[Farol / PF2] Prey for death

Game Master Farol

Ketsu inspires others and makes two strikes, first blade dodges them with ease, Ann uses their distraction and strikes twice, both time connecting with the herald. Then Sien casts a spell

Fist: 1d20 + 29 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 29 - 1 = 38
Damage, b: 3d6 + 16 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 5) + 16 + (4) = 33

And is struck in the belly as a reward, but his strike is well timed and well aimed. Ann and Ketsu stabs them from behind while Moonlight comes closer and strikes them with a gauntlet ... the creature stops for a moment
... the sound of the roaring voices of valkyries grows overwhelmingly loud for a brief moment, and then the herald’s body vanishes into a blast of blood and everything returns to silence. Assasinns feel a strange sensation of pride and sadness that fades almost as quickly as it manifests.

You won the second fight, what do you do? Do you focus on healing, leaving the place? Looting?

Religion (M) vs DC 30: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (15) + 24 = 39

"We invoke not the wrath of this avatar's god - that is what you are feeling" Hammid shifts uneasily "Let us make haste to return immediately" he looks around, wounded, but ready to get on the move.

"We did what we came to do. Let's go report in." Ann wipes the blood and gore off her blades in preparation for departure.

But I as a player want to loot, loot, loot!

Ditto. Leaving the rooms on the second floor unexplored really pisses off my inner completionist, but I feel like a group of assassins is going to be rather indifferent to gaining material rewards and, also, to any chaos left behind as we flee.

Sien prepares to cast fly and fly off the roof. Can everyone fly?

Religion: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26

Kestu-kiba notes "Surely as a follower of Gorum his greatest treasures were in his arms and armors. I do don't understand all that continues to transpire, but Gorum themself seems like the next escalation and we certainty shouldn't be around for that without a much larger contract in place first."

Sien prepares to cast fly and fly off the roof. Can everyone fly?

Ann can't fly. But she has Cat Fall (alas, only Trained) and Wall Jump, so in theory she could "jump" down the wall and take minimal damage (GM permitting). Otherwise, she's got a 45 ft speed, so she could zip out along the path that was cleared earlier.

We picked up a few fly potions, I drank one, but it's only good for a minute and may be rapidly wearing out.

"Let's not waste any more time" Hammid passes out the remaining potions "Fly, you fools!"

Sien, Moonlight and Ketsu want to fly while Ann jumps off the wall to the ground, snow amortizing the fall. As Moonlight flies down to pass the potion through the door walks out ... Vatum! The strange half-elf courier who delivered you the assignment to assassinate Orfult.

He speaks with a haste in their voice and seems worried
"I see that you did the job, well done. From what I heard and researched Ordulf deserved what met him, but I fear someone set us up. Someone in the Vernai wishes us dead. They had hoped you would fail on this mission, but have sent their own assassins to dispatch you if you happen to succeed. I have come to help ensure you survive. I owe Jakalyn that much, at least. I’m sure you have questions, but we must deal with this imminent threat to all our lives first!"

Vatum explains further that the new squad consists of four Red Mantis assassins led by a kitsune named Talaro. He explains further that he suspects these assassins have been lurking in the mountains near Crownhold for some time, and that they’ve been using magic to keep an eye on the city and the their actions.

Then Vatum pauses and from the woods approach five figures, each of them carrying sawtooth sabers "You should have known better than conduct unsancitoned mission ... but one's person mistake is anothers ticket to promotion" says Kitsune

Feel free to ask questions/banter ;)

Clutching the last flying potion, Ann uses her last focus point to Harmonize her energies. Most of her wounds close within the space of a breath.

"That's what you care about? Pathetic. Achaekek spurns those who become fixated on petty matters. Like rank." Ann I. Hilate sneers.

She's holding one sawtooth saber and the potion of fly.

Hammid bows to Vatum - a man whom he had originally mistrusted - and exits with his company.

Upon being encountered by the would-be assassin-assassins "Dishonorable wretch!" he spits "Come to poach our glory rather than earn your own keep. That mistake will not only cost you your lives, but also your souls!"

"This seems counterproductive," sneers Sien. "Good luck trying to recruit anyone worthy for future missions."

He bows, out of respect for the profession, not for the individual.

Ketsu-kiba scratches her chin "I'd have to imagine anybody coming for us right now must be exceedingly stupid. If Gorum's own Herald couldn't take care of business... what hope do they have?"

"Your words mean nothing, just like your lifes" says kitsune and rushes to fight

Assasinns win initiative

★★★
Ground Floor Round 1

Terrain: Snow
Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Sien (176/176 HP) │ hasted, invisible (lvl 4) - 5 more rounds, flying
➤ Ann (218/218 HP)
➤ Moonlight (160/160 HP) │ Resistance 5, flying
➤ Ketsu-kiba (162/162 HP) │ flying
Vernai (-0 HP)
Talaro (-0 HP)
Red (-0 HP)
Green (-0 HP)
Blue (-0 HP)
White (-0 HP)

"May the souls of the departed haunt you eternally" his voice becomes a cruel chant "And the gods judge your actions as they have ours" he smiles.

↺) Know the Enemy
◆◆◆) Tempest of Shades vs All Enemies (Large Token placed, Arrival: DC 32 save vs Drained)

And studies the other Vernai among the group. What does he know? Of what is he capable?

Ketsu-kiba unleashes a haste on her allies and inspires them.

Haste(7) on all of us. And Courageous Anthem (+1)

Ann is ready to charge these fools, but not stupid enough to do so alone. Noting that Moonlight and Ketsu-kiba chose to stand their ground for a moment, she hangs back, awaiting an opportune moment to dash out and strike.

Delay until Sien goes.

Sien doesn't feel the need to give away his position by flying forward. He shields ◆ himself, and enters Arcane Cascade ◆. He will slide sideways ◆, so that it's easier for him to flank enemies that move straight towards the rest, and casts guidance ◆ on Ann.

Ketsu inspires his allies and casts haste on everyone. Ann gets into a stance and prepares a strike, Sien, shields and gets into a stance.

Moonlight recalls what he knows ... but he is not sure, then he casts a spell, tempest of shades strike the enemies who fail to withstand it. Green crit failed drained 2 -22 hp, the rest drained 1 ;)

Vernai hesitates when Kitsune yells

"Stay out of it, we have no squarell with you"

And the assasins moves forwards. Blue and white reach Sien in time to make a strike

Attack@Sien: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (2) + 22 = 24
Damage, s: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 5) + 7 = 16+1d6 bleeding

Attack@Sien: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (8) + 22 = 30
Damage, s: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 1) + 7 = 12+1d6 bleeding

But both strikes miss and Sien dodges them with ease.

Talaro and other two assasins are able to reach Ann, she makes her strike at Talaro, hitting them T -17

This is when Vernai moves in, he walks around Talaro, "I don't plan to stay out of it, and I will not fight fair" he smiles and detonates

Kaboom@T, r, g, reflex save DC39: 12d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 5, 4, 5, 6, 2, 3, 5, 6, 1, 1) = 43

T-43, R-86 g -86

In their place stands huge red dragon, and you can imagine that underneath the masks of those assassins are some terrified expressions

★★★
Ground Floor Round 2

Terrain: Snow
Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Sien (176/176 HP) │ hasted, invisible (lvl 4) - 5 more rounds, flying
➤ Ann (218/218 HP) │ hasted
➤ Moonlight (160/160 HP) │ Resistance 5, flying, hasted
➤ Ketsu-kiba (162/162 HP) │ flying, hasted
Vernai (-0 HP)
Talaro (-78 HP) │ drained 1
Red (-97 HP) │ drained 1
Green (-108 HP) │ drained 2
Blue (-11 HP) │ drained 1
White (-11 HP) │ drained 1

Done with banter, Hammid focuses killing intent on his own would-be assassins, marking the closest one, and firing without mercy or quarter.

Behind them, the souls of naggins victims plagues their already-frail conscience - cowering them nearly to the ground!

Organsight (Medicine, Master): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 27

~) Tempest of Shades (Departure: All enemies 100-ft Will save DC 32 or frightened)
◆◆) Organsight
◆) Hasted Strike
◆) Reload
↺) Blood Vendetta (first assassin to trigger)

Power Shared Hand Crossbow (P, 60-ft) w/ Anthem (+1/+1) vs Green Assassin: 1d20 + 24 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 24 + 1 = 343d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5, 4, 5) + 2 + 1 = 17

With a wicked grin, Ann thrills in the revelation of Vernai's current form. Whether it is his true form or a temporary transformation matters not. Achaekek will be honored by their foes' spilled blood this day. She swaps the flying potion for her other sawtooth saber, then whirls the twin blades in a dizzying pattern as she cuts into the red-cloaked idiot before her.

+2 Greater Striking Sawtooth Saber M vs. Red, flanked: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (17) + 27 = 44
Slashing damage: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 4, 6) + 8 = 21

+2 Greater Striking Sawtooth Saber M vs. Red, flanked, MAP: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (8) + 23 = 31
Slashing damage: 3d6 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2, 6) + 8 + 3 = 20
+3 circumstance bonus to damage if I attacked with the other sawtooth saber this turn, per Twin trait, which I forgot I had until just now.

+2 Greater Striking Sawtooth Saber M vs. Red, flanked, MAP: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36
Slashing damage: 3d6 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1, 3) + 8 + 3 = 19
+3 circumstance bonus to damage if I attacked with the other sawtooth saber this turn, per Twin trait.

If Red goes down, transfer remaining attack(s) to Black.

◆ Interact to swap, ◆ Strike, ◆ Strike, ◆ Hasted Strike

Ketsu-kiba continues inspiring her allies as she steps forward and joins the assault on red.

Will attack black if Red is down.

Slash vs Red OG: 1d20 + 24 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 24 + 1 = 45
slashing+mental: 3d6 + 3 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 2) + 3 + 1 + (6) = 17
1d6 bleed
Double Damage on crit (including bleed), and stupefied 1 (frightened 2 if already stupefied)

Haste Slash: 1d1d20 + 24 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 24 + 1 - 4 = 31
slashing+mental: 3d6 + 3 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 2) + 3 + 1 + (4) = 16
1d6 bleed
Double Damage on crit (including bleed), and stupefied 1 (frightened 2 if already stupefied)

+1 Courage from Ketsu-kiba, also enemies within 30 feet need to succeed at Will DC 29 saves to reduce frightened to less than 2.

Also Gang Up for more flanks etc.

Sien doesn't like being ganged up on. He likes to be the ganger up on. Gang up oner? He likes to gang up.

◆ Hasted Stride
◆◆ Spellstrike, hasted: 1d20 + 27 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 27 + 1 = 42 vs Red, flanking
Slashing: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 4, 4) + 6 = 18 plus Force, Arcane Cascade: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 plus Gouging Claw: 8d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 6, 4, 2, 2, 3, 5) = 33
↺ no Distant Waterbird's Poise
◆ Recharge Spellstrike

I had partiall update of 3 actions got eaten by Paizo, but I did update my tracker, so I will try to recreate what I had

The tempest vanishes with terrying wail. All assasins are terrified by that. Most frightned 2 one frightened 3 and fleeing

Moonlight do see organs, and is able to land a shot dealing extra damage. Green -28

Ann lands three blows at Red, who frightened can't defend well Crit + 2 hits kill red on the spot.

Ketsu moves in and strikes the black kitsune, landing a critical blow B -34 and stupefied

Her second strike misses. Ann gets opportune on that

Sien moves in and strikes Kitsune. Hit b - 39

Ketsu makes a strike and also hits b -16

★★★
Ground Floor Round 2

Terrain: Snow
Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Sien (176/176 HP) │ hasted, invisible (lvl 4) - 5 more rounds, flying
Ann (218/218 HP) │ hasted
Moonlight (160/160 HP) │ Resistance 5, flying, hasted
Ketsu-kiba (162/162 HP) │ flying, hasted
Vernai (-0 HP)
Talaro (-167 HP) │ drained 1, frightened 2, stupefied 1
Green (-136 HP) │ drained 2, frightened 2
Blue (-11 HP) │ drained 1, frightened 3 fleeing
White (-11 HP) │ drained 1, frightened 1

Enemy update still pending....

Ketsu moves in and strikes the black kitsune, landing a critical blow B -34 and stupefied

Her second strike misses. Ann gets opportune on that

By golly you're right! I forgot to include a roll for Opportune Backstab. Here it is:

+2 Greater Striking Sawtooth Saber M: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (14) + 27 = 41
Slashing damage: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (1, 6, 5) + 8 = 20

And now the current round:

"Still think this was a good idea?" Ann taunts, raking her sawtooth sabers along her target's ribcage, then activating her Ironblood Surge just for the heck of it.

Targeting Black until they're down, then switching to Green.

+2 Greater Striking Sawtooth Saber M: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (20) + 27 = 47
Slashing damage: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 2, 2) + 8 = 17

+2 Greater Striking Sawtooth Saber M, MAP: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (16) + 23 = 39
Slashing damage, Twin: 3d6 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 1, 3) + 8 + 3 = 20

+2 Greater Striking Sawtooth Saber M, MAP: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22
Slashing damage, Twin: 3d6 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 4, 1) + 8 + 3 = 21

◆ Hasted Strike, ◆ Strike, ◆ Strike, ◆ Ironblood Surge (AC 37), ↺ Opportune Backstab

Ann strikes kitsune and wounds them Hit -20, let's wait with the rest

Blue assassin runs past all of you and the dragons and begins to flee. Flee full round ~60 ft north form the dragon

Kitsune takes a step towards Sien and strikes
Hidden, DC11: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Saber@Sien: 1d20 + 28 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 28 - 2 = 40
Damage, s: 3d6 + 10 ⇒ (2, 5, 2) + 10 = 19

Hidden, DC11: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Second Saber@Sien: 1d20 + 28 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 28 - 4 - 2 = 28
Damage, s: 2d6 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (5, 3) + 12 + 2 = 22

First strike hits Sien -19

The other assassin casts a spell and srikes

Sure stirke@Sien: 1d20 + 22 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 22 - 1 = 37
Sure stirke@Sien: 1d20 + 22 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 22 - 1 = 37
Damage, s: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 3) + 7 = 12

Hidden, DC11: 1d20 ⇒ 3
stirke@Sien: 1d20 + 22 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 22 - 1 - 4 = 22
Damage, s: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 5) + 7 = 14

First strike lands Sien -12 and 1d6 bleed

The last one goes after Moonlight

Sure stirke@Moonlight: 1d20 + 22 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 22 - 2 = 31
Sure stirke@Moonlight: 1d20 + 22 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 22 - 2 = 29
Damage, s: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 6) + 7 = 17

stirke@Moonlight: 1d20 + 22 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 22 - 2 - 4 = 32
Damage, s: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 5) + 7 = 18

But misses.

Dragon goes after green

Jaws@green: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (18) + 32 = 50
dmg, p: 3d8 + 17 ⇒ (6, 4, 4) + 17 = 31

CLaw@green: 1d20 + 32 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 32 - 4 = 41
dmg, s: 3d6 + 17 ⇒ (2, 3, 6) + 17 = 28

CLaw@green: 1d20 + 32 - 8 ⇒ (8) + 32 - 8 = 32
dmg, s: 3d6 + 17 ⇒ (2, 1, 6) + 17 = 26

With the three strikes the dragon takes down one of the assasins.

White, will DC29: 1d20 + 19 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 19 - 1 = 28
bLACK, will DC29: 1d20 + 24 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 24 - 2 = 24

★★★
Ground Floor Round 2

Terrain: Snow
Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Sien (145/176 HP) │ hasted, invisible (lvl 4) - 5 more rounds, flying, 1d6 bleed
➤ Ann (218/218 HP) │ hasted
➤ Moonlight (160/160 HP) │ Resistance 5, flying, hasted
➤ Ketsu-kiba (162/162 HP) │ flying, hasted
Vernai (-0 HP)
Talaro (-187 HP) │ drained 1, frightened 2, stupefied 1
Green (-246 HP) │ drained 2, frightened 2
Blue (-11 HP) │ drained 1, frightened 3 fleeing
White (-11 HP) │ drained 1, frightened 1

See my post above for this round's attack rolls.

Instead of the previously stated: ◆ Hasted Strike, ◆ Strike, ◆ Strike, ◆ Ironblood Surge (AC 37), ↺ Opportune Backstab

She'll *actually* do: ◆ Step, ◆ Hasted Strike, ◆ Strike, ◆ Strike, ↺ Opportune Backstab

Seeing the tide of battle turning quickly, Ann steps up to the black-cloaked assassin and carves up its backside.

Ketsu-kiba continues to inspire her allies as she strikes at black with haste.

Slash vs Black (OG): 1d20 + 24 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 24 + 1 = 36
slashing+mental: 3d6 + 3 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 4) + 3 + 1 + (1) = 19
1d6 bleed
Double Damage on crit (including bleed), and stupefied 1 (frightened 2 if already stupefied)

Ketsu-kiba follows up by warping the void.
void damage: 8d4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 2, 4, 1, 3, 3) + 1 = 21
Basic Fort DC 33

+1 for Courage. Enemies who want to reduce frightened below 2 need to make a Will DC 29

Hammid continues to focus deadly fire.

Organsight (Medicine, Master): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (15) + 22 = 37

◆) Organsight
◆) Hasted Strike
◆) Reload
◆) Strike
↺) Blood Vendetta (first assassin to trigger)

Power Shared Hand Crossbow (P, 60-ft) w/ Anthem (+1/+1) vs Assassin: 1d20 + 24 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 24 + 1 = 433d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2, 1) + 2 + 1 = 7
Power Shared Hand Crossbow (P, 60-ft) w/ Anthem (+1/+1) w/ MAP (-5) vs Assassin: 1d20 + 24 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 24 + 1 - 5 = 273d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2, 6) + 2 + 1 = 15
Organsight (Precision): 4d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 4, 4) = 15

Sien also prioritizes the most wounded.

◆◆Spellstrike: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (13) + 27 = 40
Slashing: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 5, 4) + 6 = 21 plus Force, Arcane Cascade: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 plus Gouging Claw: 8d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 5, 6, 2, 1, 2, 3) = 25

↺ Distant Waterbird's Poise (Leap 5' south)

◆ Recharge Spellstrike

◆Hasted Strike, MAP: 1d20 + 27 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 27 - 5 = 30
Slashing: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 3, 4) + 6 = 16 plus Force, Arcane Cascade: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The assassins jumps on Kitsune, blows comes from all the sides, and when the blades are not moving the hunter lies on the ground motionless, their allies exchange glances and try to flee, but the dragon picks them up one by one.

With that rolls the fight is over On the bodies you find few items of use assassin’s skin , assassination contract, explorer’s yurt, greater mask of the mantis , +2 greater striking extending sawtooth saber, +2 striking wounding sawtooth saber, shurikens (×5 with blightburn
resin) + 4 assassins with: +1 leather armor, potion of flying, mask of the mantis , +1 striking wounding sawtooth saber (×2), shurikens (×5 with blightburn resin)

The assassination contract Talaro carries is an unsigned scroll with the Vernai’s wax seal, now broken. It reads, “The expedition to Crownhold is unsanctioned, and any agents involved in General Ordulf’s assassination are traitors. Eliminate them.”

As you end reading the scroll the dragon comes back and looks at it

“I am Vatumledor, a devout of Achaekek, He Who Executes. You know him as He Who Walks In Blood. Few know of my true nature, and assume I’m just ‘Vatum,’ one of Jakalyn’s many couriers, but I am, in truth, one of her closest allies. You are among an elite few who I’ve trusted with the truth of who I am, and I trust you shall keep my secret as if it were your own."

The dragon chews something and spits out a piece of meat that looks like it was a hand

“For some time I have suspected the existence of a conspiracy among some of the Vernai to remove Jakalyn as blood mistress of the Red Mantis, and now we have proof, thanks to your aid. I knew that the conspirators would act once Blood Mistress Jakalyn stepped away, and suspected a half-dozen contracts as being traps meant to allow the conspirators the chance to weed out her strongest allies. When I was approached by the Vernai and asked to deliver the contract for Ordulf’s assassination specifically to you not long after Jakalyn’s absence began, I strongly suspected the conspirators were making their move. And now, with Talaro’s attempt on your lives, we have proof. Someone among the Vernai wants us dead so that when they move against Blood Mistress Jakalyn, she will have none among the Red Mantis to rely upon as allies. This cannot stand, and you must return to Ilizmagorti to uncover the truth of who our enemies are.”

"Perhaps I misjudged you, Vatum. Thank you for defending us against the counterinsurgency" he straigtens "I ask: What reason does some conspiritor have to replace our Blood Mistress? Surely it's not as simple as mere ambition unfortunatley mitigated by a profound absence of patience. There must be an ulterior..." Hammid his draconic ally.

After he has his answer (or evasion?), our shady double-cultist collects a few items from the fallen kitsune...

Interested in the Explorer's Yurt and a handful of those 25 Blightburn Resin stained shuriken

"We shall accompany you to Ilizmagorti forthwit"

Ann's eyes glitter dangerously. "Trust no one but the core." Words on which she was raised. She glances around at the dragon and her three allies: her core. There are always so few at the core, but the righteous work must be done. She isn't powerful enough yet to achieve her original mission (if indeed she's still going to do it), so any force that threatens her access to the elite training of the Red Mantis Assassins must be expunged--to keep her options open. Resolved on her course of action, if not her motivations and goals, she solemnly nods her acceptance of Vatumledor's assignment.

"You say Jakalyn will have none among the Red Mantis to rely upon as allies. Do you have a list of primary suspects among the traitors? ... I wonder if we should take that false contract and claim we were the ones who executed it. Switch roles with those dead fools to infiltrate the conspiracy," she muses.

Once it wouldn't be disrespectful to do so, Ann salvages items from the bodies of the dead.

Interested in the greater mask of the mantis, but the regular one is fine as well. Also one of the sets of 5 shurikens and a potion of Fly (source post).