GM G's Before the Dawn II - Rescue at Azlant Ridge (Inactive)

Game Master Magabeus

"Mr. Benson! This is no time for meditative muscle time! Mad monkeys mount a mountainous march!", Saitama shouts at Benson as he rouses from whatever affected him. Grabbing his last chakram, he chucks it at the nearest apeman after Marduk approaches. Now back to back with the half-orc, he asks, "By the by, do you know Praying Mantis?"

First thing that popped into my head.

Chakram @ monkey: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Can't I stay out and play a little longer?

Benson gets up, shaking his head. "Boy did I have a crazy dream!"

When he gets out and sees the behemoth ape laid out, he scowls and starts to say something before spotting the approaching apes. Readies his bow.

"Good to have you back, Benson," says Wyeth as he throws a worried eye towards Raevin. "Well, back in your true form," he adds as steps up out of the excavation, pulling a wand and tapping Saitama with it.

Cure Light Wounds=>Saitama: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

sorry for my absence, sudden travel...

"Glad to see you up and about again, Benson."

He turns back to the fight and fires another arrow at the closest ape.

to hit: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 - 4 = 5
dmg if hits: 1d6 ⇒ 4

sigh...

"Ah Benson, up and with us again, welcome back."

Let the apes come, we can take em!

Sorry Benson
Falling damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

Saitama hits an apeman, that falls down from the shock of being hurt! It lands just in front of Marduk and stands up again. The tree apes than gang up on the half-orc monk.

Attack, Flank: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 2 = 27
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Attack, Flank: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 2 = 27
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

What the F!
Confirm Crit?: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 = 22
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Confirm Crit?: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

The apes swing their clubs in unison and really clobber the poor half-orc, who goes down even though he had his fists up in a defensive pose.

Initiative
Benson
Marduk -3/22, stabilize needed
Saitama 19/23
Wyeth 16/18
Raevin 5/10
- - -
Apes
- - -

Half-orc ferocity, i still stand. :)

"Why you ape filth, i'm taking your heads as compensation."
Marduk quickly says to the others;
"I'd appreciate a little healing here."

Stabilize in advance: 1d20 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (17) + 2 - 3 = 16

Wyeth cringes as he sees the apes piling onto Marduk, and immediately moves to aid him. (Moving 10' south.)

"Bad move, you baboon buffoons! Very bad move!" he says as makes use of the wand still in his hand.

Cure Light Wounds=>Marduk: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Geez Marduk, what did you do to p*ss off DiceBot?

Sorry Benson

Falling damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

What was this? Did something fall on Benson? No damage is listed by his name?

Benson cries, "Marduk!" and charges the ape by the wall nearest him if he can charge over this ground. As he runs, his elven curve blade hisses from the Scabbard of Honing, edge gleaming wickedly.

Elven Curve Blade: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
damage, +1 from Scabbard: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 = 14

Edit: If he can charge, his attack result was +2 or 19 and his AC is 16.

Also I forgot his damage bonus is +3 since he's using a 2-handed weapon, so I updated the damage.

Since he's using a two-handed weapon, his normal AC is 18.

Benson; the ape fell down and hurt itself. Also no charging because of steps. But the 17 is a hit ;-).

Benson moves towards the malignant monkey and kills him with one magnificent maneuver! Wyeth moves to Marduk and eases a tiny bit of the monk's bloody wounds.

Initiative
Marduk -1/22, disabled (Orc Ferocity)
Saitama 19/23
Raevin 5/10
- - -
Apes
- - -
Benson
Wyeth 16/18

Wyeth moves to Marduk and eases a tiny bit of the monk's bloody wounds.

"Tiny" being the operative word. Sigh.

The 'what did i do', is probably saying we can take those 2 apes.

Marduk keeps on the defensive.

Whoops, I completely forgot about this!

Saitama moves to Marduk with wand in hand, shouting. "Irori says, 'HEALITUDE'!!!"

CLW wand @ Marduk: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

"My humble gratitude, brother Saitama."

Marduk still has his hands in a defensive pose, which is also assumed by Raevin.

The two remaining apes pile onto the half-Orc monk once again! And yet again they manage to hurt Marduk
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Initiative
Benson
Wyeth 16/18
Marduk 0/22, Staggered
Saitama 19/23
Raevin 5/10
- - -
Apes
- - -

Again? Irori must be testing me.

Benson pulls his curve blade from the fallen ape and twirls it up and back as he steps over the beast and next to the staggering Marduk. "Withdraw! We can handle these beasts!"

The blade begins its downward arc.

Elven Curve Blade: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

"Bad monkeys! Stop undoing the healitude!", Saitama turn around and punches the monkey in front of Marduk.

Anti-primate punch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage on hit: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Withdraw! We can handle these beasts!

"Let them have it."

Actually Marduk, if you're disabled, you withdraw as a standard action if that's all you can take; in which case you can only move up to your normal movement speed. However, performing any standard action while disabled causes you to take 1 point of damage afterwards. So you could use it to get farther away, although you'll collapse afterwards. Finally, total defense is a standard action, too, so that should drop you. However, since you're technically before me anyway, you could 5' step away, then I can 5' step in and take over your spot (and monkey heat, too!)

Wyeth moves along with Marduk and again taps him with the wand.

CLW=>Marduk: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Looks like there's some question as to where Marduk will end up, but he should be within Wyeth's movement range regardless. I'll update the map once that's settled.

Speaking of the map, I brought it up on my phone just to check location, and as I was studying it the entire base layer jumped far to the left. I don't think that was my doing (since I've never found a way to move anything using my phone's browser) but regardless, I can't put it where it should be (ref: "can't move anything using my phone"). If no one fixes it before I get home this evening I'll take care of it then.

Map corrected, also Marduk can delay until Wyeth has healed him, removing the staggered condition and allowing Marduk to take all his actions. I assume Marduk has delayed and have moved him back to old position so he can again decide what to do.

Saitama throws a sideways swipe at the monkeyman, clouting him on the ear while Benson shows that it ain't that easy to cleave someone in twain like he did moments ago... his swing goes wide. Meanwhile Wyeth has slightly increased the healing power of his wand.

Initiative
Marduk 4/22
Raevin 5/10
- - -
Apes
- - -
Benson
Wyeth 16/18
Saitama 19/23

Marduk throws one punch at the most injured ape.
Right Hook: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 Dmg: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

He then moves away, to avoid more clubbing.
Acrobatics to leave square: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
I hope their CMD isn't that high.

Raevin fires at the ape after Marduk moves back.

to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
dmg if hits: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Marduk's right hook connects marvelously, but Raevin unfortunately misses. The apes retaliate versus Saitama and Benson and hit the Iroran Paladin!

Attack Saitama: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Attack Benson: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Initiative
Marduk 4/22
Raevin 5/10
Benson
Wyeth 16/18
Saitama 12/23
- - -
Apes
- - -

Marduk takes a shout at the top ape.

Attempt intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Saitama, bloodied from the latest monkey strike, glares menacing before winding his arm, to unleash... the SERIOUS PUNCH!

Serious Punch @ adjacent ape: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 - 1 = 15
Damage on hit: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Raevin tries again to hit an ape...

to hit: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 - 4 = 15
dmg if hits: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Elven Curve Blade: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Elven Curve Blade, critical threat: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Damage, critical: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Benson dusts off his Coruscating Curve Bladed Cascade of Decapitation on the ape by the wall.

Wyeth throws a worried glance at the still-wounded Marduk. Then he focuses on helping to dispatch the attacking apes, thrusting his fauchard at the one annoying Saitama.

Fauchard (Reach): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

With the help of an aspis agent that was sneaking up on the ape from behind Raevin kills the ape! Then Benson brutally beats the last standing ape in smithereers! The dust is truly gone from the elven blade, but now it is encrusted with dirty ape bits...

You again look around and now see no apes left, a hesitant cheer goes up from the defenders.

With most of the camp either wounded or sick, Dias fears she may have o bury the site and take the key with her back to Absalom. Regardless, she thanks you profusely for their timely help, and promises to report to her venturecaptain in Absalom that the success at Azlant Ridge was due in no small part to the efforts to you.

Dias also thanks the remaining Aspis agents and then informs them in a rather cold tone that they have 1 hour to rest and then vacate her camp before she orders her Pathfinders to flay the skin from their bones. The Aspis grumble about it, but leave as they were told to.

Over the next several days, Dias guides the camp through packing and loading the caravan wagons to head for the coast and catch a vessel bound for Absalom. She packs away the key and the monolith control device and has the camp workers bury all signs of their dig, including triggering a rock fall to rebury the door to the Azlanti complex.

Well done!

Booyah!! :)

Marduk looked relieved when the last ape fell, but looked around before he lowered his defensive stance.

"It appears to be over. Our trial for the day is over, i think."
When it was clear his assumption was true, he modestly smiled.
"This was quite something."

He couldn't help but smile as the aspis agents were intimidated to leave.

Wyeth walks over to the half-orc and claps him on the shoulder. "Indeed it was, my friend! But now let's see about getting you patched up." Afterward, the oracle proceeds to move about the compound, tending to the wounded.

I realize I don't have to do this for the game's sake, but I need to know how many charges to burn from the wand. He wouldn't just assume everything was over and count on natural healing... not with all the Aspis about. In alphabetical order, to avoid dice manipulation:

CLW=>Marduk: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
CLW=>Marduk: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

CLW=>Raevin: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

CLW=>Saitama: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW=>Saitama: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW=>Saitama: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

That should top up our crew. Wyeth's only down 2 HP, so he'll let that ride. He'd also offer (heal-skill) aid to any of the others who need it; let me know if you want some rolls for that.

Benson contemplates the damage done by his last attack and savors the feeling of satisfaction that he was able to so effectively serve in his friends' defense. He faces his comrades and gives them all a jaunty salute. Suddenly, the gesture sparks a memory. He looks back at the entrance to the cave, then his gaze catches on the colossal corpse of the monstrous ape. He stumbles over toward the body and studies the wounds, standing with mouth agape.

"I did this!" It was half statement, half question. "I remember fighting such an ape as if in a dream. I had a body of iron and you all looked so tiny, like ants scampering about below."

"Many apes! Beaten down. Much success! Wow!", Saitama chants about their new victory against the primate threats.

"Much graciousness to you, Wyeth!", upon his heals.

"Such great strength of steel you have Mr. Benson! Your meditation to conserve your strengthiness served you well and should be an example for the others. I do suggest trying the gangnam stance next time, though.", Saitama squatting to the ground so that his thighs are parallel to the ground and his back straight.

"And good show to you too lil Raevin!", patting the slender man on the back. "Although you are weak in frame, you are strong in bravitude!"

Raevin/Benson; if you haven't yet, I do suggest looking into the Unchained Rogue. You will only gain awesome things from doing so; at the very least, free Weapon Finesse. At 3rd level, then free Dex to Damage with one type of finesseable weapon of your choice. There's still a free rebuild from regular Rogue to Unchained Rogue, including replacing any affected feats and equipment (so replacing your Weapon Finesse feats with something else for example).

Looking into that, but I'm in the middle of a move and don't have time to read it right now, Thanks for the summary though and explanation. :)

Raevin blushes a little at the praise, since he missed a lot more than he hit in this fight, though is pretty happy about putting the killing blow on one of the apes. "Thanks, but I know I wasn't much help in that fight, my aim is so poor when trying not to hit my friends... for that matter, my aim is pretty poor regardless... but I'm learning and getting better... it will all come together in time. You were all pretty amazing, going toe to toe with those beasts... wow! and that monolith! That was incredible!"

"Stop that," Wyeth barks at Raevin good-naturedly. "Every contribution is valuable. We're a team."

"Besides," he says with a chuckle as he returns his attention to dressing a wound, "did you not pay any attention to my bumbling performances in town? Or how I got laid out on the way here? Everyone has off days."

He looks over at Benson. "And speaking of invaluable contributions and most decidedly not 'off days,' ye gods but that was impressive, Benson! And most definitely not a dream... more of a nightmare for that mega-ape , I'd say. Well done, sir!"

-Posted with Wayfinder

Benson describes what it was like to be the golem and gives as much information to Dias for her records. He'll ask her to describe what she can of the dig and what they have discovered so far. Details like its ability to breath a noxious gas and that it was made of cold iron.

I will look into the rogue option. Thanks.

After the party gets back to Bloodcove and is wrapping up this assignment, Benson spends part of the day at the docks, going from ship to ship, looking for prospects of work in case there are no new Pathfinder assignments. When he rejoins the group, he is in the company of an attractive young woman (some might say a girl, for she looks to still be a teenager).

When they are closer, the woman bears more than a passing resemblance to Benson, such that one might suspect they are siblings or cousins. She is average height for a woman, which is to say about a half a foot shorter than the 6 foot tall Benson. She appears strong and graceful, with a pretty face that betrays ancestry both Varisian and Tian. Like Benson, she wears a finely made chain shirt and sports a buckler on her wrist. Her weapon belt is similar to his, with a longsword instead of a dueling sword and what appears to be a prosthetic hand and forarm dangling down like an exotic mace. She sports another weapon, a whip made with finely woven strands of leather and wire. In addition, she has two oddly shaped leather containers that look like exotic thrown weapon quivers, but these turn out to contain a tambourine and a violin.

When they reach the rest of the party, Benson says, "It is my great pleasure to introduce you to Shasta Lux." He tells Shasta the names of the other Pathfinders and then says, "I have never had the pleasure of adventuring with Miss Lux, but we've sailed on the same vessel more than once as our parents run in similar circles trading on the Inner Sea. She is a bard and as clever a woman as you may ever want to meet. Knows more than this old sailor, that is sure."

Benson regards her fondly for a moment. She does not blush at his praise, but she smiles slightly. Benson continues, "She's not my equal with a sword, but watch out if she draws her whip. But she's deadly with the violin. Her music is literally enchanting even when she's not mingling it with her bardic magic. Anyway, she came here looking for me to give me a message that my mother is ill and so I will be sailing back to the Inner Sea to be with my family."

"It's been great adventuring with you and I hope to get the opportunity to do so again. In the meantime, if you get another assignment," and here, he makes a gesture like he's consulting a wayfinder, in case the city is still hostile to Pathfinders, "I'm sure she can help. What she lacks in fighting prowess she more than makes up for in charm and all kinds of useful knowledge and skills. But if she pulls out some cards or dice, watch out. She will claim to know little about gambling, but she will have your gold before you can say Cayden Cailean. Tells an entertaining story as well." He glances at her and winks.

For an image of Shasta, click on the {image} link in her header.

Shasta waves or shakes hands with the group, depending on how they respond to the introductions. "Benson has told me a lot about you," she says, with a soft, high voice that carries clearly through the background noise of the city. "Something about 'stupendous stints of shockatude'?" She makes a face at Benson and then continues. "The venture captain in Absalom told me there may be something for me to do down here. Never been this far south. This heat sucks about as much as Aram Zey. What an a$$h#le."

She has the bearing of a prodigy, which she is, a slightly haughty air of one who knows more than those around her and finds most things somewhat boring. She is attractive, with a pretty face and a pleasing figure. She has long dark hair, currently braided into a ponytail and tucked under the light cotton jacket that she wears over her chain shirt. A small patch of color catches the eye in her forehead, a tattoo with a series of triangles forming a mandala.

Knowledge (Relgion) DC 15 to recognize it. It looks like this.

She has odd bits of jewelry affixed to her gear, leaving her hands, neck and ears unadorned so that they won't catch on things as she plays violin or fights. One other odd feature is her short bow, which is the color of dawn in the form of intricate knotwork designs along the wood in rose and lavender, while most of her arrows have a bright yellow shaft.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Wyeth frowns when Benson mentions his ill mother. "Miss Lux," he acknowledges with a polite duck of his head, then returns his attention to the fighter before Shasta begins her introduction.

"Benson, it's been an honor fighting alongside you," he says as he engages in a hearty handshake. "Our journeys together have been too short and too filled with chaos. Perhaps we'll have a chance to change that in the future. Give your mother my regards, and I hope she recovers quickly."

At Shasta's mention of "stupendous stints of shockatude" the oracle laughs and cuts a glance at Saitama, but doesn't comment otherwise.

Take 10 for 15 on Kn. religion.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Marduk casually looks over the sleeves.
"You carry 'insurance' for the gambling table, miss Lux?", hinting with a turn of his own wrists.

At Shasta's mention of "stupendous stints of shockatude" the oracle laughs and cuts a glance at Saitama, but doesn't comment otherwise.

Almost simultaneously, Marduk looks at Saitama too, a grin turning into a modest smile.

After Wyeth he shakes Benson's hand as well.
"Until next time Benson."

"Benson, I hope your mother recovers quickly and completely. Perhaps we'll travel together toward the inner sea, since I have pressing business calling me home as well. And on that note, I'm going say goodbye to the rest of you and hope we meet again soon... It has been an honor to serve the Society with you all."

*Turns to Raevin..*

"You as well? This is a sudden surprise.
Whatever the reason, perhaps we will venture again in the future."

Marduk shakes Raevin's hand too.

"What's this, then!" demands Wyeth as he shakes Raevin's hand. "Saitama has returned, we've just fought apes, and now the newer of us are departing?"

He gives Marduk a quizzical look. "Have clocks started running backwards? If our next assignment is in a museum it may be time for me to return to Manaket before I'm too young to book my own passage!"

"I'm sorry to be leaving you all because we have had some fun and interesting adventures... but I feel it's time for some contemplative rest and training as well. I can best do that at home. Perhaps in the future we can meet again."

planning on doing a full retrain of Raevin before he hits lvl 2 to take advantage of the Unleashed rules and need time to read up on them

Benson is moved by his comrades well wishes and returns them in kind and with equal sincerity. He buys everyone a round of drinks and encourages Raevin to book passage on the same ship as he.

"May Cayden Cailean lift your spirits and guide your fists, swords, and Fauchards to ever greater heights of bravitude!" with a wink to Saitama.

To Wyeth he adds, "Don't worry, Cayden Cailean respects those who look to their own resources rather than to the divine. That is what he did, after all."

Marduk casually looks over the sleeves. "You carry 'insurance' for the gambling table, miss Lux?" hinting with a turn of his own wrists.

"As fortune favors the brave, luck favors the prepared."

She pulls her left sleeve up to show that one wrist sheath contains a wand. "This contains healing spells, for what it's worth. I'm not much of a fighter, but I like to keep my comrades and myself healthy."