Really liked the way you GMd it, apart from the R20 mapping.
I think the R20 mapping with lighting would work well in a RL group, as the players/characters can discuss together what they do and move as a group more easily. In pbp, as characters make their 'moves' independently over 24hrs, as we all live in very different time zones. It doesn't work so well as a character moves, and from being next to you they are gone and disappeared. If the other character had 'light' up you go from seeing to being blind and no idea where the light went...(assuming human).
Apart from that I had great fun and enjoyed playing with you and the other players.
Norman Save Reflex1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Donneld Save Reflex1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
As Donneld gets out of the way of the blast, Norman slips in the saddle and catches the full force of the fire. His mustache singes at the edges as the flames engulfed him, "My beauties, what have you done to my beauties." his fingers immediately move to smooth out the rough edges, as his nose wrinkles as the smell of burned hair wafts across his face.
Donneld follows the dark man, "Here in front." the dragon speaks. "For Glory" the gnome says loudly as he swings his weapon once more, this time into the darkness as directed by his mount. The dragon opens its mouth again, its teeth dripping with the blood of the darkling where he bit him last time. This time, having only taken a small step, the dragon brings his tail round strike as well.
Norman Morningstar attack 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 Norman Morningstar damage 1d6 ⇒ 1 Percentage to hit 1d100 ⇒ 64
As Donneld has reach, the 'dragon' may have got an attack of opportunity.... Its up to GM if he did or not and can roll for Donneld's bite if it is an AoO.
Norman rides Donneld, "For glory.." he shouts waving his morningstar above his head. A fine spectacle of a ferocious gnome warrior atop his fiery dragon steed. As Donneld closes in on the dark skinned man, he swings the vicious ball of steel. "Attack!"
Donneld lazily strikes at the humaniod, his large dragon teeth showing as he brings his bite down.
Norman Morningstar attack 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14 Norman Morningstar damage 1d6 ⇒ 4
If anyone could see, Norman's eyes open wide and his mouth let out "Whooooaa!" as the explosion lights up the whole area for a brief moment. He blinks his eyes, several times hoping to regain the full use of his sight again. He says to Donneld, "Did you see that, wasn't that great, if only we had such fireworks, what a great display we could make."
Donneld explains to Norman what he can see, as Norman rides on his great dragon once more. "Bolger, you seemed quite good with the last lock, any chance you'd like to try your hand at the door ahead?"
Norman and Donneld take the easy option and take the lift down, once Bolger has fixed it.
"Well Donneld, looks like we'll be having more fun today." Norman goes over to the shore, and puts his finger in the water to test the temperature. "Hope we don't need to swim, it's quite cold." he says. "Come now Donneld, we'll use that boat there, we can use the rope to guide us, I'll use the pole. We'll be .... well over there quite soon." says Norman pointing off in the direction of the rope.
Norman carefully follows the rope and looks ahead the way they are going.
Donneld nods sagely, then keeps a careful lookout as they cross the lake.
Norman returns atop Donneld, [b]"A makeshift platform stands between a series of limestone stalagmites protruding from a seemingly endless subterranean lake. Only a small pool of light illuminates the platform, falling from the hole in the cavern’s ceiling above and holding back the thick darkness stretching in all directions. Three ornate ivory gondolas float nearby, tethered to one of the planks forming the haphazard platform. A rope tied to the tallest stalagmite stretches taught into the darkness to the south.
Someone has disabled the rudimentary lift by securing the end of the chain to a stalagmite emerging from the water’s surface. If someone with good hands and maybe those special tools, could get down there, they might be able to clear the lift mechanism, so we could all go up and down easily." finishes the gnome, rather down that he was unable to be the hero and make the lift work.
"Donneld, are you able to take me down there so I can free that chain or can you do it on your own?" Norman asks his dragon.
"my body can twirl around the chain, without a problem, but I might lack the dexterity to unhinge the chain." the dragon says in a bored tone.
"Well if I have to go down, perhaps someone with some rope can tie and hold me , so I don't fall.... well only if its really required." the gnome says with false bravado.
I leave it to GM Rutseg, if Norman is riding down or not. Donneld has a climb speed of 20ft, Climb check take a 10 10 + 10 = 20.
Ride check for Norman if he rides Donneld down, taking a 10. 10 + 7 = 17
"Forward, let's strike our enemy!" calls Norman from atop his dragon. Donneld moves forward and attacks using his reach, whilst Norman swings his morningstar aimlessly above his head. "Are we there yet?" he asks of Donneld.
Norman calls, "Donneld, come here, time to mount up." The serpentine dragon positions himself next to Norman, allowing him to climb up into position to attack his enemies, if only Norman could see him. He hears Donneld say, "Leave the dark creature to me, will tell you where and when to strike."
Donneld has darkvision.
As I said Norman sat down when he was blinded, I'm gonna assume he has to remount before charging in.... or whatever Donneld says do.
Blinded by the light, Norman blinks repeatedly and sits down, "My eyes, its so bright, like the sun, I can't see a thing. Can someone put out the light?" He listens attentively to Ketill, but nothing seems to make sense as his eyes take time to adjust.
Norman rides Donneld into the room, his dragon keeps a beady eye out, peering through the dark with his darkvision, watching the little dark man, noting his every move. Donneld looks up at Norman and speaks, "Well you gonna bargain with him or not, like the little fella wants? Or is one of them others gonna do it?"
"Yes Ketill, let's move on before you feel overwhelmed to play that piano some more. You did play that tune well, by the end, one might have said with bravado, or was it just bravadoo to listen." the gnome laughs at his own little joke, looking to Donneld for confirmation. His dragon, just looks back nonplussed, and his eyes go towards the door. Norman feels Donneld's mind, wanting to discover what the noise was behind the door.
"You are right Ketill, we should proceed that way." says Norman as he remounts Donneld.
At last, that tune was getting a bit repetitive, one might almost say monotonous. Norman says to Ketill, as he stops playing. "Why did you have to play for so long...?"
Norman looks through the remains of the doll, trying to find the soul gem, to give to Seinto, if he still lives. "Orik, I hope the gem is stiil in the remains of that doll."
Norman Perception 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12 to find gem Heal 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11 to determine if Seinto is alive.
Norman smiles and beams at Donneld, his dragon's teeth being deadly and keen in ripping the doll apart. Patting Donneld's hind, he says, "Well done Donneld, we couldn't have done it without you."
It takes a few moments for Norman to come round to his full senses and realise that Ketill is still playing the keyboard. He taps Ketill on the shoulder, "It's alright, you can stop playing now. The doll that instructed you has been consigned to the dustbin...... Well come on, stop that playing."
The doll is threatened by Donneld as well, the bite has reach.
As Norman understand's Donneld's next move, he helps Donneld's next attack. "Good idea " Cast Guidance on Donneld.
Donneld's head darts forward once more, attempting to grab the doll in its mouth.
CMB Grapple 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 1 - 4 = 19 guidance (-4 as Donneld doesn't have 2 arms), provokes AoO from the doll
@Seinto, no worries, we're all in this together... It was what a cleric would do, having heard Norman's explanation.
Norman, seeing his friend fall, speaks a few arcane words, sending a ball of acid at the little creature. he continues, "Careful, that little fellow can float in the air too." Norman Ranged Touch attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 assuming that with siento down, the doll is not in melee with anyone. Norman Acid Splash damage 1d3 ⇒ 2
Donneld takes Norman forward towards the doll. 5ft step. He opens his mouth, showing his teeth and darts his head forward, attempting to sink his teeth into the doll.
Norman, seems to sober up pretty fast as he studies the doll. His face is stern and clouded as he remembers, "A child's soul has been stolen, to make this doll. The soul trapped inside a gem, is what gives this object a false life, made by some strange necromantic spell no doubt. It probably used its magic to make the statue speak and fooled us into spending time studying it. And be warned, if we have to fight it, use magic weapons if you have them, or your strikes might not damage it. Yes, a soulbound doll, but different from the one's in the Mwangii jungle. There witch doctors use their magic to make them, using them as guards or senteries, or just surrogate childen. The dolls there sound a much simpler construction, just wood and hair, not like this, making music and entertainment for itself and us."
Norman claps excitedly as the doll appears, "Oh look what you've made happen Ketill, quite exciting. Yes, yes, we've seen the doll!" The gnome says oblivious to any danger.
Donneld growls a deep and sobering growl, his eyes focus as he looks intently at the doll. He prepares to grab the doll, should either one of the party be threatened or harmed by the thing, or if any of the party attack it.
Norman and Donneld move out of the way, so that Ketill can get to the stool and start to play, as he seems so intent on doing that. the excitable gnome, looks at Ketill, "Oh, I never knew you could play. Can you play that one ... what was it called.. about a traveler.. probably a Varasian, was it Wild Rover?" he claps his hand on his leg in time to the music.
Donneld eyes Ketill warily, ready to pull him away from the organ at the first sign of danger.
Donneld readies combat manoeuvre to pull Ketill away from the organ.
Norman/Donneld:
Treasure Found held by Norman and Donneld.
two dozen sunrods.
a composite longbow with 20 arrows,
hide armor,
a potion of cure light wounds,
100 sp, and 15 gp.
What I wanted to do, before I thought what Norman would do...:
Norman looks at the statue, then back at Ketill. "Do you really think you should be playing that?" he asks confused, "Look what happened to the last person who did that." He has the realisation that, if Ketill doesn't play well enough, he too might end up crisp and burned. "Donneld, pull Ketill back, don't let him start yet."
Donneld's neck extends and he tries to pull Ketill away from the keys.
Seinto's powerful surge of healing closes the wounds on Donneld, "Thanks" the little gnome says as he mounts Donneld again. Keeping up the rear position in the party they move on following the others.
Norman@ Ok. Please note eidolons follow animal companion rules for PFS, thus Donneld's total hit points are 6 instead of 11 (see faq). Only PCs get maximum hit points at first level.
Fair enough on the HPs, made the characters through Her Lab, not sure if I changed the HPs or its what it gave me.
"Please wait a minute, whilst I make one last effort to communicate with Donneld. If we go down into further danger, I would want Donneld's spirit with me, if nothing else." Norman with a tear in his eye, gets out a book and starts an incantation, to summon his dragon back.
As Donneld reappears, no the worse for wear, Norman goes over and hugs the dragon's neck, with a smile and much relief and great happiness. His face beams, his eyes twinkle, "You're back, I thought I had lost you. Oh joy, don't do that again, I was so worried." The gnone mounts his steed, proudly once more and follows the others down, taking up the rear. The wayfinder, hanging round his neck, spreading light about the two of them.
Norman looks around, "Where's Ketill gone?" he asks, before hearing footsteps making there way downstairs. "Come on then folks, best catch up with Ketill, before he gets himself into trouble." The gnome skips downstairs to join the tiefling.
"Oh do you hear that, the kettles boiling... lets go get a nice hot drink!" he exclaims and starts towards the kitchen. Then abruptly turns round, and in hushed tones says to Ketill "Oh, best wait for the others then? Might be .... difficult...um unsafe in there?"
Norman takes one of the wayfinders and fiddles with until he get the light working. "I mean, they won't be needing it now will they."
Now with a bit more light available, Norman takes his time searching the conference room, Taking a 20 for 21 on perception. Once he gets to the bedrooms, he seems a little less interested in the bedrooms, but can't help being a little curious. Takes a 10 on the bedroom for 11 perception. The storeroom is a different matter, so any interesting things and a water barrel to splash some refreshing water over his face. Detect magic and take a 20 on perception for 21.
Norman thinks all the imposters are dead, but no-one has checked that is true, just saying....
"Do those wayfinders work, can we use them. Not got mine from the lodge yet, perhaps I could borrow one." Norman asks the others, They should be able to add some light to help us in the search, or some Jameli my tutor said." He tries to make the wayfinder cast light before joining the search of the house.
"Thanks to Ketill," the gnome starts excitedly, having seen both the others wake under Ketill's attention. "He used his healing stick on me, and I thought only you Seinto had such powers." He pulls at Seito's sleeve, "Come look, see the men that fell. It truly was a fierce fight, with them falling to the magic and blows from us. Now you are OK, we should find out who they really were?" He tries to pull the cleric to the bodies of the fake pathfinders, but this time he starts to go through their clothes and possessions to discover more about them.
If Seito goes with Norman, Norman tells him the story of the fight, making out how Ketill and Bolger are heroes of the highest order.
Norman Perception seaching the bodies and equipment of the fake pathfinders. 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
As the dwarfs cheeks turn from pink to a deep red as he slumbers, it must be Otis Reddning... who needs a little tenderness...to wake him up!
Norman's face is full of surprise as Ketill touches him with a stick and his bleeding arm closes up and the stinging pain removed. "Golly, I never knew you had such powers, how wonderful you have a healing stick." His eyes are wide with gratitude, "Thank you....thank you."
Newly recovered, he starts out into the corridor and along to the room where Ketill has led the way looking for the others. They lie lifeless on the floor, "Are they dead?" the gnome asks with deepening apprehension and growing fear that this adventure might take a turn for the worse. "I wish Donneld was here." he says in a melancholic tone.
As Norman see the thugs all lying unconscious or dead as the flames engulf them, he cannot stop himself for gleefully stating, "We told you not to mess with us, we are victorious, we are Pathfinders!" Then the realization of the pain from his wound sweeps over him, and in sudden shock he calls out, "I've been hit, help me! Where's Seinto? I'm sure he said he could heal us."
Norman, feeling very threatened by the man, tries to hit him again. He shouts and screams out loudly, "Don't think you can mess with me, Orik and the Pathfinders!!" With the air full of desperate noise, the rat tries to bite the thug in front of him, the thugs that threatens his friend who called him to this plane. As he does this, the rat goes limp and slumps to the floor, with a final squeal.
Norman is eligable for an AoO from thug in front of him. Norman unarmed attack 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14 Damage 1d2 ⇒ 2 non-lethal Dire Rat bite 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15 Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
With the dire rat distracting the assassin, Norman tries to get up so that he can retrieve his weapon, calling over "Throw me morning star over here so I can hit this man! You know, they weren't Pathfinders, let's get them." He raises his hands, attempts to strike the man with his fists.
Dire Rat bite 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Damage 1d4 ⇒ 1 Norman unarmed attack 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16 Damage 1d2 ⇒ 1 non-lethal AoOs against Norman are possible.
