Gameday 7: The Dalsine Affair (Inactive)

Game Master Chyrone

Mosi stops to admire the structure, even taking is journal out to make a few sketches and notes. He smiles warmly at the other people already there, and eventually moves over to sit with them.

"Dark times. I am Mosi, these are my friends. I am sorry for the loss of your friends. We are pathfinders, and we are here to help." The vanara puts his leathery paw on a shoulder and pats it reassuringly.

"I would like to know more about you. How long have you been down here? We only just arrived to help and all hades broke loose. Now that we have a chance to breathe for a moment, we should figure out what our next steps will be to keep you safe."

Jeskit puts on his least intimidating face and walks among the refugees. Tetch, Jekit's familiar, makes a rare appearance crawling out of his satchel. The leathery bird drapes itself on Jeskit's shoulder curious about the goings on. Jeskit breaks off some hard bread he keeps in a belt pouch and feeds it to Tetch.

He walks up behind Mosi and pats him on the back before sitting down.

As soon as they spot the approaching party, they pick up wooden clubs and leap to their feet suspiciously.

One of the cult members calls out, "Well met by moonlight, sisters and brothers, but soon the dawn will come!"

Upon hearing the coded greeting, the cultists by the fire set down their weapons and welcome the party and their fellow Sarenites to the camp.

In the midst of putting his hands up in a gesture of peace .. Asterion then shows relief when it goes well.

He then joins them by the fire..

Balbo sees to Chompy's needs and sets him to guard the passage through which they'd come. Then he moves away to join the others by the fire. "My condolences for your losses. This murderous Chalfon Dalsine and his ruthless band of soldiers are overdue for justice. We were told by Muesello that you could set us on the path to finding Dalsine's home. He also has some artifacts we must recover."

A slim red-headed man among them is the one to stand up.

"Be welcome in our refuge. We can spare water and simple food, if you'll have it, please, come join us.", as he points at several empty seats.

Thank you. Jeskit takes the proffered seat and a bit of food, but not much.

"Thank you my brothers and sisters. Please, tell us all you know so we can make things right."

Balbo takes a seat as well, but declines food and water. Instead, he will share his own if they are needed. The halfling waits patiently for answers to his own questions.

"Only if you are not running low..." Mosi trails off, conditionally accepting the offer from the beleaguered acolytes. "Now any good traveler is full of stories, and Mosi is full of stories. But if you would be so kind, we would like to hear yours first, then I will tell you one of mine." he smiles.

The man motions for you to accompany him a little further ahead.

"I will, but if you'd please come with me, i have some very important things to share with you. Speaking of them within direct hearing distance of my safely returned brothers and sisters, would reignite worries within them, i wish to spare."

Once some 20ft away from the group, he halts.
"Now, i'll open with the situation above. It has come to my attention that mister Dalsine is plotting a great disturbance."

(cue some likel surprised looks)

"I've heard he plans to cause the collapse of the society of pathfinders."

Balbo stares at the man. "That is a strong accusation, but perhaps not terribly surprising, given what he has done so recently to you and your followers. Do you know what his plans are, specifically? And how did you come by this information?"

In response to Balbo's questions...

"I heard mister Dalsine became upset with the society, blaming them for his problems. And the scales went to the more brooding side when he got acquainted with an already disappointed former member of it."

"From what i can gather, he plans to start an all out war between the factions....."

[Cue cinematic flashes of everyone's faces at this revelation]

"As to how i come by this information, well, he faintly smiles, the city has many eyes."

That's not something we can let happen. We need evidence of these machinations to take to our superiors. Tetch sneaks back into his satchel as the talk gets serious. Jeskit fixes his belt and stands tall hoping for some direction to opposition.

"In addition to that evidence, perhaps we are in a unique situation to interrupt his plans. What do you know? I'm worried Musello is going to get wrapped up in this. If there is something we can do to disrupt his plans now, we should do it, along with recovering the artifacts."

Mosi looks worried, and begins to pace. He folds his arms, putting a closed fist on his chin, furrowing his eyebrows in contemplation.

"How does he think he is going to start a war between factions?"

"Sadly, his machinations would include bringing to light mister Muesello's illegal export of Taldan artifacts. Exposing that would certainly beat the society's image, wouldn't it."

"The war between factions, all i can say is he aims to manipulate two faction heads in Taldor to take action against another. One is a family member of his, and the other is quadiran, i think."

"Easier to inform the Qadiran or his family member of his ill intentions?" he says clearly, having taken his mask off.

"The question is how he plans to manipulate them. If we knew that, then we could undermine his attempts. That kind of manipulation takes carefully seeded lies and deciete. If we bring the truth to bear, his machinations will fail." Mosi muses.

"Also, if we recover the artifacts, he will have little evidence to accuse Muesello of wrong-doing. We should head towards wherever he has taken the artifacts. We might just find the other evidence we need while we are there." Mosi raises his eyebrows to see if others agree with his assumptions and plan.

There is definitely a lot of assumption there, for all I know I am taking the scenario to a place it wasn't written to go. But either way, it looks like our next step is to find the artifacts, now that the acolytes are safe.

Right, Mosi. We have options to explore but the artifacts are where we would intersect with our adversaries. Turning to the man. Thank you for your candor. Please care for the people here. We must be going. Jeskit is ready to leave.

To Mosi...

"The how? One of the victims of the murders was a sibling of the quadiran loyalists' leader."

"The artifacts, well, Mister Muesello's...asked some of us, from time to time, to take them across the border, when we'd visit abroad. To avoid the high tax rates."

The young oracle just shakes her head trying to fathom all she has just heard.

I'm a bit lost.. do we have any solid leads for where to find the artifacts at all?

To keep your car straight..hehe...what he speaks of is something VC Muessello does from time to time. What items you -are- required/wanting to find, are suits of armor, packed in parcels, Muessello mentioned them earlier, he suspects they are at Dalsine's place.

Let's head out. Dalsine seems to be the key. Jeskit makes for the door.

"I have more to tell, hold on.", as he tries to have Jeskit remain here to hear him out.

Still walking ahead?

Balbo turns to Mosi. "If one of the victims of Dalsine's slaughter was a relative of the quadiran loyalist's leader, then it seems likely he plans to set up his own family member for retribution. Whether with their knowledge and consent we cannot know. But maybe we'll find clues at his home. In any case, that is where the artifacts are suspected to be."

As Jeskit rises, so does the halfling, quickly moving to mount Chompy. He turns back to the cultist leader once he is astride the dinosaur as the man calls out. "Very well, speak on. You know where Dalsine's home can be found, correct? Can you direct us there?"

I believe we have heard all we need. Excuse me. Jeskit keeps moving.

Mosi nods with Balbo's theory. "It fits... Though that is surprisingly wicked if his family doesn't know what is coming."

Mosi smiles patiently at the Acolyte, folding his hands in his lap. "I am all ears." the Vanara wiggles his prodigious cranial extremities.

To Jeskit's continued walking away...

The man stands up.
"I'm afraid i can't let you leave so soon.", his eyes turn ominous, as he draws a blade.
"You see, his plan will commence tonight...."
===========================

Akkurat, round 1

Asterion
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Akkurat
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Mosi, Azora
Balbo & Jeskit

Seems we didn't have to go so far for a lead after all. You best lower your weapon. Jeskit stands confidently in front of the man.

Asterion stands and uses studied target on the man.
I would advise against any hostile action or you shall regret it. He says as he moves to 10ft away from the man and draws his gladius.

Asterion stands and looks for any weak points the man may have.
No move left to get up close, though.

The man's features melt away like wax, leaving a featureless humanoid form to look at.

In a now unnatural voice: "<Better take your own advice, scaled one.>"
----------------
Mosi, Azora
Balbo & Jeskit can post ahead (if you're moving, please draw arrows)

"Now would have been a far better time to use that potion." Mosi mutters to himself. He stands to his full height, spinning his quarterstaff and bringing it to bear in front of him, firmly grasped in two hands.

"Thank you... whatever you are, for making this investigation so much easier. I must admit, I didn't see the wolf in sheep's clothing gambit coming."

Curses! Don't have that knowledge. Bummer.

Mosi slides his feet forward, to present a closer target than the fiery oracle beside him. With a dramatic flair, he plants one end of his quarterstaff into the floor in front of him, and pulls his right hand back by his hip. In a flash, two thin objects cut through the air, slicing towards the figure.

Shuriken 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
for Shuriken 1 damage: 1d2 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Shuriken 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
for Shuriken 2 damage: 1d2 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Summary:
-5' Adjust
-Flurry of blows using shuriken

1 attack only, unfortunately, as standing up uses a move action.

Balbo's surprise fades quickly as the monster reveals itself, but unfortunately he doesn't recognize the creature.

Knowledge (Dungeoneering) Check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Still, he knows that it must be put down quickly, and then to check on the other cultists. Are they all the same as this? Or did the creature plan to kill them too?

Further thoughts leave his mind as Chompy roars in anger, sensing his master's mood, and the halfling draws his bow and lets fly an arrow.

Composite Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Composite Longbow Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Includes +1/+1 to attack/damage for Point Blank Shot

No movement this round, just move action to draw bow, then standard action to shoot. Per my last post, I'd mounted up on Chompy and will presume I am at the moment, unless advised otherwise.

1 attack only, unfortunately, as standing up uses a move action.

No worries, just use the first one.

kn dungeon: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Jeskit steps slow at first towards the creature and increases in speed and draws his sectioned staff. His fury culminates in a roar as he slams the staff against the creature at a full run.

sansetsukon, rage: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Actually that roll for IDing a creature should have a +3 on it so.... 8.. ;o)

"My allies, feel the glory of The Dawnflower!" The oracle's eye seem to burn as flame briefly bursts from her.

Casting Bless

Sarenrae's divine blessing falls upon the party, briefly filling them with a comfortable warmth. That happening, projectiles fly from Balbo and Mosi, the latter of whom shuffles to within 10 ft to do so.

As he tosses his shiny shuriken, Akkuray slices with its extensive arms' reach, slicing a blade aimed at Mosi's torso.

Aoo: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 Slice slice: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Mosi is left with a big bloody gash across his torso.

Having dodged both projectiles, Akkurat is left with an incoming Jeskit who, like Mosi, is met with Akkurat's fast reflexes.
Aoo: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 Slice slice: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Crit?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 Extra slice: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
His wound is not so insignificant either, before he whacks his quarterstaff upon Akkurat's form, in fact the blade cuts extra accurately, leaving Jeskit wobbly from the wound.

Akkurat laughs.
"Your attack is not impressive."
3 dmg to Akkurat.
===============

Round 2

Asterion
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Akkurat (-3)
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The others

Mosi did a 5' adjust, not a move - that doesn't provoke an AoO. Yikes though! That could really hurt! That thing has some reach!

Asterion moves forward and approaches the creature, using his acrobatics to avoid it's reach attack .. hopefully, he draws his Gladius as he does so and then attacks

Acro: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Gladius+st+bless: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 191d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Ride Check (Fast Dismount): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 vs DC 20 = Success!

Balbo flings himself out of the saddle and shouts at Chompy. "Sic 'em, boy!" Then the halfling is moving to get a good bead on the foe, firing another arrow as his dinosaur moves in to attack!

Chompy's Bite Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 = Possible Crit!
Bite Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Crit Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Includes +1 to attack roll for Bless

Chompy's Trip (CMB): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 vs CMD
Trip is a free action, no AoO, can't be tripped in return; includes +1 to attack roll for Bless

Balbo's Longbow Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Longbow Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Includes +1 to attack roll for Bless; -4 to attack roll for firing into a melee; +1/+1 to attack/damage rolls for Point Blank Shot

Free action to dismount, then move 30' to current square on map and standard ranged attack. Chompy will move 25' to attack and get a free trip if he hits.

@ Mosi. 5ft doesn't, but making a ranged attack within its reach does. From your post i gather your intentions as: stand, 5ft step, shuriken, the latter within its reach.

Asterion indeed moves too quickly for Akkurat to respond, and slices the creature across the shoulder.
--------------------
Akkurat (-9) makes another slash at Jeskit, before moving away from Asterion.
Blade: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 Slice: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
It misses, and a sigh of relief escapes the nagaji's mouth.

Acro vs Asterion: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 Barely succeeds.
---------------------
Balbo, you may want to revise your movement? Baddies won't always stay in the same sot. ;)

Mosi
Azora & Jeskit
Balbo (alternate actions?)

OUCH!! and sorry, just want to understand the description. I landed the staff attack but it did not much damage?

Correct. He eats it like a boss.

I've changed Balbo's and Chompy's positions on the map, but our actions effectively remain the same. Balbo moved 20' and is still in Point Blank Shot range, Chompy had to move full 40' to reach the bad guy and make his attack, but he can still do it. His movement is 30' while Balbo is mounted, but with the halfling on foot, his regular speed is 40'. So that crit won't go for nothing! Unless its AoO drops him or something...

Ok, here is the edited post. My apologies again for the confusion and changing.

Mosi scrunches up his nose, trying to ignore the seeping blood that is matting up his fur. That is going to hurt. Just not now. It is not wise to be in pain right now.

The stoic monk mindfully keeps his focus on the task at hand, relatively certain that all of his entrails are still in place. Also now more aware of the reach of his foe, Mosi decide to be more careful in how he advances. He runs forward, chasing the enemy down, and uses Chompy to hide his advance in order to avoid taking another nasty gash.

Acro to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Stunning Fist, power attack, bless: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
for damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Utilized the same rolls, even though the attack might end up missing now.

question about acrobatics to avoid the AoO. Jeskit's CMD is 19 currently, but as I understand it, the DC increases by 2 for each opponent avoided. Feels like Jeskit may be due an AoO. Is that correct?