Riddle of Steel [closed]

[BarbieTheRPG]

OOC (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?648428-Riddle-of-Steel-PF-!C&p=25538037#post25538037)

'The Riddle Of Steel'

https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/002/508/541/large/vasil-doiashvili-hyboria-by-vasinka.jpg?1462531390

"Know, O lords, that between the years when the oceans drank Atlantis and the gleaming cities, and in the years of the rise of the sons of Aryas, there was an Age undreamed of, when shining kingdoms lay spread across the world like blue mantles beneath the stars - Nemedia, Ophir, Brythunia, Hyperborea, Zamora with its dark-haired women and towers of spider-haunted mystery, Zingara with its chivalry, Koth that bordered on the pastoral lands of Shem, Stygia with its shadow-guarded tombs, Hyrkania whose riders wore steel and silk and gold. But the proudest kingdom was Aquilonia, reigning supreme in the dreaming west. Hither came The Four Seasons; Zabrys the Unbowed, Alaric Berengard with eyes the color of hot steel, the Triple-Edged Val Alactus and Galgara the Star-Singer. It is I their chronicler who alone can tell thee of their saga. Let me tell you of the Days of High Adventure!"

https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/marveldatabase/images/3/32/Aquilonia_from_Conan_Saga_Vol_1_5.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/400?cb=20200917132824

After a many-month-long war between Great Aquilonia and the savage Picts ravaging their borderland the man-beasts were repelled fleeing back into their primordial wilderness after the Four slew the Pictish War-Shaman Urlek! Now our heroes ride for Tarantia capitol of Aquilonia to claim their bounty of glimmering gold for their blood-stained hands! Navigating the expansive plains, forests and rivers of the region the Four now find themselves merely a day's ride from their destination! As the sun dips slowly beneath the far horizon our heroes consider pushing their steeds towards the Road of Kings or making camp for the night within the Wellwoods adjacent Shirk River ....


https://p4.wallpaperbetter.com/wallpaper/624/266/553/art-fantasy-forest-jungle-wallpaper-preview.jpg


Players can introduce their PCs: how they look (traveling for weeks), their attitude, what the warriors discuss, the status of their steeds, their plans once they get the thousands of gold owed them and anything else players want to describe. The party is within the Wellwoods a large forest with Shirk River about a half-mile to their backs. The day was warm but now begins to cool with the setting sun and clouds are very distant with no chance of rain. There's no sign of nearby travelers but forests tend to teem with wildlife of all sorts.

[Athaleon]

Alaric rode with his hammer leaning on a broad, armored shoulder, and kept a sharp eye scanning the underbrush. Hard experience had taught him to be ready for the fight, even this close to home. Rider and horse were both weary but held their heads high in quiet pride at what they'd accomplished. Alaric's tawny hair was crudely cut and long enough to peek out from under his helm, and a scruffy beard had similarly overtaken his lantern jaw. The scales of his armor were dented and grubby, and the clothing underneath ragged with wear. Yet for all that, he looked more majestic—and far more the warrior—than the fresh-faced youth in gleaming mail who'd rode out all those months before. It was something in the way he carried himself. His mount, a dark grey stallion named Tempest, matched Alaric's appearance and disposition.

He spoke without taking his eyes off their surroundings, the clear voice of a young nobleman that was only beginning to take on a veteran's gravel and a captain's timbre.

"Shall we make camp here, by the river? The better to water the horses, and ourselves besides. We may not reach the Road of Kings by dark, not without pushing, anyway."

[TankLaser007]

Zabyrs was of two hearts on their return to the capital. On hand the thought of riches stirred his breast. He wasn't sure why, perhaps it was the nature of man imbued by Crom. Man had strength of arms, and loved battle, women and all that glittered of jewels and metals.Yet Zabyrs suspected he loved the former much more than the later. That is save for the glint and shine of steel. The flame of hot blood upon cold steel warmed his soul, and the glitter of blades and armour upon the filed of battle filled him with a hunger and lust greater than the supple bosom of any lass or lord's treasure trove.

He trusted his keen Cimmerian senses, and those of his fellow countryman, Val, to alert them long before any hapless foe offered themselves on the alter of battle. He could tell the Aquilonian was wary of their environs, much as he, himself, a child of the northern wastes felt ill at ease in those giant walled prisons of stone and timber. Here, betwixt river and forest, with sky as their blanket, earth their bedding and stones their pillows, here the savage Cimmerian felt at ease.

Theirs was a queer group, but he liked them all well enough. Although not from his tribe or clan Val was like a lithe lion of the hills. Zabyrs, raised partially in the fighting pits of the Picts felt his countryman far more acclimated than himself, to the customs and ways of the more civilised Aquilonians yet who could tell what lay behind those attentive eyes. Although smaller, and despite the number of times the scimitar wielding swordsman had saved his life, Zabrys felt as if the man knew much more than his rugged appearance belied -- and that intimidated him somewhat.

There was the Shemish priest, Galgara Singer of Stars, he was more inscrutable than the Aquilonians. As soft as he might seem his strange gods were potent indeed for he had lived through the hell of battles many seasoned Vanir would find their last. He knew strange eastern magics that mended flesh and eased pain. Reason enough to keep him alive. Perhaps once they received their gold he would visit these Shemish mountain cities Galgara oft spoke of, and he spoke often of many strange delights, Shem seemed a soft and plentiful land of many pleasures, why it had not yet been taken by others puzzled him.

His thoughts returned to Alaric their Aquilonian captain, of sorts. Though city born he was thunder and death on the field. The splintering of skulls and helms beneath the hooves and hammer of the Aquilonian split Zabrys' face with a joyful smile. The barbarian shifted a bit in his saddle. He could ride well-enough but would be just as happy to part with the beast's back as it would be to be free of him.

"Let us rest the steeds then. Perhaps there's a bit of sport to had here while we wait." he said in a deep voice, he lifted his hand in which a large wicked looking great-axe, plucked long ago from a vanquished warrior of Vanaheim, was clutched. "It's been some time since Cricksacor last feasted, and perhaps she thirsts."

[CasualViking]

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/3a/ff/0a/3aff0aa76ff433ea32ac2f1969bc8039.jpg
Val Alactus (https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=2670059)
Dark-haired, lean and muscular, Val Alactus sits easily astride a pale grey gelding. He merely ***** an eyebrow at the conversation, and stretches his arms languidly, rolling his shoulders and grunting. When the consensus seems to be heading towards stopping for the night, he nods his assent.

"I really don't feel like arriving at the road in darkness, shuffling through the night to maybe find a road house, but being too tired to enjoy it. It's a beatufil day to sleep in the great green bed under the starry canopy. There will still be ale, wenches and gold aplenty if we arrive a day later".

As they make for the river, he looks over his companions. "This has been a great campaign. I have faced horrors with these men, and none of them have turned. They are a treasure worth more than the payment for our work".


Maneuvers Readied:
Frenzy Strike (PF3): Strike, attack with all weapons, +2d6 damage
Sun Dips Low (TD2): Counter; Acrobatics to negate attack
Fear the Reaper (EG2): Counter, Intimidate to negate attack, attacker is shaken 1 round.
Leaping Dragon (TD1): Boost, Make Jump +10.
Terrifying Blow (EG1): Strike, will save or Frightened 1

Stances:
Battle Dragon's Stance: +4 Initiative, TWF penalty reduced by 2, +1d6+Int to damage when fighting with two weapons.
Running Hunter's Stance: +10' [enhancement] to speed, Scent.
Pride Leader's Stance: +4 [morale] vs fear, 20' radius.

Quick stats
AC 21, touch 17, FF 18, CMD 26. HP 46/46
Perception +8, Sense Motive +8

Armiger's Mark 6/6
Extended Defense 1/1

[BarbieTheRPG]

https://c.stocksy.com/a/GTF300/z9/774458.jpg

The men thus settled down beneath the sprawling evergreen canopy of the Wellwoods for a well-deserved rest. They established camp, inspected their equipment, cared for their mounts and a short variety of other activities before laying down to sleep. The songs of cicadas, soft rustle of the cool night air passing amongst the leaves and occasional blinking flashes of fireflies seemed to be the full extent of the evening's entertainment.

The chirping of the Wellwoods rising avian community roused the warriors not on watch as the morning sun was barely casting its dawnglow that pushed back the night's darkness. But it was also the unusually-rhythmic echo of motion emerging from the dimly-let woods accompanied by the harsh echo of heavy panting that roused the men completely from lucidity: as they quick-scanned the area, the form of a massive - the beast was at least twice the size of any normal creature of its ilk at roughly twelve feet long and easily over one-thousand pounds - black bear strut out of a jumble of trees then stopped abruptly. It snuffed at the air its head slowly wheeling around taking in its environment while its enormous maw of voracious teeth drooled at the grass. Then it spied the encampment and froze. For several cold moments the beast's semi-gleaming black eyes seemed locked in an inhuman trance as the volume of the morning birdsong seemed to drop to a whisper.

Then the monstrous bear lunged towards the party's horses with deep a huff its mammoth limbs driving it into a thunderous sprint as their mounts become immediately disturbed by the advancing predator!

https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/b281a46d-50f9-4c4d-b17c-5ffe031d9aa6/d2ajcxa-19df7e18-eb3c-426d-9a5c-ef0a2cd87c15.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJ IUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQz NzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZT BkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6 W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2IyODFhNDZkLTUwZjktNGM0ZC1iMT djLTVmZmUwMzFkOWFhNlwvZDJhamN4YS0xOWRmN2UxOC1lYjNj LTQyNmQtOWE1Yy1lZjBhMmNkODdjMTUuanBnIn1dXSwiYXVkIj pbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.3JjWzuNt c1_rK8wROjG526a08EEvZwhH9xjT38UleKA
*art by DJib*


The Dire Bear is roughly 100 feet from the party/horses and sprinting will reach them in two rounds. I'm not sure who would be on watch around sunrise (6 a.m.) but that PCs would obviously be the most prepared for the attack. The other PCs have a round to prepare. I'm relaxing any initiative here and PCs can post their reactions to the bear at-will. I'm also going to try this without a battle-map just to see if it works. Players can consider the scene having normal lighting and dry stable terrain with ankle-high grasses. The horses are about 30 feet from the party and unless combat-trained will need to be settled (Handle Animal). The Dire Bear is Charging at the horses seemingly oblivious to the party. To be clear the party has a full round of activity before the Dire Bear reaches the horses on round two. For attacks please roll both attack and damage dice simultaneously please as it saves time. The Dire Bear (AC 18, Touch AC 10, Reach 5', CMD 26) will attack a horse unless the PCs stop it somehow. Fire away with any questions or comments OOC.

[Athaleon]

I mentioned earlier that Alaric would take last watch to ready the horses first thing, so he's probably awake around 6 AM. Golden Commander Stance and Guerilla Formation last indefinitely while he's conscious, so they would already be active unless he's just waking up.

A combat map would be very helpful for Alaric's abilities that focus on specific positioning.

Move Action: Move to his horse and "draw" his hammer
Free Action: Fast Mount (auto succeed Ride check with Equestrian Belt)
Swift Action: Activate Golden Lion Style
Standard Action: Use Warleader to share the Paired Opportunists teamwork feat with the party (7 rounds remaining, 4 uses remaining)

Mount's Move Action: Move to between the bear and the other horses, 10 feet ahead of them. I don't know if everyone else's mounts are combat trained and I'm not sure Alaric would have had the time to train them over the previous campaign.


Alaric was readying the horses for the coming day's ride when he saw the massive bear approach. Instinct took over as he ran to his mount, and he was back in the saddle with his hammer shouldered before he had even completed a conscious thought.

"Cave bear!" he shouted to any of his companions who may have still been dozing. "Ready up; we take him together!" It was still far enough away that Alaric had time to size up his enemy and steel himself for the coming fight.

[TankLaser007]

Zabyrs rolls to his feet from the blanket he was lying on, although awake, he had been lost in thought of their last battle and it seemed he would soon enter the fray once again.

Cricksacor in hand he struck his chest with the flat of his fist and stomped the earth, a primal guttural growl escaping his clenched teeth, focused on the furred form loping towards their camp his body tensed as he readied to meet it.

"By Crom, Cricksacor hungers for battle!" he bellowed.


Spend the round initiating Primal State
Mar-Rae, my mare, is a battle trained heavy war horse.

Maneuvers Readied:
Steel Flurry Strike (BB3): Standard, Make 3 attacks at full BAB -2, +3d6+2 damage
Bronze Knuckle (BB2): Swift; Attacks this turn deal +2d6+2 damage and ignore all DR
Rapid Strike (RH2): Standard; Make 2 attacks vs a single target
Flurry Strike (BB1): Standard; Make 2 attacks at full BAB +2 damage on each attack
Minute Hand (RH1): Swift; Make a melee attack at -2 to hit

Stances:
Phantom Sun Stance [SW]: Generate phantom ammo or thrown weapons
Running Hunter's Stance [PF]: +10' [enhancement] to speed, Scent.

Quick stats
AC 20, touch 15, FF N/A, CMD 25. HP 53/53
Perception +13, Sense Motive +7
Fort +7; Ref +12; Will +7

Rampage 7/7
Ki 7/7

[CasualViking]

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/3a/ff/0a/3aff0aa76ff433ea32ac2f1969bc8039.jpg
Val Alactus (https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=2670059)
Startled awake, Val rolls to his feet, spots the bear, and leaps and bounds towards the horses to intercept it. His hands fill with steel in one smooth motion, as he stands lightly on his feet, ready to dart in any direction.

Move action to stand up, swift action to use Leaping Dragon and jump feet, second move action to move to intercept and draw both weapons.

Sun Dips Low - acrobatics vs. attack roll [roll1], reroll from amulet if first roll fails [roll2], a negated attack provokes an AoO from Val with both hands. [roll3], [roll4], [roll5], [roll=dam]1d4+1d6+8.
No bonus from position or other players included. - Galgara's spell and closeness andds +4 to hit, +4/+3 to damage


Maneuvers Readied:
Frenzy Strike (PF3): Strike, attack with all weapons, +2d6 damage
Sun Dips Low (TD2): Counter; Acrobatics to negate attack
Fear the Reaper (EG2): Counter, Intimidate to negate attack, attacker is shaken 1 round.
Leaping Dragon (TD1): Boost, Make Jump +10.
Terrifying Blow (EG1): Strike, will save or Frightened 1

Stances:
Battle Dragon's Stance: +4 Initiative, TWF penalty reduced by 2, +1d6+Int to damage when fighting with two weapons.
Running Hunter's Stance: +10' [enhancement] to speed, Scent.
Pride Leader's Stance: +4 [morale] vs fear, 20' radius.

Quick stats
AC 21, touch 17, FF 18, CMD 26. HP 46/46
Perception +8, Sense Motive +8

Armiger's Mark 6/6
Extended Defense 1/1