I freely admit none of this may have an impact in the show and/or its earning potential per the rules; but I feel like it's something Chark would definitely seek to do.
Also, we never discussed the potential of leveling up our previous acts, did we? Mordaine in particular, the prima donna. :)
Chark spends much of the week trying to keep the Circus of Wayward Wanderers all engaged in the next show. She encourages the Flamboni Sisters and Fireproof Flynn to join forces into one act – "The Flamboni Sisters and Fireproof Flynn, blazing to new heights!" – and suggests that the Feather-Fall Five would be well-served to include the Majestic Mistdancer in a new aerial show, with tightropes and flips, but some off the pegasus' back as well!
She proposes to set up Eliza and Mister Tickles and Axel and his bird friends as the first acts along the midway seen when patrons come in, with the Dwarven Thowers sailing over the midway as the crowd moves forward.
The Scarlet Knight steps close to Graham and tilts his head slightly.
"Are you well enough to continue?" He asks quietly enough for no one else to hear. It's not an inquiry of worthiness; it's genuine concern.
Hale enough, Graham replies with a grin. Felt a little touch-and-go there for a bit, but now I'm...well, not exactly right as rain, but set to press on. Svetlana's ring won't find itself, after all.
Five-star Hound of Tindalos. Er, GM. Whatever. | RoW Encounter Map |
Edward's bow sends arrows that hit twice...but not a third time!
DC 24 Refl:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23fail
Edward's bow, Davosh's lightning, and Ali's force missiles combine their powers to – finally – send General Malesinder crashing to the icy ground below!
The remaining dragonkin look at the fallen body of their general and talk a bit.
DC 12 Perception (no taking 10) plus speak Draconic:
Green: Malesinder is down! What do we do now?
Black: Should...should we flee?
Bronze: Do YOU want to explain to The Lord of the Howling Storm what happened to his favorite General here...?
Blue: ...good point.
PCs can roll a Sense Motive check.
Round 6
Vojtek (-67, grappled) – GO
Nevra (-85, reset 0, staggered) – GO
Kappi (-19)/Abonzeaux (-50, reset 0) – GO
Blue dragonkin (-73, no glaive, grappled) – TBD
Bronze dragonkin (-70, reset 0, misfortune) – TBD
Black dragonkin (reset 0, Evil Eye: saves) – TBD
Green dragonkin (reset 0) – TBD
Davosh (-65)/Liska (blessing of fervor) – TBD
Edward (-28)/Talsune (-92, stable) (blessing of fervor) – TBD
Ali (-65, 22 temp HP)/Tecde (-103 & dying (DC 24), reset 1) (blessing of fervor) – TBD
DC 25 Perception:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Noroc is distracted by the prospect of knocking in a dungeon. Is this a dungeon hack Elena is just now sharing...? "Eliminate days of slaughter with this one simple trick"?
Nevra is nearly ready to join Pharasma's embrace...but not quite! Nevra has 4 hp left
Black turns their attention to the flying Davosh!
glaive vs. AC 17:1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33HIT slashing:2d8 + 12 ⇒ (3, 8) + 12 = 23
Green, in turn, turns to assault Abonzeaux beneath Kappi!
glaive vs. AC 21:1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29HIT slashing:2d8 + 12 ⇒ (8, 2) + 12 = 22
Bronze makes its full attack on Tecde below Ali!
glaive vs. AC 21 (1):1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38CRIT THREAT...or is it, Misfortune? confirm? vs. AC 21 (2):1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27nope, just a hit slashing:2d8 + 12 ⇒ (8, 1) + 12 = 21
glaive vs. AC 21 (1):1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25HIT...or is it, Misfortune? confirm? vs. AC 21 (2):1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26it is indeed a hit slashing:2d8 + 12 ⇒ (3, 5) + 12 = 20
The glaive bites deeply into Tecde's neck, spurting blood and sending Tecde into a spiral toward the ground! Ali/Tecde will fall 40 feet, potentially incurring falling damage, pending actions by Ali.
Round 4
Vojtek (-40)/Nevra (-85, reset 0, staggered) – attackz
Kappi (-19)/Abonzeaux (-22, reset 1) – remount & move
<Talsune stabilize check>
General Malesinder (-104) – attack
Blue dragonkin – also attack
Black dragonkin (reset 1) – also also attack
Green dragonkin (reset 1) – also also also attack
Bronze dragonkin (-70, reset 1, misfortune) – decapitation SAVED BY MISFORTUNE
Davosh (-23)/Liska (blessing of fervor) – GO
Edward (-22)/Talsune (-92, stable) (blessing of fervor) – GO
Ali (-65, 22 temp HP)/Tecde (-102 & dying, reset 2) (blessing of fervor) – falling 40 feet, pending actions, & GO
Five-star Hound of Tindalos. Er, GM. Whatever. | RoW Encounter Map |
Kappi takes Jarilne aside, and the seer is only too happy to use a permanency spell on the Varisian's darkvision, once cast by Ali. The lad marvels at how his view goes from color to black-and-white based on the surrounding light.
-------------------------
The group sleeps soundly for the first time since arriving on Triaxus (except Liska, who has never found sleeping on this planet problematic) and much of the next day is spend basking in the glow of being hailed as heroes. Members of the Dragon Legion all appear eager to get a glimpse of The Golarions Who Helped Save Spurhorn (trademark pending) and even sour-faced Thronull gives the quintet acknowledgement at the victory. I have never been so wrong, in all my life.
Talsune learns that Edward is back among the living and flies to meet the group in the midst of the courtyard around midmorning. Praise to Zumlzi, Edward with no partner, you live! He is positively beaming at the Oradin. I am pleased that you were able to convince me I was wrong about you. I did say that I wanted to be wrong!
Nevra, as is her wont, allows you to find her walking the walls instead of seeking you out. Ah, Golarions, it is pleasant to see you. We owe you thanks for your assistance in holding our keep.
After the evening repast, the Spurhorn Council reassembles in the chamber: Commander Pharmol and their partner Amerenth, Sumira and their partner Calissus, Bescaylie and their partner Efrixes, Nevra with no partner, Talsune with no partner, Thronull, and Jarilne.
We have fought a great victory, though at no small cost, Commander Pharmol begins. The Council bows heads almost in unison.
DC 20 Perception:
You suddenly realize that the chair in which Zusk previously sat, with their partner Herjan behind them, is vacant.
But there was no sign of Malesinder among the fallen, Pharmol continues. The party recognizes this name from Davosh's commune spell. We must assume she still lives, and this means Spurhorn is out of the flame but still must fear the fire.
Thronull and I propose a plan. He unfurls a map of the mountain range. Malesinder's main supply encampment is Ningward from us, here, he says, pointing to a circled yellow X. But we also know that Malesinder's command post is here, and at this he indicates a boxed yellow X.
DC 18 Survival OR DC 15 Intelligence/Wisdom check (no taking 10 on the INT/WIS checks):
The command center appears to be quite near where the Hut brought the party. Should their foe locate the Hut and destroy it, the party would have no way of returning to Golarion. Worse still, what if they find it and be able to use it...?
An assault on the supply encampment would necessitate a response from Malesinder. He pauses. But if the assault is a feint that might allow a small strike team to hunt Malesinder herself... He turns expectantly to the party.
Five-star Hound of Tindalos. Er, GM. Whatever. | RoW Encounter Map |
Ali pluckily whisks Davosh back to the tower. Kappi turns to ask Vojtek a question, but sees the Northman is already gone, bounding after the elf and warlock. Instead Kappi turns to Talsune, who is gazing after the trio.
Are they always this impulsive? Talsune asks.
Oh, no, Kappi says assuredly. Sometimes they're much, much worse.
Ah.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
The pair follow along behind, through the tower back to Jarilne's quarters. As before, she is there waiting for the group. Jarilne cannot see the headless dracolisk in the corner of her room, nor the statue within, but you definitely get the feeling she would not be impressed by it at all.
She turns her blind face toward Ali and Davosh. You have returned.
Hampton activates his goggles and hums to himself.
There's a man back a-ways
Who believes at where he is
And there's a girl
Up ahead who says she knows
And the street overflows
With the folk who understand
For the guy who can't be seen
He's the Shadow Man
And the Shadow Man is close at hand
Take a turn and see his smile
Made of nothing but loneliness
Take a walk and be a friend
To the Shadow Man
You can call him Joe, you can call him Sam
You should call and see who answers
For he promises to come running, guided by the truth
For the Shadow Man is really you
Look in his eyes and see your reflection
Look to the stars and see his eyes
He'll show you tomorrow, he'll show you the sorrow
Of what you did today
You can call him foe, you can call him friend
You should call and see who answers
For he knows your eyes are drawn to the road ahead
And the Shadow Man is waiting round the bend
The Shadow Man is waiting up ahead
Shadow man
Is waiting up ahead
Is waiting up ahead
Well, for navigating the sticky politics of the Spurhorn Council and convincing the council that you are here to help, the party earns a total of 13,500 xp.
And for helping to repel the Drakelands invaders, the party earns a total of 37,500 xp.
Five-star Hound of Tindalos. Er, GM. Whatever. | RoW Encounter Map |
Kappi makes a heroic move and lands a vicious blow that fells Blue!
Davosh reaches out with his rod (giggity) and gives Kappi a bit of healing!
Gold turns its attention to V 1, K 2:1d2 ⇒ 1 Vojtek!
glaive vs AC 22:1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25HIT slashing w/DR:2d8 + 12 - 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 12 - 1 = 17
glaive vs AC 22:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19MISS
White opts to take on the wall folk, perching atop the parapet to greet the warlock!
glaive vs AC 16:1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28HIT slashing:2d8 + 12 ⇒ (4, 4) + 12 = 20
Round 3
In effect: blessing of fervor
Ali — GO
Kappi (-44) — GO
Davosh (-20) — GO
Vojtek (-17) — GO
Blue — TBD
Gold — TBD
White — TBD
Five-star Hound of Tindalos. Er, GM. Whatever. | RoW Encounter Map |
Davosh: you probably want to lay out what options people have for blessing of fervor. The Slack thread is probably fine for this. As it stands now, I'm going to give Kappi the +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves, because...
Davosh summons a fervent blessing from the ancients, which enhances Kappi's swan dive onto the back of a very surprised blue dragonkin. It is even more surprised as the lad's bladed pierces its flesh, and it lets out a roar in anger and pain!
Round 1
Ali — GO
Kappi — swan dive stab
Davosh — spellz
Vojtek — GO
Blue — TBD
Gold — TBD
White — TBD
Five, then. One for each of us. Seems fair, particularly if they end up giving us a breakfast come the dawn. Graham fishes out two silver sails, one to cover for Teela.
Leading the steeds to the barn, he hears Teela call out Caramel's name again and shakes his head. No idea why she named that beast, he thinks to himself. Naming a boat, sure, but a horse? It'll run off at its first opening, and then she'll be running through the fields calling its name while it rests under an apple tree. Hmpf.
Hampton is a lanky, bald half-elf with the bronzed skin of an Osiriani. He raises his right hand with his palm the others in a traditional Osiriani greeting. He bears a pair of twinned shortswords, assorted other weaponry about his belt, and a bow slung across his back.
Greetings and salutations! Well met, Friends. I am Hampton Candlewood, Pathfinder and special envoy to the Society from the Risen Guard of the Ruby Prince. I am at your service, he states, bowing low.
Hampton takes a deep breath and sighs contentedly. Ah, praise to the Ancients, at long last they Society has sent me somewhere both warm in climate and warm in my heart. Welcome to my home city!
| Male Human (Taldan) | L6 (Cav4/Rgr2) | hp 50/54 | Init +6 (+4 w/out panache) | AC 24, T 17, FF 18 | CMB +8, CMD 25 | F +9 R +9 W +5 | Prcptn +10, SM +11 |
Oppara (and housekeeping)
Kenton wanders the stalls of Grandbridge's Gray Market, recalling his days on leave from the Taldan Horse when Oppara seemed the gateway to everything. Simpler times, when pursuing simpler pleasures.
He makes his way to The Sword and Shield, a merchant stall with a reputation for selling to soldiers when in town. Kenton doesn't recognize the first two people he sees working, but then...
Vanora?
Vanora Ravenbloom, proprietor of The Sword and Shield spins about, her eyes open wide. Kenton Bowe, by the blade of Iomedae! It has been a fortnight of months, at the least! Vanora embraces the lanky soldier as her new apprentices look on in some astonishment — this is clearly an uncharacteristic display from their normally aloof boss.
Kenton returns the hug with a smile. Too long, Vanora, indeed. How do you fare?
Good days and bad, she replies. Eloise left, don't you know, and yet here I am still.
Oh, I'm so sorr- Kenton begins, but is waved off by Vanora.
Don't be, it's for the best; she's not the lass who once stole my heart anymore. Vanora wipes a bit of grime off her cheek and changes the subject. And you? Still riding with the Horse?
No longer, Kenton says. Now I'm, ah...involved in politicking, of a fashion.
Vanora laughs. Of course you are, you sweet talker.
On the hunt for a different sort of foe. Which reminds me, actually, Kenton says, pulling out his rapier. What do you make of this? I came across it during my service — even my untrained eye can spot a well-crafted blade!
Vanora takes the rapier. Truly, nice workmanship. Not quite as good as ours, of course, but close. It's mundae at present. Shall we make a change on that?
If you're willing, Kenton says.
I'm willing...if you're paying.
Kenton grins. Of course.
Done, Vanora declares, handing it to a nearby novice with some direction. As she turns back to Kenton, she sees he is mesmerized by a hanging shirt of intricate silvery chain. She smiles broadly. You like?
It's exquisite, he says softly. A moment later he realizes he is holding his breath, and exhales. I've never seen anything like it.
And I daresay you won't again, Vanora replies, gliding over and taking it off the display. Try it on for size.
Oh, no no no... Kenton says in protest, even as Vanora deftly pulls it over his head. Despite his objections, he finds that the chain shirt fits like a second skin.
Looks like it was made for you, Vanora says with a smirk, though it, er, wasn't. I won't bore you with the details of how I came by this, but it clearly should be yours. Kenton shakes his head, trying to explain that he can't afford it, and Vanora holds up a hand. Eventually. I'll hold on to it until then.
Graham gently reminds Tessa, A thousand pardons, my lady, but we do have a healing potion to use. May stanch those wounds faster than those bandages. He doesn't remark on her shaking hands, merely holding out a vial to the noble.
Noroc steps back (his weapon has reach) and channels the cold already in his numbed hands, cloaking the beast in a freezing void. Cast interstellar void, DC 22 basic Fort.
cold:3d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 4) = 13 and target is fatigued.
Noroc can barely feel the earth beneath his feet, and his shoulders sag as he tries to hold his walking stick upright.
Step, Cast a Spell ◈◈. Now enfeebled 2, with a –3 penalty to saves/DCs against Grapple/Shove/other forms of forced movement, treated as one size smaller for wind effects, and personal weight is halved. Some minor positives too.
Five-star Hound of Tindalos. Er, GM. Whatever. | RoW Encounter Map |
GM thunderspirit wrote:
Gonna roll out hero points. The GM reserves the right to change or modify this decision at any time. (Hopefully he's not arbitrary enough to do it just if he's in a bad mood, LOL.)
We'll use the rules as written in the APG with the following modifications:
No ability to Act Out of Turn. JMSO, in a PbP, it's a little too difficult to adjudicate.
No hero point feats , spells, or magic items.
A hero point may be used to add 1d4 to any d20 roll you have made (and only a roll you have made — i.e., not on another player's roll). The point may be spent any time after the roll but before the final results are known. (And this can't change a natural 1 result.)
At this time, everyone has one hero point to use. Deal?
Using Hero Points wrote:
Hero points can be spent at any time and do not require an action to use (although the actions they modify consume part of your character's turn as normal). You cannot spend more than 1 hero point during a single round of combat. Whenever a hero point is spent, it can have any one of the following effects.
Bonus: If used before a roll is made, a hero point grants you a +8 luck bonus to any one d20 roll. If used after a roll is made, this bonus is reduced to +4. You can use a hero point to grant this bonus to another character, as long as you are in the same location and your character can reasonably affect the outcome of the roll (such as distracting a monster, shouting words of encouragement, or otherwise aiding another with the check). Hero points spent to aid another character grant only half the listed bonus (+4 before the roll, +2 after the roll).
Extra Action: You can spend a hero point on your turn to gain an additional standard or move action this turn.
Inspiration: If you feel stuck at one point in the adventure, you can spend a hero point and petition the GM for a hint about what to do next. If the GM feels that there is no information to be gained, the hero point is not spent.
Recall: You can spend a hero point to recall a spell you have already cast or to gain another use of a special ability that is otherwise limited. This should only be used on spells and abilities possessed by your character that recharge on a daily basis.
Reroll: You may spend a hero point to reroll any one d20 roll you just made. You must take the results of the second roll, even if it is worse.
Cheat Death: A character can spend 2 1 hero point to cheat death. How this plays out is up to the GM, but generally the character is left alive, with negative hit points but stable. The character can spend hero points in this way to prevent the death of a familiar, animal companion, eidolon, or special mount, but not another character or NPC.
I think the hero point rules are fine as they are laid out here, but from this point forward:
Additions/Revisions:
* each player now has 1 hero point to spend
* when that PC levels up, they get 1 hero point if they spent a hero point during the preceding level
* the GM may issue additional hero points for excellent visuals, creative solutions, etc., but no one will ever be able to have more than 1 hero point at any given time
* the GM will consider creative uses of hero points upon request
* Ali has just spent the L9 hero point she just got.
| Male Human (Taldan) | L6 (Cav4/Rgr2) | hp 50/54 | Init +6 (+4 w/out panache) | AC 24, T 17, FF 18 | CMB +8, CMD 25 | F +9 R +9 W +5 | Prcptn +10, SM +11 |
Kenton, who fancies himself an artist (or at least an art critic), lingers a bit longer to look over the painting, but not more than a few seconds. No Trinia Sabor, that's certain, he says with a slight shake of his head.
Five-star Hound of Tindalos. Er, GM. Whatever. | RoW Encounter Map |
Victory points awarded: 10, plus 1 for the method of victory and plus an additional 1 for Kappi making it out unscathed. Current total: 14
The party has rounds:1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 before the next scene.
We will pause here while Davosh's player enjoys much warmer climes for a bit, and resume upon his word that he has returned (without malaria, etc.) and is ready to go. Any between-encounter actions can be posted as desired.
Five-star Hound of Tindalos. Er, GM. Whatever. | RoW Encounter Map |
Kappi, sweat dripping down the side of his face despite the chill temperature, works feverishy, prying at one of the remaining supports, rationalizing that maybe might do it. Just a little more...
SNAP!
The tower slams to the snow, creaking in its distress and tipping precariously backwards...and Kappi remembers, at that moment, he's stuck inside.
Uh-oh.
Desperately he looks to the shut door behind him, then frantically about the tower, as the structure begins to screech and splinter, bits of wood and pitch and fur flying about him. His eyes are drawn to the broken supports now exposed to the air and...
...he tumbles through the opening, the tower flopping over onto a pair of very surprised cryohydras, then continuing to roll toward the hill. Too late, the serpent beasts realize they are still tethered and are dragged all at once with the crumbling structure, right off the side of the cliff!
I assure you no offense was meant. Just don't like to see things bog down if there's a way around it. :)
Well, I suppose there's not much for it, except to go to the evocation room, Cragorn says, rubbing his hip where he fell on the floor beneath the strix.
Ah! We have heard of Ms. Tremane, the chief keeper! Truly a connois-sewer of Absalom's sanitation system! When you promoted her, did you just tell her, "Urine charge now"? I've heard other funny lines about sewers, but I probably should leave most of them out — the punchlines all stink!
Qarawyn sits back and stirs his custard with a grin. You know, wastewater jokes aren't always my favorite...but they're a solid #2!
Five-star Hound of Tindalos. Er, GM. Whatever. | RoW Encounter Map |
Ali lands an excellent blow, one that clearly leaves the invader's ears ringing!
Gonna just call the fight here, only a few hit points left on the barbarian and the drake is already in the negatives.
Just a few seconds later, this skirmish is over. A small squad of ground troops of the Dragon Legion arrive, grateful for your help, and take command of the tower. One, a lad who looks no older than Kappi, stares in astonishment at the fallen frost drake until the commanding corporal barks. Klant! Move it! At which he hops to work on the artillery.
Victory points awarded: 2. The party has three rounds before the next scene.
Male Gnome HP 83/268| AC 42 | Fort +33 (M), Refl +31 (E), Will +35 (L, greater resolve) | Perc +30 (M) (darkvision) | Speed 25 | Active conditions resist fire 15 20, resist acid 10 | Default Exploration: Search | Hero points: 0
GM Tyranius wrote:
That is the end of this Adventure Path. Thanks to everyone for sticking through until the end while we learned 2E. Though 2E has certainly changed and morphed throughout this Campaign with each expansion book and even now the Remaster fixing some of the classes and design.
This was awesome. With sprinkles. Thanks so much for running, Tyranius!
Cuthberwyn's initial return to the Rainbow Citadel is rather brief — long enough to finish the library, leave enough money to fund it for the foreseeable future, and help Raspar with the garden a bit.
It's not long, however, until the gnome, who joined the journey as a scholar of goblins, seeks to further his knowledge of elves too, and more specifically the aiudara, the elven gates. He pores over the notes of Voz Lirayne and the few tidbits buried in the journals of Belmazog as well.
He yearns to learn the magic of the aiudara, and begins a journey to find all of them he can. He is always glad to see his friends, even venturing to Janderhoff once to call on Kelvin on his home turf. He visits the Citadel, and Promise, fairly often — when he misses Raspar, and when his memory reminds him he should.
With that done, you're about ready to make your way back to town. The ifrits gather in the hallway as you prepare to leave. "You survived!" Rowsh exclaims.
Was there any doubt? Qarawyn says with a grin. Of course, of course. None the worse for wear at all!
motteditor wrote:
Yandrada smiles. "Did you find anything else of interest in the ruins? Any other areas we should avoid?"
I'd avoid the lava if I were you. Mighty unhealthy.
We saw artifacts, and murals, and an ancient lockbox. You can read all about it in the next edition of the Pathfinder Chronicles, which we'll be only too happy to autograph for you!
