GM Bold Strider's PFS #00-03 Murder on the Silken Caravan (Inactive)

Game Master rpblue

Bevek's arrow flies just past the remaining harpy's face.

The last harpy sees "Mother" cut down by Jake and withdraws back to her aerie.

Finger gains 1HP from Infernal Healing.

Initiative:
1st: Bevek*
2nd: Harpies (#2 @ 18 damage)
3rd: Jake* @ 30 HP; Sam @ 5 HP; Mads*; Kalendir @ 11 HP; Finger @ -3 HP

Mads gives Kalendir a crazed look. "For a second there I was sure we were doomed. Heheh."

Using witches Fortune hex on Kalendir and extending it with a cackle (or in Mads case, a chuckle).

Seeing the Harpy begin to fly away Kalendir rapidly fires two arrow at the insane creature in a hope to drop the evil beast to the ground permanently.

Arrow 1: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 2 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Arrow 2: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 - 2 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Arrow 1 fortune: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 - 2 = 11
Arrow 2 fortune: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 - 2 = 15

Precise shot to eliminate -4 modifier for shooting into melee
-2 modifier for rapid shot to fire an extra arrow

The harpy has an insane fly speed. She is already safely in her aerie, away from any chance of arrow attacks.

Oh well ok then hehe. Seeing as we are still in combat then.

Kalendir will grasp his wand once more before healing Finger's wounds.

We should use this time to heal on our way to save the child that was taken into the monument

Wand of CLW @ Finger: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

This turn gets Finger up and I guess start moving towards the monument on next turn. I will keep my wand out so that I can heal as I move.

"Time, heh, to climb, heh HEH!" Mads' crazy eyes look down at his hands as he continues to chuckle like a person unhinged. He then heads to the statue and begins to climb.

Hexing himself with Fortune, and cackling to extend it upon both himself and Kalendir.

Climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Climb Fortune: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Sam casts mage armor in himself and then infernal healing in both him and Jake before moving to the climb.

10 HP to Sam and Jake in the next 10 rounds.

@Mads: Cackle = Move Action; Hex = Standard Action; Move = Move Action.

We're going after that thing? Cripes!

Seeing the others block their ears, Bevek follows suit, then makes his way over to the monument.

Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

@GM: sorry, getting ahead of myself. Didn't think anything would happen before he started climbing so I just rolled it. How high up is the aerie?

Once Finger recovers from the healing and unclogs his ears, "WHAT?! You fools have a death wish? One more song and we're done for -We've to get after that caravan! -Oh the kid? ...damn it" he looks up at the cliffs, "Maybe he's already dead", said in half question, half statement.

GM, was kid alive or clobbered?

He probably is now. Lets grab our charge and make it to the caravan while ww still can.

Do we have to climb to continue on our way?

Kid was snatched alive. There is no climbing to move on.

Finger packs the wet mud back into his ears, sighs "Alright, let's get the kid.

GM, Any strewn gear we can pick up and use?

A morning star from the dead harpy is all that is on the ground.

Do you guys really want to do that?!
Forget the kid, lets get away while we can. We are lucky to be alive as it is.

I am willing to go after the kid, but we do not know how many are actually up there.

With the party wavering Mads decides to get creative. Kneeling next to the defeated harpy, he begins to apply first aid. "Hey Harpy b!@tch!" He shouts up at the aerie. "Heheh. Your mother's still breathin! Bring down the kid alive and we'll call it even! Heheheh."

Bluff check? Jake outright killed the harpy. Level 4s OP.

Could probably use an aid or two here. Mads' charisma sucks. Still cackling by the way (heheh etc), so I'll use my reroll.

Mads keeps binding wounds, shealding the corpse with his body and nudging a harpy wing and make it shiver. "I got a healing wand here! Heheh. Better decide quick!"

Bluff: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 2 = 12
Bluff Fortune reroll: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 = 16

1d20 ⇒ 10

The party hears nothing and no one really believes Mads has the ability to convince "anyone" that the harpy is alive. Maybe it's the giant gaping chest cavity that has been shown to the world by the edge of Jake's sword.

"She does have a few feathers left"

Bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 4

-Posted with Wayfinder

I'm with Sam and Jake. Let's get out of here while we still can.

I think Jake was mostly yes, Sam was no, leaving 4 to 2, thoughts?

You neither see nor hear any commotion from above in the aerie.

It appears that you are split on how to act. Three to save the child and three to move on and avoid death by 90' to 120' falls.

120'...

Sense Motive DC 18: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19

”I think it's waiting for our next move. If the kid isn't already dead, she can bash his brains in an instant”, Finger picks up the morning star, ”Maybe she'll be more willing answer if we threaten to take the mother's body with us?”.

GM was kid alive as he was carried away? Or attacked and carried. It would only take one attack to do so once up in the cave.

The kid was carried away alive. You however can't hear him at all.

"You want to leave, that's fine with me. Heh. Probably all die for nothin anyway. Heheh."

Mads is neutral on the issue.

I figured more would want to attempt rescue.

"Heheh. Your mother's still breathin! Bring down the kid alive and we'll call it even! Heheheh."

Finger first whispers ”Well, I can't climb that cliff”, then shouts up, ” -Alright then! We'll just take her with us!” he grabs one of the harpy's limb with Mads and drags her away.

You hear no response.

Here is a bit from the Harpy's description on the PRD. "While harpies usually live in tight family or tribal groups, their greater communities can't be reasonably called "harmonious." Harpies do not cooperate well as equals, and usually have a clearly established pecking order, enforced by intimidation and petty violence." You just made this harpy, head honcho. If anything, she would thank you, you know if she didn't despise you all. Haha.

Seems you are moving on. I will advance the plot as if you left the child to his fate unless there are some serious objections. I will give until tomorrow morning before I move on.

The paladin part of me says save the child and kill the evil little bird, while the fighter part of me is saying shhhh, move forward you didn't even realize the nasty cleric was evil.

Lol. At least third time was the charm for you Kalendir. ;)

The party recovers and the caravaners quickly gather their camels. They mourn the loss of the child, but recognize the difficulty of breaching the Harpy's lair and certainly won't force anyone to make the climb to the top.

-------

You have plenty of time to heal.

Following the Kamawgyar Shrine trail, the Pathfinders soon reach the main route of the Silken Way as it leaves the western flank of the Zho Mountains.

The smell of water in the air as you leave the mountain pass indicates that the Shat-al-Qadr River runs somewhere nearby. You have found your heading again. As you round a final talus slope, you discover something altogether unexpected. The very caravan you have sought waits before you, the merchants and drovers kneeling with their arms bound behind their backs and the camels clustered nearby. Among these captives walk a dozen or so armed warriors wrapped in the dark robes and helms of the desert bandits you fought before. Standing with his back to you, not ten feet away, is the armored form of the Taldan knight, Gaspar du Mer. He holds his wide-bladed sword in one hand and clutches the tied arms of the caravan mistress Jamila al-Shafah with the other as he shouts orders to the brigands.

Gaspar’s gang apparently consists of 27 hobgoblins with gear nearly identical to those in the previous attack on the caravan. Gaspar and the brigands are busy looting the caravan, but Jamila notices the Pathfinders’ arrival and immediately reacts by activating her ring of djinni calling and commanding the djinni to attack the bandits. The startled Gaspar releases Jamila, giving her the opportunity to flee to the nearby rocks to try and escape her bonds.

Gaspar sees the Pathfinders and utters a foul oath before charging them with blade drawn, followed by the brigands nearest to him.

Initiative:
Finger: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Bevek: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Mads: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Sam: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Jake: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Kalendir: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Brigands: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Brigands: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Initiative:
1st: Sam; Mads; Finger
2nd: Gaspar; Hobgoblins (#1; #2; #3; #4; #5)
3rd: Kalendir; Jake; Bevek

That's a lot of creatures. Glad I brought a few arrows. I may run out though lol.

"Oh great. More goblins." Mads steps back and and mumbles "Night night, suckers." before he begins casting a spell.

Sleep - 1 Round casting time. DC 14.

”I thought we were done with these guys!”, Finger shakes his head in disbelief, ”Right after you- Jake.”

Delay

On his turn, Bevek will move 30' to his left, draw his bow, and take a shot at the nearest target.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

What in the nine hells are you doing, Gaspar?

On second thought, Finger would lose the action in the delay, so Readied Action if gobby charges.

longsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 >>damage double handed: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10

AC18

Are we still unarmored? If that is the case:

Sam draws his wand and casts mage armor on Finger.

If we are armored he will cast it in himself.

Umm... I didn't think about that and didn't even consider that after the initial goblins. I think I was using full AC against the harpies. Everyone with armor on during the harpy fights will take 1d6 (burning some wands charges to heal up) and everyone wanting to keep their armor on out of paranoia will need to make a DC 16 Fortitude Save with a -4 for wearing armor. (Six hours in the sun 10+1 per hour and armor penalty.)

Also, all of you seem to be at less than full health except Sam. Are you going to heal before this fight?

The hobgoblins unleash a rain of arrows on the party while Gaspar drinks a potion and challenges Jake. You with the muscles. You game for a one-on-one combat? You seem to be the strongest of the lot.

Longbow @ Mads-11 AC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Longbow @ Mads-11 AC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Longbow @ Sam-11/15 AC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Longbow @ Kalendir-15 AC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Longbow @ Bevek-13 AC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Bevek, Mads and Sam each get hit by an arrow loosed from the hobgoblin's longbows.

Total Damage:
Mads: 1d8 ⇒ 5 Concentration Check to complete the spell - DC 16.
Sam: 1d8 ⇒ 7
Bevek: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Bevek looses an arrow back at the hobgoblins, but it clangs pitifully off of his armor.

Initiative:
1st: Sam @ 7 HP; Mads @ 5 HP; Finger
2nd: Gaspar; Hobgoblins (#1; #2; #3; #4; #5)
3rd: Kalendir; Jake; Bevek @ 12 (11) HP

Before the fight heals to get to full HP

Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

---------------------------------------
Round 1
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Kalendir moves in front of Finger as he fires off two arrows at Gasper.

Or at least I think that is Gaspar. If not then I will arrow some goblin.

Arrow 1: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Arrow 2: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

+1 Attack / Damage from point Blank Shot
Precise shot to eliminate -4 modifier for shooting into melee
-2 modifier for rapid shot to fire an extra arrow

I will keep my Armor on. I will Heal.

Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Fort: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 4 = 19

Oh Kalendir, why do you taunt me so...

Initiative:
1st: Sam @ 7 HP; Mads @ 5 HP; Finger
2nd: Gaspar; Hobgoblins (#1; #2; #3; #4; #5)
3rd: Kalendir; Jake; Bevek @ 12 (11) HP

Round 1, Charge (AC: 18), Power Att, OH Chop, Scabbard of Vigor (+2 Att/Dam for 1/5 Rounds.

I accept your challenge fool!

Jake charges Gaspar.

GS Att: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 30
GS Dam: 2d6 + 4 + 4 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 6) + 4 + 4 + 6 + 2 = 23

Gaspar takes the blade across the chest, but laughs at the blow. I figured one such as yourself wouldn't need the help of your archers to take me on, but alas you must also have your women and children fight for you as well. No matter, I will strike you down with impunity. If you want a brawl, then I can facilitate.

Initiative:
1st: Sam @ 7 HP; Mads @ 5 HP; Finger
2nd: Gaspar @ 30 damage; Hobgoblins (#1; #2; #3; #4; #5)
3rd: Kalendir; Jake; Bevek @ 12 (11) HP

Drawing his other wand Sam casts infernal healing on himself.

Mads stepped to the back of the group. Should he have gotte the soft cover bonus to AC? If so, the arrow would have missed. I'll roll concentration anyway.

Concentration?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

If injured Mads heals himself. If not, he will cast mage armor from a scroll.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Kalendir looks at Gaspar with a slight bow. My apologies I shall kill your goblins instead as Jake will have an easy time dealing with your lot.

Totally did not see the challenge for some reason lol. I just though hey try to take out the big guy in the mess.

damage Harpy fight: 1d6 ⇒ 3
DC16 heat save: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 - 4 = 16

Kal, can Finger get some healing?
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Finger back at full HP