GM Brayden's PFS First Steps: "Intro to Lore" - Group 1 (Inactive)
Game Master Brayden Green

Hey all, after a vomit inducing migraine all day yesterday, I'm happy to report that I can look at lights without experiencing excruciating pain or dry heaving!

Back to proceeding with the proceedings.

The red chest is not trapped, and as soon as you enter in the blue stone key (with matching glowing runes) a few things happen.

The first is that the key starts some sort of mechanism, without having to be turned, which is kind of odd.

The red lacquered chest holds a key forged
into the end of a jeweled scepter. The jewels and
the scepter appear to be quite exquisite.

Also, When this chest is opened, a complex pulley system rigged from its lid, through the f loor, and up to the ceiling releases a small, golden key from a slit in the ceiling, dropping it 6 inches down from the 15-foot-high ceiling.

The jeweled scepter key does not look like it willl open any of the remaining chests.

Dagbur's grip tightens on his sword when the pulley system begins to move, relaxing only when things have gone still again. He looks up at the small golden key, and down at the scepter, giving a slow whistle. With a smile, "Shiney! Who wants boost? Someone steady climber on my shoulders?"

Dagbur goes to the nearest wall, and crouches down, hoping someone will clamber onto his shoulders, with someone steadying that person, and then they can move to the hanging key and cut it down.

"Well Rutilus, are you up for going high again?" Lauranna picked up the scepter key and frowned at it. "Think it's likely this is the key to the door? It doesn't open any of the chests, so that a good possibility. Better find the maps first, before we try this key out."

I knew it was something hurtful :) Welcome back to the land of the sane

I will assist Rutilus to climb up Dagbur's shoulders. Then prepare to catch if needed.

Lauranna, Wibeke Please position yourselves around Dagbur incase he drops Rutilus.

Str check for assisting Rutilus and Dagbur. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

If/when Rutilus climbs up, Dabur stands up and moves slowly and carefully over towards the high key.

Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23; Acrobatics?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

"All right, just like last time." He wiggles a bit shifting his cloak till he finds it comfortable, before heading at Dagbur.

Acrobatics
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Cool! You rise up in the air and grab the key. It looks small enough to fit into the silver slot on the cube shaped box.

Rutilus has found a trap on that box and successfully disarmed it.

Dagbur watches closely as Rutilus disarms the trap, inserts the key and opens it up, fidgeting slightly in excitement.

This chest holds the map of the Salhar burial vaults beneath Sothis and a stick that seems to be no ordinary stick.

"Do we have it now? If so, let's see if this thing opens the door." Lauranna tried the key on the end of the scepter on the door to see if they could use it to get out.

The door opens.

With a sigh of relief I believe that was the last task if I remember correctly. Let us return to Headquarters.

"That was the strangest basement I've ever seen." Wibeke is eager to return to headquarters.

"Ahoka isika mandeha!" Dagbur exclaims excitedly, then looks around for a moment in embarrassment, "Uhh, I mean, 'Let's go!'"

"It would take no convincing for me to run from this place!"

The servant asks that you leave the keys, and says Well done. It seems you discovered the paint trap. Didn't feel like spending the rest of the day blue, yes? A little joke by his majesty, of course...

"So, it was a test? And here I was thinking our day was just getting better and better." Lauranna dropped the scepter and key to the floor. "We'd best be off now. Tell Master Salhar that we are sorry to have missed him. Perhaps next time, he can visit us. If he'll only let us know ahead of time so we can get the parlor ready."

Let us be off. Im weary of these tasks. I have half a mind to let Wibeke and Dagbur hit the next person that annoys me

Dagbur nods his assent and follows the others out, but anyone watching would see his eyes get a faraway look, and a positively evil smile comes over his features as the strangest idea comes to his mind.

Wibeke rolls her eyes and makes a shooing motion with her hands. "Let's go."

So you head out, and are on your way back to the Grand Lodge, to turn in your findings and do an official report. On the way back the road is clogged ahead with what looks like a mini-circus act that has broken out in the middle of the street. Some fights have broken out between cab drivers trying to get through, and the performers.

"This is as far as I can take you, it looks like."

People are being detoured down an alleyway by a city official. As you walk down the alleyway, you see an obscuring mist pop up behind you, causing people behind you to panick and go back the other way and recognize one of the people up ahead as being one of them that has been watching/following you all day. He and a few others are standing there leering. A halfling, with a curlique mustache yells out, "What you got in that box? be says menacingly. I think we should have a look at it!

This is clearly an unfriendly situation. I suggest we roll INIT and count it out from there. (It's that time of the game! Roll 'em!)

You have annoyed me all day. Now I suggest that you move out of my way before im obbliged to cause you very severe harm. Although its not me that you should be afraid of. Gusture back at Dagbur and Wibeke. They have been itching to hit something for the past few hours. Now IF you inclined to satisfy their needs by all means Attack us.

To make it clear I belive that I said earlier that I have a horse that i ride and a lance

You do have your horse with you. You were following behind the buggy and are currently leading your horse through the alley. You would have to dismount here, as it is tight spaces for the horse, and it will want you to lead it. Also, Jec you can use my INIT roll for you, which is a 10, instead of your 5.

Map of the site HERE

Don't have too much fun! This is what some of you have wanted all day!

INIT order for round 1.

Larkin

WIbeke

Dagbur

Rutilus

Ledford

Deandre

Ser JEc

Haraldir

Halli

POst round 1 actions in spoilered format with "round 1" as the label. We will resolve combat in 4 hours, or the soonest we have all the posts in. (working *only* the closing shift today, baby!)

Would you mind telling us what the other people look like? i.e. Armor, weapons, or items.

Lauranna init 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12

Lauranna's hair billowed out, and small bits of trash and debris in the alley skittered around contrary to any wind blowing. The baridiche, which she had been using as a walking staff, suddenly sprang to ready position. "Actions have consequences. Today we learned that striking someone who deserves it can still get you into trouble. That engineers really do know what they are doing. That sometimes even people who are supposed to be helping you can go out of their way to make your life difficult. I suggest you step aside before you learn what happens to those who try and molest a group that has learned so much in one day."

Would you mind telling us what the other people look like? i.e. Armor, weapons, or items.

Sure. In order: Looks like a rogue, looks like an evil cleric, looks like a barbarian, looks like a mage. ;)

Thanks. It helps to know who is squishy-looking.

You see the rogue move forward and take cover around the bend, pull out a potion and drink it, making him almost entirely disappear into the shadows there.

WIbeke Wibeke moves towards the east and to get at the rogue around the corner. Starting from a mid-guard, she whispers briefly. "Harvesting Wheat." She executes a broad, horizontal sweep gripping the end of the fauchard, taking advantage of reach and leverage to deliver a powerful blow at the rogue's torso.

20% miss chance on account of his being in the shadows around the corner - 1d100 ⇒ 20. bummer. you miss (that was a good swing, too.)

Waiting with a poor facade of patience as Wibeke takes her action, Dagbur's face shows a smile for half a second, before he unleashes a scream of fury and moves after the rogue and drawing his massive greatsword at the same time. He misses his attack, and draws an attack from the rogue, which misses also.

Rutilus takes out a dagger and throws it at Deandre, which misses.

Lauranna's hair billowed out, and small bits of trash and debris in the alley skittered around contrary to any wind blowing. The baridiche, which she had been using as a walking staff, suddenly sprang to ready position. "Actions have consequences. Today we learned that striking someone who deserves it can still get you into trouble. That engineers really do know what they are doing. That sometimes even people who are supposed to be helping you can go out of their way to make your life difficult. I suggest you step aside before you learn what happens to those who try and molest a group that has learned so much in one day." She waits for someone to attack the group, watching menacingly.

Ledford steps forward, and is ecstatic about surrounding the barbarian. 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 he'll hit for 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 damage.

Before he can finish, however, Lauranna realizes the threat to Dagbur and rushes forward as he lands his mighty blow, and gives him a very mighty poke.

"Hey. Not fair." says Dagbur and looks angrily at the halfling.

Deandre will drink a potion.

Ser Jec will start with pulling a javilen from the side of his saddle. and Throw it at the damn halfling thats been annoying. lol

It hits, and the halfling drops the couple feet down to the floor in a puddle of his own halflingness.

Haraldir readies a shot if anyone starts doing that magic nonsense.

Halli starts doing "magic nonsense." 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 The shot flies far wide.

Round 1 happenings:
Their barbarian dropped, Your barbarian hurt.

Round 2 in spoilers. Good job, y'all.

New INIT:

Larkin

WIbeke

Dagbur

Rutilus

Ledford

Lauranna

Deandre

Ser JEc

Halli

Haraldir

Lauranna, did you want that as a 15 total, or a roll of 15 (+ modifiers)?

Lauranna, did you want that as a 15 total, or a roll of 15 (+ modifiers)?

as a roll of 15. I don't know what their modifiers are, so I will base it on the dice.

Larkin strikes out at dagbur. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 MISFORTUNE. Re-roll. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Wibeke grimaces in frustration from missing the rogue in the shadows. "The Falcon Dives." Switching to a high guard, she brings her fauchard across in a diagonal cut, aiming for the base of the neck. She drops the rogue in the shadows with a mortal blow.

Dagbur wipes blood from his wound, grin returning, and attacks the cleric towards the nearest visible opponent. He taps the anger bubbling just below the surface and shouts again, bringing his enormous sword up and over in and a vicious chop. Dagbur literally lodges his weapon in the womans skull, helmet and all. She drops.

Rutilus huffs at his missed thrown. I must learn from my mistake, I let myself get excited. It must have been the adrenaline. I must remember to keep calm. His eyes dart from the cramped alley in front to the wall on his left.

"Up"

Rutilus climbs up the wall onto the roof.

Rutilus launces himself at the wall attempting to get on top of the building.

Ledford bleeds

Lauranna took a long step forward and lashed out at the rogue on the other side of Dagbur. The baridiche cleaved through shadows and nothing else as she brought the blade back to guard position. She kept her eyes open for anyone trying to be clever and flank them, holding the curse of Iomedae's misfortune ready for any such maneuver.

Deandre bleeds.

Ser JEc walks forth and draws his sword. Advancing next to dagbur and Lauranna, assuming the high guard with shield set to take any blow. Jec's normal demeanor changes to that of a hardened combat vet. The shear coldness in his voice sends chills down even his companions spines. And now you die. May the crows feast on you bones

He runs through the hapless mage, and she laughs, even as the blade runs her through.

okay... we're done here! 2 confirmed crits. As one of the character's in one of my favorite books of all time would say: You scary! You flame!

Rutilus climbs back down trying to keep his mouth from going agape. Staring at the ground he walks over to his dagger and pushes it into his wrist compacting the spring until he hears the satisfying click. He rubs the silver dagger hanging on his belt.

"I dislike killing, sorry I wasn't much help. I hope everyone is okay."

Yo, Ender, you bad, neh? Eh!

I dislike killing also Rutilus. However when one attacks my companions I choose to ignore my dislikes for the safety of my friends, my employer, and my liege. Turning to Dagbur. Are you badly hurt? You took a powerful hit.

After searching the thieves.
Let us move quickly. We do not know how many more are around. Also I wonder who they work for?

Should we make a roll to search for clues as to who they work for?

The barbarian lets the anger fade slowly, his whole bearing slumping in exhaustion. He leans against the alley wall, responding in a tired and somewhat pained voice, "Dagbur strong, sneaky sword get lucky poke!" As if to punctuate his point he kicked the nearest loose blade down the alley, not remember or caring if it was the blade which actually cut him or not. "Dagbur ready to go."

Bluff: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

We probably should, Dagbur wouldn't worry himself about it though...

Yo, Ender, you bad, neh? Eh!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzBmQMyYDBk

Hah! I think I've worn out at least 2 copies of that book, have lent out 5 or so that never came back, and have the audiobook version. I don't think I will ever not own a copy.