[Gameday XIV] PFS2 #6-99 Under the Eye of the Mantis (tier 5-6)

Game Master cmlobue

With no one else stepping up, Kit moves to take care of the sonic trap. She gestures with three fingers, then two fingers, then one finger and finally tries it. This will allow others to coordinate with her,

Relgioon: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16 Hero Point
Religion, Hero Point: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 15 + 1 = 23

Having managed to cause the noise the first time, Kit tries the same thing twice more. She continues to signal so that others can help.
Religion: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25

Relgiion: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

DC for Hard check is 22, so that should complete it.

Qitarah opens the oubliette, and a disheveled dromaar emerges. The silencing effect ends as the door opens.

“Wow thank you so much for saving me! I knew Zarta and the others would come for me. I told those fake Red Mantises that, but they kidnapped me anyway even though I warned them they’d be in for it if they took a Pathfinder hostage and wow are they like silent monks or something? They said their leaders invented two brand new spells just to keep me locked up because I was ‘annoying’ the other prisoners and their guards. What’s up with that? Also, their whole organization is tackier than the Cult of the Screaming Grub if you ask me, and...”

Anyone want to interject? She does not seem like she will stop on her own.

Jinglemane reaches out his arms and hugs her. He whispers in her ear, "Welcome back, fellow Venture-Gossip."

And then he smiles. "C'mon, this will be the scoop of the century. Will you write an article for my journal, the The Mane Event? Everyone will want to hear about all that you learned during your vile imprisonment - but let's get out of here first!"

Tell Me More (roll twice and take the better for influence checks) Diplomacy E: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 1 = 22
Tell Me More (second roll): 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 14 + 1 = 28

Recognizing how this can go, Kit mentions “Scoops need to be kept secret! Best if you whisper while plotting the scoop so no one steals it!” She has a bemused expression as she watches Jinglemane starts plotting an article with the rescued Pathfinder.

Jinglemane reaches out his arms and hugs her. He whispers in her ear, "Welcome back, fellow Venture-Gossip."

Smee eyeballs the enchange.

Nearly raises an eyebrow!

But fails to make the connection...

"Somebody should do something" he mumbles.

**HOUSE GM ANNOUNCEMENT**
Medically fragile hostages and soulbound dolls are being successfully evacuated from the hospital wing of the Dispatch’s facility. During the evacuation, some experimental supplies were found and distributed to all Society agents.

The Medical Cache condition is now in effect

Voron gets tired just listening to the agent go on and on. He let's the more talkative and outgoing members interact.

The scoop, you say. What ever could be more important? he asks in an only slightly mocking tone.

So, we should get moving. Don't let me stop you though. Walk and talk. I mean all of you... he gestures vaguely at the dromaar and Jinglemane.

for the "talk" part.

Khione will straighten herself up and grab some parchment and a pen from seemingly out of nowhere, promising to follow the Pathfinders around and chronicle their glorious deeds as thanks for saving her. Unless the team intentionally dodges her, Khione does indeed follow the party around, loudly narrating out loud to herself everything that’s going on. As long as you are all willing to tolerate this, you gain the benefits of the Deny Advantage Rogue ability.

Giovana leans against the wall of a building, cleaning blood off the blade from one of her iconic sawtooth sabers. She pauses momentarily to indicate the passage inside with a thumb. “Some of the poor fools tried to tangle with me and paid the ultimate price. Their disciples—assassin trainees if you will, fled inside. Clearing them out is beneath me, so I want you to handle it.” She fixes a steely glare on the Pathfinders. “Don’t let a single one out alive.” The Red Mantis vernai struts away without another word, leaving the Pathfinders at the entrance of a Dispatch training dojo.

Kit points and says “Think we can use these to our advantage?” Looking where she is pointing, you discover some escape ladders and hatches cleverly hidden on the exterior of the building.
Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

I am guessing that since one of us saw it, everyone can take advantage of it.

>Slide 16<

Three humanoids are in the room. Whatever they're doing, it doesn't seem very organized.

The main entrance is to the western edge of the room, but the alternative entry points deposit them at trap doors in the northeast and southeast corners of the upper balcony overlooking the area. You may place yourselves in any yellow box, and do not all need to be in the same box. If you choose one of the boxes to the east, you begin on a platform 10 feet above the floor.

Combat will start in 24 hours or when I notice everyone's token on the map.

Don Jurri enters sword first, en guarde!

Defend

Kit and Jinglemane decide to use the hidden escape ladders and enter from the skylight. Roark joins them.

Kit promises Khione that this will be a battle worth watching and how she looks forward to her announcing every move.
We are in place.

Voron follows closely behind Roark.

Round 1 - bolded may go

Qitarah
Dreggar
Voron
Roark
Red
Green
Jinglemane
Blue
Don Jurri

Kit moves along the upper balcony and then rubs her fingers against her dress before snapping them. Electricity shoots out at Blue and Green.
Electric Arc, DC 22 basic Reflex: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 4) = 10

“You’ve been charged with kidnapping!”

Roark joins Kit at the balcony and copies Kit's movements, though in his case he rubs his fingers against his feathers. Another Bzzap shoots at Blue and Green.

Electric Arc; Electricity Damage, DC 22 Reflex for half: 4d4 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 3) = 7

◈ Stride
◈◈ Bzzap vs Blue and Green

Glancing over at Roark, Kit says “Need to build up the static electricity a little more before release, Roark.”

Delay until red and green act

Qitarah charges the Dispatch members with kidnapping. She then charges them with electricity.

Reflex Save, Blue: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19
Reflex Save, Green: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

Roark provides the aftershock.

Reflex Save, Blue: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17
Reflex Save, Green: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

Dreggar bides his time.

Round 1 - bolded may go

Qitarah
Dreggar (delay)
Voron
Roark
Red
Green (-5 HP)
Jinglemane
Blue (-17 HP)
Don Jurri

Don Jurri reacts heroically, and, clicking his heels, puts the move on with swashbuckling speed!

☘️ DJ to Initiative (Perception): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

Voron notes the electrical discharge.

Ah! So that's why you were shuffling your feed so vigorously on the way to the edge.

He incants a trio of force darts at one of the mantises down below.

◆◆◆ Cast a spell Force Barrage GREEN
Force damage GREEN (3 missiles): 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1, 2) + 3 = 7

Don Jurri calls upon his willpower to move a bit quicker.

Voron pelts one of the enemies with magic.

The Green foe draws a dagger and rushes up the stairs toward the Pathfinders.

The Red disciple also pulls a dagger, moving toward Don Jurri and trying to stab him.

Dagger: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
Piercing Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 6 = 11

The washbuckler easily gets out of the way of the clumsy strike.

Round 1 - bolded may go

Qitarah
Voron
Roark
Red
Green (-12 HP)
Dreggar
Don Jurri
Jinglemane
Blue (-17 HP)

Jinglemane grins as the mantis comes right to him! "You must want to be bitten!" Then Jinglemane mirrors and obliges the man with his 'Lion's Bite.'

◈ Mirror

◈ Exploit Vulnerability (Esoteric Lore): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
◇ (Treat the E.V. roll as a Recall Knowledge if it would be a success or crit success)

◈ Striking Lion’s Bite (Crushing Empowered Leiomano, PA or MW): 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 14 + 1 = 32
Bludgeoning / Slashing) damage: 2d6 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (5, 4) + 4 + 4 = 17
Add this number if Personal Antithesis: 5 = 5

If a crit, Jinglemane replaces the above damage with the following:
Bludgeoning / Slashing) damage: 2d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (6, 2) + 4 + 4 = 16
Add this number if Personal Antithesis: 5 = 5
Fatal: 1d10 ⇒ 9
If a crit, the target also becomes enfeebled 1 and clumsy 1 until the start of Jinglemane’s next turn.

If not a crit, 22 damage. If a crit, 46 damage. If somehow he survives this and tries to get past Jinglemane...

Dreggar moves like a (rotund) spider to his prey.

◆ Stride
◆ Devise a stratagem on red (free recall knowledge as part of that with a +12 society)
stratagem roll: 1d20 ⇒ 6
◆ Strike (vs off-guard)
Striking Clan Dagger (piercing, precision) to hit and damage: 6 + 15 = 212d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 2 + (4, 2) = 13

"Your footwork confounds only yourself" he proudly declares "Let me show what you failed to learn in your silly assassin school!"

Goading Feint (Deception, E) w/ Stylish Combatant (+1) vs Red Mantis (Perception DC): 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 1 = 24

~) No Panache
◆) Goading Feint (Foe -2 to next attack vs DJ; all attacks CS)
~) Panache Maybe! (Does 24 Succeed?)
◆) Strike or Confident Finisher w/ Precise Finisher (Expend Panache for Full Precise Strike damage even on Fail)
◆) Extravagant Parry (to AC 26; Panache if causes Miss)
↺) Opportune Riposte (Exploit CF to Strike DJ by Striking back)
↺) Charmed Life (+2 to save; Panache if Success)

Rapier of Striking (P, deadly d8) vs Red Mantis (Flanked w/ Dreggar): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 212d6 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4
Strike w/ No Panache (+3 damage): 3 = 3
Or Confident Finisher w/ Precise Finisher (+3d6 damage) w/ Yes Panache: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 2) = 10

IIRC - As long as you don't crit fail, you'll get panache -- it's just a question on how long it lasts (pass the DC and panache lasts until you use a finisher, fail and panache is only until the end of your turn).

Jinglemane identifies these creates as humans. Very exciting. Though he does happen to know some interesting ways to hit a human. Crits all around.

You seem to have duplicated yourself, though.

Dreggar also knows they are humans. So interesting. His plan is not quite as good as 'bite bite bite', but still strikes the Mantis.

Don Jurri's feint is a success, as is his stab.

The blue Mantis dras a dagger and joins the conga line.

Round 2 - bolded may go

Qitarah
Voron
Roark
Red (-27 HP)
Green (-58 HP, enfeebled 1, clumsy 1)
Dreggar
Don Jurri
Jinglemane
Blue (-17 HP)

The Thamauturge mirror implement allows Jinglemane to appear two places at once.

Kit says “Looks like you have this well in hand, Jinglemane. I’m going to help the other group.”

With that she strides along the upper balcony. She also brings up a magical shield to protect herself.

Stride twice, cast Shield

Voron steps up next to Jinglemane (or the double?)

◆ Step

and strikes the mantis on the stairs with flame.

◆◆ Cast a spell Ignition (melee) at GREEN
Ranged spell attack GREEN, Fire damage: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 264d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 2, 4) = 10
Critical Success The target takes double damage and 3d6 persistent fire damage.

Roark vaults over the rail and drops onto the lower floor, performing a flamboyant somersault on the way down.

Not sure if that would be Performance or Acrobatics

Performance(E): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

As he hits the ground, he rolls and closes on Green.

Rolling Landing

He moves up to Green and slams his beak into him.

Beak: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19 for Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 1 = 6 plus Confident Finisher: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 2) = 7 Half if a miss (but not a critical miss)

Critical Hit: Double Damage, DC 22 Fort or Slowed 1 until the end of Roark's next turn

◈ Vault over the rail
↺ Rolling Landing (Stride 15')
◈ Stride
◈ Beak

Qitarah moves toward the front door.

Voron burns the nearby Disciple with magic.

Roark leaps gracefully to the lower floor, but only barley scratches the Mantis.

The red foe stabs twice at its flanked target before stepping aside.

Dagger vs. Dreggar: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
Piercing Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 6 + (5, 4) = 20

Dagger vs. Dreggar: 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 13 - 4 = 21
Piercing Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 6 + (2, 4) = 18

The enemy in green swings twice before raising his cloak.

Dagger vs. Roark: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 13 - 1 = 25
Piercing Damage: 2d4 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (1, 1) + 6 - 1 = 7

Dagger vs. Jinglemane: 1d20 + 13 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 13 - 1 - 4 = 19
Piercing Damage: 2d4 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 - 1 = 10

Round 2 - bolded may go

Qitarah
Voron
Roark (-7 HP)
Red (-27 HP)
Green (-71 HP, enfeebled 1, clumsy 1, cloak raised)
Dreggar (-20 HP)
Don Jurri
Jinglemane
Blue (-17 HP)

"Cutting in line, are we?" Don Jurri, undeterred by the red assassin's "rejection", pursues with renewed focus "Let us finish our dance!"

Goading Feint (Deception, E) w/ Stylish Combatant (+1) vs Red Mantis (Perception DC): 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 15 + 1 = 26

~) No Panache
◆) Stride
◆) Goading Feint (Foe -2 to next attack vs DJ; all attacks CS)
~) Yes Panache!
◆) Confident Finisher w/ Precise Finisher (Expend Panache for Full Precise Strike damage even on Fail)
~) Critical Specialization: Sword (OG for 1 round)
↺) Opportune Riposte (Exploit CF to Strike DJ by Striking back)
↺) Charmed Life (+2 to save; Panache if Success)

Rapier of Striking (P, deadly d8) w/ Precise Confident Finisher (3d6 even on Miss) vs Red Mantis (Flanked w/ Dreggar): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 162d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 83d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 1) = 111d8 ⇒ 2
☘️Rapier of Striking (P, deadly d8) w/ Precise Confident Finisher (3d6 even on Miss) vs Red Mantis (Flanked w/ Dreggar): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 352d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 63d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 4) = 151d8 ⇒ 1 @ 43 damage crit

Right through the heart "I say, I do believe that you are finished" retracting the bloodied blade, he whips it sideways, cleaning it with the generated elastic force, and returns to his guard, bracing, as it were, should his foe be unvanquished, for the anticipated counter.

"Finished indeed!" Dreggar winces while sensing his own wound. He raises his shield to the other attacker.

◆ Devise a stratagem on red (free recall knowledge as part of that with a +12 religion)
stratagem roll: 1d20 ⇒ 18
◆ Strike
Striking Clan Dagger (piercing, precision) to hit and damage: 18 + 15 = 332d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) + 2 + (6, 3) = 19
◆ Raise Shield (+2 AC)

If the result is a critical, then the target takes 1d6+1 persistent bleed damage, as well. (Critical Specialization)

Red does have enough HP that Don Jurri's attack alone would not finish it off. However, with Dreggar softening it up, it does not last past the swashbuckler's thrust.

Round 2 - bolded may go

Qitarah
Voron
Roark (-7 HP)
Red
Green (-71 HP, enfeebled 1, clumsy 1, cloak raised)
Dreggar (-20 HP)
Don Jurri
Jinglemane
Blue (-17 HP)

Jinglemane triple moves. "Hi there!"

**HOUSE GM ANNOUNCEMENT**
A magical oubliette set free a weary-yet-lively Pathfinder Society hostage named Khione who is all too eager to regale you with all of the information she’s learned about the Dispatch’s members, their insecurities, their foibles, their night-terrors, how they take their tea, ad nauseum.

The Gabbing Gossip condition is now in effect.

When the Gabbing Gossip condition is in effect, the PCs gain a +2 circumstance bonus on all attempts to use Deception, Diplomacy, Intimidation, and Stealth skill actions against members of the Red Mantis Dispatch until the end of the adventure due to being given copious amounts of information regarding their insecurities.

I feel like this may be relevant to at least one of your interests.

Jinglemane abandons his current target and moves toward the remaining Disciple.

The Mantis to the west repositions before continuing an assault on Dreggar.

Dagger vs. Dreggar: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
Piercing Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 1) + 6 = 11

Dagger vs. Dreggar: 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 13 - 4 = 17
Piercing Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 6 = 12

They may be questioning their life choices at this point.

Round 3 - bolded may go

Qitarah
Voron
Roark (-7 HP)
Red
Green (-71 HP, enfeebled 1, clumsy 1, cloak raised)
Dreggar (-20 HP)
Don Jurri
Jinglemane
Blue (-17 HP)

Roark dances for the Assassin.

Performance, Virtuosic Performer(E), Dancing Scarf: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

If the performance check was successful, then Roark is concealed until the beginning of his next turn.

Again, he slams his head forward, driving his beak into Green.

Beak: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16 for Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 1 = 4 plus Confident Finisher: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 1) = 8 Half if a miss (but not a critical miss)

Critical Hit: Double Damage, DC 22 Fort or Slowed 1 until the end of Roark's next turn

Belatedly, he just raises his buckler...

◈ Dance
◈ Activate Scarf (if 23 beats Green's Will (?) DC) OR ◈ Beak (if the 23 doesn't).
◈ Raise Buckler (if the 23 doesn't beat the Will DC) OR ◈ Beak (if the 23 beats the Will DC and the scarf is activated)

Kit moves so that she is in range for both battles and decides to lance Green.
Divine Lance: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25 Double damage on a crit
Spirit Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 1, 1, 2) = 6

Qitarah brings a ray of energy to bear on Green, dropping them to the ground.

Round 3 - bolded may go

Qitarah
Voron
Roark (-7 HP)
Red
Green
Dreggar (-20 HP)
Don Jurri
Jinglemane
Blue (-17 HP)

Dreggar turns his attention to the last agent.

◆ Devise a stratagem on blue (free recall knowledge as part of that with a +12 society)
stratagem roll: 1d20 ⇒ 13
◆ Strike
Striking Clan Dagger (piercing, precision) to hit and damage: 13 + 15 = 282d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 2 + (5, 5) = 19
◆ Raise Shield (+2 AC) AC 25

Jinglemane mirrors himself to allow Don Jurri an easy place for a flank, and relies on his sympathetic vulnerabilities feat to take what he knows about one disciple to apply it to the next.

◈ Mirror

◈ Striking Lion’s Bite (Crushing Empowered Leiomano, PA or MW): 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 1 = 18
Hero Point!: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 1 = 26
Bludgeoning / Slashing) damage: 2d6 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4) + 4 + 4 = 16
Add this number if Personal Antithesis: 5 = 5

◈ Striking Lion’s Bite (Crushing Empowered Leiomano, PA or MW): 1d20 + 14 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 1 - 5 = 29
Bludgeoning / Slashing) damage: 2d6 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (5, 1) + 4 + 4 = 14
Add this number if Personal Antithesis: 5 = 5

Don Jurri is as easy a Follow as a Lead - he dances into the open flank from the doubled poppet - over the body of the assassin he had slain, gingerly placing his high-heeled boots so as not to soil them in blood.

Goading Feint (Deception, E) w/ Gabbing Gossip (+2) vs Blue Mantis (Perception DC): 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 15 + 2 = 20

~) No Panache
◆) Step
◆) Goading Feint (Foe -2 to next attack vs DJ; all attacks CS)
~) Yes Panache!
◆) Confident Finisher w/ Precise Finisher (Expend Panache for Full Precise Strike damage even on Fail)
~) Critical Specialization: Sword (OG for 1 round)
↺) Opportune Riposte (Exploit CF to Strike DJ by Striking back)
↺) Charmed Life (+2 to save; Panache if Success)

Rapier of Striking (P, deadly d8) w/ Precise Confident Finisher (3d6 even on Miss) vs Blue Mantis (Flanked w/ Jingle): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 172d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 33d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 5) = 111d8 ⇒ 8
Just 11 damage on a Miss!

Roark crosses the room and into the flank Jinglemane inadvertently set up. He shuts his eyes and slams his beak into the remaining assassin.

Beak, OG: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21 for Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 6) + 1 = 8

Critical Hit: Double Damage, DC 22 Fort or Slowed 1 until the end of Roark's next turn

◈◈ Stride x2
◈ Whiff

Voron sprints down the stairs and along the lower floor to catch up with the action.

◆◆◆ Stride 3x

The Pathfinders team up to bring down the final Mantis.

Roark (-7 HP)
Dreggar (-20 HP)

Each enemy had a crimson cloak, three +1 striking daggers and leather armor. In the dojo, the team finds two greater bloodseeker beak talismans.

There is a lull of about 10 minutes while the Pathfinders await their next task.

Venture-Captain Viore is still aboard the ship, as if fearful to disembark for some reason. He looks over the assembled Pathfinders, then shakes free of whatever is distracting him. “Our Red Mantis ‘patron,’ Giovana, wants us to unravel how this Dispatch organization has avoided magical scrutiny for so long. My connection to Yuelral leads me to believe the answer may lie over there.” The elven man points in the direction of a dockside inn that looks abandoned.

When the group arrives, they find all of the inn's doors boarded up.

Athletics or Thievery to enter.

Kit goes over and treats Dreggar’s wounds. She would treat Roark’s wounds as well, but realizes his are healing on their own. Looks like he has the aeon stone to heal. If I’m mistaken, Kit does have ward medic and can treat multiple people at the same time.

Medicine Expert, Battle Medic’s Baton vs DC 20: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 1 = 25
Healing, Magic Hands, Medic Dedication: 2d10 + 10 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (7, 2) + 10 + 6 + 5 = 30

Cleaning her hands, she offers Dreggar a lollipop and says “There we go, all patched up!”

Kit shows very mild interest in one of the daggers as they are better than what she has.

——

Kit waits for someone else to open the door. She does idly inspect the area for any signs of traps.

Thievery: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19

Roark tries to pick the lock but realizes his beak is too big...

Dreggar nods to the sylph and sticks the lollipop behind his ear for later. "Many thanks."

He starts working on the door after Roark's beak softens it up.

Thievery w/Infiltrator tools: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 12 + 1 = 25