Clarius, of Taldor's page

Apologies, I saw an "I told you so" and called it snarkey. Talk of that being their only personality trait is going to far though. I didn't intend for all this...

You didn't do anything wrong, Grunyer.

Because I always believe in bringing receipts, I will direct you to the previous time the GM did "funny math" in order to try and kill the PCs. We were level 1, with an average of 17-18 HP, fighting creatures with multiple attacks at +10 or +11 to hit AND DC 16 poison AND 60 hit points.

This combat was a pretty clear attempt at a TPK - total party kill: at the point in question, there were already 2 party members down.

https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75j49fo/gameplay&page=3#137

And again at Clarius: 1d20 + 10 - 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 10 = 17 for: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 piercing damage, finally hitting him. Clarius must make a Fort Save DC 16 vs Serpentfolk Venom.

Which brought up my obvious response: https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75j49fo/gameplay&page=3#138

Actually, my AC is 18. All of the serpent attacks miss.

Mistakes are certainly human and understandable ... but I will state here that 'mistakes' happening when the goal is to kill off player characters aren't mistakes at all, they're just part of a GM's plan.

Now, I can only surmise that it's somehow slipped notice of the players in this group that Clarius has been single-handedly keeping the entire party alive for all of Level 1 in terms of healing, and continues to be the primary source now --

has the cleric ever healed anyone yet? I couldn't find anything. Oh! I found the post where the player behind the cleric complained/objected when I tried to heal a party member

-- so I will point this out because it may help frame the general situation. Without access to any reliable healing anymore, this party will die in pretty short order. I say again: I believe that’s TechnoDM’s goal.

Pathfinder is a collaborative/cooperative RPG system. The goal is for everyone to have fun.

TechnoDM, I fear that you only have fun when you “win” at Pathfinder, and that your “win condition” is the death of the player characters. I say this for all the reasons stated above.

This isn't the type of game I’m interested in playing in at all.

Now that the main party healer is dying, I’ve noticed exactly 1 PC do anything to try and assist – and it sure as hell wasn’t the cleric! That tells me that this isn’t a cooperative group of PCs. Narratively, Clarius was a fool to try and help these people and he’ll soon be dead because of it.

This isn’t the kind of PC party I’m interested in being a part of at all.

The PC lack-of-teamwork issues could probably be addressed, but the type of GM who wants to defeat the player characters is definitely NOT a solvable problem. So I’m going to write something I’ve never before written in my life:

TechnoDM: you are FIRED.

You are not qualified to be a GM for me, and not able to provide a game that is enjoyable for everyone involved. I think I’ve now figured out why so many other PCs have disappeared … I’ll be joining them.

I am no longer part of this group. You do not have my permission to bot Clarius or use him as a character in any capacity.

To Grunyer: it was genuinely nice playing with you.

To the other PCs: You now must rely on the snarky cleric who’s yet to heal a single one of you. May you live in interesting times.

Grunyer Hearthkeeper wrote:

Khajuna wrote:

And now we see why having weapons out, and readying actions shouldn't be part of PF2e...

Wow, coming back from dealing with issues full of snark I see...

I don't read any of the above as readied actions. I think this is more us rolling poorly/ them rolling well on initiative.

Call it Snark if you like...

Yes, we just did and we do.

Snark is literally the ONLY personality trait I can ascribe to you because you’ve displayed nothing else.

Clarius, of Taldor wrote:

My AC is 19. So how did the attack rolls for 17 and 18 hit me and do damage to me? I count that I've taken 16 damage out of 26 HP.

presumably 'striding out of the dark' means they were striking from concealment & off guard is -2 to AC.

Uhh ... so you're assisting the GM in killing me off?

Heh. Well, I can tell where I'm not wanted.

My AC is 19. So how did the attack rolls for 17 and 18 hit me and do damage to me? I count that I've taken 16 damage out of 26 HP.

Clarius pulls out some not-often-used fungicidal alchemical droplets from his healer's kit, coupling them with some general natural curatives, before asking Grunyer and Pneuferro to inhale them. "Breathe in deeply for at least five seconds."

I think we still have bot cleric? Not sure. If so, I'd ask to be given Guidance so I can activate it on Grunyer's attempt and I'll use Guidance on another attempt on Pneuferro in an hour if this one doesn't work.

Counteract attempt on Grunyer, DC 18: 1d20 + 7 + 1d4 ⇒ (9) + 7 + (3) = 19
Counteract attempt on Pneuferro, DC 18: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Probably going to need Guidance to make these checks as the DC is quite high.

Clarius informs Grunyer and Pneuferro that they need to be treated for the Mold or else it'll strike them again, and that it's somewhat difficult to get rid of.

"I can try to et rid of it, if you want me to take a crack at it. Otherwise, we could go back to town and see about getting it removed before it has a chance to accumulate and activate again."

GM: If I fail or critically fail the Survival roll, will it activate automatically? If yes, I would notify them of that possibility as well.

Recall Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 What do I know?

Treat Wounds attempt at DC15 using Assurance: Success (DC 16)
Healing for: 2d8 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4

Slap on a Clarius-aid [TM] as a single action with Battle Medicine, again using Assurance to auto succeed because F rolling dice, for an additional Healing: 2d8 ⇒ (4, 8) = 12

Pneuferro is fully healed.

Nope, we'll heal up as close to completely as possible before continuing on.

"Both of you, back up away from that thing! Just in case ..." Clarius says after seeing the two get hit with a nasty-looking blast.

He's already opening his healer's kit and looking for not-often-used items, while also getting ready to prep some healing.

Fine by me. It'll give me time to patch up Pneuferro too.

I assume we picked up the cold iron shield. Grunyer, do you ever use shield block to strike? If so, it might be a good idea for you to use it -- it counts as a cold iron weapon when doing so.

I fully support your desire and I will be happy to support you in this endeavor. ;)

Clarius will let you go first next time, when we're in the same initiative block.

Fortitude Save Attempt: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Clarius hunches over slightly and coughs up some foul-tasting spittle, feeling better after he spits it out. "That's a mighty useful and powerful ability, Grunyer," he says loud enough for the champion to hear across the room.

Lifting his bow once more, Clarius says as he did in an earlier room, "Who's been a naughty kitty?"
Attack!: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 251d6 ⇒ 4 deadly dmg: 1d10 ⇒ 10 if crit hit

Attack #2!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 111d6 ⇒ 3

Fort Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Clarius takes a 5 foot step back from the horrific stench, trying too late to cover his nose and mouth with his cloak. "These things are putrid." He stays within Grunyer's aura.

Still coughing, he raises his shortbow and aims to put Bunny 4 down.

Attack roll 1 vs. Bunny 4: 1d20 + 9 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 - 1 = 12
Attack roll 2 vs. Bunny 4: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 1 = 7

Well, someone else better step in at this point :)

Clarius is so fast to fire off arrows, the unnatural, bloody vermin are unready to his arrows. They're all off-guard and -2 to AC versus his arrows.

Attack 1 vs. Bunny 2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 141d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (4) = 11
NOPE. USING HERO POINT!
Attack 1 Redux vs. Bunny 2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 291d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (2) = 8
'Deadly' bonus damage: 1d10 ⇒ 10 For a grand total of 26 damage to bunny 2.

Attack 2 vs. Bunny 3: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 81d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 whiff
Attack 3 vs. Bunny 3: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 131d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 hits AC 15?

"Nine Hells, Grunyer -- I warned you," Clarius growls in annoyance, but without any real malice in his tone.

"In case you hadn't noticed, everyone else in the party left you on your own up there ... and I'm not the heroic leap-into-the-fray type."

"Is there any reason for us to disturb these ... disturbing vermin? It must be unlikely, surely, that they possess the staff. I say let us go examine the room next door and leave this place."

"Locked in?" Clarius' tone is offended as he raises an eyebrow, producing a set of lockpicks. "Bit rude to suggest."

He puts them back away and goes back to holding his shortbow in both hands, ready to fire.

Clarius coughs a couple of times and moves his cloak up over his nose.

"Pneuferro, pal, be a good master of air and join us up here? We may have use of your wind abilities ... and your strong stomach."

"Hmmm," Clarius says in a low, deep tone.
"This place makes my hare stand up on end."

He'll activate his Detect Magic ability and scan 30' before him, all sides.

Clarius nods after Pneuferro's statement.

"I'll keep an eye out for enemies while you do that."

I vote southeast

You could refocus to get your point back too, Arc

Clarius examines the wound on Grunyer. "Hmm ... it's purr-ty bad, but I think I can fix it." He gives the champion a look, daring him to say something.

Attempting a DC 20 Medicine check to Treat Wounds, instead of DC 15, for the added healing.

Medicine Check DC 20: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 202d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 6) + 10 = 17 HP healed

Actually it would be an additional +5 HP due to Medic Dedication, for a total of 22 HP healed.

Clarius says to Khajuna, "Keep using holy magic on them! Anyone, toss holy water if you have one ready! I'll heal Grunyer."

Clarius, having seen the cat go to town on Grunyer, will drop his rapier in his square and draw his shortbow. He'll Seek (◆) to locate the cat despite its attempt to hide behind the Skeletal Soldier.

"Hmph. Who's been a naughty kitty?"

Shortbow Attack 1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 161d6 ⇒ 2 dmg
Shortbow Attack 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 231d6 ⇒ 2 dmg

I doubt the 2nd hit is a crit, but in case it is ... Deadly dmg: 1d10 ⇒ 2

[Strike twice. (◆◆) ]

Out loud, Clarius says, "Might be time to use those holy waters they gave us."

Three actions. You may ask one query for the Mummified Cat and two for the Skeletal Soldier

Does the cat have any likely special abilities?

Soldier:
Does the skeletal soldier have any weaknesses?
What would be the soldier's worst saving throw?

Also, rules question:
If I wish to target the cat, what must I do?

Is the cat a skele-cat or something?? Or is it a real cat?

We already saw a haunt in this dungeon. Could this be one too?

I'd like to make a Perception check to see if I think this is a kooky haunt. (Perception is +9)

I'd also like to Recall Knowledge on haunts using Religion if possible (Religion +7) although I could also try Nature (+7) or Occultism (+5) if I had to.

Lastly, can I use Medicine (+9) to see if the "man" is dead, and if so, how long he's been dead? I want to use these skills from afar, NOT go closer to the three creatures.

I check for traps.

Clarius picks up the intricate, unusual-looking book and shrugs, handing it to Arc. "Yours, I presume. I don't think anyone else can make use of it."

He motions to the wall that the creatures were adjacent to. "Shall we explore the next room on this corridor?"

Presumably this would be room #4

I was thinking the same thing, Grunyer, lol --
The enemy already often benefits from this. This house rule just makes players able to do what the bad guys do, sometimes.

It's a good change. It's not going to help us in every situation, but it will be of help.

I'm saying I should be able to, in the middle of a place like a death dungeon or where my life is imperiled, have a weapon already in hand.

And not have to fight in a room, sheath my weapon, then have to draw it again in the very next room where my life is about to be forfeit.

Since the red creature technically was after me in initiative order, I'm going to attack it as if my Surprise Attack is in effect against it: if I beat a monster in initiative order, it's off-guard to me for the 1st round only.

Clarius attacks the red creature with his rapier.
Attack 1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 271d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 4 + (6) = 16

(if 27 is a critical hit, double the above and then add Deadly bonus dmg: 1d8 ⇒ 4)
(if it's immune to precision damage, then it would be 10 (or 24 if a crit)

Clarius attacks the blue creature next.
Attack 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 121d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Clarius then raises his gauntlet bow again to boost his AC to 20.

If the red creature is reduced to pieces, Clarius will intone quietly, "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust."

Oh, the stabby rogue absolutely wants the ability to have a weapon ready while exploring. And in his case, it's either a rapier or a dagger. Both are light.

Thanks for putting text labels on the bad guys.

I have Battle Medicine if you would rather take something else for a feat.

Clarius will attempt to do so.

Acrobatics: Book Off Table!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22, DC 15

He's still prepared for the possibility of an attack (AC currently 20), but he'll back off immediately as a Step action as soon he can do so once the book has been knocked off the table.

Clarius nods to Grunyer. "Thank you."

Did Dosh quit the game?

"Can everyone get ready to fight if I try and knock the book off the table? I'm curious to see what they do if I attempt it ... you know, how intelligent they are. Maybe they just attack us, though."

Clarius draws his rapier in one hand and holds up his gauntlet bow in the ready position, taking advantage of its ability to be used to parry blows. He holds the rapier out in front of him, extended almost as far as possible; it seems that is how he intends to knock the book off.

To Khajuna he says, "Would you be willing to offer me a little help with a guidance spell?"

+1 circumstance bonus to AC. GM: Is the table set up in such a way that it's possible to knock the book off its flat surface?

Clarius looks at Arc directly.
"Do you want the book?"

I inform the party about their claws.

"Do you have another book we can give them, for that one instead? Maybe they won't mind a swap."

I'll use Detect Magic, since I can at will. It should tell me what's magical on that table -- I'll choose to ignore the batwinged creatures. I don't get any further information.

Clarius nods. ”Seems like a good explanation.”

I will pocket both. Not sure why the symbol is here, but perhaps it will prove useful versus the haunts. As a guy who knows a lot about a few different things, I have a like of the God of Knowledge.

Clarius goes over to the china cabinet to see if anything of value or worth has been left there and has survived the zombie dinner party.

Clarius pulls his cloak around him tightly, disturbed slightly by the smell and behavior of these shamblers. He holds the shortbow in front of him as he tumbles through the yellow indicated zombie's space and ends up flanking with Grunyer.
Acrobatics, Tumble Through: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16, unknown DC

Clarius then drops his shortbow, draws his dagger, and attacks, using the slashing blade of the dagger instead of the usual piercing thrust.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 for 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (4) = 9 slashing dmg

◆ Tumble Through
◆ Draw Dagger
◆ Strike

Clarius draws his shortbow and fires at the yellow-ordinated creature.

Shortbow Surprise Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 121d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (3) = 4 dmg

Missing, he'll fire again, same creature.

Shortbow Surprise Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 161d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (2) = 5 dmg

The creatures are off-guard to me, so -2 AC and can be sneak attacked. I assumed the first shot is a miss; if it's not, the 2nd shot doesn't get the sneak attack damage as well.

◆ Draw Shortbow
◆◆ Strike twice