DystopianGM's The City of Strangers, Part I: The Shadow Gambit CORE (Inactive)

Game Master DystopianDream

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It’s been nearly a month since Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng, a decrepit yet well-respected Pathfinder, instructed you to meet him dockside in Absalom. On arrival, Dreng herded you on to a Korvosa-bound merchant vessel and gave you a series of quick, stern instructions.

“One of my good friends, a merchant in the Varisian outcast’s haven known as Kaer Maga, sent me a very strange letter, which I need you to investigate. The merchant—his name is Horis Collgardie—tells me that the residents of Kaer Maga are very upset about the Society’s plan to build a lodge in their city and even further upset that the agents we sent are making trouble, stirring up the delicate balance of power that exists in the so-called City of Strangers. The trouble is, not the Decemvirate or any venture-captain I can find gave the okay to build a lodge there. We know it would be folly to do so—at least right now—and so this idea that Collgardie has that the Society is there and doing just that is worrisome. In a few weeks time, you’ll be in Korvosa. From there, book passage on a river ship for Harse, then travel overland to the road’s end at the cliffs below Kaer Maga—the so-called Twisted Door. There you must pay the Duskwardens to escort you through the Halflight Path to reach Kaer Maga. Once inside the city, find Collgardie and find out what he’s talking about. If there are Pathfinders in the city founding a lodge, tell them I order them to stop at once. If this is some kind of ruse, get to the bottom of it and do what you can to keep our Society’s good name in Kaer Maga—we may not be completely welcome there, but neither are we unwelcome. Let’s keep it that way. Any questions?”

A cheerful and colourful gnome pipes up.

"Oh yes... why is Kaer Maga called the City of Strangers?" almost as an afterthought she adds "And what sort of food do they eat there?"

Her cloak changes colour in excitement as she gets to go on a new mission.

A strong looking, brown haired, serious faced gnome is in the room. He seems to be checking his pockets and backpack to make sure he hasn't forgotten anything. He then brushes off some of his clothes and armor to make sure he is at least presentable. He has a longsword, short sword, mithral dagger, and longbow strapped to him.

"I'm Chip. I'm used to towns where we aren't welcome. Grew up in Bloodcove. Nasty place."

A small size badger walks up next to Chip and licks him in the face.

Chip spits away the kisses "PFFFFT" and says, "Zipper, I get the picture. I really got to start remembering to introduce you. This is Zipper, my badger friend."

Chip's face lightens up. "People don't believe me, but I can pack quite a punch with these swords of mine!" Chip flexes, showing what you might think is one of the strongest gnome you've ever seen. "What kind of things do you guys do? Magic? Blacksmithing? Poledancing?"

Chip's serious face comes back."Do you think someone would be impersonating us?"

Breaking off from lurking in a nearby alley a tall half-orc emerges onto the docks leading a large horse. Dressed in greens and browns, with a powerful bow slung over his back he introduces himself, the name is Blend, so, we are heading to that flea pit Kaer Maga, can't say I'm thrilled...

"Hail and well met. My name is Silgil, a dwarf from the Five Kingdoms and a seeker of lore. Thank you for yet another opportunity, Mr. Dreng, to explore new lands and learn new lore. We will all do our best to clear the name of the Pathfinders I'm sure."

Silgil, though dressed more like a mage than a warrior, does carry a mean looking battle axe, a tribute to his days in the dwarven militia. He sports red unruly hair, almost gnome-like, but covering most of his face as well as head. He walks with the confidence natural to dwarves and a bit of a swagger.

Knowledge: Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

A handsome halfling with shaggy brown hair and a large, worn looking cloak wanders into the room with a smile between puffs on a pipe. "Ah, well met agents! I am Garrett, Garrett Goodleaf, storyteller extraordinaire! Oh, the stories I am going to tell of this venture..." He looks at everyone assembled with a scrutinous look as if already trying to determine how to write out the descriptions.

Blends large horse bends down and runs a rough tongue over Garrett's face and then starts nuzzling in his pack hunting for apples. He has clearly learned that halflings often have food about their person from somewhere...

Garrett stumbles back from the sudden rough tongue with a laugh. "Oy! Easy with the tongue, you long-legged lummox!" Garrett's good-natured smile belies his sharp tongue. Given the magical nature of Garrett's pack, indeed an apple happens to be on top for the horse to access. "Hey now, only one! Only one!" He laughs and swats at the horse as he retreats from the large animal.

A cheerful and colourful gnome pipes up. "Oh yes... why is Kaer Maga called the City of Strangers?" almost as an afterthought she adds "And what sort of food do they eat there?" Her cloak changes colour in excitement as she gets to go on a new mission.

Dreng scratches absently at a mangy beard. "Why? Well could be the fact that every farmer and disgraced noble in a thousand miles thinks it a place to escape to, instead of from. As far as what they eat, I could say hope, but that'd be far too modest."

Chip's serious face comes back."Do you think someone would be impersonating us?"

Dreng says, "Some have tried, but that's what you're being sent to find out. Find Collgardie, and keep your heads down. The balance of power is tenuous at best in that place."

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"Pole dancing is very good for your core muscles.." notes Prisim. Who looks charming, but as if her core muscles haven't had a good workout in... well.. it almost looks as if she doesn't have core muscles.

"Or so I've heard." she adds quietly.

Ad the VC answers her question she pipes up with "Who are the people in power in the city? Is there anyone in particular we should be cautious of?"

Blend looks openly sceptical at the scruffy old man, Kaer Maga's a big place Dreng, just where does this "contact" of yours live? Old drinking buddy by any chance?

He then swots Horse on the nose, leave him alone or you stay behind and get to work for Dreng, is that what you want, is it?

The horse gives a long soulful look at Blend and harrumphs at him as only a horse can.

I've got the maps link up here, and in the campaign description. Now that we have most everyone in, could everyone please place your icon in the box in a marching order.

Dreng waves a hand dismissively to Blend, "You're enterprising Pathfinders--I'm sure with a name and a few loose coppers you'll find him in no time."

He takes his time then, considering Prisim's question. "My best advice," he starts slowly, "Is to not anger anyone at all. All of them are dangerous, though they may not look it. Throw a stone in the City of Strangers and you'll hit some poor sob just waiting to give you a red necklace for your coppers. But if it were me? Between the Ardoc family, the Augurs, the Bloatmages, and the Commerce League, well I'd rather an Ardoc family golem barreling down the road toward me than a Commerce League knife in the back. But that's just me." His face goes still and serious. "Like I said, keep your head down and play nice in that place."

"Well.. a new city to explore. This sounds like Fun!" exclaims the gnome. "And I'm sure we'll not upset anyone. Apart from maybe the local apple salesmen. Wait, did you say Golems?"

I wish Polly were coming, or even Pau.

One of those missions. Take a scoop of pathfinders and dump them in the sinkhole and see what emerges. Nice.

"Thank you for the mission sir, I'm sure we will figure something out. I suppose we are in too much of a hurry to travel by land? How long will we be at sea?" he asks with a grimace.

"Keeping our heads down is what us shorties do best."

Under his cowl you can almost feel Blen rolling his eyes...I see we are as well informed as usual Dreng....what can you tell us about your special friend? Does he have any enemies in the city, any habits, what does he look like?

"Ohh.. and fashion. Polly would be mortified if I wasn't dressed right. I think I'll need to go shopping before we go there."

A short halfling wearing furs over a light-blue tabard stitched with the holy symbol of Shelyn bursts into the room, a greataxe hanging from one hand. "Apologies for my tardiness," he says with a small bow of his head. "I was called in at the last minute. But I heard along the way that we are traveling to Kaer Maga, correct? Strange city, or so I am told. I have never been."

He turns to his companions. "I am Lod Flaxseed, a distant relation of the famed Venture-Captain. When I heard that my clan had gained some renown in the Society I came down from the Realm of the Mammoth Lords to join my axe to the cause. I am happy to serve with you on this mission."

Dreng says, "Collgardie's a squat little man. Cloth merchant by trade. Got a bald spot and a big true laugh that bucks his chest and his shoulders when you get him going. No enemies that I know of. And you'll all be heading to Korvosa by ship, then going by land to Kaer Maga. Whole trip'll take a little less than a month I wager."

True to his word, the journey takes a little less than a month, over water and land. Days upon days of traveling and talking and training and reading. And on the morning of the last day of your journey, you find yourself at your destination, at the foot of a massive sheer cliff with a city perched on top like a carrion bird hunched over and waiting for its feast.

From the moment the sun rose this morning and the dizzying Twisted Door opened at the bottom of the Storval Rise, you, your companions, and a handful of traveling merchants have trudged slowly up the myriad stairs, tunnels, cliffside paths, and underground ruins that make up the famous Halflight Path. On either side of you march several gruff-looking men and women wearing brown-and-gray uniforms, the right breast bearing a badge with their symbol: a golden arch on a midnight blue background. These are the Duskwardens, and it’s their duty to see you safely up the Path to Kaer Maga, hours and hours of climbing above you.

Your progress is slow-going due to the traveling merchants and other citizens in your large party warded over by the Duskwardens. Not only are there other dwarves, halflings, and humans, but other, stranger races dot the group as well: trolls and centaur and orcs and tengu and tieflings all spread about in traveling or merchant attire.

You are almost halfway up the climb when you hear a loud CRRRAAACK, and several events happen in quick succession in the space of only a few moments. First, an enormous chunk of masonry, well constructed brickwork on the west side of the passage, collapses. From behind it boil dozens of yowling, barking, and yipping creatures carrying swords and snarling viciously—goblins. In a matter of a few quick moments, the goblins are among the merchants and citizens with the Duskwardens desperately trying to fend them off. Then another chunk of masonry, this time from the ceiling, collapses and cuts your party off from the rest of the traveling group. You find yourselves in a small passageway, cut off and under siege.

Blend and Lod react quickest to the danger unfolding around them. Blend and Lod may take an action during the surprise round.

On one side stand the vicious little creatures, jabbing their blades at you. On the other, another goblin without a weapon stands near a pile of rubble, a weasel out in front, waiting to charge.

In Combat!

Bold may act.
Surprise Round/Round 1

Garrett
Silgil
Chip
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Goblins
===========================
Prisim
Blend (In Surprise Round)
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Goblin Leader
===========================
Lod (In Surprise Round)

Posting now as I'm about to get on my flight. Add in buffs as appropriate.

"Look out everyone! We got people our size!"

Free Actions
Chip quickdraws his longsword and short sword, ready to slice and dice. "Zipper! Attack this one!" He points at the weasel.

Non Action
He steps up to the goblin closest to him.

Full Attack
He unleashes on the goblin. Green goblin.
Longsword Attack (TWF, Power Attack): 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 11 - 2 - 2 = 16
Longsword Damage (Power Attack): 1d6 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 4 = 11

Short Sword Attack (TWF, Power Attack): 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 2 - 2 = 27
Short Sword Damage (Power Attack): 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6

Crit Short Sword Attack (TWF, Power Attack): 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 11 - 2 - 2 = 24
Crit Short Sword Damage (Power Attack): 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6

Not sure if these goblins are secretly associated with the Aspis or Demons, but if so, Favored Enemy: Aspis +4, Evil Outsider +2. Same goes for Zipper below.

Free Action
Zipper steps up.

Full Attack
He unleashes on the weasel for some animal-on-animal action.
Bite Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Bite Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Claw Attack 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Claw Damage 1: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Claw Attack 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Claw Damage 2: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Shouting an alarm Blend urges Horse through the narrow gap to try and get round to the weaponless goblin, drawing his bow as they move.

With a loud whinny Horse pushes through the narrow gap, the rough stone scraping his flanks.

As they get into position Blend brings his bow to bear on the rear goblin.

Miserable sneaky little buggers he shouts in goblin as he looses a volley of arrows at the rear goblin.

PBS, Rapid: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

PBS, Rapid: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Confirm, PBS, Rapid: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Damage: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (5, 3) + 8 = 16

He then drives his heels into Horse's flank pushing him forward to attack the enemy. With a surge he brings a set of vicious equine teeth to bear.

Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

I have posted my surprise round and first round action, not sure if this was right or not

Garrett spins quickly to see that they are surrounded! He quickly conjures up an illusionary wall of fire between his group and the three goblin raiders! (Represented by the orange line.) "Hopefully that will hold them off for a few moments!" He then draws out his short sword!

Casting Minor Image of a wall of fire, to include sound equivalent to a roaring fire. Will save DC 16 if interacted with by the goblins. I will get some Inspire Courage up next round, folks!

Just a quick note I should have mentioned. If any of these are Aspis then I have the Beheading the Serpent Boon meaning they take a -1 penalty on all attack rolls, damage rolls, saves and skill checks.

"Nasty little varmit! Let's see how he deals with a little sparkle dust!"

Silgil casts Glitterdust on the leader and then shifts to a more secure position. DC 17.

Lod hears something before his companions even have to alert him. He quickly pulls out his axe and stands at the ready.

That's it for me in the surprise round.

Shaman will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Blend uses his quick instinct and the mobility of Horse to get up close, drawing his bow. Lod readies his axe for combat. Garrett conjures an image of a wall of fire to block the other goblin warriors and they howl and shrink back. Silgil conjures golden dust across the goblin shaman as Chip moves up to a lone goblin warrior and utterly shreds it to pieces. Zipper likewise does massive damage to the Weasel, but it manages to stay conscious.

Goblin will save, red: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13
Goblin will save, blue: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3
Goblin will save, purple: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16

The goblin warriors on the other side of Garrett's wall charge forward, expecting their skin to blister in the fire, but only one makes it through, as the others must stop for fear of the roaring inferno in front of them. The lone goblin runs up to the halfling shouting in goblin about no good tricksters. It hacks at Garrett with its dogslicer, and is able to make several shallow cuts across the halfling's flesh.

Goblin, purple: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
DMG: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Critical confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Critical DMG: 1d4 ⇒ 1

After the goblin warriors, Blend makes it to the goblin shaman and puts one arrow in her chest, and another in her eye, with Horse adding the final blow, felling her in a blink of an eye. She slumps to the ground, a crumpled, bleeding pile.

The shaman's weasel familiar lashes out at Zipper in response, in a frenzy due to its master's quick death, but is too blinded by grief to concentrate on the melee.

Weasel, bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
DMG: 1d3 - 4 ⇒ (2) - 4 = -2

Bold may act.
Round 1

Garrett
Silgil
Chip
===========================
Goblins (Red, Green, Purple, Blue)
===========================
Prisim
Blend
===========================
Goblin Leader
Weasel (-5)
===========================
Lod

Prisim steps back from the goblin in front of her and sends a small jet of acid into his face.

ranged touch, PBS: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

"Goblins... grrr. So Ugly" she sighs.

Lod finds himself in no immediate danger so he backs up, takes out a wand, and taps himself with it.

wand of mage armor

Prisim hits her foe with a jet of acid that is a direct hit. The acid burns down the left side of the goblin's face, and it shrieks in pain, cursing all the while. Meanswhile, Lod summons invisible armor from his wand to protect him.

Bold may act.
Round 2

Garrett
Silgil
Chip
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Goblins (Red, Green, Purple (-4), Blue)
===========================
Prisim
Blend
===========================
Goblin Leader
Weasel (-5)
===========================
Lod

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

Garrett quickly tumbles away from the goblin that attacked him and he begins an inspiring story that bolsters his companions' combat prowess! "I recall an ambush like this from the Emerald Spire! These goblins shall share the same fate of those bandits!"

Acrobatics to avoid AoO. Inspire Courage! +1 Attack, Damage, and saves vs. fear.

Silgil sees the goblin penetrate the wall and tries to see through the fake wall.

will ST: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 2 = 21

Seeing the truth of the matter, he pulls a wand of magic missile out and pegs blue

MM Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"They're just goblins, and only a few of them. I'm surprised they don't turn tail and run."

"Let's get this weasel buddy."

Full Attack
Chip turns his attention to the weasel, but being a lover of animals, can't find himself to hit it too hard. Nonlethal
Longsword Attack (TWF, Power Attack, Nonlethal): 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 2 - 2 - 4 = 23
Longsword Damage (Power Attack): 1d6 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 4 = 11

Short Sword Attack (TWF, Power Attack, Nonlethal): 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 2 - 2 - 4 = 10
Short Sword Damage (Power Attack): 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6

Crit - Longsword Attack (TWF, Power Attack, Nonlethal): 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 11 - 2 - 2 - 4 = 12
Crit - Longsword Damage (Power Attack): 1d6 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 4 = 11

Free Action
If the weasel is unconscious, he redirects Zipper to the purple goblin.

Full Attack
The badger follow's Chip's command and attacks the target. Ignore the Claws if he had to move up to the goblin.
Bite Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Bite Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Claw Attack 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Claw Damage 1: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Claw Attack 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Claw Damage 2: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Don't forget to add in the bonuses from Inspire Courage, Chip!

I blame jetlag! +1 to all those.

Chip finishes off the shaman's weasel, smacking it across the head with the flat of his blade, and it falls to the ground, unconscious. Zipper, following Chip's orders, scrabbles over to the lone goblin in the party's midst and takes a bite out of its shin. The goblin shrieks yet again, acid across it's cheek, and now blood welling up across it's leg. It lashes out at Zipper with its cruel sword. The hasty strike goes wide, however.

Goblin, purple @ Zipper: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
DMG: 1d4 ⇒ 4

The other goblins, bored of fear by now, charge through the illusory wall to find that they are not on fire after all.

They both take swings of their own at members of the party, but managing to hit only Lod.

Goblin, blue @Prisim: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
DMG: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Goblin, red @ Lod: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
DMG: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Bold may act.
Round 2

Garrett (-2)
Silgil
Chip
===========================
Goblins (Red, Green, Purple (-7), Blue)
===========================
Prisim
Blend
Lod (-2)

Prisim starts to back down the side passage, sending another jet of acid at a nearby goblin as she goes

ranged touch, Precise shot, inspire: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 = 22
damage,inspire: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

With a tap of his heels Blend sends his mount surging towards the front line. Raising his bow he takes careful aim at the central goblin and, with a war whoop, he lets off a pair of arrows with deadly intent.

Rapid shot at the central purple goblin. If it goes down he will redirect to red but will have to deal with cover then

Rapid shot, PBS, Inspire: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 9 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 12

Rapid shot, PBS, Inspire: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 9 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 29
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 10

Confirm, Rapid shot, PBS, Inspire: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 9 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 15
Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 2) + 10 = 19

Gah, I forgot Silgil's magic missile didn't I? Sorry about that. I blame...car lag?

Silgil blasts a particularly ugly goblin--pock-marked skin with big bowls for eyes--with his magic missile right in the chest. A squeaky breath escapes it and it shudders from the pain. Prisim splashes the same goblin with a gout of acid, which burns at the base of its neck. Blend misses with his first arrow, but the second finds its home in the center goblin's eye socket.

Bold may act.
Round 2/3

Garrett (-2)
Silgil
Chip
===========================
Goblins (Red, Green, Purple, Blue (-9))
===========================
Prisim
Blend
Lod (-2)

Lod is hit by the goblin but luckily the cut is not too deep. "You will have to do better than that!" he shouts back as he sends his axe swinging towards the goblin's midsection.

+1 greataxe power attack: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 - 1 + 1 = 24
damage: 1d10 + 5 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 3 + 1 = 19

Lod's greataxe simply bisects the goblin in front of him.

The lone goblin left of the strike force continues to fight on, heavily wounded.

Bold may act.
Round 3

Garrett (-2)
Silgil
Chip
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Goblins (Red, Green, Purple, Blue (-9))
===========================
Prisim
Blend
Lod (-2)