 3 = 21

Ann will ↺ Opportune Backstab at the first opportunity.

◆ Stride, ◆◆ Twin Feint, ↺ Opportune Backstab

Fortitude vs 15 Cold (DC 33): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (11) + 22 = 33 @ 7 cold damage

With his team still looking hearty and hale, Moonlight focuses on distraction.

Power Shared Hand Crossbow (P) w/ Consecrate (-1) w/ Concealed (Flat DC 5) vs Green Monk: 1d20 ⇒ 11d20 + 24 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 24 - 1 = 253d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3, 3) + 2 = 11

◆) Reload
◆) Hasted Strike
◆◆) Void Warp

Void Warp (void) vs Red Robed (Basic Fortitude DC 32) w/ Concealed (Flat DC 5): 1d20 ⇒ 188d4 ⇒ (4, 3, 4, 1, 1, 4, 2, 3) = 22

Shield Block or Opportune Backstab both potentially use reaction, will take first trigger.

Sien shields himself and flies to surprise the red villain ...

The giant monk swings his palm to strike him mid-flight

Fist@Sien, Reactive strike: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (18) + 27 = 45
Damage, bludgeoning: 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (1, 5) + 16 = 22
Damage, cold: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5 With consecration that reduces your ac by 1 it would be a crit even with shield 44-5 = 39 + 10-5 = 44. Shield block?

Sien gets caught with a massive strike, he swings himself but misses both times.

Ketsu-kiba dirges and moves in to strike the monk, but monk sidesteps the strike with ease. Reminder that everythign is concealed, if you have a way to bypass it like Blindfight, pls let me know, and let me roll the fort save for you

Ketsu-kiba fort save, DC33: 1d20 + 21 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 21 - 1 = 34 Save so -7 cold

Ann resists the aura Is it really a success? 28 sounds like a fail, or Monk at 14 have some odd greater fortitude of some sorts?

Ann moves and strikes through cold at the monk and both of her strikes catches the monk, however the second one due to her allies. Two hits green -40

Ketsu-kiba tries to use this opportunity but she misses.

Moonlight reloads and fires but misses, his spell however is aimed at the right spot

Monk is impacted by the void spell. -22, pink -7

Red spearman attacks Sien

Concealed, DC5: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Spear@Sien: 1d20 + 20 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 20 - 1 = 27
Damage, p: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (6, 4) + 9 = 19
Damage, c: 1d6 ⇒ 4

"I can't see through your stupid fog!" yells creature

Monk unleashes two strikes at Ann

Fist@Ann: 1d20 + 27 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 27 - 1 = 40
Damage, bludgeoning: 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (6, 3) + 16 = 25
Damage, cold: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7

Fist@Ann: 1d20 + 27 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 27 - 1 - 4 = 25
Damage, bludgeoning: 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (6, 6) + 16 = 28
Damage, cold: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

Only one strike hits. -22 and -4 => -26 to Ann

Than the monk strikes Ketsu-kiba twice

Fist@Ketsu: 1d20 + 27 - 1 - 8 ⇒ (1) + 27 - 1 - 8 = 19
Damage, bludgeoning: 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (6, 5) + 16 = 27
Damage, cold: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

Fist@Ketsu: 1d20 + 27 - 1 - 8 ⇒ (11) + 27 - 1 - 8 = 29
Damage, bludgeoning: 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (3, 5) + 16 = 24
Damage, cold: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

But misses!

The spider lady moves closer and first tries to bite Ketsu-kiba and then slash her

Fist@Ketsu: 1d20 + 25 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 25 - 1 = 36
Damage, piercing: 2d8 + 14 ⇒ (1, 7) + 14 = 22

Fist@Ketsu: 1d20 + 25 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 25 - 1 - 4 = 27
Damage, slashing: 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (3, 4) + 14 = 21

The spider bites and Ketsu feels venom trying to attack her body -22 peircing and Jorogumo Venom Fort save DC 32 on fail 3d6 poison dmg + stupefied 1

★★★
First floor Round 3

Party Conditions: Room covered in snow, conealment, Fort save DC33 vs 15 cold dmg
Terrain: Rock floor covered with cold
Battlemap

──────────
BEFORE YOUR TURN:
──────────
Ann: Fort save DC33 vs 15 cold
Moonlight: Fort save DC33 vs 15 cold
Ketsu-kiba: Fort save DC33 vs 15 cold, Fort save DC32 vs Venom
Sien: Fort save DC33 vs 15 cold
P!nk, sipder-lady (Celasik): Fort save DC33 vs 15 cold
Green, monk (Dajia): Fort save DC33 vs 15 cold

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Ann (188/218 HP) │ Haste, stance
➤ Moonlight (160/160 HP) │ Haste
➤ Ketsu-kiba (133/162 HP) │ Haste
➤ Sien (122/176 HP) │ Haste, arcane stance
P!nk, sipder-lady (Celasik) (-7 HP)
Green, monk (Dajia) (-72 HP)
Red, Spear-man(Raevi) (-0 HP) │ slowed 2

Ann resists the aura Is it really a success? 28 sounds like a fail, or Monk at 14 have some odd greater fortitude of some sorts?

No, it's a failure. I misread the DC as 23, not 33.

Fort save DC33 vs 15 cold: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (11) + 25 = 36
Okay, that's a success. 7 damage

Well, this cold is annoying. Ann muses wryly. She activates her Crimson Shroud, causing a blood-red mist to writhe through the blindingly white blizzard. Her blades sweep through the snow for another Twin Feint against the giant.

Concealed flat check DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Twin Feint A: +2 Greater Striking Sawtooth Saber M vs. Green: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (2) + 27 = 29
Slashing damage: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (6, 1, 6) + 8 = 21

Concealed flat check DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Twin Feint B: +2 Greater Striking Sawtooth Saber M vs. Green (Off Guard): 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (18) + 27 = 45
Slashing damage w/ Twin trait: 3d6 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 6, 5) + 8 + 3 = 24

Ann will ↺ Opportune Backstab at the first opportunity.

◆ Crimson Shroud, ◆◆ Twin Feint, ↺ Opportune Backstab

Opps, sorry to miss the save, thanks.

New save vs cold: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (2) + 23 = 25
Fort vs Venom: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29
Venom Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 6) = 16

15 more cold damage, and 16 poison, and stupefied 1

None of Ketsu-kiba's senses (Darkvision, Soul Sight or See the Unseen help with concealment.

With the giant and the spider seeming to have no trouble with the fog Ketsu-kiba attempts to Dispel it.

level 6 Dispel Magic Counteract Check-Stupified: 1d20 + 23 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 23 - 1 = 38
Flat DC6 vs Stupified 1: 1d20 ⇒ 7
CS: Up to 9th level Spell/lvl 18 creature
S: Up yo 7th level Spell/lvl 14 creature
F: Up to 5th level Spell/level 10 creature
CF: Not dispelled.

Ketsu-kiba follows up by striking terror into the spider's heart.
Concealment if needed?: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Flat 6 from stupified: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Will DC 33 (-1 Stupified = 32, - 1 from Consecrate if not Status = 31)
Debilitating Terror

Finally with haste Ketsu-kiba lashes out at the giant again.

Concealment?: 1d20 ⇒ 8
the slashening vs Giant OG: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (2) + 24 = 26
slashing+Mental: 3d6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 1) + 3 + (4) = 13
1d6 Bleed

Not maintaining Dirge, but enemies need to succeed on a DC 29 will save to reduce frightened to any value below 2 from Moderate Dread Rune

Eot Save vs ongoing Venom?: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (15) + 21 = 36

Ann resist the worst of the aura, and she begins to heal, then she attacks with two quick strikes, one of which hits the creature. Miss and Crit green -48

Ketsu-kiba is both affected by the cold and venom, but then she casts a spell, and the aura disappears.

Then he casts a debilitating Terror. Consecrate is a stauts so does not stack

Spider lady is not affected by the spell, the Ketsu-kiba strikes but misses.

THen she recovers from the venom

★★★
First floor Round 3

Party Conditions: Room
Terrain: Rock floor
Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Ann (181/218 HP) │ Haste, stance, fast heal 7
➤ Moonlight (160/160 HP) │ Haste
Ketsu-kiba (102/162 HP) │ Haste
➤ Sien (122/176 HP) │ Haste, arcane stance
P!nk, sipder-lady (Celasik) (-7 HP)
Green, monk (Dajia) (-120 HP)
Red, Spear-man(Raevi) (-0 HP) │ slowed 2

Hammid focuses fire on Dajia!

Power Shared Hand Crossbow (P) w/ Consecrate (-1) vs Green Monk: 1d20 + 24 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 24 - 1 = 363d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 5, 6) + 2 = 18

◆) Reload
◆) Hasted Strike
◆◆) Void Warp

Void Warp (void) vs Green Monk (Basic Fortitude DC 32): 8d4 ⇒ (2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 4, 4, 4) = 24

Fortitude: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (20) + 22 = 42

"Balmy!"

Sien shields himself ◆ and swings at the monk.

◆◆ Concealed: 1d20 ⇒ 4 vs DC 3
Spellstrike: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (13) + 27 = 40
Slashing: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 4, 4) + 6 = 20 plus Force, Arcane Cascade: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 plus Gouging Claw: 8d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 1, 4, 4, 6, 6, 4) = 35

If Green is still up, Sien will make a mundane Strike.

◆ Sawtooth Saber, MAP: 1d20 + 27 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 27 - 5 = 37
Slashing: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 5, 6) + 6 = 18 plus Force, Arcane Cascade: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

If Green is down, Sien will Stride ◆ to flank the spider.

Moonlight fires and hits the target! Green hit -18

And Ketsu-kiba uses it as a reaction to strike the monk critically hitting them Crit -28 2d6 bleed and stupefied 1

Then Moonlight blast them with the spell

Sien wants to resist the aura but there is no Aura, he tries to wipe the snow off his face, but there is no snow. So he strikes the monk leaving huge wound. Crit -102

But the monk stands, so he tris to finish them and hits -23

Monk surprised looks at the blood sipping from his wounds and falls to the ground.

Adlet tries to hit Sien with his spear

Spear@Sien: 1d20 + 20 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 20 - 1 = 33
Damage, p: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (3, 6) + 9 = 18
Damage, c: 1d6 ⇒ 5

But again misses. The spider Lady strikes Ketsu, trying with her jaws than later with claws

jaws@Ketsu: 1d20 + 25 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 25 - 1 = 42
Damage, piercing: 2d8 + 14 ⇒ (3, 6) + 14 = 23 Fort DC 32 vs venom

claw@Ketsu: 1d20 + 25 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 25 - 1 - 4 = 28
Damage, slashing: 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (6, 3) + 14 = 23

claw@Ketsu: 1d20 + 25 - 1 - 8 ⇒ (10) + 25 - 1 - 8 = 26
Damage, slashing: 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (3, 2) + 14 = 19

But only jaws strike pumping venom yet again into her bloodstream.

★★★
First floor Round 4

Party Conditions: Room
Terrain: Rock floor
Battlemap

──────────
BEFORE YOUR TURN:
──────────

Ketsu-kiba: Fort DC32 vs venom 3d6 stupefied

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Ann (181/218 HP) │ Haste, stance, fast heal 7
➤ Moonlight (160/160 HP) │ Haste
➤ Ketsu-kiba (79/162 HP) │ Haste
➤ Sien (122/176 HP) │ Haste, arcane stance
P!nk, sipder-lady (Celasik) (-7 HP)
Red, Spear-man(Raevi) (-0 HP) │ slowed 2

Sien tries to finish Red.

◆ Recharge Spellstrike

◆◆ Spellstrike: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (15) + 27 = 42
Slashing: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2, 5) + 6 = 14 plus Force, Arcane Cascade: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 plus Gouging Claw: 8d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 3, 5, 3, 1, 3, 4) = 26

◆ Sawtooth Saber, MAP: 1d20 + 27 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 27 - 5 = 23
Slashing: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 2, 5) + 6 = 15 plus Force, Arcane Cascade: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

New Fort: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (12) + 21 = 33

Ketsu-kiba grins to herself, nor succumbing to the poison a second time. Such unjustified confidence in their abilities. It will be their death.

Ketsu-kiba delays for an ally to approach as the spider.

Assuming that happens

Ketsu-kiba refreshes her dirge.

Then Ketsu-kiba uses a soothe spell on herself for safety.
Soothe(4): 4d10 + 16 ⇒ (9, 9, 2, 3) + 16 = 39

Before taking advantage of Haste to sneak in a strike.

Saber vs Spidey OG?: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (11) + 24 = 35
slashing+Mental: 3d6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 3) + 3 + (1) = 12
1d6 Bleed. Crit is double damage and stupefied 1. (frightened 2 if already stupefied)

Dirge, Soothe(4), Strike(Haste)

Moonlight shifts his focus to the spider - awaiting first for Ann to move into position.

Power Shared Hand Crossbow (P) w/ Consecrate (-1) vs Pink Spider: 1d20 + 24 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 24 - 1 = 343d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 4, 1) + 2 = 12

◇) Delay to After Ann
◆) Reload
◆) Hasted Strike
◆◆) Void Warp

Void Warp (void) vs Pink Spider (Basic Fortitude DC 32): 8d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 4, 3, 4, 1, 3, 2) = 22

Fast Healing 7 from Crimson Shroud. Ann's at 188 HP.

Well, that was underwhelming. Ann had assumed the giant would be more of a problem. Guess not. She pivots, then dashes around to flank the spider lady with Ketsu-kiba, leaping onto the table again to get into position. Her sawtooth sabers swipe at chitinous appendages.

Twin Feint A: +2 Greater Striking Sawtooth Saber M vs. Pink: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (13) + 27 = 40
Slashing damage: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (1, 5, 2) + 8 = 16

Twin Feint B: +2 Greater Striking Sawtooth Saber M vs. Pink (Off Guard)1d20 + 27[/dice: 1d6d3d6 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3, 2, 3) + 8 + 3 = 20

Ann will ↺ Opportune Backstab at the first opportunity.

◆ Hasted Stride, ◆ Leap, ◆◆ Twin Feint, ↺ Opportune Backstab

As a reminder we flank from any angles that I threaten thanks to Gang Up

Sien attacks the spearman and lands a devastating blow with his spellstrike Crit and miss -96

Ann heals her wounds and moves in to attack the spider. She makes two strikes, first one lands while the second ...

Twin Feint A: +2 Greater Striking Sawtooth Saber M vs. Pink og: 1d20 + 27 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 27 - 4 = 41
Slashing damage: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (1, 2, 5) + 8 = 16
Hit and crit -16 and -32

Ketsu-kiba resists the venom, she heals herself, frighten the foes with dirge and strike hitting the foe 12 + 1d6 bleed

Ann uses it as an opening to land a slice of her own Hit from backstab -13

Moonlight shoots hitting the spider lady -12

And Ketsu-Kiba does her backstabing -17

Spider-lady resists the spell but she see how dire the situation is and she yells "I give up! Let me free and I will leave this place, you can kill the other one!" she says with a smile. Will you go for it?

"Tell us where Bladecaller is, and we'll let you go."

Sien advocates killing her whether or not she gives the information we need. He doesn't like leaving witnesses.

Ann knows Sien well enough to realize he's bluffing. She approves. There's no guarantee that the spider lady won't go warn their target, and that's a complication Ann doesn't care to handle.

Choosing to surrender after being faced with inevitable loss.

After Sien gets what he needs, Hammid has no qualms cutting the coward's throat.

What would be even more efficient is to have her kill her ally before divulging, but our cultist villain holds his tongue for now...

We should probably have Ketsu-kiba take the lead on lying.

Haven't seen Watery Soup for a couple of days - hope he is okay - he does have the tendency to uber ketchup when he pops in though.

I have made some minor changes to Hammid (mostly shifting skill feats), and am finalizing his equipment. High level prepared caster is onerous in terms of slotting spells! This will be my last step once the actual character is complete.

GM,
If we go with Favor Performed and get the extra Uncommon option, are any of these spells welcome / more useful at your table / in this AP?

Drop Dead
Dominate
Ethereal Jaunt

Welcome/more useful at my table/in this ap - well hard to say, I don't plan spoiling anything, so I will leave it on you to decide, I don't mind those spells.

Drop dead - is an illusion, and it will crush on what is realistict to bring down an enemy (may get extra perception check), the rest is no issue
Dominate - is Incapacitation spell so it is a gamble - either you would have to heighten it to have a chance to affect someone or reach for the weaklings ;)
Ethereal Jaunt - could be interesting

For the Codex of Unimpeded Sight, we cna go with case by case base, all in all Divination was:

The divination school of magic typically involves obtaining or transferring information, or predicting events.

So if you can sell me that a spell is obtaining/transfering information or predicting events, we can go with that.

Haven't seen Watery Soup for a couple of days - hope he is okay - he does have the tendency to uber ketchup when he pops in though.

Yes, I'm fine. It's just very busy, and sometimes things spiral: the more posts that build up, the longer of a time block I need to catch up.

House Keeping on Previous Mission:

Mission Type
Ann Hilate @ Favor Performed
Chi Sien @ no preference
Hammid @ Favor Performed
Ketsu-kiba @ ???

Narrative Parts
Chi Sien @ Player 1. Description of a task - what is the job, how and why and where
Ann Hilate @ Player 2. Preparation for the job, scouting, getting disguises etc
Ketsu-kiba @ Player 3. Executing the task
Hammid @ Player 4. Leaving the place and escaping potential consequences

No preference for the previous mission. I'll describe the task in Gameplay later today.

For the Codex of Unimpeded Sight, we cna go with case by case base, all in all Divination was:

Divination wrote:

The divination school of magic typically involves obtaining or transferring information, or predicting events.

So if you can sell me that a spell is obtaining/transfering information or predicting events, we can go with that.

From Hammid's list of interesting spells:

See the Unseen
Organsight
Web of Eyes
Suspend Retribution
Truesight

I feel as though Oddity Identification has a decent post-remaster "definition" of divination absent the school:

"When you become aware of a magical effect or see a spell being cast, you can immediately determine if ... [it] reveals secrets (with the detection, prediction, revelation, or scrying traits)"...

Cracker start, Soup.

We’ll see what Warah can do with that!

No pressure...

Thanks!

As an accounting thing, this means we get a third Uncommon boon, but that doesn't come with any extra money or slots, right?

Edit: Ha, Warah snuck in there 39 seconds before me. Just another US West Coast Friday night. :)

GM Farol wrote:

For the Codex of Unimpeded Sight, we cna go with case by case base, all in all Divination was:

Divination wrote:

The divination school of magic typically involves obtaining or transferring information, or predicting events.

So if you can sell me that a spell is obtaining/transfering information or predicting events, we can go with that.

From Hammid's list of interesting spells:

See the Unseen
Organsight
Web of Eyes
Suspend Retribution
Truesight

I feel as though Oddity Identification has a decent post-remaster "definition" of divination absent the school:

"When you become aware of a magical effect or see a spell being cast, you can immediately determine if ... [it] reveals secrets (with the detection, prediction, revelation, or scrying traits)"...

Yeah I approve, meaning if you mean, would I be able to use old dusty grimmoire with those five spells.

And we are for a great start, now waiting for Ketsu-Kiba followed by Hammid ...

I'm out with my kid till this evening, so probably another 6 hours+ till my post.

Double cracker!

This is a fun task for PbP especially.

Awaiting Pirate Rob’s post, then going to try and clean us up!

Oof!

Spent the better part of Sunday morning on that. I absolutely had to add one "complication"/"twist" that marks us as better prepared than mere street assassins. So. Took some liberties there.

I should have Hammid's equipment finalized by the end of today (95% was off by about 20% or so at time of reporting...).

=)

Make no mistake: Hammid Salah - a name even his closest of allies will never know him by - cares only about accumulation of knowledge and power!

Oops. I put the name "Hammid" in my post. I'll try to remember to use "Moonlight" from now on.

-----

This story is off to a fantastic start!

Hammid is complete.

I may still alter his spell selection, but as a prepared caster, will declare Daily Preparations when we officially begin day one (so many spells!!!), and go from there. I have unlocked access to a single divine spell.

And 759.30 Gold remainder with which to purchase consumables as needed.

Alright gang, I made a mistake.

I took Horizon Walker mainly to obtain access to the very excellent Blind-Fight feat, only to realize as I am adding text to my alias that is requires Master Proficiency in Perception (Cleric only grants Expert).

Going to shift around some Class feats until I have a legal character - try and finish by this evening!

Alright,
Hammid is complete once again.

While adding / auditing my in-profile text, I also noticed that Expert Red Mantis Spellcasting requires Master Proficiency in Religion!

To square the difference, I took Archeologist Dedication which grants free expert proficiency in skills I was already taking to Master, liberating those increases to allocate to Religion.

I picked up Trapfinder and Archeologist's Luck as well, rounding out his role as "party rogue" further.

Party Question: Should we all take Foil Senses to make whole-party sneaking viable across the high-level creature senses spectrum? (Requires Master Proficiency in Stealth to do)

Ann has it.

Ketsu-kiba also has Foil Senses, although currently only Expert in Stealth, should be easy enough to fix later tonight.

Watery Soup,
Do you wanna go all in on Foil Senses? (Assuming everyone keeps it?)

Sure - I'll take out Arcane Sense if anyone else has access to Detect Magic, or Kip Up, and add Foil Senses late in the build. I'll update the profile later.

Nice.

Assuming Katsura-kiba keeps it too, that’ll be the whole party Master in Stealth and inclusive of Foiled Senses!

Can’t see, hear, or smell nothing…

And yes, I will put Hammid’s on Detect Magic and Read Aura.

Hey folks, few announcements:
1. You start with 2 hero points each, plenty of glyphs and all that\
2. Next week I am going on my not that uncommon, man-trailing workshops (which I attend with my dogs), so for a week I will be in the forest, historically I was able to post, but I prefer to warn as any disturbance from routine bare risk
3. Waiting for Watery before I push you further.

Assuming Katsura-kiba keeps it too, that’ll be the whole party Master in Stealth and inclusive of Foiled Senses!

Can’t see, hear, or smell nothing…

Rob, you planning on keeping or chucking Foiled Senses?

1. You start with 2 hero points each, plenty of glyphs and all that

3 Glyph GM here, if that is what you mean.

We start ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ then?

Thank you for the glyphs!

Kept Foil Senses.

Glyphs are totally irrelevant, since it's not a PFS scenario, but Farol is saying he's giving us extra hero points based on the PFS Glyphs rules, which says each player can start with up to 1 extra hero point, and that there are at least 4+ Glyphs at the table to get to the 4 minimum needed for everybody to start with a second Glyph.

Hammid is fully complete.

And ready to take out the Ulfen Cleric, General Ordulf Bladecaller!

Before we go, Hammid may want to purchase a Ready Rune for his Library Robes, but I can't make heads or tails as to whether this is a legal combo.

Anyone have insight?

Can't add property runes to named items.

Source

Really sorry to be slow here, extended weekend trip involved a lot more snow and a lot less connectivity/internet time than expected, am back home and hoping to catch up in the next few hours.

You are covered because:

2. Next week I am going on my not that uncommon, man-trailing workshops (which I attend with my dogs), so for a week I will be in the forest, historically I was able to post, but I prefer to warn as any disturbance from routine bare risk

Here's hoping GM and dogs make it back safe

=)

I am not pushing you to fast to give you time to make last adjustments to the PC's and do last purchases, Since Glacier's Rest is lvl 5 you will not buy useful things there, well useful for lvl 14 PCs ;)

So, I recently learned that Secrets of Magic has some recently released errata that allows for using spells without spell attack rolls.

I may change Sien's spell list, and default prepared spells, if that's acceptable with the GM.

Broad strokes, since there were so few spells with spell attack rolls, I had taken Hydraulic Push and Exploding Earth, heightened at every level, just to have a non-cantrip spell I could Spellstrike with. But the default prepared spells were Haste (+4) to boost the party, and Wall of Force to try to divide groups of enemies.

If there are other options for Spellstrike, I'd like to switch out Wall of Force (which is 3 actions and not efficient for maguses) for an attack spell.

I'll keep Haste, though, as long as people think it would be useful. The default combat plan is to Haste the party first round and enter Arcane Cascade.

Yeah, Wall of Force is more efficient for a full caster. I'm fine with the switch if GM Farol and everyone else is. Haste is great, so I am happy to accept it. Thanks! ;)

Ketsu-kiba has Wall of Force and Force Cage, and Haste(7). Nothing wrong with having multiple haste options, its real good.

Ketsu-kiba's a natural story-teller/liar. If you asked her why she was going to the grocery store, you'd get a strange answer.

So, I recently learned that Secrets of Magic has some recently released errata that allows for using spells without spell attack rolls.

I may change Sien's spell list, and default prepared spells, if that's acceptable with the GM.

Broad strokes, since there were so few spells with spell attack rolls, I had taken Hydraulic Push and Exploding Earth, heightened at every level, just to have a non-cantrip spell I could Spellstrike with. But the default prepared spells were Haste (+4) to boost the party, and Wall of Force to try to divide groups of enemies.

If there are other options for Spellstrike, I'd like to switch out Wall of Force (which is 3 actions and not efficient for maguses) for an attack spell.

I'll keep Haste, though, as long as people think it would be useful. The default combat plan is to Haste the party first round and enter Arcane Cascade.

Fine by me.

Should we take this opportunity to discuss our cover story?

Maybe we can do it in 3 days, maybe not. I am unsure I have 1 day to “waste” to set up my network unless we agree to sneak around past the 3rd day. What do people think?

Kicking myself as I almost got a magic tent as my other 11…

Do we want to claim that we're trying to join our target's ranks? That might give us a reason to linger in town past the three days.

Or, have a reasonable story that could feasibly situate us for 3 days, but with a contingency clause, which, well, comes to pass in 3 days time (if we still need extra time, which I think we will).

So, negotiate now, and re-negotiate later, with our high deception friends of course.

If so, what could “go wrong” with our merchant cover story in three days time that would constitute an overstay emergency?

=)

I will let you look for a way 1 more day, also because my day at work was ... bad.

Anyway a piece of advice, pbp is horrible for answering a question:
So what do we do?/What is the strategy?

Pbp, is amazing for structured discussion, so let me structure it a bit:
1. Each one of you presents two ideas on how to handle it
2. After each one of you presents it, we will vote on the ones that you like the most.

Works for me. Here are my two coppers:

1: We claim to be trying to join Bladecaller's followers. We're serious enough that we're willing to stay even after the merchants leave. (Not the strongest story, granted.)

2: We've been sent to negotiate an alliance between Bladecaller and a mysterious benefactor.

I like those stories, Ann.

See if I can come up with something too, hmm…

I think giving an answer that both gives us an option of leaving early or leaving late without social repercussion would be best.

Would not having a suitable story and just being mysterious anger the locals?

I was imagining Ketsu-kiba telling a different story to anybody that asked. Cultivating a sense of mystery but never giving away the actual truth. Plays into her superiority complex of fooling all these rubes etc.

That sad I'm not opposed to a more consistent story depending on our needs.

Presumably we want to escape before the 3 days are up, so that we're not stuck here over the whole winter.

Of course that makes me want to answer otherwise and come up with a story about staying longer.

I’d like to craft a lie that, if discovered, wouldn’t raise suspicion. So, that rules out “mysterious benefactor” and “we want to join the gang”…

Perhaps just lean into the “we are merchants” thing, as it’s so boringly ordinary, and I could see it as an excuse to leave early or stay overlong with “we will leave when we are sold out”.

But. What do we sell? And where are the goods?

Did anyone pick up Prescient Planner, etc? Maybe you could pull out a "sample" of the goods we're trying to sell. There wouldn't be much stock, though.

Ketsu-kiba has Prescient Planner and the upgraded Prescient Consumable

A consumable of half our level (7) would be a pretty penny for a Level 5 settlement. Looking through the list, most of them would be 55-70 gp.

ok so presented Ideas are:
1. Pretend to try and join Bladecaller
2. Negotiate between Bladecaller and benefactor
3. Tell a different story, to whoever asks
4. We are merchants story

If I haven't missed any suggestion that would be it.

So each one of you can vote for 2 ideas (to avoid a chance that each one would vote for a different one).

I’m cool with 3 and 4