GM Otha's Prince of Augustana (Inactive)

Game Master Otha

Kramac, Batpony, Kiboko, and Qatala (and Z..D.. and Lupus if they're interested/available). Dot in and delete...

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After a hurried summons to the Grand Lodge in Absalom, a quick conversation with Venture-Captain Alissa Moldreserva, and a wet, stormy trip across the Inner Sea to Andoran, the small, warm Pathfinder Lodge in Augustana is a welcome break from travel.

“I can’t believe we are wasting our time on this matter,” says Caudron Wallace, the venture-captain of Augustana as he paces the main hall. “Frankly, I want as little to do with it as possible, so I’m passing it on to you.” Wallace nods toward a door at the back of the room. “The vagrant through there was found collapsed on our front steps gripping a wayfinder of all things. We still don’t know who he is. Talk to him, for the tale he tells is amazing if true, and then come back here.”

A brim stoned faced looks to the captain from the chair he sits. "What? Or who should we find behind the door?"

Standing up, the built statue like humanoid reveals a very heavy plated armor, and a shield and mace bearing the symbol of the justice scales.

The Venture-Captain gives an amused...and frustrated smile. "He calls himself a Prince ...and the lost Prince, at that. Please though, save your questions for me until after you've met with him; talk to him and then come back and I'll tell you more about your mission..."

A vagrant with a wayfinder? Who claims to be a prince? Sounds like he's got a few screws loose to me. Nevertheless, he might be one of our own, so it is probably worth it to run down some leads and figure out what his real story is.

Kramac stands and moves to enter the room with Oret. He is half-orc man of medium height, but a powerful build. He sports several kukris in a bandolier across his chest and a darkwood shield strapped to his back. Around his neck is a holy symbol of some sort.

Kramac motions to the large wolf at his side, who gets up and follows along.

Wallace wryly grins at Kramac. "I share your assessment as to his mental make-up, but we must investigate nonetheless...and when the rest of your party arrives, you can interview the 'Prince'...or he you as will likely be the case...

Any way, I'm glad you all could come on such short notice. Thought you might be delayed a bit as I heard there was an issue at port with an extremely hungry hippo..."

As if invoked by potent magic, the towering half-orc warrior Kiboko and his earnest friend Mvumbu the Wise and Beautiful enter the hall.

"Why has Kiboko been summoned back to *civilisation*?" Kiboko sneers through his massive tusks. "Poor Mvumbu does not agree with sea voyages. Those incompetent sailors did not pack enough food for her! And the storms made her stomach quite delicate."

Kiboko's scowl lifts when he sees Kramac.

know:religion, untrained, take 10: 10 + 1 = 11

"Aha! Brother Kramac! It is good to see you, at least. And what is this? You have a new friend? And what is that around your neck? So many questions Kiboko has for you! Kiboko hopes we shall have time.

And, Oret, yes? It is... good, to see you again too."

Mvumbu, the Wise and Beautiful, was not at all happy after her sea voyage. It took a good deal of soothing words from Kiboko and a lot of fresh vegetables from the port taverns to placate her once she reached dry land. Rivers and lakes were always a delight, but she was not at home on ship, especially on a storm-tossed vessel with inadequate food supplies!

She entered the grand hall at Kiboko's side. A strange and unpleasant scent caught her attention.

"Haaaarrrrr?"

What was that hairy... thing? It smelled so bad! Mvumbu moved between Kiboko and the foul-smelling beast and made it plain that the beast was to go nowhere near her friend!

Mvumbu takes a few steps towards Kramac's wolf, sniffing the air before opening her jaws as wide as she can and bellowing.

"HAAAARRRRR!!!!

Taking ten for both sense motive and religion.

"It is indeed a pleasant surprise to be among familiar allies. Shall we meet this Prince?" Oret questions emotionlessly, and walks to the room with the prince.

"Ah yes...so this must be the hippo that all my port sailors fell in love with," muses the Venture-Captain, not quite knowing what to think of the wise and beautiful Mvumbu. Looking at Oret, he ventures "And yes, now would be a good time to speak with our newfound royalty...come back and see me when you're through there." He waves you on your way...

As the parties enter the room at the back of the main hall, they find a small sitting room with six comfortable chairs and a few bookshelves filled with the latest Pathfinder Chronicles. An old, withered man sits in one of the chairs, half-dozing when the PCs enter. His skin is shockingly pale and his features are sharp with high cheekbones and a jutting chin. Despite his incredibly filthy visage, matted white hair, and infirmity, when he awakes and regards the PCs he does so with a look of absolute, confident superiority.

“My loyal subjects, welcome! I know that some of you might not recognize me in my current state, but it is truly me, Gandros, the long-lost Prince of Augustana. I have been in hiding since the untimely death of my father, the Emperor, preparing for my return to glory. Unfortunately, I bear ill news. The army I have been gathering in the otherworld has been infiltrated by agents of our enemies. When last I called my forces together for inspection, dark assassins attacked me and I barely escaped with my life.”

He takes this opportunity to roll up his sleeve and reveals a series of recently inflicted claw and tooth marks on his right forearm. He then launches into a breathless retelling of how he came to be in the Lodge, without pause or acknowledgement of interruptions.

“I fled back through the magic portal to this realm. Grievously wounded, and with the assassins in close pursuit, I leapt into the dark river. I floated past the Almsman’s Sanctuary, but couldn’t climb out of the water. I did manage to grab one of the bridges, but a plank fell in with me. I held on for dear life and continued to drift downstream. I went over a waterfall and then emerged in the lake of ships and crawled to shore…

Augustana has changed since I last walked my city’s bright streets, but I managed to find this house, bearing the symbol of my father’s empire.” He holds up the wayfinder hanging from a chain around his neck. “I knew I would find help here! If you remove the threat from my kingdom below and help restore me to my rightful place as Emperor of Andoran, I will grant you any boon within my power!”

My name is Qatala and I am here to assist as well, however I am not good with words but deeds and I am perceptive

The slightly arabic looking monk in a robe with a bandalier, a backpack and a unusual chain wrapped round her waist bows.

"Hah! You can't fool Kiboko anymore Maiden! Come clean!"

Kiboko squints at the newcomer, convinced that she is someone else. He then stares down at the withered old "Prince".

"Old man, Kiboko knows little of this city or its past. But Kiboko knows well that empire is a fool's game. Oppression is the only sure outcome. Regardless of wherever it is that you have been, if you say true, how can Kiboko know that you are not a tyrant bent on imposing your whims on the innocent and unwary?"

Qatala pays a great deal of attention to what the man says.

sense motive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Just nods at what he says.

Kiboko! I heard of a Hippo about, and thought I might run into you. I picked up something for the occasion.

Kramac bends over and rummages around in his backpack for a moment before pulling out a head of lettuce. He offers it to Mvumbu.

For you, beautiful Mvumbu. This is Kuuma. He is well trained, and will cause Mvumbu no trouble. Kramac pulls out another bunch of lettuce, which he hands to Kuuma. Kramac says a few words, and Kuuma walks slowly forward and lays the lettuce at Mvumbu's feet, before backing cautiously away.

sense motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

It is good to see you Kiboko. Perhaps someday we will get to go on a mission in the wilderness! Kramac turns to Qatala with a big smile on his face. He offers his hand to greet her. And greetings to you Qatala. It is often wise to watch before speaking. I've often gotten into trouble by speaking when I should not have. Let us turn our attention to the mission at hand - there will be time aplenty for catching up at the tavern after we get to the bottom of this.

Turning to the 'Prince', Could you show us where you went over the waterfall? Perhaps we can track your journey back to its starting point and defeat these assassins for you.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Going to make a few knowledge checks for some things I might already know. I also have planes, nature, and dungeoneering but nothing relevant to those come to mind so I'm not going to ask about them. Feel free to roll any of those if there is anything to be gained from them (they are all +5)

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Knowledge Geography: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Who is the Almsman, and are there any rivers that drain into the docks that might fit his description? Do I recognize the name Gandros or the Emperor

The Prince looks down his nose at Kramac, remarking, "Since you're obviously a loyal subject, I'll forgive it this time, but you shall address me as your Royal Highness if you expect an answer. However, to answer your question, I was semi-conscious much if the time and remember very little of my ordeal other than what I mentioned..."

@Kramac: Good questions...you recall nothing at the moment but perhaps the Venture-Captain will shed more light when you return to see him...

@Katala: You sense his passion in believing that he's truly lost royalty...but you also sense he could be off his rocker a bit...

The oread looks grimly at prince, shaking his head throughout. "My dear prince, if what you say is true, these are serious accusations. Who are your enemies? Why not gee local authority of your nation? Surely they recognize their own prince? Why us?"

"If your Royal Highness wants Kiboko's help, your Royal Highness will explain his intentions with regards to his land and his people. Kiboko does not grant aid to tyrants."

He sniffs loudly. "While Prince is acceptable, I prefer your Royal Highness...

I have been in hiding since my father's death, obviously from some nefarious plot, probably the same miscreants who attacked me. I had to bide my time to prepare my return. I sought aid here since this symbol..." he again taps the Wayfinder "...was the mark of my father.

My intentions are only to rule benevolently to all my loyal subjects..."

He yawns. "Forgive me, I'm still weary from my ordeal. Perhaps you should return to the Captain and he can fill you in on what your Prince requires..."

Very well. We will do as you suggest, Royal Highness.

Kramac's tone seems to edge towards the sarcastic as he utters the words 'Royal Highness'. He turns to speak with the Venture Captain.

He says he came floating down a river and over a waterfall? Do you have any idea where he may have come from, so we might track his journey back to its starting point? And what of this Almsman that he said he floated by?

The Prince of Augustana, taking no notice of Kramac's sarcasm, gives what he believes is a regal and benevolent smile, and waves the party away...

The Venture-Captain nods as the party re-enters his room.

“Well, other than he being an odd duck, what’d you think? My diviners say that there is some truth to his story. There has never been a Prince of Augustana, nor an Emperor in Andoran, but the old fellow has a surprising amount of knowledge of the pre-revolution noble families of the city. He may be the lost scion of some noble line. If so, he’s fallen far. From the filth and stink on him when we found him, we’re fairly certain he’s been living in or near a sewer. The wayfinder is also a mystery, but for now, it makes him one of ours. However, I’m more interested in his supposed gate to the otherworld. If it exists, I want to know about it. Implausible as it may seem, I’m certain that his injuries were caused by otherworldly beings. We must take the possibility of a portal seriously...

I don’t want to dirty my hands with this, but you don’t have that choice. Retrace the old man’s path through the sewers. The Almsman, whom he repeatedly mentions, is rumored to be an eccentric priest who runs some sort of hidden beggar’s sanctuary in the sewers. He may know where our prince’s portal is, if you can find him. But be warned; a local gang calling themselves the Steel Wyverns claims the sewers near the Almsman’s Sanctuary as their own territory."

Venture-Captain Wallace shows the party the spot on a map of the likely sewer outlet from which Gandros came. It’s near the north end of the crowded Augustana
harbor, near where the north harbor wall hits land. Sewer Map (Slide 2)

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

We must be cautious - there is a gang called the Wyverns that claim that area as their territory. They prefer to fight using spiked chains. As far as the Almsman, he is probably a priest. He is known for aiding the city's beggars, but those who know where his lair is refuse to share that knowledge. I think we have enough to get started in our investigation - lets head on to the sewers and see what we can find.

The Venture-Captain gives a slight nod.

"You have the right of it...but while you need be cautious, I also urge you to start right away...if there's an open portal, that's a danger we need to address quickly...

That's 'bout all I have for you. Report back when you're able. Fare thee well."

"Sewers again. How fitting. Is there an access point suitable for Mvumbu? Ladders are not ideal for hippos. Otherwise Kiboko will need a magical solution."

scrolls of reduce animal, carry companion or spider climb would maybe work.

Since Kiboko asked, I'll assume that the party will attempt to gather information on entrances into the sewers...it appears that the sewer system in Augustana has some entry points with stairs as opposed to ladders...so, if you can find an appropriate entry point, Mvumbu should be better able to handle stairs...

While the Venture-Captain showed you on the map the likely sewer outlet that was the Prince's waterfall, it's still not easy to see from the docks.

If you succeeded the above check, +5 for the check below

Oret takes no exception to the plan laid out before them and makes his preparations.

"Chaos must not ensue, Oret will ensure all order is kept."

perception 1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

perception 2: 1d20 + 9 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 5 = 28

"Kiboko has found a suitable entrance. It is marked as 'settling pools'. Come."

Mvumbu can swim pretty well, especially with the benefit of animal focus.

My bad, thought I recalled reading somewhere that hippos can't actually swim so I wasn't sure...better off avoiding the sludge any way though...

The walkways in the sewers are narrow so if y'all have a preferred marching order, let me know, otherwise I'll try to infer from your posts...

Qatala humbly says As I am primarily a defensive fighter and quite perceptive perhaps I should lead?

crane wing style monk. Also even though is human I have low light vision

Lead on lady Qatala. I know Kiboko often fights with a hooked lance, so perhaps he should follow you should we run into trouble in the narrow corridors. Oret and I can guard the rear.

Opening the alley door, you find stone steps leading down into the settling pools portion of the sewer, steps sturdy enough for even the wise and beautiful Mvumbu, though she makes a terrible racket going down them...

The smell of waste and rot is strong in this large chamber where filthy water flows in a series of cascades between tiered stone tanks. A raised platform along the east wall is connected to the passage’s walkways by several thick wooden planks creating a makeshift bridge. On that platform is what looks to be a makeshift alchemy lab on a rough-hewn table—beakers, glass vials, dirty bottles, and moldy buckets cover the entire surface of the table.

There are two men south of the bridge, armed with spiked chains, and one man over by the makeshift alchemy lab; you can only assume they’re part of the Steel Wyverns you were warned about.  Upon seeing the party emerge from the stairs, one of the armed thugs yells, ”Drop your gear and leave the way you came…OR ELSE!!!”

Soon after speaking the thugs leap to the platforms and ready their spiked chains to threaten any who attempt to pass by on the walkway...

Assuming you don't want to lay down arms, the party is up...

Order:
SW Thugs
Kramac
Mvumbu
Kuumaa
Qatala
Kiboko
Oret
SW Alchemist

Encounter Map (Slide 3)

Upon noting hostilities, Oret draws his own arms and says a little prayer, bestowing a feeling of divine confidence upon the party.

Move action draw weapon and bless.. I realise I'm under tier, probably ok for season 0 campaign but I'll play more support in that case than attack.

Qatala glances at the two spiked wielding thugs and largely ignores them and double moves round them towards the alchemist.

My ac will still be 19 but my cmd is 26 if they try to trip me due to my improved trip feat

"Diobel, Augustana, all reeking civilisation!"

With a sense of deja vu, recalling the sewers of Diobel, Kiboko vents his fury at the corruption and evil of civilised men, and attacks the nearest foe with his lance.

Mvumbu happily enters the filthy water and attacks alongside Kiboko. Switch Mvumbu's animal focus to Bull (+2STR)

hooked lance vs wyvern thug, rage, bless, pack flanking, power attack: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 2 + 1 + 4 - 1 = 28 damage: 1d8 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 3 = 18

Mvumbu smells danger, but also mud!

At Kiboko's command, she enters the sewer water and goes for a chomp on the man ahead of her.

This might provoke an AoO from the thug, assuming Mvumbu cannot 5' step into the sewer water.

chomp!, bless, bull focus, pack flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 1 + 1 + 4 = 28 damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

As Oret blesses the party and Qatala runs the gauntlet, the most forward thug, seeing Kiboko and Mvumbu as the biggest threat, lets the monk go by to let his cohort take care of her and takes an AoO against Mvumbu with his spiked chain...

Spiked Chain: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

...but misses. The second thug will do the same at Qatala as she passes by...

Spiked Chain: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Damage: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 2 = 8

...connecting with a solid hit to her left side but he's unable to slow her progress to the alchemist whom she catches flat-footed, surprised at her quickness.

Kiboko strikes a mighty blow against the first thug, raking his lance across the thug's chest, exposed after that swing at Mvumbu. As the thug drops to a knee reeling from the hit, Mvumbu rises up and chomps on his head, crushing it and dropping him stone dead, falling off the platform and into the muck.

The bold are up.

Order:
SW Thug
Kramac
Mvumbu
Kuumaa
Qatala (-8)
Kiboko
Oret
SW Alchemist

Kramac hustles up the stairs. He sighs to himself when he sees his opponent in the middle of the muck. Reluctantly, he hops down into the sewage, drawing his kukri and striking ad the knees of his opponent. In the meantime, he motions for Kuuma to attack the same opponent.

Kramac will move to attack the other gang member, and command Kuuma to flank and attack the same one. Kramac will delay his attack until the flank is set up

Attack w/ flank, bless, Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 15
damage: 1d4 + 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + (1) + 3 + 2 = 9

Kuuma snarls to harry the indicated target, not even hesitating at jumping into the muck.

If it is rough terrain in the sewage, the Kuuma will have to double move to get into position and not get an attack. Both Kramac and Kuuma will provoke AoOs from the reach weapons, though Kramac goes first so he should get hit first. Kuuma's AC is 18 if they have comabat reflexes. I'll get his stat bar put in the profile today...

Bite w/ Bless, Power Power Attack, flank: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 - 1 + 2 = 9

It is considered rough terrain but Kuumaa would've missed any way. The remaining thug has combat reflexes and can take two more AoOs...

As Kramac leaps into the sewage, Kuumaa circles around to flanking position and does the same, the remaining thug, twirling his spiked chain still dripping with some of Qatala's blood, swings first at Kramac...

SW Thug w/Chain: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

...but misses and continues to swing it around on to Kuumaa...

SW Thug w/Chain: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

and curses as he misses the wolf as well...

Kramac ducking slightly to avoid the spiked chain, lashes out with his kukri slicing into leather and penetrating to the knee, staggering the thug, but not dropping him...

The alchemist, seeing one comrade slain and the other in dire straits, recognizes he's out of his element. With Qatala closing so quickly he had no time to grab his flasks, with only a dagger in hand, he drops it quickly, exclaiming "Forget this!" and dives into the muck trying to escape out the sewer outlet...

Qatala gets an AoO if she so wishes

Beginning round 2

The remaining thug, made of sterner stuff than his alchemical companion, recovers quickly and strikes back at Kramac...

SW Thug w/Chain: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Damage: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 2 = 7

...striking sharply on the brawler's right shoulder.

The party is up!

Order:
SW Thug (-9)
Kramac (-7)
Mvumbu
Kuumaa
Qatala (-8)
Kiboko
Oret
SW Alchemist (trying to flee)

Kuuma latches on to the gangster's leg, and shakes violently, toppling him to the ground.

Bite, power attack, bless, flank: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 23
bite damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Trip Attempt, power attack, bless, flank: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 25

Taking pity on the poor gang member laying on the ground bloody, Kramac headbutts the man, and follows that up with a kick to the head.

Brawler's flurry with unarmed strike for non-lethal damage

Attack 1, Bless, Flank, Flurry: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 11
Damage 1, Non-lethal: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3) + 3 = 9

Attack 2, Bless, Flank, Flurry: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 12
Damage 2, Non-lethal: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3) + 3 = 9

Kuumaa leaps up biting into the same knee Kramac struck earlier, and the man crumples down on the platform, just in time for the brawler's attack. While the head butt narrowly misses, the follow up kick drops the thug like a wet rag...

The bold are up! (Qatala also has an AoO from the last round, unless she chooses to let him flee unhindered)

Order:
SW Thug (unconscious)
Kramac (-7)
Kuumaa
Mvumbu
Qatala (-8)
Kiboko
Oret
SW Alchemist (trying to flee)

Kiboko and Mvumbu move to cut off the alchemist's escape (assuming that he was headed for the South West exit, not the North East). Double move for both.

Maintain rage. Switch Mvumbu's animal focus to snake (+2 to AoO's and +2 AC vs AoO).

Kiboko fort save vs muck/stench, raging: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

"SURRENDER OR DIE, SCUM!!!"

Even if Qatala had let him flee, he could've traveled no further than 20' in the muck so Kiboko and Mvumbu would be able to cut him off so we can end combat here...

The alchemist meekly surrenders, moaning, "My beautiful alchemy lab...all is ruined!" Kiboko drags him by the scruff of his neck back up onto the walkway.

Combat is over. What next?

Kramac will make a heal check to make sure the guy he knocked out isn't bleeding out, and stabilize him if he can.

Heal check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

After that, he'll turn to Oret, You see! We've already dealt with three scourges to law and order!

Turning to the Alchemist, You really shouldn't go around attacking everyone who wanders through the sewers. We would have been perfectly happy to pass through and leave you unmolested. But seeing as you didn't let that happen, you're going to help us out. There was a man that floated through here earlier. Did you see him? And furthermore, do you know where the Almsman makes his base? We'd like to speak with him. The quality of your answers determines whether we give you to our friend Oret to take to the authorities, or to our friend Kiboko to do... well, I'll let you use your imagination with.

After he finishes speaking, Kramac flashes the alchemist his best menacing toothy grin while Kuuma growls behind him.

intimidate: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Order nods in Kramac's way. While Kramac does some wrestling, Oret attempts to go through the ruffian's belongings to see if they hold anything useful, or identification.

Kiboko glowers at the alchemist as he recovers from his rage.

"Kiboko has no care for filth like you. What vile concoctions are you brewing here? Answer our questions!"

intimidate, aid another: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

The alchemist shakes, his lips quivering as he speaks. "Th...th...the sewer belongs to the Steel Wyverns and we were posted here to collect tribute to those who pass. Y'all refused the tribute...

Please, that's all I know, please let me go...can I take my alchemy tools with me?"

Kramac is able to easily stabilize the thug...but he's likely to be out for a long while...and he likely doesn't know much more than the alchemist...

Oret finds by the workbench a rack of alchemical substances containing 2 acid flasks, 4 alchemist’s fire, 2 smokesticks, 2 tanglefoot bags, 2 thunderstones, and 4 vials of filth fever tonic. Sitting open on the workbench is a large tome titled Toxins and Countermeasures, written by Giacomo d’Enzinas. The alchemical materials on the workbench constitute an alchemist’s lab, plus about 240 gp worth of raw materials.