M Goblin | Wizard 10 | ◆◇↺ | HP 96/96| AC 27(28 w/shield) | F +17 R +19 W +16 | Perception +13 Darkvision |hero points 0/3| Resistances Fire 5 Void 1 | Speed 25 (35) |2/5 Versatile Vials | Focus 1/1 staff charges 0/5 | Active Conditions: Tailwind |
"I feel like it's time for Mr. Bear to make a return appearance." The wizard waves his arms and calls forth a very familiar polar bear. He tips his hat to his ursine friend and proceeds to explain the situation.
Critical Hit: Double damage + 1d4 Persistent Bleed + Brawling Specialization Effect Brawling Specialization Effect: DC 23 Fort Save or be Slowed 1 until the end of Kat's next turn
She then moves back to slap a battle dressing on Celestia.
Then there was only one. Its smugness seems to have vanished. It stings Ra'uf, though this time he shrugs off its venom. Its claws scrape his armor, and it desperately tries to sting Hobbs to, to no effect.
◆ Strike Ra'uf Stinger:1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30 Hit for piercing damage (unholy):2d8 + 9 ⇒ (4, 8) + 9 = 21 and Ra'uf Fort:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27 Success for no additional effect
◆ Strike R/H:1d2 ⇒ 1Claw:1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 18 - 4 = 18 Critical Failure
◆ Strike Hobbs Stinger:1d20 + 18 - 10 ⇒ (5) + 18 - 10 = 13 Critical Failure.
EDIT: Oh, Ra'uf should've been healed by Celestia's cloak of light. Healing:4d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 4, 3) = 14
M Goblin | Wizard 10 | ◆◇↺ | HP 96/96| AC 27(28 w/shield) | F +17 R +19 W +16 | Perception +13 Darkvision |hero points 0/3| Resistances Fire 5 Void 1 | Speed 25 (35) |2/5 Versatile Vials | Focus 1/1 staff charges 0/5 | Active Conditions: Tailwind |
Hobbs is invigorated by Celestia's spell and his wounds begin to close.
cloak of light healing vs Hobbs:4d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 1, 4) = 11
The wizard quickly whips up a bomb that glows a sickly purple and hurls it at the remaining demon.
moderate dread ampoule vs yellow, bless:1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 17 + 1 = 35 damage, mental:2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6+2 mental splash damage to yellow and Ra'uf. Yellow is frightened 1 on a hit or frightened 2 on a crit
Taking a deep breath, the goblin rushes around the demon to provide a distraction for Mr. Bear.
Critical Hit: 1d4 Persistent Bleed + Double damage + Brawling Specialization Effect Brawling Specialization Effect: DC 23 Fort Save or be Slowed 1 until the end of Kat's next turn
Hobbs hits the demon with a flask, and the fumes seem to have an effect on it.
He also sends a bear to maul it, which has a more tangible effect.
Both hits, which bloodies it.
Kat takes another chunk out of it.
34 is a hit. 25 is a failure.
It starts bleeding a thick, dark fluid. Kat hurt it worse then it initially realized.
OG? Oh, it was flanked.
In that case, a crit and a hit.
Fort:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24
The demon desperately stings at Ra'uf, barely scratching his armor. Its wings begin to whine, and it lifts off. The whining, droning buzz of its wings is oddly mesmerizing. Most of the party shakes it off, but Ra'uf and Mr. Bear are disoriented and lose track of their surroundings.
It darts away, careening around one corner and into the next, where it sits breathing heavily and bleeding.
◆ Strike H/R/b:1d3 ⇒ 2Stinger:1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 18 - 1 = 27 Miss
◆◆ Droning Flyby
Hobbs Will:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23 Success, immune one minute
Kat Will:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 Success, immune one minute
Celestia Will:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32 Critical Success while it's Frightened, immune one minute
Ra'uf Will:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18 Failure, Confused 1 round (DC is 22 if you want to reroll)
Mr. Bear Will:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 Failure, Confused 1 round
Bleed:1d4 ⇒ 4Persists?:1d20 ⇒ 13
M Goblin | Wizard 10 | ◆◇↺ | HP 96/96| AC 27(28 w/shield) | F +17 R +19 W +16 | Perception +13 Darkvision |hero points 0/3| Resistances Fire 5 Void 1 | Speed 25 (35) |2/5 Versatile Vials | Focus 1/1 staff charges 0/5 | Active Conditions: Tailwind |
Hmm...Hobbs could easily not sustain the summon animal spell and thus dismiss Mr. Bear before he attacks someone but I don't see how Hobbs would know that Mr. Bear is compromised. What do you all think? Normally Hobbs would continue to issue commands until the spell or combat ends.
Critical Hit: Double damage + Brawling Specialization Effect Brawling Specialization Effect: DC 23 Fort Save or be Slowed 1 until the end of Kat's next turn
I'd say you can tell. Though I'd also say it might be irrelevant because...
Celestia blasts the final demon back to the Abyss.
That's a hit, and more then enough damage. ...and then Kat would have crit, too. It's quite gone.
So nothing left but...
Ra'uf, disoriented, doesn't notice. He lashes out wildly, hitting Celestia and badly wounding Mr. Bear (who seems similarly disoriented). He snaps out of it after a moment.
Ra'uf Healing:4d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 6, 6) = 16
◆ Strike b/C/R:1d3 ⇒ 1Greataxe:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22 Hits Mr. Bear for slashing damage:2d12 + 6 ⇒ (10, 5) + 6 = 21Flat Check:1d20 ⇒ 4
◆ Strike b/C/R:1d3 ⇒ 2Greataxe:1d20 + 16 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 16 + 1 - 5 = 26 Hits Celestia for slashing damage:2d12 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 = 9
◆ Strike b/C/R:1d3 ⇒ 1Greataxe:1d20 + 16 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (17) + 16 + 1 - 10 = 24 Hits Mr. Bear for slashing damage:2d12 + 6 ⇒ (8, 5) + 6 = 19Flat Check:1d20 ⇒ 9
Not enough damage to take anyone down.
Mr. Bear's still confused, but you probably weren't commanding him anyway?
DC 30 Religion:
You uncover that Hesla’s ritual tore open a portal to the Outer Rifts, and that she used specific runes to pinpoint the location of Riftcarver, the scythe that once belonged to the dead demon lord Deskari. While the portal closed after the demonic forces came pouring through, the ritual cost the lives of nearly a dozen of Hesla’s lieutenants.
After a few minutes, large chunks of rock begin falling from the cavern’s ceilings and walls, and the stone bridge across the chasm starts to give away. A burst of cold air grabs the attention of everyone in the cavern, showing a possible escape. The Pathfinders need to book it out of the caverns as quickly as possible to avoid being buried alive!
Three snow leopards bound into view, though nobody can tell quite where they came from. While this would normally be somewhat threatening, the Pathfinders have a strange sense of calm. The beasts are here to help, leading them out of danger.
This is a Chase. You need a certain number of points to bypass an obstacle. You succeed if you clear the last obstacle, and fail if the collapsing cavern catches up to you.
You can act in any order during each round. Characters who are best at the current obstacle probably want to act first. If you clear an obstacle during a round, characters who haven't acted yet can start trying to overcome the next one. Successful checks earn 1 Chase Point, critical successes earn 2, and critical failures lose 1.
I'll go ahead and tell you the DCs and number of Chase Points needed to clear an obstacle so that you can keep going even if I haven't posted yet.
You can call on each of the snow leopards once to help you and automatically succeed at a check.
Round 1 Obstacle: Ceiling collapse
All PCs' turns
Collapsing Cavern Obstacle: none yet (2 behind)
Current Chase Points: 0/3
Available Leopards: 3/3
The ceiling rumbles and rocks start to fall, quickly filling the cavern.
Overcome DC 24 Acrobatics to dodge falling rubble, DC 24 Perception to spot falling rocks, DC 26 Nature to analyze the rock for weak spots.
If Ceiling Collapse is cleared::
Obstacle: Crossing the Chasm
Chase Points needed: 0/3
A large chasm looms, threatening to consume all who attempt to cross it.
Overcome DC 24 Acrobatics to balance across narrow ledges, DC 24 Athletics to climb across the walls; PCs with fly speed can automatically take 1 success.
Hobbs helps the party work their way closer, but the crashing sound of the collapsing caverns gets closer...
Round 2 Obstacle: Ceiling collapse
All PCs' turns
Collapsing Cavern Obstacle: none yet (1 behind)
Current Chase Points: 2/3
Available Leopards: 3/3
The ceiling rumbles and rocks start to fall, quickly filling the cavern.
Overcome: DC 24 Acrobatics to dodge falling rubble, DC 24 Perception to spot falling rocks, DC 26 Nature to analyze the rock for weak spots.
once Ceiling Collapse is cleared:
Obstacle: Crossing the Chasm
Chase Points needed: 0/3
A large chasm looms, threatening to consume all who attempt to cross it.
Overcome: DC 24 Acrobatics to balance across narrow ledges, DC 24 Athletics to climb across the walls; PCs with fly speed can automatically take 1 success.
Kat helps the group clear the room, and Hobbs starts leading the way across the chasm.
Round 2 Obstacle: Crossing the Chasm
Celestia and Ra'uf's turns.
Collapsing Cavern Obstacle: none yet (2 behind)
Current Chase Points: 1/3
Available Leopards: 3/3
A large chasm looms, threatening to consume all who attempt to cross it.
Overcome: DC 24 Acrobatics to balance across narrow ledges, DC 24 Athletics to climb across the walls; PCs with fly speed can automatically take 1 success.
Celestia can just take another free success at the start of round 3 as well, so..
The room on the other side of the cavern caves in completely.
There must be a way out of here that the cultists were using...
Round 3 Obstacle: Secret Door
Ra'uf and Hobbs's turns.
Collapsing Cavern Obstacle: Ceiling Collapse (2 behind)
A secret door sits to the side of the quickly filling cavern, offering escape out into the passageways.
Chase Points: 0/3
Available Leopards: 3/3
Ra'uf calls for help from one of the leopards, who moves to show the way. Hobbs finds the secret passage, but it's locked.
Meanwhile, the ceiling and edges of the cavern fall in behind the Pathfinders.
Round 4 Obstacle: Secret Door
All PCs' turns.
Collapsing Cavern Obstacle: Crossing the Chasm (1 behind)
A secret door sits to the side of the quickly filling cavern, offering escape out into the passageways.
Chase Points: 2/3
Available Leopards: 2/3
Overcome: DC 24 Thievery to open the door.
Next Obstacle:
Obstacle: Navigating the Caverns
Deskari’s Gullet is filled with winding passageways, all with a million different ways to get lost.
Overcome: DC 24 Survival, DC 26 Perception or Society to attempt to navigate the winding caverns of Deskari’s Gullet.
The leopard appears from nowhere and charges ahead, straight through the door. Hobbs and Kaitlyn effectively navigate.
Round 4 Obstacle: Navigating the Caverns
Ra'uf and Celestia's turns.
Deskari’s Gullet is filled with winding passageways, all with a million different ways to get lost.
Collapsing Cavern Obstacle: Crossing the Chasm (2 behind)
Chase Points: 2/3
Available Leopards: 1/3
Overcome: DC 24 Survival, DC 26 Perception or Society to attempt to navigate the winding caverns of Deskari’s Gullet.
If that last point is cleared...:
Obstacle: Final Push
With the end in sight, just the last push is needed to get to freedom, safety, and fresh air.
Overcome DC 24 Athletics to make a final run before the caverns collapse, DC 26 Diplomacy or Intimidation to motivate the party to keep moving.
Ra'uf calls, and the last of the leopards appears to lead the way.
With Celestia and Hobbs's encouragement, the Pathfinders make their way out of the caverns and back to solid ground.
After bursting forth from the collapsing caverns, the cool fresh air is a welcome relief. Deskari’s Gullet is no more. Whatever Hesla was looking for, she clearly found and took it for herself.
Before there’s time to do much more than gulp down a few lungfuls of surface air, the three leopards begin to circle. Faster and faster they run, until they become one blur, then a burst of light and snow.
Kishna’s calm demeanor shatters like ice as a blanket of snow covers her living room. She lets out a shriek as the burst of snow melts before regaining her composure. “Pathfinders! By the gods, what has happened?” As she collects herself, a ball of ice-encrusted yarn rolls into view.
After taking a moment to steady herself, Kishna listens intently to the Pathfinders’ tale. She starts idly tending to their wounds while she shares her own information.
“I am glad to hear that you managed to survive. It’s clear that Hesla’s plans, whatever they are, have moved forward. Unfortunately, I have some worrying news of my own. Khione... has vanished. I might suspect she had gone out looking for more information, had she not left behind all her belongings, including this.”
Kishna hands the Pathfinders Khione’s fashionable wayfinder, which is shut and locked.
DC 27 Thievery:
There's a carefully folded note tucked inside.
To Whom It May Concern
(Ideally a Pathfinder),
It has not escaped my notice that my movements are being tracked by sinister forces of late. Their cloaks are so last season. If I have vanished, look for me where the water runs red. I can’t say more here in case this note is intercepted.
PS: Please tell Agent Kitsch to go ahead with the next issue and to check the usual drop point.
If you noticed that there were handouts 1, 2, 4, and 5 and that 3 was missing, this is handout #3. No, I don't know why the one that comes last was #3.
If asked about the ball of yarn, Kishna is puzzled and says, “Does it not belong to you?” She has never seen it before. The ball of yarn is ice cold and cannot be unwound. Any attempts to identify it or detect magic reveal that it is imbued with a substantial amount of divine power and energy, though its exact function (if it has one) cannot be determined. It would appear that the Pathfinders have made a powerful ally, though the true nature and extent of this connection has yet to be revealed!
Once the Pathfinders have delivered their tale and been patched up, Kishna thanks them for their efforts. She offers them rooms to stay and rest in for as long as they need to recuperate but immediately begins putting together a report for the Pathfinder Society leadership. With Hesla’s plans coming to fruition, there’s precious little time to prepare for what comes next.
The holy symbol that the alicorn gave the party was associated with Alglenweis, the Princess of Rime. Her symbol is an owl clutching a frozen skein of yarn, so the connection is undeniable.
And I should probably say explicitly--that is the end of the scenario.
