*Sombra's page

Looks like I forgot to roll my Day Job.

[dice=Day Job (Craft:Weapons) {w/ Masterwork Tools and Crafter's Fortune}]1d20+14

WOOHOO! That's a nice chunk of change for a low-level scrub like me.

You're rich, rich I tell you! Now we know who's buying drinks at the inn! :)

Excellent news on the Season 0 as I think I've only played 2 now; this one and 'Hydra's Fang Incident'.

Now if I could talk you into running some Season 5... ;)

Hello,

I am interested in joining this module. Here's the character information:

Player Name: Shadow Dragon
Character Name: Sombra
Paizo Number: 2369921
Character Number: 3
Faction: Grand Lodge
Day Job Check: N/A

Wow! That seemed really short for a scenario. Had a ton of fun, though! Thanks for the good time, everyone.

No day job. I'll need to purchase that vanity to use Survival for day jobs soon.

I hope to adventure with you all again in the future!

Another very short Season 0 module is offered for Gameday X: 'The Hydra's Fang Incident.' Unfortunately I have already played that module but maybe some of the others have not?

Only if you want to add scrolls to the 'Items Bought' list.
Before I forget again, thank you very much for running this scenario!

"Perhaps it should be studied first to learn what knowledge it can pass onto future generations."

Petro rushes over and tosses his cloak over the stone.

on phone right now..can someone move me please? ty

Petro is more than a double move away so he wouldn't have another action to toss his cloak over the stone. You'd have to check with the GM if Petro could use a run action to get there because the straight line from his square to the stone is close to some 'hard corners' - a tree and the stone altar.

Sombra echoes Kelleran's concern: "Yes quickly cover the stone or the sun will destroy it!"

@GM: Since we're out of combat can Sombra take 10 on his Acrobatics check to walk across the logs?

@GM: And they said I'd never use geometry!

Sombra takes aim with his wand and lets fly a magic missile at the atomie!

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

@GM: Is the atomie within 110' for Magic Missile without Sombra moving? It looks close on the map but, since it's 30' up, I'd have to draw a right triangle and resort to geometry! ;)

@Sombra: I'd say it would be enough to know the particular square the target is in (he's not being subtle), but there would still be a 50% miss chance for targeted attacks from the invisibility.

@GM: How about for a Magic Missile? This is how the Core rules describe targeting with a Magic Missile spell:

Relgar rides at top speed towards the central obelisk and skillfully unleashes a gout of flame. Screams and the awful smell of charring flesh reveal he must have burned something--but nothing's visible there!

Meanwhile, Petro keeps his balance and makes his way along the floating logs.

Nice spell! Whatever was there *just* failed its Reflex save and took full damage. The continue shrieks show that whatever got burned is still alive and conscious

Kelleran, you're up, or I can bot you tonight if need be.

** spoiler omitted **

@GM: Since the target failed its Reflex save and will be on fire next round, would that count as visible enough for targeting with either a spell or ranged attack?

i might have read it wrong...i thought the traps were done...and i can move 30 a round...

The GM wrote above: "Kelleran edges carefully across the floating logs. With a quick flick of a sharp tool, he cuts the concealed rope that formed one of the snare traps." So I'm guessing the other yellow 'X' on the map is the second trap. The other issue to consider is how long the bridge is; looks like 7 squares plus the 2 gaps which require an Acrobatics check to jump over. So you'd have to ask the GM how much movement it will take.

The bridge looks slick (Acrobatics to balance, moving at half speed) and the small gaps between sections would require easy Acrobatics checks to jump. The map is a bit confusing, but the idea is that there's substantial tree cover above the bridge. The big white square to the north of where you start was an inset map from a previous encounter, so you have to use your imagination to fill in the blanks of what would be there based on the surroundings.

We'll assume there's sufficient moonlight to put us at Dim Lighting

I don't think Petro has the movement to make a double move across the logs at half speed and jumping over the gaps. Plus there's still the last trap I don't know if we've technically found yet.

Sombra draws a scroll from his pack and reads it to activate the spell.

Move action to get scroll from bandolier, standard action to read Scroll of Expeditious Retreat.

"Go for the lorestone; he won't be able to hide once you get to it! And we know he can't see well since only one of us is human."

Thanks everyone, I'm actually feeling pretty good. It was this annoying sequence of events where I thought I had food poisoning, but it then developed into mild flu-like symptoms, so I had to go get a Covid test (which took all morning), and now I have to arrange to self-isolate until the results come back in 24-48 hours.

Make sure you take it easy/take care because COVID can be serious business.

Update coming in a few hours/-apologies for slow posting over the weekend. Been under the weather.

No problem, I have been as well over the last part of the week and the weekend. Plus another strong storm system blew through Saturday night but at least I didn't lose power this time.

I think we're waiting on Kelleran to disable the traps?

With the threat of the snakes gone, Hawthorn and Kitty carefully swim to the river bank.

(Take 10 for both.)
They shake off the water and Hawthorn moves to the edge of the rickety bridge.
He calls out to the others.
I can help to get you across. Do you want to throw a rope to me? I can tie the end around a tree over here.

"That sounds like a sound idea, what do you think Petro?"

Sombra continues to hold his Wand of Magic Missile at the ready.

Now made aware of the trouble in the trees, Sombra draws his Wand of Magic Missiles and prepares to use it on one of the snakes.

Mrowr!

Kitty leaps into the water to swim across next to Hawthorn.
[dice=swim]1d20+1

I wonder if the cat will retrieve Hawthorn like a dog?

@Sombra: You're confident there's nothing hidden in the water or on the ground nearby, and don't spot the snakes until they come out of hiding.

** spoiler omitted **

Sombra isn't great at Perception but it was worth a try!

Sombra watches carefully, mindful that with traps often comes an ambush.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Sombra takes the offered Goodberry and thanks Hawthorn for the gift.
"Nature magic is so fascinating to me, I appreciate seeing it being cast."

Like Relgar, once the group reaches the bridge, Sombra casts Mage Armor on himself.

Sombra will use his last Arcane Reservoir point, along with Potent Magic, to increase the CL by 2 so it will last 3 hours.

Sombra thanks the gnomes for their advice and proceeds with the rest of the party to the north.

At Hawthorn's invitation, the gnome leader, who reluctantly gives his name as Boomroppel, reads the note in Sombra's hand. "The druid circle? Aye, I know where that is--several hours' march to the north. As much as we want to avenge Hemzel, we won't go there--it is a dark, cursed place!" Boomroppel provides directions, and then he directs his followers to prepare Hemzel's body for a proper farewell.

@Sombra: Good point on the Aid Another--I'll remember that going forward.

Sombra will ask Boomroppel, "Could you please explain what you mean by it being "a dark, cursed place"? Any information you can provide on the druid circle may help us avenge Hemzel and stop the fey from carrying out their plan."

"Sombra did you not translate one of the documents and say that the Fey were behind this? I think that their settlement is only a few hours away from here if you want to help us eliminate those that were behind this you are welcome to join us."

I hope that I am not getting the facts wrong here.

"Indeed and the gnomes may read Hemzel's handwritten manuscript themselves to see that a band of fey had been harassing Hemzel. As to whether others were involved it would seem so; we heard voices but did not see who was speaking so perhaps they were using magic to hide themselves? Also one changed shape into a bat which I'm guessing is either magic or some sort of natural power that creature possesses."

The gnomes spread out and look around, and confer in whispers. After several tense moments, their leader speaks. "It appears to be as you say. We see you have taken a prisoner. Are there others responsible for Hemzel's murder? They all deserve death."

I'm going to assume two other party members who haven't posted yet Take 10 on Aid Another, and that would put you over the line.

At the risk of being a wet blanket, per the rules PCs can't take 10 on checks to Aid Another.

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

"Not only were his wounds not caused by us but whomever or whatever killed Hemzel then tried to kill us. And if you're saying our timing here is suspect we would have much rather arrived here earlier, when Hemzel was alive, and tried to save him."

The gnomes listen to the Pathfinders' explanation with clenched teeth and tight grips on their weapons.

I need a Diplomacy check. One person who has taken part in the conversation can be the main, and others can attempt their own checks or do aid another.

I nominate En Fuego to go for the Diplomacy as he has a Charisma of 20. I'll make Sombra's hapless roll since he was droning at the gnomes.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

When Petro steps outside the hut to start checking for tracks, he quickly realises he's not alone! A band of four gnomes are approaching the hut from the south, and they're armed and on the edge of violence. "How dare you trespass in Hemzel's hut!" one shouts. "Where is he? If you've harmed him . . ." It's clear that with just one wrong word, these gnomes will attack.

@Relgar: It is sunset, but as any previous travel happened off-screen before the scenario properly started, I won't apply any forced march penalties if you decide to continue travelling through the night.

Sombra looks at the gnomes and explains the situation the group happened upon:

A voice from the direction the ball came from, very different than the cackling one heard previously, says: 'You don't want to go in there--it's awfully bad!'...

Sombra will literally describe everything that happened as befits his non-diplomatic but academic and researching nature to explain what happened as the party knows it.

Sombra is probably down to 1 spell slot after that combat so resting up would probably be wise. :)

He is down to 1 spell slot which is why his first 2 PP went to purchasing a Wand of Magic Missile. :)

I'm just still a bit bitter about how I've been treated in the past.

The little leshy says in sadness as he looks down in shame.
The druids that created me weren't very nice. They were doing strange experiments, hoping to twist the natural order towards evil. But, that is in the past. They were hoping I would do bad things for them. Luckily, I got away. I'm sorry. I will try to be more pleasant.
He looks back up and gives an awkward viney smile.

"Ah that would explain your attitude and those druids were wrong to exploit and abuse you in such a manner. My own people are not very nice either so I can understand how it shapes your world. I try to accommodate and adapt by learning so I can better fit in both society and the Society."

Sombra summarizes his discoveries after reading the manuscript and the tablet:

"The lorestone is keyed to druidic circles, and one lies several hours’ travel north from the hut on a lake island. A band of fey has recently been harassing Hemzel and threatening to destroy the lodestone. Hemzel assiduously avoided exposing the lorestone to sunlight. The sun’s rays striking the lorestone inside of a druidic circle disintegrates it. As for the blue stone tablet, it seems to provide proof of an ancient Druidic culture; although it has no relevance to our present mission, it could be a valuable archaeological discovery."

"Since the fey want to destroy the lodestone and we know how and where we think they will do it, we should proceed there as quickly as possible. Does anyone know anything of fey? My studies have not focused on the natural world as of yet."

"Very interesting."
Sombra turns to the other party members while looking at Hawthorn and says, "Willow Grove was a much kinder and polite leshy. Could it be due to different genders? I'll have to make note of this in my journal and research it further..."

Sombra takes a moment while Detect Magic is active to examine the green potion:

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Sombra gathers the manuscript and the tablet.
How many pages are in the manuscript? I'm trying to determine if the duration from a scroll is enough to read both or if we need to make a choice.

Sombra opens a scroll box, removes a scroll, and reads it. He then begins reading the texts.

Sombra will read his scroll of Comprehend Languages and then read the manuscript and/or the tablet - table's choice.

An examination of the body shows that it has been tied to the table and cruelly eviscerated. This man--presumably Hemzel--died a terrible death. Next to him is an ornate box, but it's empty. The blood-spattered manuscript is written in a strange combination of languages; a few words here and there are in Common, but much is in a mysterious, runic language.

Does anyone speak Druidic? If not, I'd need a Linguistics check to see if you can make out anything from the manuscript.

Linguistics is trained only so we can't attempt to use the skill without a rank in it correct?

Sombra will suggest taking the manuscript, the ornate box, and anything else we don't want to burn (PCs included) outside the hut.
"If none of us are able to decipher the manuscript I have magical means to read the text."

Sombra will cast Detect Magic on the manuscript as a precaution.

Heal: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

Sombra tries to help with the injured person/creature.

This is all assuming of course that Sombra's Magic Missile did not take him down. This is level 1 after all!

Sombra did one under average damage so that didn't help. I just have to think casting Burning Hands in a structure already on fire is so Gnomish. ;)

Sombra moves into the flaming hut, sees the attacker next to Petro, and casts a spell vs. the enemy!

Casting Magic Missile and expending 1 Arcane Reservoir point and Potent Magic to increase the CL by 2 to CL 3.

Magic Missile with Potent Magic: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 2 = 6

Apologies for the delay in posting but my modem died and my ISP literally has almost no one who could actually get the new one working. Hopefully now that it's working it will keep working but, if my history with them is any indication, this isn't the last of my issues.
You do not know how f#@*&$&$ enraged I am right now.

Where are we in the initiative order?

The pungent smell of incinerated spiders fills the air, but enough remain to still pose a threat!

Somewhere behind the hut, distant cackling can be heard fading away.

The swarm made its save for half damage, but then takes 50% more of that.

** spoiler omitted **

Crap! I forgot to include the Save DC! Sorry about that, I haven't played an offensive spellcaster since Living Greyhawk and Living Arcanis back in the day.

I moved through friendlies on the path to his current spot and I think it's all path and not difficult terrain. Let me know if I'm incorrect please.

Sombra moves forward and summons arcane power to burn the spiders!

Using the Arcanist exploit Potent Magic and 1 point from his Arcane Reservoir to increase the caster level by 2 to level 3.

Burning Hands with Potent Magic: 3d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 4) = 9

The basic combat tricks including the combat riding package is right in the CRB under the Handle Animal section of the rules.

These felines are all impressive hunters and frankly put humans (in the real world) to shame in regards to raw physical power.

As Relgar mentioned, and is in the CRB, the companion will need to be taught the Attack trick a 2nd time so it will attack 'weird' things like undead, constructs, etc.

@GM: Is there any kind of Knowledge check to make for a "lorestone"?
Also, on the map, green=vines and brown=difficult terrain?

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

I'm guessing that result should tell me what spell was cast. If so, I'll base Sombra's action on what he learns.

I made an adjustment to the map because Sombra, being squishy, isn't going to be out in front.

Smoke rises lazily from a chimney set atop the small, round wooden hut just over a steep hillside covered in thick vines and brambles

“Too late, too late for Hemzel!” a high voice crackles from behind the hut. “Gire, finish them!” Flashing lights and arcane words indicate a spell is being cast, and suddenly a rotten log in front of the hug shatters open, releasing hundreds and hundreds of spiders!

** spoiler omitted **

Any chance of a Spellcraft check to identify the spell?

Sombra is more of a Knowledge guy so if you're talking about rogue skills, just Stealth.

An odd little creature joins the briefing room.

"Hm this is the second Lodge Officer to think little of candidates or agents; a troubling trend. Anyway some questions for you. Is using "right of research" unusual for Augustana's Civic Library or just unusual for a druid to do so? Do we have any idea what this Lorestone looks like? What did the previous agents do to anger Hemsel? Do we know how many gnomes are in his 'little band'? A blood feud hm? That sounds like they may well attack us on site without bothering to listen to us but we shall do our best."

Any Knowledge checks on Lorestones?

Along the way Sombra will study the other agents, taking notes in his journal. If asked why he is studying them, Sombra will reply that he is still new to the area and hasn't met many other individuals.
He looks at Pepper and tells him, "Interesting, very interesting, on my Confirmation mission for the Society that group also had a Leshy, her name is Willow Grove. Do you know her?"
Sombra will assist as he can, due to his slight stature, with tasks in setting up the campsite each night. He thanks Pepper for his teachings about living in the wilderness.

"A stealthy approach so as not to disturb him? Maybe there are traps in the area? I can also be quiet plus I can see in the dark."

Player: Shadow Dragon
Character: Sombra
Pathfinder Society Number: 2369921-3
This Chronicle #: 3
Current XP: 2
Current Prestige: 1
Current Fame: 3
Current Gold: 56.1
Faction: Grand Lodge