[ACO] PF2e - Q22: Friends in Need (P2) (Inactive)

Game Master UncleFroggy

Please dot (add a post) in here and then delete your post to add yourself to this campaign.

1) I am based in Southeast Asia (UTC +8) so my posting hours may be unusual (especially for those in North America). I usually update at least one or twice per day. Just to keep the game moving, please post at least once every day and at least once during the weekend.

2) Please keep all posts and communication in all channels limited to a PG-13 level and be both positive and inclusive.

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4) If I am unavailable for longer than 24 hours, I will let you know in the Discussion Tab. Out of respect for your fellow players and myself, I ask that you do the same. Real life happens, and real life will always take priority over the game, but out of fairness for your fellow players, please let us know if you will be unavailable for an extended period of time.

5) Please note that on the following days, my posting can get unpredictable:
Tuesday/Thursdays - all day, as they are the 2 busiest days of my work week

6) Please complete the Macros and the Slides linked at the top of the page.

7) Questions, concerns? Feel free to share them in the Discussion tab.

8) Let's have some fun and tell a great story together! After all, that's what we are here for.

Your adventure begins in the Pathfinder encampment located near the Tskikha iruxi enclave. While waiting for the Venture Captain to arrive, you take the time to get to know your traveling companions.

Please introduce yourselves here

You see a halfling-sized scarecrow, dressed in worn, mismatched leathers. He has a Jack o’ lantern for a head. A crow looks around from his shoulder; at second glance, it appears to be made of blackened wicker.

He removes the top of his head, and tips it like a hat. ”Blackfeather Jack, at your service!”

A rather emaciated and elderly goblin woman enters followed by a slightly concerning-looking wolf wearing a riding saddle and thick leather 'armour' over its vitals. "Oh the children would love this place, it's like a going camping" - despite the faint raspiness like leaves blowing in the wind, she speaks with surprising gentleness and warmth, like an elderly kindergarten teacher about to read a bedtime story.

"I am Granny" she offers to no one in particular, broadly addressing the room, "...and this is Hungry, he's a friendly dog, you can pat him, go ahead"

"Blackfeather was it? Oh how nice. I like the Jack o’ lantern and the wee goblins would delightfully squeal!"

"Where is dinner. So hungry"

A hawk with auburn feathers soars above the encampment and gives a soft screech as it prepares to land. Before landing, it transforms into an elven druid with auburn hair and green-tinted robes. She walks up to her companions and introduces herself.

"Good day to everyone! I am Melenia Nightbreeze. I look forward to working with all of you!"

A kholo dressed in long mwangi style robes and carrying an ornate staff joins them in the camp. Anyone who gets close enough will be surprised to find that his breath is delightfully sweet. A small hyena with a midnight black coat and a bone in its mouth trots at his heels.

"I am Lioness Lapping Blood. It's good to see you again, Granny," he says to the familiar face and even gives Hungry a pat on the head.

[b]"What sort of trouble will we be stopping...or starting...today?"

A very, very small goblin walks toward the group, chanting loudly in what probably is pure gibberish. Their feet uncannily quick, but their short legs prevent them to move any quicker than a standard member of the goblinoid race. They're dressed with a red "dress", which would be very bright, if it wasn't covered in dirt (hopefully).

"Hi I'm Shorti 'Short' for short nice to meet you I love your dress your hair's so cool who're we gonna set on fire today I like sweets my favorite color is orange yesterday I saw a squirrel it was tasty..."

Their high-pitched voice makes the rapid-fire of words coming out of her mouth rather unsettling.

"I am Granny" she offers to no one in particular, broadly addressing the room, "...and this is Hungry, he's a friendly dog, you can pat him, go ahead"

"Blackfeather was it? Oh how nice. I like the Jack o’ lantern and the wee goblins would delightfully squeal!"

”I’d love to meet them, under safer circumstances”, Jack replies.

”Puppers!”, he exclaims, petting Hungry and the hyena, and shaking Lioness’ hand. In response to his question, he adds, ”Probably something to do with those lizardfolk”

"Ahh another Goblin!" Granny rasps in delight, the voice once again like rustling leaves "Welcome Shorti, I am sure we can find you something else to eat, that squirrel wouldn't have touched the sides - you're a growing Goblin after all..."

"And hello to the rest of you, and to you Lioness, our paths come together again!"

Granny sits down by the fire and rests a bundle of knitting needles on her lap, half cold iron, half silver, glinting in the light.

A red haired human woman with sad eyes and a melancholy look on her face wearing mismatched hide armor steps forward and introduces herself. "Greetings. I'm Agnes. My friends used to call me Red Agnes. I never quite figured out if that was because of my hair or my personality."

Venture-Captain Lolly Adafish leads the way from the Pathfinder encampment to the Tskikha iruxi enclave. The iruxi village takes advantage of any raised areas it can find, all structures built upon raised platforms. At the edge of town stands a pyramid with a fan placed atop that shimmers with energy. An iruxi stands guard at each side of the pyramid's base. Lolly leads the way through a town in chaos as groups of elemental scamps fly about. She stops when she arrives at Chief Thakik's hut. After politely announcing her arrival, she beckons to be followed as she enters.

Inside the hut are the village leader and another iruxi. Chief Thakik greets the new Pathfinders, introducing herself and her trusted advisor Kazuuk. She then lays out the problem. "Pathfinders, I apologize that we must ask for your help again, but we are at our wit's end with these scamps. At first, it was just a few, but it's as if the elemental fan draws these creatures to it. Each day, more arrive. They seem to be competing with each other to both be closest to the fan and to be in a position to protect it." She sighs, rubbing her temple as if fighting a headache. "These scamps are causing such a ruckus, and even if their intentions are good, the chaos they bring to my village is not! I have asked Kazuuk to guide you through town and pinpoint areas where your assistance would be appreciated."

"Please, take care; do not just attack these creatures. They can be reasoned with. We'd rather have them around than some larger, less-friendly threat. It's only their inclination towards mischief that's a problem."

As you are about to leave the chief's hut, you smell an extremely acrid odor seconds before an imp pops into view. This one is holding a scroll and a quill. It rasps "Is there a Lioness here? Apparently not all of the forms were completed when you departed the Grand Lodge. You missed signing THIS FORM. I'll wait for you to sign it."

”Ha! I was right!”, Jack proclaims. He taps the side of his head, which thunks hollowly.

”Say, what does that fan do?”, he asks their hosts.

Lioness knows better than to sign anything presented by a fiend without reading it closely so there is a slight delay as he does so. In the end, he nods and places his image on the document as a seal.

Then, he turns his attention to the task at hand.

"I am glad that you are seeking a peaceful resolution to the situation, Chief Thakik. These elemental beings could be powerful allies in defending the fan or they could simply be another enemy that you have to protect it against. We will do our best to ensure they are the former rather than the latter," Lioness says.

He waits with obvious curiosity for an answer to Blackfeather's question and to what tasks Kazuuk is going to set for them.

Lolly sighs and explains. "These ruins were once used by the Azlanti to conduct experiments with planar energies, but a chamber within the ruins began to malfunction when the Planes of Metal and Wood returned. This resulted in the creation of a demiplane that trapped many iruxis along with Pathfinder trainees. So as part of our efforts to rescue the iruxis, we enchanted a magical fan, the elemental fan, to capture the planar energies, which was then used to prevent the Azlanti ruins from causing further issues. As the fan required a central location to be most effective, the enclave placed it on top of an old pyramid at the edge of town. This allows the iruxis to easily monitor and guard the fan, which is more effective when exposed to the elements. Unfortunately, any creature with an elemental connection can sense the presence of the elemental fan and feel a slight pull towards it. Minor elementals, like scamps, find this pull irresistible. At first, only a few came, and they were happy to sit near the fan and bask in its aura. Unfortunately for the Tskikha, a few scamps quickly became too many scamps. When large groups of scamps gather, they play like children and develop a pecking order by playing games and pranking each other until a leader is chosen. The scamps fear a larger, more powerful entity may come and take the fan."

Shorti is overexcited by the idea of a whole legion of mischievous monster laying waste everywhere (and they clearly are overestimating the task at hand).

"Stupendificus where are the imps are they scary are they scared can I scare them with fire can I fry them I have some oil can I eat them what do they taste like have you seen my crow its name is Caw he isn't tasty and when I bit it the voices in my head became angry I don't like angry people so I blasted my ears with fire see"

They proudly show everyone the burnt tip of their pointy ear

"Can I be friend with the imps can I cuddle them can I eat them...

They keep talking, although in a very hushed tone, probably talking mostly to themselves and the "voices in their head".

"They sound delightful, we should go see these games!" Granny seems enthusiastic "And we can look at this chamber business too!"

Only now you notice that a small raven has been following you since you met Shorti. He looks dignified and well groomed, but also kind of tired. His dark plumage looks like is covered in glowing eldritch signs, the kind you would find on the pages of a spellbook.

"Yes, greetings everyone, you can all address me as 'Caw', and I am NOT a crow, but a raven, and–quite unfortunately–Shorti's babys- I mean, familiar. If any of you would like to engage in an intelligent discussion I would really appreciate that, but firstly let us focus on the task ahead"

The bird turns quickly to check on the distracted goblin, then back to the group and adds in a hushed tone "I would also really appreciate if you would help me keep the tiny one out of trouble, they are quite prone at endangering themselves..."

"The easiest nonviolent solution to the scamp problem would seem to be for us to win at their games and pranks in order to become their leaders. Would they obey our orders to calm down then?"

"The easiest nonviolent solution to the scamp problem would seem to be for us to win at their games and pranks in order to become their leaders. Would they obey our orders to calm down then?"

”Ooo, good thinking!”, says Jack. He turns eagerly to hear the response.

You enter the village and witness groups of scamps chasing each other. The scamps are oblivious to the chaos they leave in their wake.

Kazuuk says, "It's as if this lot is trying to out-prank each other. They seem to respect the cleverest among them. Perhaps you could join them in their game? Maybe winning this game of silliness will get them to follow you and listen to reason?"

You easily find the rambunctious scamps. One group is barely hiding behind some support columns as another comes flying down the walkway. The hiding scamps jump out and throw brightly colored dust on the flying scamps, and all the scamps start laughing. They notice the you watching them and invite them to join in their games.

"Come join us! See who can play the best pranks!"

Each PC may attempt a DC 18 Acrobatics, Athletics, Performance, or Thievery check to prove their cleverness. Other skills ok if you can make it fit. You need at least 6 successes to succeed in this challenge. Critical Successes count as 2 successes while Crit Failures lose 1 success. Go ahead and roll your checks but please describe what you're doing.

athletics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Red Agnes picks up a heavy rain barrel and pours the water on some nearby scamps. Unfortunately she spills quite a bit on herself as well, ruining the effect.

Performance 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Granny heads over with a gentle laugh, clearly comfortable talking with the children "Perhaps it is storytime with Granny?" she offers warmly - with a slight reediness to her voice - "I know JUSt the story"

Granny proceeds to share a good natured and hilarious (from a certain point of view) story of some pesky Goblin children playing fun games and burning down an inn.

Apologies. I forgot to indicate that you each have 2 checks.

In case the implication is we can have two checks even if the first one works...!

Performance 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

With the story out of the way Granny starts singing gentle and calming lullabies, seeking to draw the attention of the playful creatures...

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Melenia starts hoisting some of the scamps to aid them in their fun. Unfortunately, she got tired along the way and was unable to carry the others.

”Who’s the cleverest among you?”, Jack asks the scamps. ”Let’s find out if you can beat me!”

He strikes up a lively tune, and puts the rascals through their paces Cast musical accompaniment

”Simon says to touch your toes!
Simon says to wiggle!
Simon says to boop your nose!
Simon says to giggle!

…Simon didn’t say!”

Performance: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 = 28

Hearing the word "pranks" sends Shorti into overdrive.

"Pranks! Yay! Pranks!"

They start running around chasing scamps, doing cartwheels and jumps, all the while "singing" in gibberish and using their magic to create fireworks-like effects.

Performance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Performance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

"I love games!" Lioness declares then joins in. The rules seem fairly flexibles so he largely just makes himself a target then does his best to be a difficult target to hit.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

After taking a couple shots of powdered color to his robes, he manages to duck and weave past the next volley.

Red Agnes tries to pour water onto the scamps but accidentally tips some of the water onto herself, ruining the effect. Granny starts telling stories while Blackfeather Jack engages them in a rousing game of Simon Says. Lioness dares them to hit him and dodges their shots, though powdered balls hit. Melenia starts giving piggyback rides but the scamps soon tire her out. Shorti picks up from where she leaves off and begins chasing after them with silly goblin songs and pyrotechnic effects.

Finally, the scamps all agree. "You best pranksters! We follow your lead!"

Lolly smiles and leads you back to the village center.

You notice Chief Thakkik having a conversation with some of the them and move in closer.

Chief Thakik is attempting to convince the scamps of her plans of cooperation with the Pathfinder Society. She tries to convince them that they can participate if if they choose. Some of the younger scamps begin to get into a heated argument. They begin pushing and shoving each other, causing the iruxis and elemental creatures present to move away. Lolly gets your attention. "Well, don’t just stand there," she exclaims, "try to get them to stop!"

You can try to avoid a fight by:
DC 20 Diplomacy check to calm tensions.
DC 21 Athletics/Intimidation to cow the scamps, making a fight less likely.
You each have 2 checks and need 6 successes.
As always, a Crit Success will count as 2 successes while a Crit Fail will lose one success.

Caw turns to Lolly "Please give us just a moment", then trots toward Shorti, who is pretty busy playing with some shiny pebbles they found on the ground.

"Little one, the scamps have commenced a trial to choose who amongst them is the scariest, and told us you can not participate due to your 'tininess'"

The raven glances towards the group and awaits the goblin's reaction.

"They said what!?!?"

Shorti gets up and starts "running" toward the group of scamps, then halts, turns back, takes the shiny pebbles, and gets back running to "show those sgrunfies who's boss", or at least that's what they're mumbling.

"YOUSTUPIDFLYINGBUBBELBLOTCHESWILLNOWKNOWTRUEFEAR!!!!!!"

They shout at the elementals, while covering their teeth, fingers and ears with magical flames.

Intimidation: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

While screaming and running the goblin accidentally swallows the flames on their teeth, they stop and their face turns red, and then they burp loudly letting a puff of smoke out of their large mouth.

Intimidation: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

athletics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

athletics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

"All right! That it! Settle down now!"

Red Agnes grabs several scamps and holds them down.

Shorti yells at the scamps while Agnes holds some down. Both have mixed results as the scamps squirm and struggle.

2 successes so far

A fire ignites inside Jack’s head, lighting up his eyes and mouth.

”Naughty children!”, he shouts. ”Take your seats, or get no treats!”

Intimidation: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Intimidation: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

You wanna hero point the natural 1?

Diplomacy 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

"No reason for any conflict, perhaps we should all take a moment to relax and talk things through..."

Diplomacy 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

"Because as I was saying, us Goblins are a friendly bungch, say have you heard the story about..."

Granny has the patience of the dead, and a calm demeanour as a result.

You wanna hero point the natural 1?

Can I wait to see how the others do first?

GM Tiger wrote:

You wanna hero point the natural 1?

Can I wait to see how the others do first?

Looks like you need 1 more success as a group. 5 successes with Melenia and Lioness still to go. We can wait :)

"Now, now, friends, there's no need to argue. Everyone will get a turn and we'll make sure everything is fair," Lioness says.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

"No, no, really there's no need to fight! We can find a way to deal with this. We just need to work together!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 Oof. Rerolling...

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Seriously???

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Melenia tries to stand between the conflicting parties but is unable to stop the fight from escalating.

Blackfeather Jack cows the scamps with a terrifying display while Lioness and Granny convince them to stand down.

The scamps calm down and manage to look remorseful. Lolly sighs with relief and hands you a scroll of Resist Energy.

Melenia, keep your hero point.

Failure to get 6 successes would have resulted in combat

Lolly passes you off to Kazuuk, who takes you outside the village to see the fan. When you arrive at the pyramid, you find one or more metal scamps laying down caltrops, while the iruxi guards attempt to convince them the traps are not needed. The conversation is getting heated and it could come to blows at any moment.

Kazuuk addresses all present. "Everyone, please calm down! Let us not resort to violence here. Guards, return to your posts." He then addresses the scamps: "Pick this stuff up now, it's dangerous!"

The scamps however, protest. "We just want to make it safe!" they plead.

Kazuuk turns to you, saying, "Perhaps you can convince to help in a safer and more constructive way?"

You should begin by trying to convince the scamps that there are better ways they can help the iruxis protect the fan:
DC 20 Diplomacy/Crafting to bring up better, less dangerous ways to help.
DC 18 Warfare Lore to point out tactical flaws in the defense plan
You each have 2 checks and need 6 successes.
As always, a Crit Success will count as 2 successes.
There is no additional penalty for a Crit Failure

Diplomacy 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

"Well let's look at better options..." but it seems Grannys missing heart isn't really in it.

Diplomacy 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

"No really, I think you need to REALLY consider...or not" Her will to live clearly fading, which given her present state is quite remarkable.

At least they are just fails

Got it. Hero point retained.

Crafting: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Crafting: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 I'll use the hero point here...

Crafting: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 No way!

Melenia is able to show the scamps some fortifying techniques. But she was unable to check the last one which led to some minor injuries and dissatisfied looks.

"Ok, ok, this is a good start my friends. Definitely a good start. But one of the most important things about security is that it's not just about keeping the wrong people out, it's about letting the right people in. So, you need to hide your traps and also set up some way for those who should have access to get past them safely," Lioness lectures, gathering up some of the caltrops to develop a more complex trap.

Crafting: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

"And then, maybe a trigger over here..." he says as he cobbles something together that is barely holding together.

Crafting: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

He manages to reinforce it into something workable.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"You stupidus bajungus don't know that caltrops are stupid eh what if the monster flies eh what if eh you stupidus bajungus..." Shorti keeps muttering nonsense as their way to "use diplomacy" with the scamps.

Crafting: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Shorti takes the shiny pebbles out of their pockets, then tries to build some kind of "trap" with twigs and sticks found around, to "show those bajungus how it's done".

So it's down to Red Agnes and Blackfeather Jack -- and they need 3 successes between them.

diplomacy DC20: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

diplomacy DC20: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

"All right now. Everyone calm down. Let's discuss this like rational beings."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

”Yes, more caltrops! Good thinking!”

Unfortunately, neither Agnes nor Jack can talk the scamps down. Finally the scamps lose their temper and attack. As you prepare to defend yourselves, you notice some sort of planar instability that manifests itself. The air grows thick as the Planes of Metal and Air both bleed into the swamp once again. A small fissure opens, causing static electricity to build and, fueled by the increased presence of metal in the area, sparks begin to fly.

and here I thought we were going to get through the quest without combat! :)

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Before your Turn:
------------------
Those with ** may go

**Melenia Nightbreeze - AC 17 (19 w/shield) 22/22
Red
Blackfeather Jack - AC 18 44/44
Granny Deadybones - AC 18 34/34; Hungry AC 22 42/42
Lioness Lapping Blood - AC 17 (18 w/shield) 36/36
Hazard
Blue
Shorti - AC 16 23/23
Red Agnes - AC 19 36/36 (rage: temp hp - 4/4)
White
Yellow