PFS2e 5-09 Equal Exchanges - Skymetal Hoard

Game Master Nomadical

Mindartis winces as Tao treats his wounds from the battle earlier. He immediately feels better and thanks Tao. Mialee then brushes her head against Tao's arms as a sign of thanks for healing her companion.

With his wounds healed, he goes back to scouting and surveying the area. "Again, we humbly ask thee, Spirits, to let us pass."

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Marigold gives a nod of satisfaction that the coast is clear, and joins Mindartis on his trap hunt.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28

As Tao starts to look into the scratches that the team have acquired, Khaul directs a scathing look at his shield.

"Yeh looking a bit banged up Myrsa. Would yer like meh tah straighten yer out, or shall I save me strength?"

The shield just glowers, though exactly how a shield can be said to glower is unclear, certainly however she manages, without a face, to give the impression of glowering.

"Alright then. It's not that I enjoy banging on you with a hammer. I just want yer to be lookin yer best. Wouldn't want anyone to say I wasn't looking after yer. It is only a scratch after-all."

Rather than taking out his portable anvil, the dwarf sits to enjoy the forest, leaving a small offering for any local spirits as he does so.

"I'm wonderin about burying those zombies, or whether we should just let the jungle be reclaimin them. Me feelin is the jungle wants them back, and will do a quicker job if they be above ground." he notes out loud to both the party and any local spirits who might want to voice an opinion on the matter.

"I am be wondering though, how they came to be here. Zombies are not what I was bein expecting in this paradise."

perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

Perception (E): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

With the injured sorted, Tao scans the area for further pit traps.

”Paradise, it seems, matches it’s beautiful with it’s deadly. No time to relax, unfortunately, until after we secure the Dragon’s hoard”

Lokaloka keeps her eyes peeled for traps.

Perc: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Imelia continues searching.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

As to how and why there are so many zombies, you put your heads together and discuss what you know.

While these are clearly the animated bodies of dead beings, the weird tendril thing is not something associated with any sort of undead zombie variant you've heard of. Taking a minute to examine one of the re-dead-ed creatures reveals that it has features related to the akata’s that Arong told you about. Perhaps these akatas use dead bodies to spawn in, though it’s unclear at this time.

After resting and healing up, you move further into the jungle. You spot several more net traps scattered along what little there is of a trail. While easily avoiding them, Lokaloka is the first to notice a glint in one triggered heavy net trap almost completely hidden by the foliage. It contains a heavily decomposed body that seems to have perished in a writhing pose, its tattered clothes providing little hint to its origins. Nothing of worth remains on the corpse except for a pair of lesser mirror goggles still strapped to its head.

Shortly thereafter, the curtain of jungle foliage parts, revealing an incline. Verdant underbrush flanks the long, mucky dirt path leading upward, one made more from the runoff of water meandering downhill than by any actual foot traffic. Further up, the crumbling stone structures emerge from among the trees. These spaces could’ve conceivably provided shelter or hosted functions amongst worshippers at one point, but the years of lingering have reduced them to little more than sources of shade against the beating sun. Finally, the far edge of this raised area culminates in an impressive open-air temple.

Topped by a statue sculpted in honor of Valashinaz, the temple’s roof has remained intact in defiance of time and the elements. The walls have similarly lasted, along with stone columns carved in the dragon's likeness. These take myriad poses and expressions, only the finer details of which have been lost to erosion. Moss covers nearly every surface of the temple, and tufts of grass or weeds peep out between cracks in the floor. The stone steps leading from the outside into the main chamber appear darkened with the post-morning dew. The signature jungle smell now mixes with an almost musty, metallic scent.

On a raised dais, with steps leading up to it from each cardinal direction, waits a veritable bounty of skymetal— noqual, jars of djezet, even chunks of siccatite—immaculate and untouched by time in contrast to the aged surroundings. The light seeping in from the temple’s various entrances reflects off the metals. Each glint bounces off one of many rounded chunks of noqual scattered in bunches throughout the temple’s interior, some laid out on the floor and some precariously stuck upright against the walls.

Tao gazes up the four sets of steps that lead to the top of the dais, and the hoard, squinting as the reflected lights shine brightly into her sensitive eyes…

GM, what is the distance from the dais down a single lane of steps (the four of which I assume to be equidistant of path length)?

Survival: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Khaul surveys the scene before him with interest.
"Quite the sight. I'm thinkin those steps maybe slippery." he murmurs. "How good are yer all at tellin one type of skymetal from another?"

survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

His gaze continues over the area. "Should we be deactivitin th' runes now.. or do we need ta get closer before sayin th words?"

Occultism(T): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

No survival

Waiting for Aleksandr to attempt the Occultism check as it could be important. Anyone want to Aid Another or Guidance Khaul to get him the Survival one? 

Khaul ponders aloud whether it's time to say the words. Those with some magical training might be able to advise him....

”Tell us what you see, friend” seeing the pensive look on the dwarf’s face, Tao infuses a subtle magic to push his inspiration just over the edge…

◆) Guidance @ Khaul
◆) Guidance @ Aleksandr

The magic leapfrogs and lends the dhampir a hand as well…

"Them cocoons... They be infused with skymetal itself. I be thikin we could be pluckin one or two of them. It be not disturbin the hoard itself even. But then we were also warned to take care of the wildlife, and I be thinkin that which emerges from the cocoons be part of that wildlife."

”Those are cocoons?”, asks Marigold in disbelief. ”So do they hatch metal butterflies?”

Occultism with guidance: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 1 = 14

Noqual, it whatever form is a rare and valuable material indeed. Perhaps we should bring back a sample for the Society.

Aleksandr moves to retrieve one of the chunks.

Aleksandr moves to retrieve some noqual as Khaul ponders the ethics of harvesting rare minerals from the cocoons.

Within moments of entering the temple, though, the shadows of hunched figures loom from the north and west. A pair of large blue-skinned akatas prowls onto the temple grounds with several decomposing humanoids dressed in tattered traveling clothes of differing styles shambling along at their rear. From the north, a gigantic jungle slug slides forward looking for whatever scraps the akatas might leave in their wake. These creatures eerily emit no sound, but with a thump of its tentacles against the ground, the largest of the akatas suddenly rushes forward—signaling the others to do the same.

Round 1
Defending the Hoard
Conditions: None
BOLD May Act

Marigold

Blue

Khaul
Mindartis
Tao
Lokaloka

Slug
Green
Red

Aleksandr

Purple
Orange
Green

The scenario contradicts itself multiple times as to where exactly this occurs. One part says you are inside a temple with 30 foot ceilings, but the map clearly shows you being outside atop a pyramid with no entrances depicted. So we’ll use the map they said to use. Each main level of the pyramid is 5 feet elevation, so you are currently 20 feet above the ground. Stairs are difficult terrain when ascending, but not when descending.

”Guys? They don’t look friendly!”, Marigold warns.

She takes out her bow, and draws the empty string. An arrow appears, but instead of an axe blade, the head is long and needle-sharp. She looses it at the nearest akata.

Interact, Cast telekinetic projectile at Blue (Surprise Attack [off-guard], Magical Trickster)

Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 6, 4, 3) = 21P +Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

Marigold reacts with preternatural speed and catches the akata off-guard. By dint of that, her magical arrow punctures the creature deeply, though it does seem to resist the pointy stick some.

Crit, but Resistance to Piercing.

Having just been shot by the lady with the streaming red hair, the akata closes in on its prey. It lumbers up the steps of the temple before lashing out with its tendril.

Tentacle vine: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27

I’ll assume that Marigold uses Nimble Dodge, since that would be just enough to negate the Hit.

Tentacle vine, agile: 1d20 + 17 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 17 - 4 = 16

Marigold dodges out of the way and then easily avoids the second swing of the long icky tentacle.

Round 1
Defending the Hoard
Conditions: None
BOLD May Act

Marigold

Blue (-43, bloodied, AC <= 25, Resist Piercing 5)

Khaul
Mindartis
Tao
Lokaloka

Slug
Green
Red

Aleksandr

Purple
Orange
Green

The scenario contradicts itself multiple times as to where exactly this occurs. One part says you are inside a temple with 30 foot ceilings, but the map clearly shows you being outside atop a pyramid with no entrances depicted. So we’ll use the map they said to use. Each main level of the pyramid is 5 feet elevation, so you are currently 20 feet above the ground. Stairs are difficult terrain when ascending, but not when descending.

Our hero's eyes whiten with iridescent glow - refracting into different colors depending upon who is looking and from what vantage point - and once again, a swirl of friendly apparitions join the ensemble - including the "brother" (more of a "great great cousin") from earlier whom she asks the same question "This monocular azata - how can we defend against it?"

◆) Whispers of Weakness (vs Purple)
~) Curse of Ancestral Meddling: Clumsy 1 (Tao AC 22)
◆◆) Ghostly Carrier
↺) Flash of Grandeur

Receiving her answer, next a duo of ghostly children come to stand beside the oracle and ask of her "Which of them do you need the favor for?" and Tao, handing them what seems to be a glowing object of some kind, answers "No sure yet..."

"Right lass, time to get to work." says Khaul.
He adjusts Myrsa, so she can 'get a better view', and steps up to the tentacled horror before him.

Raising his warhammer he cries out "TRUDD" as he brings it smashing down on the creature.

strike: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17
B damage(magic): 2d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7, 3) + 4 + 2 = 16

But he slips on the step as he moves down to it, and the hammer flies well wide of the mark.

* raise shield
* step
* strike

Tao asks her little but very older brother about the akata. He informs her that like the zombies they encountered earlier, it too has that strange vulnerability to salt water, but no others, and that its size makes it less able to react quickly. Reflex save is lowest.

Poor Khaul slips on the slick stone. I hesitate to imagine what Myrsa is thinking about her Bearer right about then.

Round 1
Defending the Hoard
Conditions: None
BOLD May Act

Marigold

Blue (-43, AC <= 25, Resist Piercing 5

Khaul
Mindartis
Tao
Lokaloka

Slug
Green
Red

Aleksandr

Purple
Orange
Green

The scenario contradicts itself multiple times as to where exactly this occurs. One part says you are inside a temple with 30 foot ceilings, but the map clearly shows you being outside atop a pyramid with no entrances depicted. So we’ll use the map they said to use. Each main level of the pyramid is 5 feet elevation, so you are currently 20 feet above the ground. Stairs are difficult terrain when ascending, but not when descending.

Immediately Lokaloka starts to play her pipes.

Performance, Wind Instruments(Virtuosic), Maestro's Instrument: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32

Probably a Crit, 4 rds CA

She scoops up some rocks and hurls them at the ugly thing trying to climb the pyramid.

TKP, CA: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 1 = 19 for Bludgeoning, CA: 4d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 6, 1, 4) + 1 = 17 Critical Hit: Double Damage

◇ Lingering Composition
◆ Courageous Anthem
◆◆ TKP (probably a miss)

Mindartis sets Blue as their prey. The elf then commands Mialee to assist Khaul via flank. The bird flies up and goes around the Blue monster and slashes it with her claws. Mindartis backs off a bit to get a better aim at their foes.

Claw: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 12 + 1 = 28
Slashing+Precision: 2d4 + 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + (6) + 3 + 1 = 15

◈Hunt Prey, ◈Command Animal, ◈Stride

"See, look how Mindartis does it. Khaul, pay attention. See how he manages to keep his balance. And Mialee, such grace!" instructs Myrsa.

"Neither of them have fifteen pounds of metal on their arm tipping their balance off. Or distracting them with chatter." grumbles Khaul.

Lokaloka begins playing the pickle pipes and everyone is truly inspired. She flings some rocks, and the akata ducks from her feeble attempt.
3 Rounds. Not a crit, sorry. Marigold is level 8, so the DC for the highest level target of the spell is 24.

Mindartis sends Mialee around the back of the akata, and the bird accomplishes his task with such grace as to inspire Myrsa. As Mindartis watches, he notes that Mialee’s claws have trouble penetrating the creature’s hide. Khaul and Myrsa trade barbs like any old married couple would in the heat of combat in a jungle full of undead abominations.

The slug inches forward leaving a slimy trail in its wake, but it’s stymied by the buildings and has to take the long way around.

One of the zombies begins moving up the temple stairs. It swings at Khaul, but the champion’s armor defects it.

Fist vs Khaul: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
Damage, B: 3d8 + 4 ⇒ (5, 3, 6) + 4 = 18

Round 1
Defending the Hoard
Conditions: Courageous Anthem
BOLD May Act

Marigold [ooc]

Blue (-53, 19 < AC <= 25, Resist Piercing 5, Resist Slashing 5

Khaul
Mindartis
Tao
Lokaloka

Slug
Red

Aleksandr

Purple
Orange
Green

The scenario contradicts itself multiple times as to where exactly this occurs. One part says you are inside a temple with 30 foot ceilings, but the map clearly shows you being outside atop a pyramid with no entrances depicted. So we’ll use the map they said to use. Each main level of the pyramid is 5 feet elevation, so you are currently 20 feet above the ground. Stairs are difficult terrain when ascending, but not when descending.

Imelia and Aleksandr launch attacks at the zombie climbing the stairs.

All at red

◇ Extend Boost Occultism (DC 22): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28 3 rounds
◆ Boost Eidolon

◆◆ Act Together
Aleksandr ◆◆ Cast a Spell (Vitality Lash)
Vitality: 4d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6, 2, 2) + 1 = 15 DC 22 basic Fortitude

Imelia ◆ Strike (Range 30, Propulsive)
Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 1 = 29
Vitality: 2d4 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 1 + 4 = 10
1d6 persistent vitality on a hit

Fort DC 22: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

When Aleksandr’s lash strikes the akata, its skin suddenly hardens into a bark-like material at the point of impact, which while it does reduce the damage, the akata clearly had no other defense against it. Imelia follows up and the summoner/eidolon team take down the nearest threat.

The two zombies shuffle forward and stumble up the stairs which stymie their advance. 3-action moves for both.

The remaining akata makes no noise when its partner dies and simply moves inexorably up the steps, It stops as soon as it can reach Imelia.

Tentacle vs Imelia: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18

The tentacle flops uselessly against the eidolon’s defenses.

Round 2
Defending the Hoard
Conditions: Courageous Anthem
BOLD May Act

Marigold

Blue (-53, 19 < AC <= 25, Resist Piercing 5, Resist Slashing 5, Reaction)

Khaul
Mindartis
Tao
Lokaloka

Slug
Red

Aleksandr

Purple
Orange
Green

Yes, the stray ooc next to Marigold was a typo. Sorry for the confusion.

Marigold nocks an arrow from her quiver. The tip changes to an axe head as she draws, and aims it at the zombie in front of her.

”Catch!”, she says sprightly.

Eldritch Shot: Telekinetic Projectile at Orange

Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 17 + 1 = 19
Damage: 2d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 2 + 1 = 8P +TP: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 4, 5, 1) = 14S

Hero Point that

Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 1 = 26

”That one” Tao sends her cousins to engage the approaching tentacled monster - they touch it from either side, penetrating it’s soul, sharing with it visions of violent acts committed by other inhabitants of this world and the next - sending it reeling from the overload!

Basic Will w/ Ancestral Touch w/ Anthem (+1) vs Purple Azata (mental + fright 1/2 on F/CF): 5d4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 4, 1) + 1 = 15

◆) Ancestral Touch via Ghostly Carrier vs Purple
◆) Step
◆) Strike vs Purple (w/ +2 from Whispers of Weakness)
~) Warding Statuette (no valid target)
~) Curse of Ancestral Meddling: Clumsy 1 (Tao AC 22)
↺) Flash of Grandeur

Striking Bladed Scarf w/ Warding Statuette (S, 2h, disarm, finesse, reach, sweep, trip) w/ Whispers (+2) w/ Anthem (+1) vs Purple (Frightened?): 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 14 + 2 = 362d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 + 1 = 10

With a quick leap, she whirls her blades and cuts a wide gash in it’s physical form, then twists her scarf back into her own orbit.

Surrounded by zombies. Khaul was in the dwarven champion equivalent of heaven!
"Mebe I should have been a priest. Oh wait a moment.."

However tempting channeling the power of Trudd into the group of large zombies is, the dwarf knows his job, and its to stand firm and not let the big lunkies past him.

Raising Myrsa he checks "Got a good enough view from up there?" before slamming his hammer into the yellow zombie. Twice.

strike,CA: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 18 + 1 = 31
damage: 2d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 5) + 6 + 1 = 18
strike,CA,MAP: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 18 + 1 = 38
damage: 2d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 1) + 6 + 1 = 13

"Neither of them have fifteen pounds of metal on their arm tipping their balance off. Or distracting them with chatter." grumbles Khaul.

"Hang on, are you saying I'm overweight?" grumbles the shield.

Mindartis transfers their focus to set Green as their prey. He sends Mialee to attack the creature and Mindartis sends an arrow towards it as well.

Mialee Claw: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 1 = 27
Slashing+Precision: 2d4 + 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + (2) + 3 + 1 = 9

Longbow Volley: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 15 + 1 - 2 = 23
Piercing+Precision: 2d8 + 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5, 3) + (3) + 1 + 1 = 13

◈Hunt Prey, ◈Command Animal, ◈Strike

Lokaloka starts chanting in a nasty sounding language. She points to a spot behind Purple and a zombie suddenly climbs out of the ground.

Brutus is a Zombie Brute. Large AC 15, 70/70

"Brutus, you punch!"

Brutus Fist vs Purple, CA: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 1 = 13 for Bludgeoning, CA: 1d12 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 8 plus Improved Push 5'

Brutus Fist vs Purple, CA, MAP: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13 for Bludgeoning, CA: 1d12 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 = 15 plus Improved Push 5'

◆◆◆ Summon Undead (R3)
-Brutus-
◆◆ Whiff x2

Marigold can keep the Hero Point. 19 hits a zombie, and the rerolled 26 would not be a Crit.

Marigold pumps a shot into Orange as Tao continues communing with the spirits of her ancestors.

Will DC 25: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
The akata starts as the spirits become visible and it begins to shiver in fear at what it sees. Tao’s scarf catches it across the throat tearing a deep and bloody gash.

Meanwhile, Khaul steps into some deep doo-doo with his comment about Myrsa’s weight. He redeems himself by smashing the zombie to a pulp.

Mialee slashes away at the next zombie in the line. Benefiting from Khaul and Myrsas’ positioning, the bird tears a gaping hole into its torso. Crit due to Off Guard from Khaul. The ranger then plants an arrow into the same zombie and notes no resistance to the shot.

Lokaloka summons a brute from the jungle floor who seems to still be adjusting to being reawakened.

The slug moves inexorably forward.

The zombie has a target, albeit one with a “hefty” shield for cover. But it doesn’t care and attacks Khaul.

Fist: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

Tendril, agile: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 12 - 4 = 22

Tendril, agile: 1d20 + 12 - 8 ⇒ (8) + 12 - 8 = 12

Three strikes and he’s out (of actions) without a single scratch upon the champion nor his lovely shield.

Round 2
Defending the Hoard
Conditions: Courageous Anthem
BOLD May Act

Marigold
Khaul
Mindartis
Tao
Lokaloka

Slug
Red

Aleksandr

Purple (-35, Frightened 1, 19 < AC <= 25, Resist Piercing 5, Resist Slashing 5, Reaction)
Orange
Green (-33, AC <= 19, weakness Slashing)

Wow, my dice are cold :(

"Never let it be said I never say nice things." adds in Myrsa, perhaps aware that her wider group of allies might be thinking the worse of her. "That was well dodged. And a good put down on the zombie as well. Best way to look after your team mates is to ensure nobody can hit them."