[LPF] Rescue at Boar's Ridge

[Satin Knights]

Rescue at Boar's Ridge

A Living Pathfinder adventure for 4-6 first level characters
and seven heroes stepped forward, to rescue... the cat.
​

GM: Satin Knights
Judge: Mowgli
Start Date: March 22nd, 2012 (DOY=81)
Honored Players:
1) Mesem Adrarda (Qik) Synthesist ......... Starting 0 XP, 709.28 EXP, 679 TXP, 582 TGP.
2) Ru Brike (jkason) Ninja .......,.......,..,... Starting 0 XP, 709.28 EXP, 679 TXP, 582 TGP.
3) Dolgrin Truddiggun (Possum) Fighter ... Starting 0 XP, 709.28 EXP, 679 TXP, 582 TGP.
4) Menik (Kinem) Wizard ........................ Starting 0 XP, 709.28 EXP, 679 TXP, 582 TGP.
5) Galandra Beiryn (SoulNova) Ranger ..... Starting 0 XP, 709.28 EXP, 679 TXP, 582 TGP.
6) Reianne Estril (Hemera) Bard .............. Starting 0 XP, 709.28 EXP, 679 TXP, 582 TGP.
7) Lem the Cook (Deuce Traveler) Monk .,..Starting 0 XP, 709.28 EXP, 679 TXP, 582 TGP.
97 days, Everyone levels to Second Level on June 27th with 1,388 XP total. (DOY=179)

1) Mesem Adrarda (Qik) Synthesist ......... Starting 1,388 XP, 457.14 EXP, 209 TXP, 209 TGP.
2) Ru Brike (jkason) Ninja .......,.......,..,... Starting 1,388 XP, 457.14 EXP, 209 TXP, 209 TGP.
3) Dolgrin Truddiggun (Possum) Fighter ... Starting 1,388 XP, 457.14 EXP, 209 TXP, 209 TGP.
4) Menik (Kinem) Wizard ........................ Starting 1,388 XP, 457.14 EXP, 209 TXP, 209 TGP.
5) Galandra Beiryn (SoulNova) Ranger ..... Starting 1,388 XP, 457.14 EXP, 209 TXP, 209 TGP.
6) Reianne Estril (Hemera) Bard .............. Starting 1,388 XP, 457.14 EXP, 209 TXP, 209 TGP.
7) Lem the Cook (Deuce Traveler) Monk .,..Starting 1,388 XP, 457.14 EXP, 209 TXP, 209 TGP.

Another 19 days and the brave heroes get to go home.
All the heroes end with 2,054 XP total and 2,193.85 GP total after expenses.

Updated July 16th, 2012 (DOY=198)

[sblock=Encounters]3/28 - 4/3 ~ The Newbie's Gauntlet ~ CR 1/2 ~ 28.57 XP each, zero treasure (0/200)
4/11 - 4/18 ~ 2 Skeleton Archers ~ 2 * CR 1/3 ~ 38.57 XP each, zero treasure (nobody collected their bows) (0/400)
4/18 - 4/19 ~ trapped door ~ CR 1/2 ~ 28.57 XP each, zero treasure (0/200)
4/19 - 5/2 ~ 7 goblins ~ 7 * CR 1/3 ~ 135.00 XP each, treasure uncollected (0/1200)
5/10 - 5/14 ~ 4 sleeping goblins * CR/1/3 ~ 77.14 XP each, mundane treasure collected, 2 alchemist's fires (40+mundane/400)
5/17 - 5/21 ~ 1 Giant black widow spider * CR3 ~ 114.29 XP each, (?/1200)
5/28 - 5/31 ~ 6 skeletons * CR 1/3 ~ 115.71 XP each, (0/1200)
6/19 - 6/27 ~ 1 Green Slime Trap * CR 4 ~ 171.43 XP each, 1 book of treasure (n/1700)
Leveled to 2nd
..7/1 - 7/5 .~ 1 Trapped Door * CR 2 ~ 85.71 XP each, (0/400)
7/5 ...........~ 4 equipped skeletons * CR 1/2 ~ 114.29 XP each, (0/1200)
..............., ~ 1 Goblin Dog * CR 2 ~ 85.71 XP each (0/800)
......... 7/10 ~ Grimspiller * CR 4 ~ 171.43 XP each (0/1700)
7/11 - 7/16 ~ mop up, collect loot, go to town, fix Dolgrin's blindness and get paid.


All the characters had identical earnings.
.....2,054 Total XP == 1,166 Encounter XP + 679 first level Time XP + 209 second level Time XP
2,193.85 Total GP == 1442.85 Encounter GP + 582 first level Time GP + 209 second level Time GP - 40 GP share of party expenses

[/sblock]
[sblock=Treasure]Each person receives 9 platinum and 10 gold pieces as initial payment. (100 gp each)
Party Funds: 1 wand of Cure Light Wounds, 19 charges currently. (4 used) (345 gp combined)
.............,......1 map, 2 alchemist's fire.
From Dwarf skeleton: rope, hammer, pitons, bedroll and a second map

Spoken for Treasure:
...300 gp ~ Galandra ~ Composite longbow with +2 STR rating
1,000 gp ~ Mesem ~ Cloak of Resistance +1
1,000 gp ~ Menik ~ Pearl of Power +1
..,315 gp ~ Reianne ~ Masterwork longsword
......0 gp ~ Dolgrin ~ nothing
......0 gp ~ Ru ~ nothing
......0 gp ~ Lem ~ nothing

Not spoken for treasure:
1,000 gp ~ Cloak of Resistance +1, second one, Grimspiller was wearing this one
1,800 gp ~ Efficient quiver
....00 gp ~ Spell book used and converted to cash
..200 gp ~ Ornamental Silver Imp containment cage, currently transporting Fiorella
.....0 gp ~ map from the dwarf's skeleton
.....0 gp ~ damaged scroll of the evil ritual, missing a page, acid damaged
............~ Then the rest is mundane weapons you collected,
............~ and the cash bounty that Cratchen is paying for the deed.

.10,100 GP Total Encounter Treasure for the adventure
+5,537 GP Total Time Based Treasure for the adventure
.....-60 gp.... Charges used on the wand of Cure Light Wounds
...-150 gp.... Hire cleric to remove Dolgrin's blindness
.....-70 gp,... Horse rental for a week for the seven animals
======
15,357 GP Total Treasure for the group after expenses
or
............2,193.85 gp per person after expenses
So, if you are taking an item of treasure, subtract that from the final 2,193.85 gp of your loot from the adventure to get your final gold and silver coins received.
[/sblock][sblock=Consumables Used]wild turkey dinner replaced first day's rations,
2 alchemist's fire replaced by pickups from goblins,
Reianne: one sunrod
Party: 4 charges from the CLW wand, 150 GP to heal Dolgrin's blindness, 10 gp per person horse/pony rental totals to 40 GP charged as expenses.
[/sblock][sblock=Marching Order]
Single File ...............Double Wide.................Watches
Mesem.....................Mesem ~ Dolgrin..........Dolgrin + Galadra
Dolgrin.....................Reianne ~ Ru...............Mesem + Lem
Ru............................Menik ~ Lem...............Menik + Ru + Reianne
Reianne........................Galandra
Menik
Lem
Galandra

If you have a standard procedure for opening a door, we will put it in here too, so as to speed repetitive issues like that.[/sblock][sblock=Major Personalities]Cratchen ~ Enraged spell slinger and your employer
Fiorella ~ kidnapped cat that needs rescuing
Grimspiller ~ hobgoblin kidnapper necromancer
Goblins ~ more than 2
Skeletons ~ more than 2
1 very, very big spider
Jacus (pronounced Jay Kus if you don't want a fight) ~ middle management stable hand[/sblock][sblock=Example mini-stats]Kalgor AC 15 HP 12/45, Init +2, Perception +8/+10 vs human, Sense Motive -1/+1 vs human
+1 Greatsword +8, 2d6+7+1 dirty fighting trait when flanking, or
Handbo +7, d6+4
Comp Longbow, +6, d8+4..... Arrows 10 Normal, 5 CI, 3 Blunt, 2 Smoking
Fort: +5, Reflex +5, Will +5
...Summoner Cantrips: Detect Magic, Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Mage Hand, Jolt
...... . . Mage Cantrips: Read Magic, Prestidigitation, Dancing Lights
.,....Summoner 1st Lvl: 4/4 remaining; Lesser Rejuvenate Eidolon, Shield, Magic Fang, Expeditious Retreat
..,,,Mage 1st Lvl Spells: 3; Mage Armor(3hr), Vanish(3r), Enlarge Self*(3m), Bonded Amulet
...,,......,..Racial Spells: 1/day, not used; Daylight (30 minutes)
,.Summoner Monster II: 4/4 remaining; std action SLA summon, (3 min), Celestial Hyena, d3 Celestial dogs, d3 celestial eagles
.,,.........Battle Shaper: 4/4 remaining; swift action to grow a claw, bite or gore attack
...,,.......Combat Feats: Precise Strike +1d6
.............Consumables: 2 Alchemist's Fires, 1 Cure Light Wounds potion
Effects: Flanking, Precise Strike, Dirty Fighting
In Hand: Magic Greatsword

The use of Gray to mark spells of daily consumables as used helps everyone to keep track. It also works well for words that need to be there, but not necessarily prominent like spell durations or DCs. The leading spaces for formatting are actually ...... strings in black.
[/sblock][sblock=Intended Time]This adventure should probably run about 6 months and bring beginning characters up to just shy of or just over 3rd level. So, you are expected to level at least once mid-adventure. In game, the adventure is on a deadline that will not allow you to "return to town for supplies".[/sblock][sblock=Adventure Rules]Liberally adapted from others who do this better than I do, since this is my first PbP seat in the GM's chair:

* I prefer the use of [ sblock=OOC ] instead of [ OOC ]. It does a better job of hiding the out of character commentary.

* Group initiative, rolled by GM. In the case where an individual member of the 'losing side' rolls better than all other individual members of the 'winners,' that character may act first in the inital round of combat (surprise or round 1). Otherwise, unless a players specifies that actions are to follow another character / event, actions happen in the order they were posted. More than 36 hours or so delay for posting during your turn in a combat may result in my NPCing the character to keep things moving.

* Feel free to use Invisible Castle or the EnWorld on-line dice rollers for your characters. In general, I may or may not be posting my actual rolls, just results. I may use the EnWorld roller more than other GMs, so if the dice at the bottom of a post starts overwhelming, you can shrink that down to a text one liner by changing your user settings. Settings->Edit Options->Thread Display Options->Dice Roller Display->Streamlined. GM secret rolls like Perception and Stealth will be done by physical dice.

* I tend to post at any time of the day or night. I may post "mid-round" combat updates as needed or "short responses" to questions more often than the characters. If you're going to be away for longer than a couple days, please let me know if at all possible so we can arrange NPCing if necessary. I will generally look at your wiki character sheet for a "Intended next action" or "Standard Operating Procedure" near the top of the sheet for clues as to what to do.

* If you do not post for a week or more without notice, I may end up writing you out of the adventure. You will still receive your share of the XP and treasure earned as well as time XP and gp to the date of your last post.

* If your character gets enough XP to level they may do so at the end of an encounter. This grants the extra hp, but does not heal damage, and grants any additional spell slots, but not spells prepared. A caster capable of spontaneously casting could use these slots normally, a cleric could only use them for cure or inflict spells, a druid for summon nature's ally, etc. Prepared casters may prepare spells in these slots as if they had left the slots blank for the day, if they are able to do so. They can go through the appropriate spell preparation as if they had already rested if applicable. If you are adding a new class that requires special materials, like a wizard's spell book, please PM me a little ahead of time so I can work it in cleanly.

PS: My PM box hovers at 16 of 20. Too many projects I have to track.

* Mini stat blocks (preferably including a link back to the wiki page for your character) and a picture for maps are quite helpful. It is nice if you can colorize the major stats like Total HP, Current HP, AC, Weapon in hand.

* If you have an interrupt or immediate action ability, please list it in your mini-stat block so I can attempt to weave it into the bad guy's combat at the appropriate time the first time around. If you can take more than one AoO in a round, please list that too.

* I mess up sometimes. Everyone does. Feel free to point it out. I will try to retcon to fix if needed. Sometimes, I will need to use the "plot device or special circumstances overrides the normal rules" card. We're all here to have fun, so I'll do everything I can to facilitate that if you do the same.

I think I have overdone it by now, let's get started.
​

[/sblock]

 

[Satin Knights]

At the Dunn Wright Inn...

Thud! As the door to the inn slams open, an older human who is starting to get some grey in his beard comes marching in. His refined robes are betrayed by his rage. "Bastard! That bastard! I told the white cloaks to deal with him, and they did nothing." By this time, the man has reached the bar, staring Grog straight in the face. "Old friend, get me a bottle of whiskey, a room and six fearless souls. I am putting a bounty out on that necromancer!" Grog hands him a bottle from an upper shelf and a key to one of the back rooms. He doesn't bother grabbing a mug.

As the man stomps off towards the back, Grog tries to ask,"Ware tis" "Now!"

The back room door slams, but bounces back open slightly ajar.

Surprised by these events, Grog straightens up, "Attenshun! You bunch want work. He haz work. Be vary kareful. Spell slingger vary mad." Grog is looking around, casually searching for something.[sblock=Recruiting]Recruiting for "Rescue at Boar's Ridge"
5-6 characters starting at level 1, but could squeeze in a level 2.
Run time: 6-8 months, should take the characters to third level.
Leveling: Done after qualifying battle. Expected at least once. No opportunity to shop.
Post speed: every 24-36 hours.
Original post in DWI thread[/sblock]

 

[Satin Knights]

... and the heroes approach, looking for a challenge or a payday...

Mesem had watched the angry man inquisitively, keeping silent until he stalked off. He hadn't really thought about intervening until Grog suggested it. I guess this is how they do things around here; most interesting.

Sliding off his stool and hefting his pack, Mesem looks at the others with a raised eyebrow. "I guess this is the opportunity we have been awaiting."

Mesem approaches the slightly ajar door and slides it open cautiously. "I believe I may be one of the souls you desire, your lordship," he says as he enters the back room and moves towards the table, curious about the entire matter.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Ru smiles a tad maniacally on witnessing the exchange between bartender and patron, and stands as if to follow. At Grog's warning, the man bows and gestures to let Mesem precede him through the doorway. Once it's clear that entering the room isn't enough to invoke arcane wrath, he follows.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
​

"Come in, Come in and sit. I will start explaining this mess as soon as I calm down." Taking long drinks from the wiskey bottle, it is obvious he is not going to be setting it down until it is empty.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
​

Mesem silently follows the cankerous old man's bidding, glad to see he is at least on the path to calming down. Hanging his bag from the back of his chair as he seats himself across from his prospective employer, Mesem sits and waits patiently as the man self-medicates, watching as some of the others trickle into the back room.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
​

Dolgrin picks up his mug and heads to sit down next to the angry newcomer. "Ye said something about a necromancer that's been buggin' you?" the dwarf asks. "I'd be glad to help you. It'll be good to be getting some work and coin up on the surface."

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
​

Falling in battle is bad enough, but who knows what a necromancer might do!

Nontheless, Menik heads into the back room. "Hello. I am Menik. My sword and spells are for hire, if the price is right. My soul, not so much."

​

 

[Satin Knights]

Cratchen ~ spell slinger friend of Grog

[sblock=After Galandra and Reianne join]The host starts his speech after the last two enter the room and sit down. I am reserving a seat for SoulNova's Galandra and a new person Hemera's Reianne. That should cover all the newbie characters we currently have.[/sblock]
"No worries Menik, I am looking for strong sword arms. Thank you, thank you for coming." He takes another swig of his whiskey. "I am Cratchen. I want that bastard dead, but that is not what I am hiring you for. I am hiring you to rescue Fiorella. A vile necromancer, by the name of Grimspiller, has kidnapped her. He intends to use her in a sacrifice at midnight of the next full moon to gain forbidden power. I warned the white cloaks that he would be a pestilence on the land. But, they would not do anything. I bet he was the cause of the walking bones we had in the streets just a while ago."

Looking over the group, trying to appraise your power, he shrugs and takes another drink. Mumbling to himself, "Power in numbers, I didn't have numbers." Then straightening up, "Ah yes, this ritual, if he has found the old secrets of it, has been banned for over four hundred years. If he was successful in the ritual, the Grand Council themselves would hunt him down. But that will be too late for my poor Fiorella."

Starting to get a bit wobbly from the booze, "You, You have four days before the full moon. They are in the old fort on Boar's Ridge, a day and a half east of here." He tosses a bag that jingles like coins on the table, "A hundred gold each now, another, another four hundred each when Fiorella is back in my arms safely."

 

[possum]

"Walking bones?" Dolgrin can't help but interject. "What in the hells did I miss here?"

He listens to the rest of the story in silence, nodding every now and then. "Cuttin' it kinda close, I see. But don't worry, I feel that we'll be able to rescue your Fiorella and cut this necromancer down a peg or two..."

 

[jkason]

Ru Brike, human ninja

Ru listens carefully, then considers a moment. He looks around the room, assessing the others as much as he is the job presented. Whatever it is he determines only shows in the slightest of guarded frowns before he turns back to Cratchen.

"I'm hoping you'll pardon my prying, but especially with time so essential, I want to know more than less, and as quickly as possible. Surprises get people killed. So: first of all, let's ask a few questions about 'your' Fiorella. Is she a relative? Lover? Student? For that matter, is there anything about her that makes her especially tempting as this necromancer's sacrifice? I don't know much about magic, but if there are crazy celestial events involved and forbidden power and such, I'm assuming the requirements for the spell are pretty specific."

[sblock=actions]Know:local on Grimspiller. Don't imagine this nets much:

Know (local): Grimspiller (1d20+4=15)[/sblock]


[sblock=mini stats]Ru Brike
AC: 16 (Touch 14, Flatfooted 12)
HP: 11/11

Initiative: +4
Perception: +4 Sense Motive: +4
CMB: +0 CMD: 14 Fort: +2 Reflex: +6 Will: +1

Wakizashi: +4, 1d6
Wakizashi (TWF): +2/+2, 1d6/1d6
Nunchaku: +4, 1d6
Shuriken: +4, 1d2
Conditional Attack mods: +1d6 Sneak Attack (when denied Dex), +1 Dirty Fighter (flank)

Conditions: None

In Hand: None

Shuriken: 10/10
[/sblock]

 

[Satin Knights]

"She's my cat! Rumors are that the ritual perverts the powers of a familiar. If they are true, I would be crippled for life, Fiorella would be dead, and Grimspiller would have power stolen from both of us. Even killing him after the fact would not heal me or allow Fiorella to be raised from the dead. That is why this ritual has been forbidden in civilized society for so long. Civilized! Ha! That's something he will never be." His frustration and anger is noticeably growing again.[sblock=Ru Brike]You have heard Grimspiller's name cursed before, so he is not likely to be first level. But, you haven't heard details of him or of what he has done.[/sblock]
[sblock=Walking Bones]Rather recently, many of the dead woke and started wandering the streets of Venza. Roaming Dead was an adventure to put them to rest.[/sblock]

 

[Qik]

Mesem sits silently for a turn, allowing some of the others to speak up as he sifts through his thoughts. Internally, he gives a low whistle when Cratchen names his price; it is certainly far more coin than he has ever seen. Finally, he speaks up.

"You say that this Grimspiller is resident to a fort? I presume then that he will be well prepared for any interruptions between now and the completion of the moon. Do you know of any others who may be on his side? Or what his capabilities are at filling his own ranks?" In his own mind, he contemplates the capabilities of a wizard of this Grimspiller's apparent prowess. The hand resting on his chin glows for a moment as he seeks to jog his memory by all the means available to him. Unfortunately, he has little experience in such matters.

Mesem looks at their advance payment, already planning to make a stop to purchase some supplies before they leave.

[sblock=OOC]Know (Arcana) to see if there's anything to be learned about the magical capabilities of a necromancer such as Grimspiller. Probably an outside shot, I know, but it's better to roll than not.

Casting Guidance, +1 on skill check.

Edit: UGH.[/sblock]

[sblock=Stats]Mesem Adrarda
Status: Unbound
[sblock=Bound Stats]Initiative: +1, Perception: +7
HP: 9/9 real + 11/11 temporary
AC: 13 (Touch: 11 Flat-footed: 12) CMB: +5 CMD: 16
Fort: +1 Ref: +1 Will: +6 (+8 vs enchantments)

Natural Weapons:Bite (+5, 1d6+4), 2 Claws (+6, 1d4+4)
[/sblock][sblock=Unbound Stats]Initiative: +0, Perception: +7
HP: 10/10 real
AC: 10 (Touch: 10 Flat-footed: 10) CMB: +0 CMD: 10
Fort: +2 Ref: +0 Will: +6 (+8 vs enchantments)[/sblock]Current Weapon in Hand: None

Summon Monster I: 4/4
Spells: 0 - Infinite, 1 - 2/2

Active Magic: None
[/sblock]​

 

[soulnova]

[sblock=OOC] I'll post at night! Thanks for reserving the seat! [/sblock]

 

[Satin Knights]

Cratchen

"Well, necromancer should tell you quite a lot. He has been seen leading small packs of skeletons. I am sure he is not strong enough to make his own, but anything can be bought in the seedier alleys of this city." He takes another swig of whiskey. "Then there are those dirty little buggers. Being a hobgoblin, he keeps a pack of goblins in check with fear an intimidation. Seeing that he uses magic, I am sure the runts see him as a powerful master."

"At least there is one less of the little runts. I caught him on patrol outside the fort. After I charmed him, he couldn't count, but told me there were many inside. And he told me they were waiting for the moon. Surprisingly, a summoned celestial wolf makes good work of making an execution look like a natural event." He smiles.

"They are looking for me, so I cannot go. If I am seen approaching, Grimspiller would kill Fiorella out of sheer spite. But that fort is conquered three to four times a year. If a random gang came attacking, it would just be more sport for those that hold it now."