[PF2] March of the Dead (GM Watery Soup)

Game Master Watery Soup

The orc and the bear get to clearing the tunnel...

Thurgan 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Grump 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Lawric steps back as Thurgan moves to clear the tunnel, the enlightened poppet drifting over his shoulder to provide additional light. He doesn’t touch the rubble but his gaze never leaves the dark gap forming in the wall.

“I’LL WATCH THE SHADOWS”

Galimus and Lawric, why don't you go ahead and make a roll commensurate with whatever your characters are doing? I'll suggest Religion rolls (actually, for Niaqun, too) since y'all a pious bunch, sitting around and praying while Thurgan and Grump do the manual labor.

Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

The halfling focuses his prayers towards the Lady of Graves, urging her blessing on the faithful orc and hound.

Galimus contemplates what could have caused such a serious infestation of undead and tries to extrapolate how they will behaved based on his conclusions.

Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Religion: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Niaqun contemplates what this whole situation means

"Zombies don't take prisoners, should we expect some intelligent foe here" he whispers

Thurgan pauses his digging for a moment as he contemplates Niaquin's observation, nodding in agreement as the logic sinks in. He then half turns, and with a slightly bloodthirsty expression, he simply replies "I hope so", then resumes digging.

Five failures! Rather than say you don't move the rocks, I'll say you do move them, but make a lot of noise.

Thurgan and Grump begin moving the rocks, and Lawric, Galimus, and Niaqun gather in a circle to pray. They are so fervently praying that they don't notice that the sound of the moved rocks is quite loud.

When Thurgan and Grump break through the passageway, the prisoners begin clamoring.

"Is someone there?"

"Are you here to help us?"

"HELP!"

The group enters a dark shrine, where the caged living are forced to watch someone animate bodies on a stone altar.

Four pillars of soot-stained granite rise around a natural dais, atop which stands a slab of bloodstained stone. Black candles flicker in the darkness from atop this altar, a rusty ceremonial dagger resting between them. The shackles dug into the stone at the corners of the ritual site are empty, but it’s clear they’ve been used to bind many in Fiorna’s Faith as they met their end.

Several pens are built into the walls of this room, each one sealed with wooden bars. Living hands reach out and whispered calls for help echo in the darkness. No sooner do those calls fade than another sound can be heard, the clattering of bones clad in rusted mail.

See Slide 17. I'm out of time now, but we're rolling for initiative immediately.

Ignore the giant "B6" on the map. The PDF layers are all messed up, so I had to screenshot the map.

--Round 1
Niaqun (39/39, AC 20) / Pica (15/15)
Red Skeleton (-0)
Yellow Skeleton (-0)
Blue Skeleton (-0)
Thurgan (51/51, shield 20/20, AC 21) / Grump (32/32, AC 19)
Galimus (37/37, AC 19)
Lawric (33/33, AC 17)

Niaqun casts spell and charges Thurgan's and Grump's attacks with vital energy. then he shields himself

Casting 2 action infuse vitality into Thurgan's and Grump weapons on choice, can be unarmed than shield

Niaqun infuses weapons with vitality, and the skeletons lumber forward. All three need all three actions to get to where they are due to difficult terrain across the raised platforms.

--Round 1
Thurgan (51/51, shield 20/20, AC 21, vitality 1d4) / Grump (32/32, AC 19, vitality 1d4)
Galimus (37/37, AC 19)
Lawric (33/33, AC 17)
--Round 2
Niaqun (39/39, AC 20) / Pica (15/15)
Red Skeleton (-0)
Yellow Skeleton (-0)
Blue Skeleton (-0)

Galimus fires his crossbow at the red skeleton, more because it is loaded and aimed that direction already than any thought that it will do any real damage.

+1 Crossbow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 1

He then emanates an aura of confidence and competence.

Casting Bless. It should catch everyone in their current positions.

Thurgan just smiles and attempts to smash the skeleton in front of him with his shield.

Bless
Attack vs Red 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 = 28
Damage 1d4 + 4 + 1d4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (3) = 10 blunt+vitality.

Attack vs Red 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 = 19
Damage 1d4 + 4 + 1d4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (3) = 10 blunt+vitality.

* Strike
* Strike
* Command animal

Grump steps in and also starts attacking!

Attack vs Red 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 1 = 21
Damage 1d8 + 3 + 1d4 ⇒ (5) + 3 + (3) = 11 Pierce+vitality

* Step
* Strike

Galimus fires an arrow. It hits, but the piercing head does no damage. Resistance piercing 5.

Thurgan smashes with his shield. Both attacks hit, and deal damage. Both are regular hits, so AC is 19. No resistance to bludgeoning or vitality, but no weaknesses to vitality, either.

Grump attacks, but his piercing claws deal less damage. Still, it's enough to disassemble Red.

-Round 1
Thurgan (51/51, shield 20/20, AC 21, vitality 1d4) / Grump (32/32, AC 19, vitality 1d4)
Galimus (37/37, AC 19, bless 15')
Lawric (33/33, AC 17)
--Round 2
Niaqun (39/39, AC 20) / Pica (15/15)
Red Skeleton (-26)
Yellow Skeleton (-0, AC 19, resist piercing 5, resist slashing 5)
Blue Skeleton (-0, AC 19, resist piercing 5, resist slashing 5)

Lawric raises his hand, the poppet floating just behind his shoulder as his caustic voice cuts through the clatter of bone and steel.

“STAY DOWN.”

A streak of pale energy whips from his palm, striking toward the blue-lit skeleton menacing Thurgan. The air hums faintly with the pulse of creation’s forge.

◆ Stride
◆◆ Vitality Lash, DC 19 Fortitude: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 3) = 11

Niaqun strikes the skeleton with Vitality Lash

Vitality lash, DC18 Fortitude: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 1) = 10

Than he shields himself

Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 vs DC 19, 11 vitality
Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 vs DC 18, 10 vitality

Blue is very hurt, but persists.

Yellow raises its shield and moves up to Grump, slashing.

Longsword: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Slashing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Blue raises its shield and moves into the midst of the group, but then turns around and slashes the flanked Grump.

Longsword: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 vs flanking
Slashing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

These creatures do not appear mindless, and are using strategies.

--Round 2
Thurgan (51/51, shield 20/20, AC 21, vitality 1d4) / Grump (14/32, AC 19, vitality 1d4)
Galimus (37/37, AC 19, bless 15')
Lawric (33/33, AC 17)
--Round 3
Niaqun (39/39, AC 20) / Pica (15/15)
Red Skeleton (-26)
Yellow Skeleton (-0, AC 19 [21], resist piercing 5, resist slashing 5)
Blue Skeleton (-21, AC 19 [21], resist piercing 5, resist slashing 5) <50%

As Blue attacks Grump, Thurgan attempts to ward off the blow - and swings his sword in retribution!

Retributive Strike
Trigger An enemy damages your ally, and both are in your champion’s aura; Effect You protect your ally and strike your enemy. The ally gains resistance to all damage against the triggering damage equal to 2 + your level. If the enemy is within reach, make a melee Strike against it.

Grump gets resistance 5

Attack
Bless
Attack vs Blue 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 = 30
Damage 1d4 + 4 + 1d4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (2) = 9 blunt+vitality.
Crit ADD 1d4 + 4 + 1d4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (3) = 10

Boom.

As close as the bluish skeleton is to him, Galimus is certain the others will be able to handle it before it can get to him.

Nonetheless, he cloaks himself in occult energies as a form of protection before sending energy from the Forge of Creation lashing out at Yellow.

◆ Stride
◆◆ Vitality Lash, DC 19 Fortitude: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 3) = 13

He thrusts his hand forward, releasing another crack of pale energy that lashes through the air and strikes the yellow-boned skeleton squarely.

Without lowering his gaze, he raises his free hand and a faint shimmer forms before him—a translucent barrier of force.

** Vitality Lash, DC 19 Fort: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 4) = 11
* Shield

The skeleton brings its shield up to block Thurgan's Strike, but it won't offset enough damage to prevent from collapsing. I'm assuming you meant "shield" instead of "sword".

Thurgan still has actions.

Yellow Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 vs DC 19, 13 vitality
Yellow Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 vs DC 19, 11 vitality

Galimus and Lawric bombard the remaining skeleton with vitality, and it nearly dies on the spot.

--Round 2
Thurgan (51/51, shield 20/20, AC 21, vitality 1d4) / Grump (14/32, AC 19, vitality 1d4)
Galimus (37/37, AC 19, bless 15')
Lawric (33/33, AC 17)
--Round 3
Niaqun (39/39, AC 20) / Pica (15/15)
Red Skeleton (-26)
Yellow Skeleton (-24, AC 19 [21], resist piercing 5, resist slashing 5) <10%
Blue Skeleton (-35)

Wow, you really mowed these guys down. They have shields and Reactive Strike!

Thurgan keeps bashing with his shield...

Bless
Attack vs Yellow 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 1 = 13
Damage 1d4 + 4 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (4) = 9 blunt+vitality.

Attack vs Yellow 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 1 = 23
Damage 1d4 + 4 + 1d4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (1) = 8 blunt+vitality.

* Strike
* Strike
* Command animal

Grump also attacks!

Attack vs Yellow 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 = 13
Damage 1d8 + 3 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (4) = 8 Pierce+vitality

Attack vs Yellow 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9
Damage 1d6 + 3 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (1) = 5 Slash+vitality

* Strike
* Strike

Also, Grump got DR5 against that attack so has a few more hp:p

With his second swing, Thurgan smashes Yellow. Yellow Shield Blocks but it's not enough. Revising Grump's hit points.

--Round 2
Thurgan (51/51, shield 20/20, AC 21, vitality 1d4) / Grump (19/32, AC 19, vitality 1d4)
Galimus (37/37, AC 19, bless 15')
Lawric (33/33, AC 17)
--Round 3
Niaqun (39/39, AC 20) / Pica (15/15)
Red Skeleton (-26)
Yellow Skeleton (-27)
Blue Skeleton (-35)

The prisoners from the cells watch the destruction of the skeletons with some hope in their eyes, but they don't cheer when the last one falls. Instead, they look towards the door to the northeast, as if expecting something to come out.

Grump took a little damage, but if y'all could begin a discussion on what you'd like to do next - search the room, free the prisoners, which exit to take - it would be appreciated to settle before the pause.

Galimus is paranoid enough to notice the prisoners' glances. He moves forward slowly, carefully and warily until he is even with but not inside the nearest prisoner alcove.

"What is it?" he asks in a hissing whisper.

"Is there something...or somebody more dangerous?"

Free prisoners, search roon, maybe the prisoners can advise us which way to head? "The big guy takes the left hall all the time" or something

Do we have some free/low cost healing for Grump? Just checking before I start Laying hands :)

The prisoners are terrified, but indicate that there's someone in the next room who is far scarier than three skeleton warriors.

Free prisoners and send them out through the shaft we found, then face the creature in the other room

I can battle medicine Grump, or spend 10 mins healing 'regular' style

Lawric watches the prisoners as they flee, but doesn’t move closer. His eyes flick from one to another, then toward the door they fear.

“I TRUST THEIR FEAR IS VALID”

He steps forward just enough to stand beside Galimus, the poppet turning slowly over his shoulder.

“IF THEY WHISPER OF SOMETHING WORSE, WE SHOULD LISTEN.”

If we have 10 mins whilst we sort the prisoners and cut them loose and search the area, that would work

I can heal Grump with my focus spells => 2d4 per round should be done in 4-5 rounds + 10 minute to refocus if we have time. In the meantime others can free prisoners and look through the room

Alright, it sounds like there's a consensus to free the prisoners. You're going to get attacked while you're freeing them, so Lawric will Battle Medicine Grump and roll Medicine for initiative; the rest of you will roll Athletics or Thievery for trying to open the cages.

The boards are slated to go down in half an hour, so I'll update the map to page 18 during the downtime and we'll roll when things go back up on Wed/Thu/Fri/Dec/2026.

Slide 18.

The bloated corpse of a once-powerful merchant opens the door. His skin, with its sickly green pallor, hangs from his frame as if too large for his body. His clothing must have once been elegant burial garments, but the tunic is now frayed and moldy, the cloak covered in blood. In one hand, he carries a massive farming scythe; in the other, he holds a large tome etched with blasphemous symbols. He opens his slack jaw and a cloud of dust issues forth with each tortured word.

“You’re too late,” he hisses through rotten teeth. “My masters created me to end this town, and so I have. Soon I shall march north and bring death to all in service of the Whispering Way... and you will be my vanguard. Come and meet your demise, that you may serve me in undeath!"

LOL, he rolled a nat 1 for initiative. Dude was supposed to surprise you.

The heroes take the opportunity during his speech to attack him. Infuse Vitality and Bless are still up, because it's been under a minute.

--Round 1
Thurgan (51/51, shield 20/20, AC 21, vitality 1d4) / Grump (19/32, AC 19, vitality 1d4)
Lawric (33/33, AC 17, bless 15')
Galimus (37/37, AC 19)
Harlo Krant (-0)
Niaqun (39/39, AC 20) / Pica (15/15)
GM

Battle Medicine, DC 15: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 Failure

Before I post a whole turn, is the door open or close? As in, can he be targeted with a spell at this point?

The door is open and you can target him.

Thurgan advances, raising his shield.

Grump lumbers up behind him.

Neither seem in the mood for a discussion.

"Or we're going to kill you...again...right here and whatever masters you serve are going to be very disappointed," Galimus replies.

He follows Thurgan and Grump, focusing on his Blessing to extend it further then pulls out his spear, since this guy seems to have some more fleshy bits that can be stabbed.

Lawric shifts forward in the cavern, shadowing behind Thurgan and Grump.

Lawric moves through the open chamber, footsteps light against the stone. He keeps just behind Thurgan, following the orc’s advance as though his shadow

The sounds of the creature echo from ahead. Lawric’s eyes fix on the movement, cold and unblinking.

“AS ALWAYS, YOU LEAD. I WILL TIDY AFTER.”

From the small block of metal at his belt, he peels three thin shards of cold iron... each one glinting faintly in the dim light. With a short, precise motion, he flings them toward the creature breaking through the door.

◆ Stride
◆◆ Needle Darts: Spell Attack, Bless: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 = 30 P, Cold Iron: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 1) = 7

Crit Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (3, 1, 2, 4) = 10 +2 Persistent Bleed

The zombie lord mutters some profanities in Necril. A sudden blight rises around Thurgan, Grump, Lawric, and Galimus.

Void: 2d10 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7
DC 21 basic Fortitude save.

He then retreats into the cave.

The zombie lord does bleed. Not immune.

Persistent: 1d20 ⇒ 17 vs DC 15

But it stops quickly.

--Round 1
Niaqun (39/39, AC 20) / Pica (15/15)
Red Zombie (-0)
Yellow Zombie (-0)
Blue Zombie (-0)
--Round 2
Thurgan (51/51, Fort vs -7 void, shield 20/20, AC 21, vitality 1d4) / Grump (19/32, Fort vs -7 void, AC 19, vitality 1d4)
Lawric (33/33, Fort vs -7 void, AC 17, bless 25')
Galimus (37/37, Fort vs -7 void, AC 19)
Harlo Krant (-17, 2 bleed)

Niaqun raises a pebble and tosses it towards Krant.

Exploding Earth@Krant, 120 ft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Damage, b: 4d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 6, 5) + (2) = 21

Exploding Earth@Krant, 120 ft, hero point: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Niaqun almost throws the pebble at his feet, but he recovers with magic and sends it towards the enemy

does the spell stays? if it does I would move around, otherwise through it.

Niaqun throws a rock, but it bounces too early. The Sudden Blight spell doesn't persist - I just left the circle up so that people could verify they were in the 20' blast.

The three zombies chant for their master to return to his throne, begging him to restore glory to the undead.

--Round 2
Thurgan (51/51, Fort vs -7 void, shield 20/20, AC 21, vitality 1d4) / Grump (19/32, Fort vs -7 void, AC 19, vitality 1d4)
Lawric (33/33, Fort vs -7 void, AC 17, bless 25')
Galimus (37/37, Fort vs -7 void, AC 19)
Harlo Krant (-17, 2 bleed)
Niaqun (39/39, AC 20) / Pica (15/15) Movement from last turn pending.
Red Zombie (-0)
Yellow Zombie (-0)
Blue Zombie (-0)

Thurgan - Fort 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Grump - Fort 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Thurgan shrugs off most of the nastiness but Grump makes angry noises.

Thurgan turns and lays a healing hand on Grump, then advances towards the foe.

Lay hands on Grump - restores 12hp, AC boosted by 2 this round.

* Cast (lay hands - heightened)
* Stride
* Command animal

The bear falls in line with his orcish battle-buddy.

* Stride

Actions complete!

Niaqun moves after the enemy

Fort, DC?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Halfling Luck
Fort, DC?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Void energy ripples around the halfling, rippling in the air as he walks. The distortion clings to him, but he doesn’t slow. His eyes stay fixed on the undead ahead... reflecting nothing but Pharasma’s quiet disapproval.

He reaches to his belt, fingers brushing the small bar of metal there. Three jagged shards tear free and lift into the air.

“HER PATIENCE IS NOT ENDLESS.”

The shards whistle forward, cutting through the space between him and the abomination.

Spell Attack, Bless: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 1 = 12 P, Cold Iron: 4d4 ⇒ (4, 3, 4, 4) = 15

Lawric, Niaqun, and Thurgan move up cautiously, Lawric sending shards into the wall.

--Round 2
Thurgan (48/51, shield 20/20, AC 21, vitality 1d4) / Grump (24/32, AC 19, vitality 1d4)
Lawric (26/33, AC 17, bless 25')
Galimus (37/37, Fort vs -7 void, AC 19)
Harlo Krant (-17, 2 bleed)
Niaqun (39/39, AC 20) / Pica (15/15) [b]Movement from last turn pending.
Red Zombie (-0)
Yellow Zombie (-0)
Blue Zombie (-0)

Alright, shutdown is scheduled in less than an hour. See you on the flip side.

Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Galimus gasps as the zombie master sucks some of his hard won and kept life energy out of him.

"You're going to die for that!" he declares. "Again!"

He follows close behind Thurgan and Grump and focuses on his Blessing, extending its radius once again.

Then, he wraps himself in the occult energy that powers his body, putting up a Shield of protection.

Stride, Sustain Bless, Cast Shield

Mon, Nov 10, 2025, 07:59 am

LOL

---

Botting Niaqun's movement. I'm pretty sure they're going to make it far enough to get Sudden Blighted. We can retcon if you wanted to move somewhere else.

The zombie lord causes another 20' burst of sudden decay. This excludes Lawric even though it looks like the circle mostly encloses him - the Pathfinder center of the burst is the green dot.

Void: 2d10 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7
DC 21 basic Fortitude save.

The zombie lord bleeds.
Recovery: 1d20 ⇒ 2 vs DC 15

Delaying the zombies so you can act as a block.

--Round 2
Niaqun (39/39, Fort vs -7 void, AC 20) / Pica (15/15)
--Round 3
Thurgan (48/51, Fort vs -7 void, shield 20/20, AC 21, vitality 1d4) / Grump (24/32, Fort vs -7 void, AC 19, vitality 1d4)
Lawric (26/33, AC 17)
Galimus (30/37, Fort vs -7 void, AC 19, bless 35')
Red Zombie (-0)
Yellow Zombie (-0)
Blue Zombie (-0)
Harlo Krant (-19, 2 bleed)

Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Somehow, Galimus shrugs off the wave of void energy. Perhaps because he's not fully powered by vital energy in the first place.

He continues to follow the head zombie, but cautiously, concentrating on his Blessing to extend it further then raising his Shield of occult energy.

Fort save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Niaqun moves next to his friends and he focuses on his healing magic

Garden of Healing to Galimus, Thurgan + Grump + Niaqun: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7 +1 to saves vs emotional saves

Than he raises his shield

Move, garden of healing, shield