Bitter Plum's page

Itami shudders visibly as the bestial aspects of his transformation revert to his typical self. That was... horrific.

As Bitter Plum praises his efforts, he puffs up a little bit with pride. "Many thanks, I am-" when she continues on with her inquiry of his faith, he recoils as if she just slapped him. Color draining from his face, he stammers on. "Oh no, no, you know some things just work out, eh?" Was that merely coincidence? Certainly the church never learned of my deeds? This is worse than the transformation. What do I do now...?

"Ehrm, yes, celebration! More of that fine stuff you showed me last time. What was it called again?" he asks, trying to change the subject and regain his composure.
________
Oh lord, I spit coffee onto my computer XD Perfect post Bitter Plum! I can't remember if I have told you anything of his backstory, but that was spectacular.

"Soju!" Bitter Plum answers enthusiastically. "I'm so glad you've taken a liking to it. It's very popular back in Tian Xia, but these Avistani don't usually go for it. Anyway, shall we? More time to complain about youngsters?"

---

I did take a look at your profile. The description of Itami's "true" self tells me enough, along with the adventures I've played set in his home region, but feel free to send me some more backstory if you'd like. :)

With the druids stopped and their ritual interrupted, Bitter Plum wakes the two living druids with a rough shake, standing over them with her sword drawn. She gives them a grandmotherly lecture about behaving themselves and not trying to turn entire populations into degenerating werebeasts against their will, emphasizing her point by gesturing with the sharp point of her still-bloody sword. Stripped of their weapons, and with the Atavistic Splinter secure, Bitter Plum allows the druids to flee with their lives to let their allies know the consequences of their foul deeds.

---

After the debriefing of the successful mission, she approaches Itami again. "That sleep spell of yours is pretty potent!" she praises. "I don't suppose you're secretly a follower of Desna, are you?" she asks with a glint in her eyes. "What do you say we go celebrate with a few drinks?"

---

Thanks so much for running this for us! It's always nice to get to play the multi-part scenarios together.

Bitter Plum makes a face of discomfort as the druid’s blood sprays across her, but she remains focused on the task at hand. She makes a flourish with her blade to shake the blood off, then moves up to the nearest sleeping druid. She levels her blade at the druid’s neck, but hesitates.

If any of her fellow Pathfinders approach, she holds one bloodstained claw up to her beak, extending a talon in a “Shhhh” gesture. Keeping her voice quiet she says, “It is not my place to wake or kill this dreamer. While they are in Desna’s realm, they are under my protection - understand? We have dispatched enough of them, we will take the Splinter and drive them off - we need not kill anymore.”

---

Move action to get to the sleeping druid #3.

Bitter Plum makes a face of discomfort as the druid’s blood sprays across her, but she remains focused on the task at hand. She makes a flourish with her blade to shake the blood off, then moves up to the nearest sleeping druid. She quietly delivers a prayer of, “May you find peace among the stars,” before bringing her sword down to pierce the druid’s chest.

---

Cold Iron Katana vs 3, helpless bonus: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 4 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Actually, I'd like to do something else with my turn. I'll make a new post soon!

While the nearby druid reels from being shot, Bitter Plum takes the opportunity to arc a slash at them with her katana in one smooth motion.

---

Oops! Sorry about the last turn, I forgot it was the suprise round when I wrote my post.

Cold Iron Katana: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Critical hit confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Bitter Plum moves toward the nearest druid, sword raised, then slashes down at them with a practiced technique.

---

Move and attack.

Cold Iron Katana: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Bitter Plum nods at Itami’s suggestion. “Sounds good to me. I’ll help you lead up the geriatric arm,” she jokes with a jocular elbow jab at the old man and a beak-smirk.

She keeps her katana drawn and ready in front of her, expecting close quarters and the possibility of more invisible fey. She tries to catch Abdul’s eyes from across the way, nodding to indicate she’s ready.

---

I’ll take the lead on the other side with my katana drawn.

Bitter Plum shrugs as Itami yanks the tapestries off the wall. "I suppose he's right, you know," she says half-heartedly to the note-taking Garren.

She then stands near Merisiel, hand in her pocket clutching the last healing scroll, just in case. She nervously turns her head jerkily as she watches her check the chest.

yes, and she was at -3 when you did so, leaving her with 5 hp

"Thank you for the healing... much appreciated."

Ah! Okay, that makes sense. Sorry, I misunderstood. I'll use another of the scrolls.

Bitter Plum fishes one of the misguided hunter's scrolls out of a pocket, unfurling it and offering a clawed hand to Merisiel. "This shouldn't take a moment, dear." She casts from the scroll and the elf's bite marks quickly close over and fade.

Scroll of Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

yes...healing would be great

"Thank you, a little healing would be great... I've got some nasty tooth marks here"

Bitter Plum healed you for 8 with the scrolls we found in this post. :)

Bitter Plum totters along, tsking at the tapestries. "It's good to get out and travel, of course, but becoming an animal hybrid seems like taking it a bit far. What do they even drink? Maybe they just go for those mushroom rituals instead. In any case, it doesn't look good. Let's go!" she agrees.

She trundles off toward the next opening in the hedges, katana at the ready.

---

I added a big arrow indicating where we're going next - does that look right?

“Desna’s fortune favors the lost traveler,” Bitter Plum says cryptically at the juncture, smiling mischievously. She gestures toward the central path, thinking it best to get right to the heart of the hedge maze, or at least to get lost boldly.

---

I vote we go down the center path, unless Itami invisibly discovers a good reason not to.

Caught with only a loaded sling, Bitter Plum finds herself unprepared to deal with the faerie when it appears. She squawks in surprise and as the fey tries to flee she cannot get her sword out in time to use the proper tool - so instead she just pecks at it.

“Hm, figures there would be more of those to deal with…” she grumbles. In any case, she follows through with her plan, stepping forward and slinging a bullet at the barking hound. As it arcs toward the dog, she pulls a cold iron katana from its sheath in one fluid motion, flashing in the light.

---

Bite AoO: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Five foot step forward, standard to sling at the dog, move action to draw the katana.

Sling: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Bitter Plum shakes her head. “Unless some of our more… altered companions can suddenly interpret barking, I don’t see a way to communicate with that hound,” she admits. Likely it is loyal to the druids here. A straightforward approach seems best, given these pokey fortifications.”[/b]

“Garren, Theo, think you could hit it from out here?” Bitter Plum asks the two ranged specialists. We may be able to drive it off or at least soften it up before it decides to attack us proper,” she suggests, taking out her own sling as well.

---

For our level 1 companions, these options are are a bit too damaging. I have no clever solutions, and although the hound could be fierce it is not guaranteed to harm us. We could launch a ranged volley to open with perhaps.

Bitter Plum snags one of the scrolls off the hunter and casts from it to heal Merisiel’s wounds. “Hold still, dear, this will only take a moment,” she chides as she magically knits the rest of the elf’s injuries. One scroll proves wanting, so she spends a second one as well.

---

Though the tengu is old, her eyes are still sharp. She helps Merisiel search the opening for traps, not wanting to get snatched up by vines, or a thorn in the eye. “These druids are proving to be a real pain. With all this beast nonsense, do you think they’re agents of Lamashtu?” she asks with deadly seriousness. “The fey were a nuisance last time, but this could be more sinister.”

---

Cure Light Wounds scroll: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Cure Light Wounds scroll: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

Bitter Plum tsks nervously at the others’ transformations. “This is quite disturbing magic, indeed. Are you all feeling all right? Not hungry for sentient flesh, I hope?” she asks with a mix of humor and genuine concern.

---

Round 1

The old tengu woman says another prayer, stretching her legs out: as swift as they are bandy-legged. She rushes forward, swinging her chain, to try to help the bleeding elf. “Call off your oversized gecko, you Briar-whatsit sneak!” she yells as she gets closer.

---

I’ll cast longstrider and move forward, drawing my meteor hammer in reach weapon mode.

Bitter Plum mutters, “This seems familiar… am I going senile?” she jokes with mock terror. As Merisiel goes to disarm the suspended axe, she sidles up to Garren. “Calm down, boy, before I have to douse you like I did those fires.”

---

I’ll prepare the same spells for the morning.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Looks like the old tengu remains non-bestial, just a normal humanoid like usual. :)

Bitter Plum moves toward the platform around the town’s central platform, pulling her meteor hammer from around her waist and spinning it up above her head. Among the Pathfinders’ banter she keeps quiet, with a sort of calm focus. She whips the weight on the end of her chain toward the feral logger near the fountain, hoping to end the fight quickly.

---

Move 30 and attack #2.

Mwk meteor hammer, bless: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Surprise Round

“An ambush!” Bitter Plum exclaims, clacking her beak in surprise. She quickly starts to blurt out a prayer, asking Desna for help. The Pathfinders feel a certain guidance in their fight, and somewhere a butterfly alights on a nearby branch.

---

Casting bless.

“Turned into some animalistic beast!” Bitter Plum squawks indignantly. “Can you imagine the horror?”

---

Once at the village, the old cleric looks concerned. She whispers back to Itami, “You’re right, this looks like bad news. I’ll come with if you don’t mind a clunky scouting partner,” she adds, indicating her armor. She starts toward the nearest open door, hoping to find some friendly faces but not getting her hopes up.

---

Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

I think all PC's in PFS are humanoid, no?

Not the elemental heritage races (ifrit, undine, etc) nor aasimars and tieflings. They're all native outsiders.

Hello all,

Apologies, but I'm having some trouble finding the time to post this weekend. I just have a few things going on that have occupied my time. I'll hopefully get back to posting withing the next day or two.

Round 1

Bitter Plum moves forward, pushing through the garden foliage toward the men with bows. “You’ve done a very foolish thing to threaten us,” she lectures the men, drawing a weight-ended length of chain from her waist. She moves next to the nearest garden fire and invokes a prayer, conjuring a small downpour to snuff out the flames.

She then stands ready to face the assailants, whipping the weighted chain above her head and maintaining a threatening range should either approach.

---

Move 30 ft, draw my meteor hammer, and cast create water on the nearest fire (indicated on the map).

Are the garden squares difficult terrain? If so I’ll use my agile feet ability.

Bitter Plum heads around the corner, following the smoke and heading toward it. She stands in front of the garden, focusing on the fires and missing the men with bows until they voice their murderous intent.

---

BP isn’t trying to be stealthy, so she’s just heading straight for the fires.

Whoops! I forgot to include my Perception roll on my post:

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Bitter Plum shakes her head. “Never a dull moment, I suppose,” she laments. She quickly casts a spell, and her taloned legs seem to grow stronger and longer. Despite her heavier armor, she quickly matches pace with the others, trying to keep some distance to draw attention away from their more subtle efforts.

---

I’ll cast longstrider on myself.

I need to post my prepared spells before I forget:

0: detect magic, read magic, guidance, light
1: longstrider (D), bless, magic weapon, obscuring mist

I'll prepare the same spells as last time.

Actually, given what happened last time, here's a small modification:

0: detect magic, read magic, create water, light
1: longstrider (D), bless, magic weapon, obscuring mist

Bitter Plum greets Itami back with an amiable pat on the shoulder. She shakes her head at her feisty younger companions (except for the elf, she supposes). “So should we expect lycanthropes? Is that the nature of this Splinter?”

Once the questions are answered, she echoes Itami: “We should get going. I hope you kids can keep your chatter down while we’re trying to do this infiltration.”

---

I’d like to obtain an alchemical silver wakizashi before we leave our current location: let me know if I need to purchase one or if I can just have that process done to my existing weapon.

I'm ready! Nothing changed since last time, no day job.

I'm fine with a 7th.

“Good luck figuring out what that doohickey does. We went through an awful lot of trouble for it!” Bitter Plum tells VC Hamshanks. She nods sagely as the Venture-Captain explains the peace they've brought to this neck of the woods.

She prepares to leave for her next travels, gathering her things. She approaches Itami and places a hand on his shoulder. “You know, I know what you are…” she says in a low voice with a serious expression. She then gives him a friendly slap on the back as her expression lightens and her beak makes the equivalent of a smile. “You're an old folk like me who never got tired of traveling with a friend and a bottle, right?” she asks. “What do you say we hit the road and find some cheap drinks? Have you ever had baiju?”

---

Thanks for running, Tundran! Looking forward to the next one!

Bitter Plum struggles through the weeds towards Theophilus, muttering as she goes. “You can throw things around, right? Come over here for a spot of good fortune in smacking that irritating fey in the head!”

---

Move action to move 10’ towards Theo. Standard action to ready an action to give him a Bit of Luck when he is in touch range.

Bless rounds 3/20

Bitter Plum finds herself restrained by the clutching vines and grasses. She moves towards Garren, pushing slowly through the intense impeding foliage until she can reach him and lay a hand on him. “I think you could use a bit of good fortune right about now, don't you?” she asks playfully.

---

Move action to move 5’ towards Garren. Standard action to either wake him up or to give him a Bit of Luck (roll all d20s twice and take the better until the start of BP’s next turn.

Bless rounds 2/20

Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Bitter Plum squawks at her wounding, clutching a bleeding leg. ”Ow! Watch where you run with sharp objects! I could have been hurt worse than this little scratch! And what sort of magic have you got hidden behind that big rock?” she scolds.

Stepping back, she draws a length of thin chain with metal weights on the ends hanging from her belt and starts to whip it skillfully around her head. Over the hum of the swinging chain she chirps out a divine invocation: “Desna bless these young travelers, that we might overcome these troublemakers!”

---

I'll move back a few squares and draw my meteor hammer. Then cast bless (everyone is in range). I've also included a trip attempt if I get any attack of opportunity

Bless rounds 1/20

Masterwork meteor hammer trip AoO, bless: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 = 19

"Of course I have ears!" she squawks indignantly. "Just because they're not sticking out like those sails of yours... primates..." she mutters.

---

Garren, bark, not bear! The bear's endurance potion went with Theo, since it makes him do more damage.

When it's clear that the tiny fey isn't willing to cooperate, Bitter Plum sighs with a clack of her beak and continues to concentrate on her spell. Muttering to the others she says, "There's magic near this first boundary stone - perhaps some sort of protection? But there's also something near that central bit, and I'll wager that's where our rock is. Let's grab it before this fey's grating voice grates the ears off me."

She points a taloned finger at Theophilus, and in a nagging tone says, "Now's the time to get that potion ready, dear." Turning it to Garren she adds, "You, too, yungin'."

Bitter Plum crosses into the druidic circle, heading for the obelisk and honing in on the magical aura there.

---

I'll continue concentrating on detect magic. Now might be a good time to use that potion of barkskin (which I think we gave to Garren?) and potion of bear's endurance that we found earlier.

“Hey!” Bitter Plum objects, “Who are you calling ‘human,’ eh?” Making her way toward the druidic circle of menhirs, she casts a glance over the area where the cackling voice came from. Still on the lookout for the voice’s source, she calls out to it: “The sun hasn’t come up to destroy it just yet, dearie. We did an alright job making it here despite your machinations. We’re not unreasonable you know - I’m sure there’s something we could give you for the lorestone?”

She then concentrates again, closing her eyes and speaking the words to cast a spell. When she opens her eyes again, they have a faint glow as she scans the island.

---

Once I’m on the island, I’ll cast detect magic to try to locate the lorestone.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

I know it's not my turn yet, but I have a tactical question in anticipation of it.

Will I be able to five-foot step onto the next bit of fallen tree to my right? Also, will I have to make another Acrobatics (jump) check to get on there or is my previous roll sufficient?

Coming to the series of fallen logs, Bitter Plum stops and concentrates. The butterfly-shaped mark on her beak glows briefly as she casts a spell - suddenly her scaly legs seem to grow somewhat longer and bandier. “This may shock you whippersnappers, but I’m not as agile as I used to be back in the day. But this old crow still has a spring in her step!” Producing a long length of silk rope from her pack, she holds it out to the others. “There’s no need to be risky at this point - we should tie ourselves together so that if one of us splashes in the others can pull them out. Now, let’s see what old Bitter Plum’s got in her!”

Thus said, the tengu braves the logs first, doing her best to balance and hopping across the gaps as best as she can.

---

I’ll go first!

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (13) - 3 = 10
Acrobatics (jump): 1d20 - 3 + 4 ⇒ (9) - 3 + 4 = 10

WOOOOOO!

Her patience starting to wear as thin as Itami’s, Bitter Plum clucks at the gnomes, “Yes, yes, you're welcome. We were actually just about to make our way north you chase after the perpetrators. Now, unless there's anything else, Boomroppel, we really must be going. Swift flight of vengeance and all that.”

Muttering with annoyance, Bitter Plum stops her work trying to find a good place to bury Hemzel and steps forward toward the gnomes beside Garren. “Now, Garren, there’s no need to be rude,” she teases. “My friends here speak the truth. We are Pathfinders, come to make our peace with Hemzel. When we came upon his hut, the fair folk had savaged it and him - check our weapons, you shall find not a bloody blade among us that put such savage wounds in him and his poor dog. And far from destroying his hut, we have saved it from burning down!” she squawks with a little indignance. “By the by, have you got a shovel we could borrow? Alternatively, it sounds like you knew him and would be able to give him a better funeral than we - and we’ve got other places to be.”

---

Diplomacy aid another: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

The old tengu brushes soot and smoke from her clothes as the fires are put out, cutting free Hemzel’s body. She drags the body out as the others examine the dead man’s journal. Piping up to weigh in on the lorestone. ”We are here to get that lorestone… Gire, is that the stolen heritage you speak of? If so, we’d be happy to try to make more peaceful arrangements to bargain for it. Maybe we can resolve things with this Cyflymder without any more bloodshed,” she says optimistically.

She takes a moment to pant with the hot work of putting out the fire and moving the body. She looks down at Hemzel’s blood coating her claws and sighs. ”Maybe I should just leave him inside for now. Unless one of you has a shovel, burying him might have to wait until later. Hey, 'last scion,'” she says to Min. "I don't suppose you could reshape the world into a quick grave or three before we go?"

Great job everyone! Those gunslinger crits are always nice to see in our favor, huh? ;D

Anyway, here are my suggestions for divvying up the loot:

Potion of barkskin - I'm inclined to suggest Itami or Garren, since they're both level one and have the lowest HP. Otherwise, if they think they can stay out of attack range, it would be good for Abdul or me while we're in melee range. The 30 minute duration is nice, too.
Potion of bear’s endurance - Giving this to Theophilus would give him a nice damage boost for one fight!
Two scrolls of lesser restoration - I believe that I'm the only one who can use these right now? If not, I'll happily keep one and give the other to whomever else can use it.

”Oops, excuse me, dear…” Bitter Plum says as she feels someone knock into her. Turning to see her assailant she looks at him quizzically and asks, ”Were you… waiting inside of a burning building for us?”

She steps back, standing over Hemzel’s broken body and splashes sake on the fire in the corner to dampen it. She then scoops up the bloody manuscript with her other hand and deposits it into the ornate box. ”I don't suppose anyone else has a wineskin they don't mind giving up?” she squawks loudly, panic starting to rise in her voice.

---

Standard action to pour sake on the fire to the north. Don't worry, I checked and wine's not flammable! I've marked it with a little cloud/splash. I suppose it's too much to hope that there's enough wine to douse another square in some future turn? :)

Move action to put the manuscript in the box. If I can do so with the same action, I'd also like to scoop up the now paper-holding box as well.

Stepping into the gory scene, Bitter Plums turns her head over her shoulder and squawks, "Tea might have to wait - the hut is on fire!" Bottle of sake still in hand, she dashes into the room, pushing past the dining room tables and heading for the manuscript near the bloody human body.

---

Surprise round action: move into the house.

I'm treating the table-and-chair squares as difficult terrain. Which table is the manuscript on? The one against the north wall or the one against the east wall?

Bitter Plum cocks her head toward the conversation outside. Her heart feels for the little fey. Her grandmotherly instincts kick in and she calls to Garren and Gire: "I'm sorry this has been so horrific. Don't worry, I'll put on some tea." Seeing Minmaximus muttering, she lowers her voice and places a clawed hand on his shoulder. "I know, I know, such senseless violence. It makes me mad, too, to think of all this bloodshed when we all could have had a nice chat over drinks."

Giving the man a few pats on the back, she moves past him and stoops into the hut to look around. Seeing poor Roven's tiny corpse, she notes the bite marks as she looks around for a kettle.

GM: You may have been waiting to describe the other bodies until one of us properly went inside. But if Hemzel and his wolf's corpses are not inside:
Seeing the wolf bites but not the wolf (nor the gnome), Bitter Plum yells out from inside the hut, "Wait, where are Hemzel and his furry friend?"

---

Take 10 on Heal: 10 + 2 = 12

Bitter Plum nods with satisfaction and exclaims, ”Well done, dearies! Those spiders didn't know what hit them.” She looks around, unsure exactly where the invisible fey went. ”Gire, was it? Sorry, dear, but we're far too stubborn to be scared off with just threats. Aren't we?” she asks the others cheerfully.

She makes her way up the little trail to the hut, drawing a katana as she does so. She stands next to the front door, gesturing for the others to follow.

---

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Double move toward the hut. If I can open the door despite spending two move actions to reach it, I'll open it.

The old tengu jerks her thumb talon at Itami. ”What he said. If you hurry, I bet you can catch ‘them.’ Now if you'll excuse us…” Bitter Plum says. She starts to head around the hut, gesturing to the others to go with her toward the sound of the high pitched voice that mentioned Hemzel.

---

Bluff aid another: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

I cannot see invisible creatures either.

I need to post my prepared spells before I forget:

0: detect magic, read magic, guidance, light
1: longstrider (D), bless, magic weapon, obscuring mist

Bitter Plum produces a bottle from her pack, on which is a simple white label with some Tien characters. ”Who doesn't like a nice bowl of sake?” she croaks out, and her eyes twinkle mischievously.

”I don't see why we should lolligag out here while we send one lone diplomat to be on the receiving end of the gnome’s blood feud,” the old crow replies to Garren. ”Let’s go together, but let Itami and me go first with the presents. What could be less threatening than a pair of sweet, harmless old folks like us bearing gifts?” She turns and makes an expression resembling a smirk at the old man, casting a glance at the bandage wrapped around his eye.

---

I'll purchase a bottle of fine wine before we leave for 10 gp (per Ultimate Equipment).

An elderly and ugly tengu sits across from the old man. She pops something pickled into her mouth and makes the beak-equivalent of a smile at him, a strange butterfly shaped mark on her black beak catching the light. ”Oh no? Have you made an enemy of the gods of luck? Maybe if you ask old Bitter Plum for help I can put in a good word,” she teases.

Once Hamshanks is done speaking, the old crow pipes up. ”What exactly is this Hemzel self-declared protecting the forest from? Besides us, of course. Anything especially dangerous in there? And what did the last gaggle of explorers do to warrant a ‘blood feud,’ eh?”

---

Perception vs disguise: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15