Chaosorbit's PFS PbP Gameday V - #6–23: The Darkest Abduction (Inactive)

Game Master Chaosorbit

Those look like something I recognize. ;)

Free Action
Queth tries to identify the creatures on the left.
Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 - Welp, no clue. Guess Balazar knows. ;)

Move Action
Not seeing much he can do, and his main schtick taken care of (the illusion), he decides to make an active perception check looking inside the room.
Perception: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 31 - +4 for traps, +2 for haunts

Standard Action
He assumes a total defensive position.
AC 33 right now, Touch 22, FF 25, CMD 25

@Kudor -- thanks, hadn't seen that before, very good
@Herodotus -- I think we'll make it across the line in time. Will do my best to push the action.

Balazar recognizes these as Kytons, lawful evil, extraplanar outsiders. 2 questions

Balazar then casts haste on the group.

Queth looks around and finds it odd that the sleeping dark stalker hasn't moved at all. Other than that he doesn't notice anything unusual.

Blinded, the Kyton's step back and continue to fight on almost as if they enjoy the pain; now whirling there many chains around.

One (cyan) attacks Kudor.

Attack 1 - low hit v total concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 61
Attack 1 - low hit v total concealment (blind fight): 1d100 ⇒ 56
Chain attack 1: 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 - 2 - 2 = 11
damage 1: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5

Attack 2 - low hit v total concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 41
Attack 2 - low hit v total concealment (blind fight): 1d100 ⇒ 45
Chain attack 2: 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 - 2 - 2 = 11
damage 2: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

Attack 3 - low hit v total concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 98
Attack 3 - low hit v total concealment (blind fight): 1d100 ⇒ 13
Chain attack 3: 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 - 2 - 2 = 21
damage 3: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

Attack 4 - low hit v total concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 80
Attack 4 - low hit v total concealment (blind fight): 1d100 ⇒ 73
Chain attack 4: 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 - 2 - 2 = 12
damage 4: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

All the hits miss Kudor

The other one (purple) attacks the Hound Archon

Attack 1 - low hit v total concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 70
Attack 1 - low hit v total concealment (blind fight): 1d100 ⇒ 38
Chain attack 1: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 - 2 = 13
damage 1: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Attack 2 - low hit v total concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 44
Attack 2 - low hit v total concealment (blind fight): 1d100 ⇒ 12
Chain attack 2: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 2 = 21
damage 2: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

Attack 3 - low hit v total concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 48
Attack 3 - low hit v total concealment (blind fight): 1d100 ⇒ 29
Chain attack 3: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 2 = 19
damage 3: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Attack 4 - low hit v total concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 33
Attack 4 - low hit v total concealment (blind fight): 1d100 ⇒ 62
Chain attack 4: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 11 - 2 = 24
damage 4: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

2 of the chains connect on the hound.

The hound archon roars back landing 3 attacks and dropping the first of the Kytons.

Round 2 Effects for All: Bless / Magic Circle against Evil /Haste
Miregrold Manor

Balazar
Queth
Zodarna unconscious - 161 total dmg (115 non-lethal)
blue chain (cyan) 27 dmg - Menaced/Blinded
blue chain (purple) 102 dmg DEAD
Heccan May take 2 turns
Kudor
Hound Archon 12 dmg
Herodotus
Brother Theo

Round 3
Balazar
Queth

All Pathfinder (minus hound) are up.

Thanks! I appreciate it!

"The Wicked shall fall before the Righteous, for their Evil was the seed of their Undoing." intones Herodotus loudly as he steps further in.

Five foot step forward and another smite vs Mr Blue! This time, we're using adamantine durable arrows! (Its the little things that get me excited)

Longbow attack #1, Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim, Point-Blank Shot, Divine Favor, Smite, Haste: 1d20 + 17 - 2 - 3 + 1 + 1 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 17 - 2 - 3 + 1 + 1 + 4 + 1 = 37
Longbow attack #1 damage (2 arrows): 2d8 + 6 + 12 + 2 + 2 + 24 ⇒ (2, 1) + 6 + 12 + 2 + 2 + 24 = 49
Longbow attack #2, Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim, Point-Blank Shot, Divine Favor, Smite, Haste: 1d20 + 17 - 2 - 3 + 1 + 1 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 17 - 2 - 3 + 1 + 1 + 4 + 1 = 35
Longbow attack #2 damage: 1d8 + 3 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 8 = 27
Longbow attack #3, Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim, Point-Blank Shot, Divine Favor, Smite, Haste: 1d20 + 12 - 2 - 3 + 1 + 1 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 12 - 2 - 3 + 1 + 1 + 4 + 1 = 25
Longbow attack #3 damage: 1d8 + 3 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 8 = 24
Longbow attack #4, Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim, Point-Blank Shot, Divine Favor, Smite, Haste (Hasted Attack): 1d20 + 17 - 2 - 3 + 1 + 1 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 17 - 2 - 3 + 1 + 1 + 4 + 1 = 36
Longbow attack #4 damage: 1d8 + 3 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 8 = 21

Herodotus's barrage of arrows obliterates the last kyton. At Balazar's assistance the hound archon gives it an extra wack to suspend it's regenerative abilities long enough for it to die good and proper.

Combat over!

That's basically it, feel free to post whatever post combat stuff you want. I'll wrap-up later and get to working on the chronicles.

Herodotus goes and picks up his arrows, cleaning them of the tainted blood upon them before going over to truss up the masked creature, which he then attempts to unmask.

Queth examines the Dark Stalker to see what is happening.

No idea what was going on here. Was trying to piece it together but couldn't think of anything from past seasons what would relate.

Herodotus unmasks the creature to reveal a dark folk, Zodarna, it doesn't take much persuading for the revenge plot to be revealed. It seems that the founder of the Miregrold Manor, the ambitious Pathfinder Skeldon Miregrold, made quite the name for himself with bold expeditions deep into the Darklands. His success culminated in his promotion to Venture Captain of the new lodge he founded here in his family’s manor home.

It seems Miregrold double crossed a former ally, a dark stalker named Zoathrias, who co-ruled a large darklands settlement with Zodarna. When Zoathrias came for his revenge on Miregrold he was killed by a team of pathfinders; an event that also led to Miregrold's losing his rank as Venture Captain thanks to his research hoarding and his reckless management of the lodge. His cousin Basia Kalistoff was quick to step in and has worked diligently since to repair the damage her predecessor inflicted to the lodge, her family’s reputation, and the Society’s standing in Ustalav. By all appearances, business in Karcau has remained quiet since, until now.

Zodarna has dedicated herself to inflicting the same wounds on the Society as it inflicted on the dark folk, but as a disciple of Norgorber, Reaper of Reputation, she longed to watch the Pathfinders’ own curiosity destroy their Society. She began kidnapping citizens, in a plot to frame the Society for all of Karcau’s woes—including the abduction of Olivina Sharnau, one of the city’s most acclaimed virtuosos.

Thanks to you this plot has been foiled.

Queth's examination of the dark stalker reveals yet another illusion which has been cast on venture captain, Basia Kalistoff. Once removed and freed; the beaten, bound, and gagged Basia relates how thoroughly embarrassed she is by being captured soon after her meeting with the countess (though the venture-captain suspects no misdeeds on the part of Lady Livgrace). Basia helps you check on the well-being of the other captives and then heads upstairs to check the status of the rest of the lodge and signal for Karcau’s guards.

One of the other captives is Liand Erumont, judge on the Palatine Council of Vieland, he thanks you for saving him and explains that he was abducted while visiting family in Karcau only a day or two ago. And had a good number of cruelties inflicted on him, at the hand of Basia Kalistoff. Though he now realizes that it in fact it was Zodarna in disguise. He can vouch for the Society's innocence and good intentions; and provides a credible testimony to the countess later.

Unforanately, the most difficult captive to convince is Olivina Sharnau. It seems Olivina has spent many years familiarizing herself with the overly elaborate plots of Chelish and Ustalavic operas, making her more willing to believe the lies that the disguised Zodarna concocted. She even has come up with a few ill founded theories of her own about what has been going on. On top of that, she already bought into the relatively common belief that the Pathfinders are grave-robbing hooligans. By Olivina’s reckoning, Pathfinders abducted her while she was in the Cloisoi Theater, beat her savagely, kept her in the sewers until her adoring fans could search no longer, then dragged her through dark tunnels to this profane cellar. The foul mistress of the lodge (once again Zodarna in disguise) brought her torture demons to interrogate Olivina so as to better crush all that is beautiful in this world—starting with Karcau itself!

She rebukes any claims regarding the dark folk involvement, going so far as to believe that the Pathfinders set up a clever scene to make themselves appear as heroes when, in fact, they are clearly villains.

A well reasoned appeal could still convince her of the truth though. Bluff or Diplomacy check if you want, and bonuses if you put a bit of roleplay to it. Can change her mind.

A bit more later, if you want to attempt to convince Olivina

Chronicles up later tonight.

"With all due respect milady, If we could concoct such fantastical schemes and act them out so convincingly we would be giving up the deadly and apparently thankless profession of Pathfinder and be angling for your job. But alas we we focus on rescuing the helpless, acquiring dangerous objects and protecting them from those who would abuse them, and far too often fighting for our lives against those who take umbrage at our noble deeds. Zodarna treated you most foully in hopes that you and your adoring fans would believe slanderous lies about the Pathfinder society. We would be happy to share our good deeds with you to help convince you otherwise. Including our efforts today to find and free you."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33

"Ma'am, as you are a person well versed in theater, you certainly know that there were much simpler ways to make ourselves look like the heroes. Also, if we truly wanted to be in your good graces, I do not think we would have beaten you, even when posing as an assailant. In fact, if you have any wounds, I will mend them now."

Can't fail to aid another for +2 on the diplomacy check.

Brother Theo listened to the conversation and added his inputAlso, while a play can tell a tale, sometimes it only shows one side of the story. If you want to find out more about it, do your own research rather than what someone tells you. You might find that the villain is the real hero.

Auto aid diplomacy for another +2

Oh, I've had it wrong, I so sorry. Olivina replies to the pathfinders excellent arguments. However, the apology seems hallow, but that said she does not slander the Society further.

In the wake of the showdown with Zodarna, Countess Livgrace visits and congratulates you on solving the case. She indicates that all of Karcau is talking about their your exploits, and notes that most of the chatter focuses on how the Pathfinders helped to protect Karcau, and how they rescued Olivina. The positive publicity will no doubt improve the Pathfinder Society’s standing with the city’s shot-callers.

Great job Pathfinders!! - linking chronicles