[Gameday XIV] PFS2e 6-12 - The Burning of Greensteeples (KS)

Game Master phaeton_nz

That is a crit. ((Green: -100). Folmyr brings a rather surprised Hellknight down.

--- Combat Over ---

You hear from behind the warded door, revealed by the Hellknights, a fearful plea and false bravado-laced order: Go away!

"That was a most impressive ruse, Peter. And Folmyr and Zac, you took advantage splendidly. I hesitate to delay our mission any further, but I think we all could use a moment to recover before opening any more doors, and I'm afraid my armor won't be able to provide another poultice to me until I have time to run a full diagnostic."

"Agreed."

I think Erevan is our best option for out-of-combat healing, but Peter can help along with Treat Wounds; Treat Wounds also clears Wounded. Peter will also need 20 minutes to Refocus.

To the voice behind the door:

"We're here to help! We're not Hellknights! And we have a red dragon with us!"

Zac picks back up his axe and sheathes it. I agree, let’s leave or find a spot and come back.

Erevan takes out his tools and starts treating the wounds of his allies. Erevan has Ward Medic, so if we have 20 minutes ...

Treat Wounds DC 20(Miss Sorbet and Zac): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23

Healing: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (5, 6) + 10 = 21

Treat Wounds DC 20(Peter and Folmyr: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18 Darn. Let me HP Reroll that.

Treat Wounds DC 20(Peter and Folmyr: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18 Ugh!

Erevan then recovers 4 versatile vials.

Prove it says the voice.

Diplomacy checks please.

Does any of these characters has the Friend of Greensteeples background or has played through Pathfinder Society Scenario #3-04: The Devil-Wrought Disappearance?

"Well, for starters, if you look outside the door, you'll see the bodies of three Hellknights laying motionless on the floor ..."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

No Friend of Greensteeples, and Peter hasn't played #3-04 (although another character of mine has).

Have not played 3-04 with this character

Folmyr is not diplomatic at all. Folmyr will not want to make this check. If the GM insists, Folmyr is +0 on Diplomacy, and, may make the check for Folmyr.

Miss Sorbet also lacks either the background or appropriate chronicle.

"What my compatriot is trying to say is that we have been sent by the Pathfinder Society for rescue. This dreadful Hellknight, well, we had to shoot him the tines before we could reach you, but the coast should be clear for an escape at present."

She will hold up a wayfinder to any peephole that may be present by the door, or near the handle so it can be viewed without opening the door fully.

Diplomacy, Aid Another: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

It sounded much better in her head.

Peter's diplomacy was actually rather good enough and the door to the safe room is opened from the other side.

This small, L-shaped room is dirty and disheveled, strewn with the remnants of a week’s worth of food and other supplies. Three beds take up one wall in the stone room, and though no windows look out into the city beyond, the room is lit with natural light. Despite its lived-in appearance, no scent of waste or evidence of massing refuse—or even necessary supplies—permeates the austere dwelling save for the smell of unwashed bodies, a dog, and the lingering scent of finished meals.

The four occupants of the safe room are uninjured and in as good spirits as could be expected after enduring nearly a week of a protracted siege upon their home. Benedet (halfling majordomo) does the majority of the speaking as their role equates to head of household when the Count isn’t present in Greensteeples. Looming somewhat menacingly in case of trouble is a tall, muscular knight, Dame Sabina Malatesta (female human knight); she wears dark armor emblazoned with gilded roses and acts as the last line of defense for the survivors. In the corner, far from the door, hides a stout but genial-looking middleaged halfling named Malla (female halfling cook). She is dressed in a distressed and flour-covered apron, wields a well-seasoned cast iron pan, and observes the newcomers from behind a bed. Arnisant, (male Ustalavic wolfhound) bounds from person to person, smelling their hands and encouraging pets despite his obvious age.

Also, since Miss Sorbet used the correct pass phrase and showed a Wayfinder, you are all ushered into the saferoom. The door is closed and locked with a heavy bar, and Benedet rifles through a small chapbook, exposing the moving pages to the closed door. This activates a hidden incantation on the door and walls of the small room. Benedet then turns their attention to you.

"Well, this has been quite the kerfuffle. Is everyone safe and accounted for?"

"Is there anything here that might cause trouble for the Society were it to fall into the wrong hands, such as a scroll marked with Paracountess Dralneen's family crest, or record books that Benedet keeps, or any other irreplacable artifacts that we might come across? We'll keep them safe if we can."

Some. Benedet lays a hand on Arnisant’s head for support, and the dog nuzzles affectionately into them. A fortnight ago, His Excellency returned from a performance of Huntress of Heroes and ordered his carriage
prepared for a trip to Korvosa in a rush. He took a few attendants with him, and ordered Radovan to bring a dozen hands to the country estate near Cypress Point in Ravounel. That left only a handful here, and we were told
that war is coming. The four of us are all that are left. They shake their head. Poor Milo. Such a good lad.

“Yes, they respond absently, shouldering a leather rucksack from which the corner of a large book peeks out of the top. I keep all of His Excellency’s records—even the ones that could cause trouble for all parties involved. We should make sure this doesn’t fall into Thrune hands.

"Alright, let's go."

GM: Did we take the time to heal up and Refocus?

PCs: Just FYI, Peter is out of 2nd and 3rd rank spell slots. I'm assuming we have at least one other combat so we'll need to be careful.

Yes, there is time to heal up and refocus.

And I will nether confirm or deny that there there is another fight coming.

Benedect ponders where to go. If the streets are as dangerous as the building is now with our unwanted guests, then there’s only one way out. Across the hall, under the bed, is a loose floorboard. It’s a latch that opens a passageway between the walls and leads into the old Azlanti watchtower this manor was built above. The center stairwell leads down to a hidden entrance into the sewers below Egorian. From there, we can skirt the patrols and get to the outlet near the South Gate. It’s not without risk, however. The tower hasn’t been used in years, and I believe something hells-born has been moving into the older portions of Greensteeples despite our attempts to keep it safe. It is Cheliax, after all.

Miss Sorbet uses the rest period to reset the mechanisms of her armor.

"Can you tell us more about the hellsborn? It sounds like something that needs a good thrashing."

Nothing says 'no more combats' like 'hellsborn'.

I have no idea but I agree with you. I believe we will find out

Don't forget the faction missions, plus you were given a coded message to give to Benedect

"Sabina Malatesta, a knight's duty is to both her charges and allies - Sir Cray Dallahan calls for your aid. Do you answer?"

"Also, what do you know about Petra Fidena?"

Peter hands over any coded letter they have. I thought this was the 'shopping list' and the 'shoot in the tines' line was the code. Is there another letter we received whose contents we don't know?

Benedet, the message a quick look over and puts it away in their rucksack
without a word.

Peter: Please make a diplomacy check with a +2 bonus.

Petra? As I informed Valias, she is a Knight of the Rack and a ruthless leader.

Diplomacy, Bonus: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 13 + 2 = 34

Sabina agrees to go back to the Grand Lodge to help the Envoy’s Alliance.

What now Pathfinders?

"No more questions from me. Shall we head on over to the tower then?" Erevan suggests.

Miss Sorbet finishes tightening her stem bolts, and swears to get self-sealing next time. "I am prepared."

So you have decided to take Benedet's escape route.

Benedet’s escape route twists through several levels and rooms within Greensteeples before finally winding down a circular stairwell and into the ruins of an ancient watchtower hidden beneath the city streets. Much of the proud tower had been cannibalized for building materials as Egorian was built around it, so only a couple of floors remain. That said, only the watchtower’s ground floor still has an actual floor onto which to exit the twisting stone staircase.

As you exit the circular staircase ...

The circular staircase lets out into a large, round room that may have once loomed above the countryside, but which is now is buried deep underground. The room is circular, its ancient granite floors and walls crumbling with age. A small altar made of the same granite presides over the southeastern side of the chamber but has worn away with age to be
completely indistinguishable, even to the followers of whatever god it once represented.

Opposite the altar, on the other side of the stairway shaft, a pair of stone doors guard against whatever was once outside. Most pressingly, the entire side of the room is covered in paper pulp and honeycombed pupa cells from an enormous hive. The nest covers the entire northeast section of the room and stretches across the ceiling to begin encroaching on the opposite side. The smell of charred wood and sulfur mixes with the stale air of the neglected chamber.

The ground floor of the ruined watchtower is a 40-foot diameter circle with a 10- foot closed stone shaft in the center to contain the circular stairwell. A small doorway in the southern side of the shaft is the only open entrance to the circular stairwell and the floors above. In the southwest corner, a 10-foottall altar and statue of some long-forgotten hero or god climbs halfway up the 20-foot stone walls. Opposite the altar, there is a large stone double-door that used to lead out to a stairwell and the hills beyond, but which is now buried deep underground.

The paper pulp occupies most of the northeast side of the room and grows 10-feet from the ceiling. The nest gives off a pale glow that casts the entire room in dim light.

Initiatives:
Everan: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Folmyr: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Peter: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Miss Sorbet: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Zac: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Vespira Queen: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35
Red: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Green: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

The Queen moves, then casts Darkness in a 20ft burst around herself
The Red wasp moves around the pillar and attempts to sting Zac twice.
stinger: 1d20 + 12 - 0 ⇒ (18) + 12 - 0 = 30 piercing: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
stinger: 1d20 + 12 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 12 - 5 = 22 piercing: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
(If any of those hit, roll a Fort save)

Everyone is up except Peter.

Miss Sorbet charges her armor, steps closer to the queen, and attacks.

◆ Overdrive

Crafting DC 18: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 1 = 15

◆ Step

◆ Strike

+1 Halberd: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 = 22
Piercing or Slashing Damage: 1d10 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

Raging, Folmyr ◆ moves into Vespira's space.

◆ Attempt to Grapple (with flat 11 check): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 271d20 ⇒ 1

◆ Attempt to Grapple (with flat 11 check): 1d20 + 15 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 15 - 5 = 151d20 ⇒ 2

The 2nd one hit fort: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 Seeing what happened, the fort save before I take my turn seeing I'm at wounded 2 and 18 HP currently.

Didn't we have time to heal up a while back?

Erevan takes out his Hand Crossbow, loads it, and fires at the Red wasp.

H. Crossbow: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Piercing: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

Didn't we have time to heal up a while back?

Yes. Link

Miss Sorbet misses but Folmyr grapples the queen on the first attempt.
Zac feels no ill effect.
Erevan hits Red (-4)

I assume that because of the darkness, Folmyr had to make a Flat 11 check or fail. But, if you want to, Folmyr will take the 'blind' grapple, and punch it instead.

If you like, since you passed the first check

oh right, gotta take my turn, I keep forgetting I’m still in one play by post game. As soon as I can in the morning I will, I’m on a mobile phone, I can’t move or see well on the map action 1, 5 foot step. Action 2, another 5 foot step as this will bring move out of its 10 foot reach. Acion 3, move me to the southwest corner. I was healed but not fully healed since last battle and I’m wounded 2. Someone please move me to the southwest corner.

Finally repositioned myself, we are waiting on someone?

Yes. Me

Green squeezes in and goes for Zac.
stinger: 1d20 + 12 - 0 ⇒ (14) + 12 - 0 = 26 piercing: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
stinger: 1d20 + 12 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 12 - 5 = 24 piercing: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
(If any of those hit, roll a Fort save)

Peter is up followed by the Queen and Red.

--Round 1
Peter (63/63 hp)
Queen (-0 hp, 22 < AC)
Red (-4 hp, AC <= 18)
--Round 2
Erevan (66/66 hp)
Folmyr (102/96 hp)
Miss Sorbet (47/47 hp)
Zac (52/75 hp, Fort save, Fort save)
Green (-0 hp)

Peter sings a song ◆ and tries to make it echo.

◇ Lingering Composition: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18 vs DC 21

The walls are too soft. 1 round of ♫ Courageous Anthem ♫!

Peter lets a stone fly at Red!

◆◆ Telekinetic Projectile, Courageous Anthem: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 1 = 25
Bludgeoning, Courageous Anthem: 4d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 1, 6, 6) + 1 = 20

Red takes the hit (-24) then moves up and goes for Peter twice.
stinger: 1d20 + 12 - 0 ⇒ (17) + 12 - 0 = 29 piercing: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
stinger: 1d20 + 12 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 12 - 5 = 21 piercing: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
(If any of those hit, roll a Fort save)

The Queen backs off from Folmyr (not grappled) and casts enfeeble on him. Fort save.

Everyone but Peter is up.

Miss Sorbet powers up her armor, but the near-overwhelming boost of energy throws off her aim.

◆ Overdrive

Crafting DC 18: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 1 = 27

◆ Strike

+1 Halberd: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 1 = 12
Piercing or Slashing Damage: 1d10 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 9

◆ Strike

+1 Halberd: 1d20 + 8 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 5 + 1 = 11
Piercing or Slashing Damage: 1d10 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 15

Fortitude: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19 vs DC 21

--Round 2
Erevan (66/66 hp, ♫)
Folmyr (102/96 hp, ♫, Vespira Fort save pending)
Miss Sorbet (47/47 hp, ♫)
Zac (52/75 hp, Wasp Fort save pending, Wasp Fort save pending, ♫)
Green (-0 hp)
Peter (49/63 hp, failed Wasp Fort save)
Queen (-0 hp, 22 < AC)
Red (-24 hp, 15 < AC <= 18)
--Round 3

There doesn't seem to be any effect on Peter - yet.

Miss Sorbet misses twice.

Ereven, Folmyr(fort save) and Zac(fort save, fort save) still to go.

When the queen backs off from Folmyr, Folmyr follows No Escape reaction

Fort Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Folmyr feels weaker for some reason.

Folmyr strikes (I am assuming a -2 to strength): 1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 15 - 2 = 18for: 2d12 + 4 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (8, 1) + 4 + 10 - 2 = 21

Folmyr strikes again (I am assuming a -2 to strength): 1d20 + 15 - 2 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 15 - 2 - 5 = 17for: 2d12 + 4 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (9, 11) + 4 + 10 - 2 = 32

Folmyr strikes again (I am assuming a -2 to strength): 1d20 + 15 - 2 - 10 ⇒ (18) + 15 - 2 - 10 = 21for: 2d12 + 4 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (12, 5) + 4 + 10 - 2 = 29

Folmyr is Enfeebled 2. None of those strikes hit.

Erevan quickly brews an Alchemist Fire and throws it at the Red insect. He then reloads his hand crossbow.

Alchemist Fire: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14 HP Reroll

Alchemist Fire: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
Fire Damage: 2d8 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7 Plus 2 persistent fire damage and 2 fire splash damage to the insect, me, and Peter (sorry Peter!)

◈Quick Alchemy, ◈Strike, ◈Interact (Reload). Versatile Vials: 5/6