First Steps
Game Master CRobledo

Luccinus shall discuss price with the good captain here. I am confident that the two of them can come up with a most fair price. The half orc looks to the Chelaxian.

Diplomacy Assist: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 = 13

Indeed - no idea why Master Dwarf was getting ahead of himself...

Now then... this price seems more than steep - I understand you have your own costs to bridge but this travel is a windfall - not the heart and reason for your travel... afterall, you already have Cargo to take there by the sounds of it.

He looks at the Captain.

You have a reputation for experience but also for being.... errr... 'eccentric'. This is where we can help you grow your business... In exchange for dropping price of passage to say 2 gold per passanger - A FORTUNE when it comes travel expenses like this, we in turn will have no problem in spreading your good reputation.

If you have a counter offer I'd be interested in working with you.

Diplomacy
1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 2 = 21

"Oh, finally some'ne with some sense! Look, laddie, 'ere is what I'm gonna do. I'ma gonna let ye on me boat, but th'best I can do fer ye is is 25 gold for you lot. I think this be fair, an' I surely can't take ye fer less."

Done!

Luccinus claps hands with the Captains.

Payable on arrival then.

I am not even sure about how many fellow pathfinders are on this trip... 6, right?

We are down to 5, and only 4 if we are not counting Josef, who has not been a regular poster of late.

We got good old Hester... ;)

Hey, Rester. You gon' pay your part or be an ol' cheapskate?

Nester give Harauk a disgruntled look "I thought your mission was to get me there safely, right? I didn't make no deal with no captain! If you want me to pony up an extra share, you can take it up with Albrius. The nerve. Asking a poor cripple for money..."

Tanner starts gathering his crew early afternoon. The night breeze starts to bring the temperature down a bit. After an hour, tanner shouts to the docks that he is ready for you all to come on board. Nester gets on the boat, and finds himself a place to sit down and rest.

Tanner and his crew hoist the sails and sail out of Pier's End at dusk. The crew starts singing sailor songs and drinking the night away, as their all to common trip to Escadar poses them no worries.

After a night of parting, drinking and celebrations, most of the crew goes below decks to their cots and hammocks and pass out.

Morning comes surprisingly uneventfully, and Escadar starts coming into view...

So, cripples can't have money? You're an appraiser!...*grumble*...I can see I'm getting nothing outta you...*grumble*...Fine, we'll pay the way, *sarcastically* your highness. I guess it's our mission, anyway.

Harauk's ready to sail now!

Edit: Ha, you posted 7 seconds before me.

Vermin, a sailor himself (+6) helps with jobs where he can and drinks (lightly) with the crew, buying more than his fair share of rounds. But while on deck and helping to ready the boat he keeps his eyes open and looks for anything our of the ordinary.

Luccinus has common sense enough to stow his armour away and stay out of everyones way though he is still armed.

Escadar is the war port of Absalom, located on the Isle of Erran north of Kortos. It houses Absalom’s navy and is strategically placed away from Absalom’s treacherous Flotsam Graveyard. Furthermore, those nations intent on blockading Absalom must also deal with Escadar, for word spreads quickly, and Escadar’s armada can come to Absalom’s aid on short order. Along with the primarily military population, Escadar is also home to many gillmen (or Low Azlanti, as they call themselves).

These amphibious humanoids have set up an embassy within the town, and it is with this organization the Pathfinder Society plans to trade Azlanti artifacts. upon arrival, Nester sends word to the embassy of the party's arrival. The gillmen have agreed to meet you at a waterside tavern called the Grindylow’s Goblet.

Guys I am crossing 5 gold off my sheet - encouraging you to do same so our chronicles match - Josef can update when he gets back or hopefully the GM can assume the rate as 5gp per player (25 total)

Got it. Lets move on. We have an artifact to retrieve.

The sounds of a busy tavern echo off the wooden walls of this unusual building. Resting precariously over Escadar’s harbor, the Grindylow’s Goblet offers an unequaled view of the water. In the bar’s center, a thick glass aquarium presents a striking display. Within the tank, a coral statue of a goblin with the lower body of an octopus hosts a school of colorful fish that flit about the nooks and crannies of its tentacles.

Two human servers busily provide food and drink to the tavern’s half-dozen patrons, and a striking woman tends the bar.

Finely out of the wilderness!

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

new map up, ya'll can go/sit wherever you want

Beckoning to the human servers, Luccinus pulls a silver coin and asks if they know if there is a room reserved under any of their names...

The server replies, "No gillmen here, other than Uli. She is our bartender, over there. She did tell us this morning that a meeting was going to go down today, and to be on the lookout for any trouble. We just want to provide a quiet place for some Absalom gentlemen to conduct your transaction. She mentioned it was going to be a few of the common races, escorting some sort of appraiser, and just two ambassadors from the gillmen. Neither party seems to have arrived yet."

"She told us to put up a reserved sign on the 4-person table next to the aquarium. I presume it's for the meeting."

Just FYI, leaving for Gencon late Tuesday night, so will be trying to get as much of my PBP games done as I can today and tomorrow to compensate for slow posts later this week. If you have a chance, feel free to check in a few times a day

Will do.

Vermin will cast Longstrider on himself right before entering the bar.

Hearing that a table has been reserved he moves into the room and towards the table, escorting our charge and checking out the scene for anything unusual.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

map up with some edits, Nester has found his way to the reserved table (blue dot) and Lucc sat down with him. Vermin is up and on the lookout.

Harauk will sit at the empty table directly to the right of Luccinus and Nester.

Rorgrim stands with his hammer on his shoulder watching for trouble. O9

Since Harauk is close to the reserved table, he will be listening in to any conversation they may have.

Vermin will eventually make his was to M9, sit, and order a beer.

After you have had a chance to settle in and Vermins finishes his first beer, the gillman party arrives. Smaller and more low-key than the party the Pathfinder Society sent, the gillman contingent consists of only two Low Azlanti, a man and a woman. The male bears a delicately wrapped bundle of cloth, apparently around the Azlanti relic, while the woman acts as his bodyguard.

The man looks at the bartender and nods his head. The bartender hods back, and glares towards your table. Afterwards, the two Low Azlanti head over to where Nester and Luccinus are, and nod towards them.

Using a low voice, the man speaks to the table at noone in particular: "Greetings, my name is Shoalo. This one with me is Ahrmisa. She is here to ensure my package and myself arrive AND leave here safely and on time. Now, should we begin?" Nester motions him to sit. Shoalo sits on the chair opposite to Nester, while Ahrmisa takes the chair opposite to Luccinus.

Ahrmisa Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Ahrmisa looks to her right and nods directly to Vermin, and then Harauk. She probably knows they are part of the Pathfinder's party. Rorgrim, however, remains hidden.

"So can we see the package that the Pathfinders bring the Low Azlanti?"

Nester nods, and motions to Vermin to bring in the package.

The large half orc finishes his last swallow, holding the mug a little too long upturned to his lips, to get that last drop and then removes a protected package from his backpack. He stands, walks over, and hands the package to Nester, hovering over the table, obviously waiting to be dismissed.

Nester takes the package and unfolds it, revealing the relic inside. Shoalo takes a quick look, nods, and puts the relic in front of Ahrmisa. "Looks as promised. Ahrmisa, please show the Pathfinders our relic." She takes the package from him, and takes the covers off. The Azlanti relic looks ancient, as if taken from the strands of time itself. Shoalo nods and she hands it over to Nester and you all for inspection...

Appraise: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Harauk is now intently watching the trade from his table, making sure it all goes smoothly.

Vermin gazes at both items.

Appraise: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12

Oh, pretty. he says and then returns to his table but remains standing, looking about for any potential trouble.

Can he see outside?

You can see out the window to the east. Currently empty.

Rorgrim walks over and looks at the relics.

Appraise 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14

Luccinus just scans the room for trouble, relying on the Appraiser to do his job.

Nester takes a look as well (as it's his job right?)

Appraise: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

"Well, this does indeed seem like what the Pathfinder Society sent us for! Gentlemen, and Lady, I believe with this our business is concluded!"

Nester extends his hand out, and Shoalo shakes his hand. He grabs the Pathfinder's relic, bundles it in his cloth, and gets up from the table.

After a few seconds (and taking 10 on his appraise check) Nester's eyes grow wide. He looks towards the rest of the party and starts shaking his head.

You can open the Appraise 18 spoiler

The barkeep, having noticed your sudden movements, throws a glass against the floor, shattering it. The other gillmen's ears perk up, and start bolting for the door!

Surprise round:
Rorgrim

Round 1:
Vermin
Harauk
Bartender
Rorgrim
Luccinus
Shoalo and Friend

this post was sent at the same time as the DM's but I am happy with it for his action with a slight edit to do a 5 foot step.

What kind of game is this Shoalo? Vermin says very loudly as he stands and steps closer to the door, grasping his battle worn staff in both hands and looking quite irritated. With a flourish and some druidic phrases he quickly casts a spell, enchants his staff. You present us with a forgery!

[ooc]That should get things moving. :)

Bartender's srprise action was to throw the glass to signal the friends. Rorgrim gets one since he was not suspected to be part of the party.

You blundering idiots. You really thought you could fool the Pathfinder Society and get away with it?

On his turn, Harauk will move to J6 and try to strike Shoalo with lightning.

Touch Attack (they are flat-footed}: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Nonlethal Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Added Effect: -2 to attacks for one round if hit.

Boo. I don't think entangle works in a bar or on a dock. :p

Rorgrim will move as far as he can to get between them and the door.

I guess since it is a surprise round I get a single move action.

I am a little confused as to who gets to act in the surprise round. Can you clarify? When I first posted I thought I was getting to go before rounds actually started.

Me only. I wasn't spotted with sense motive earlier. Now we start initiative and you are up.

Posting out of turn because I am in a different time zone and don't want to slow things down

Luccinus will double move, drawing his morning star. First to J6 then G9 - if movement happens that may block that, please adjust my movement so I am standing next to Shaolo for an AoO if the bastard tries running

Round 1:
Vermin
Harauk
Bartender <--
Rorgrim
Luccinus
Shoalo and Friend

Bartender lady casts a spell...

... at the table on M10. Everyone but Rorgrim is affected by flashy lights!

DC 15 Will saves, or be blinded by 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 rounds.

She drops prone behind the bar.

Round 1:
Vermin
Harauk
Bartender
Rorgrim <--
Luccinus
Shoalo (-2 ATK, 2 N-L)
Friend

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Will Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Is the whole bar in on this?!? What is going on here?

I am not sure if Vermin has cast his spell or not - I think not, due to the surprise round. So his action will be different than what I was originally saying. Can I assume it is difficult terrain to move through a square occupied buy a chair, or is that square blocked?

Vermin recoils from the blinding flash of Pyrotechnic display and growls in displeasure of being attacked.

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

He moves directly to the left (West, if the top if the map is North) knocking over or pushing past the two chairs in the way.

Climb check if needed ti scramble over the chairs: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Once past the chairs (I9 or maybe H9) he seems to grow larger with his anger and indignation from being tricked. Suddenly he is larger, taking up 4 squares of the floor. He reaches over with his now large staff and thumps Shoalo in the head.

Staff Swing: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 211d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Bad Gillman!

Edit - I guess I am confused, just seeing the arrow on the initiative chart. If the spell went off in the surprise round should we not be at the top of the round?

I assumed your first action was to draw out the staff and enchant it. I'll let you choose either this new plan or original plan.

Charge...

Charge the one carrying the artifact.

Charge/Power Attack/Raging: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 1 + 2 = 22
Damage: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (2, 4) + 10 = 16

Once the flash of light goes off Vermin is no longer interested in spending a round to buff. He would go after the one with the artifact. Sorry for the confusion - our posts crossing got me off track. Per the map, It looks like Rorgrim is adjacent to him, so no charge, but I think you are gonna hit either way. You might want to reconsider your target IF Vermin's thump has already taken him down.

Shoalo goes down with Vermin's swing.

We will say Rorgrim, who saw Shoalo go down, will instead move behind the other gillman to flank with Vermin, effectively giving him the same roll

Rorgrim swings anew, and also drops the other gillman.

With both gillmen down, Luccinus approaches the bartender.

Lucc double moves to M13

Round 1:
Harauk
Bartender
Vermin
Rorgrim
Luccinus
Shoalo (-2 ATK, 2 N-L) <--
Friend

Shoalo stabilize: 1d20 ⇒ 10 bleeds
Friend stabilize: 1d20 ⇒ 17 she is ok

Patrons at the bar start fleeing.

Round 2:
Harauk <--
Bartender
Vermin
Rorgrim
Luccinus
Shoalo (-2 ATK, 2 N-L)
Friend