[PFS / GD6.102 / GMGlyn] 6–05: Slave Ships of Absalom (Inactive)

Game Master GHembree

Glexit. We live long enough to see slavery is something that happens all over Golarian. It's not an institution I like, but we have to work within the cultures we come across. That or live in the woods alone." Shalendra says as she walks out of the nobles house with the group.

I'm ready to head to Lady Darchana's

As the group leaves through the gate, Lumo turns to Shalendra. "I agree. We must live within the culture we are placed in. But only to a point. Growing up in Tien, nearly every Nagaji was oppressed by the Naga. There were two options: Die a slave, or leave."

After a moment of introspection, he continues. "We must work within the boundaries of culture and law, to deal with injustice."

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Taking their leave from Lady Silviana’s house, Lumo admires the professionally kept garden. Celas thanks them for their time and discreetly slips Atlag a coin. Glexit express his solution for slave owners, leaving the Atlag and Milana in awkward silence. Shalendra fills the silence with pragmatic view of things. Lumo agrees to a point and relates how the Nagaji race was created to be slaves to Nagas.

Your group easily finds Lady Darchana's estate in the Petals District. A tall wall of polished stone surrounds the property and its gardens, and many of the plants have arcane or alchemical uses in addition to their aesthetic value. A doorman greets the group, confirms their identities, and escorts them into the three-story residence, noting that Lady Darchana has been expecting them. There, the estate manager, Jemina, leads them to the upstairs study.

The walls of the study are inset with bookshelves that are brimming with texts of all varieties. A large drawing table in the middle of the room bears an unrolled map of the Inner Sea region. At the far end of the study stands an impressive darkwood desk, and seated behind it is a woman dressed in midnight-blue robes. Her piercing gray eyes look expectantly at Jemina. The estate manager softly clears her throat and announces, “Senior Lesser Councilwoman, Archdean of the Arcanamirium, Second Spell Lord of Absalom, Lady Darchana of House Madinani, please receive these agents of the Master of Spells Aram Zey of the Pathfinder Society.”

Lady Darchana beckons with a short hand movement, “Pathfinders, join me. That is all, Jemina.” She folds her hands together and waits for Jemina to close the door behind her, then continues. “After my conversation with Master Zey, he agreed by necessity to keep the details that were passed on to you to a minimum. I am keenly interested to hear what you were able to learn based on what you were provided.”

As Lady Darchana utters the last sentence, she focuses all of her attention your group ready to hear what you have learned.

Lumo steps forward, and bows slightly. "My lady, we have come up with several new leads, but have not found the culprit yet. It appears Lady Silviana was not targeted specifically, and that the wizard may be abroad. The slave, Atlag, was sold to Lady Silviana by a purveyor, Mahjub. He purchased her from a captain he had worked with occasionally before, Captain Wardak.

The captain flies yellow sails with her monstrous dog-men crew. She is due to arrive tonight, with a new cargo. One of the slaves is a Pathfinder."

I feel like I'm missing some details. Also, does anyone have knowledge local to recognize the "dog men"?

Lumo steps forward, and bows slightly. "My lady, we have come up with several new leads, but have not found the culprit yet. It appears Lady Silviana was not targeted specifically, and that the wizard may be abroad. The slave, Atlag, was sold to Lady Silviana by a purveyor, Mahjub. He purchased her from a captain he had worked with occasionally before, Captain Wardak.

The captain flies yellow sails with her monstrous dog-men crew. She is due to arrive tonight, with a new cargo. One of the slaves is a Pathfinder."

I feel like I'm missing some details. Also, does anyone have knowledge local to recognize the "dog men"?

No know (Local), but I think you have the just down of what is going on.

After Lumo relates what he knows, Lady Darchana muses ”Yellow sails, … An Okeno pirate captain? Captain Wardak” she nods her head, a brief smile. “Yes, that would stand to reason.”

She flips open a ledger sitting on her desk that bears the seal of the harbormaster and begins scanning the pages, “When I became aware of the eavesdropping handmaiden, using my own magic I was able to follow the arcane trail back to it’s origin. I only got a brief glimpse of the heavily veiled perpetrator, but based on the distance and direction, I knew the culprit was on Stonespire Island—somewhere underground on the island at any rate, with a powerfully enchanted mirror. The Okeno pirates’ base of operations is a city on that island, and the Fleshfairs may be the largest slave markets on all of Golarion. It is a cunning place through which to move these sensored slaves.”

Her hand finally comes to rest in the ledger. “Here we are the ‘At Sea’ captained by Wardak. It has been to Absalom two other times in the last three months. According to this, however, it has been marked with a bounty. ‘Failure to fully declare cargo value for taxation.’”

She clicks her tongue loudly. “Excellent. You said Mahjub Mahdi was expecting another shipment from the At Sea tomorrow? If it hasn’t already docked, it’ll be anchored outside the Ship’s Graveyard, waiting for a pilot. We cannot allow those slaves to make it to the Docks unaccompanied! I trust I can count on your to help?”

Lady Darchana excuses herself for briefly. She returns about 15 minutes later. ”I have spoken with a contact at the Harbormaster’s Grange. There is an outstanding docking request for a ship called ‘Kat Season’, which is likely our ship with a flimsy disguise.”

She writes out a letter, seals it in wax with her seal, and hands it to your group. ”Carry this note to the harbormaster’s Grange--it authorizes the inspector to provide you with a rowboat and a pilot. So long as you can confirm the ship’s identity, you are legally free to claim the bounty yourselves. Good luck Pathfinders!”

(Now would be a good time to do any healing, for taking a ship might be dangerous. Remember you do have several potions of CLW from the thugs.)

Healing now when we only have a single damage might be a waste of a potion. However, making sure we all had one from the thugs, should things get ugly, wouldn't be a bad thing.

"Thank you Lady. We'll do our best to take care of this for you. I'm not a sailor. Do you have any suggestions on how we can confirm the identity? Anything that ships normally do to avoid detection?" Shalendra asks respectfully.

I have twelve hp left, I'm ok with that.

Wow, some of that information would have been nice.

Lumo nods respectfully. "Is the bounty for the ship, the captain or the crew? And, does it specify dead or alive?"

We need to remember the Pathfinder. We must help him or her escape.

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Lady Darchana replies to Shalendra, "Signs of fresh paint, yellow sails, dog face crew, Captain Wardak, slaves, ..."

To Lumo's question, "The bounty is for the ship and cargo, the crew is dead or alive. Don't let them destroy any evidence if you can help it."

Lumo chuckles a little at the Lady's sarcastic response. "So, you care not about the wizard? Will grabbing this ship truly stop the scrying?"

Lumo turns to his companions. "Either way, there is a bounty and a Pathfinder waiting for us. Shall we?"

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"We shall, yes?" Celas, strangely, wasn't looking at Lumo, but at his faithful companion falcon.

bows to the lady Honor is good but bounty is better. Lets see if we can take care of both

(My apologies for moving the scenes along quickly, but we need to finish up in 10 days. Finale battle.)

The Pathfinders make there way to the Docks Harbormaster’s Grange.

The Inspection and Pilots’ Office of the Harbormaster’s Grange is cramped and perfumed by a particularly smelly bowl of salted fish stew that’s cooling on one of its several desks. Ledgers and loose papers occupy most of the horizontal surfaces in the office, and a bookshelf on the southern wall sags under the weight of heavy files.

At present only one inspector is on duty. The sleepy-looking halfling woman sits up, covers a yawn, and says, “Welcome to the Harbormaster’s Grange. I’m Inspector Second Class Lilia Ginsi. How may I be of service?”

Once presented with Lady Darchana’s request. The halfling woman takes a few moments to read the request, check the docking request for Kat Season then locate to sign out a rowboat and locate a pilot for departure. She excuses herself for a few minutes to notify the pilot and then when she returns she informs the group ”Your dwarven pilot Zigil is ready to depart at Docking slip 49.”

At Docking slip 49 you find a rowboat and Zigil who speaks very little, but makes if very clear to the PCs that rowing the boat is their job, and navigating safely through the Ship’s Graveyard is hers. She agrees to board the Kat Season once the ship has been secured, and not a moment sooner.

In the Rowboat:
Absalom’s harbor is an inky, shifting landscape of shadows at night, illuminated only by the city’s lights, the waxing moon, and the distant blaze of the Absalom Lighthouse on Pilot’s Island. Eventually, a three-masted ship with white sails comes into view. It’s just over one hundred feet in length, and its bowsprit is a weather worn representation of a canine-headed mermaid. The crew is busy as they await an escort through the Ship’s Graveyard. A rope ladder hangs from the rail of its starboard to a foot above the waterline.

(for low-light or dark vision PCs reduce the perception DC by 5)

(DC 10 climb check to ascend the ladder. Rolling 5 or less causes one to fall into the water.)

On the Main deck is the first mate Curtzog and 2 Gnoll crew members, they seem to be expecting a pilot accompanied by one or two sailors, so will take no action yet.

(Map updated! We are in pre-initiative action so still follow the the single turn actions I will roll initiative after the first attack, 4th person boards, or they become suspicious. )

All in bold may act

Glexit: 1 dam
Celas: 1 dam
Narkas: 1 dam
Lumo: 2 dam
Doldrak: 1 dam
Shalendra:

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Celas makes his way onto the deck by climbing the ladder, nods to the first mate Curtzog, and then looks down to see if anyone else is ready to come up. His falcon is flying overhead ready to swoop down and strike at a moments notice.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Climb: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (7) - 4 = 3

Shalendra goes splash into the water cursing quietly. A hawk lands on the top of one of the masts.

Perception w/ Low Light: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

"There's out target, the "At Sea". Let's see if we can surprise them. "

Climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Lumo deftly climbs the ladder, chuckling softly as Shalendra falls. Never skip arm day. He lands on the deck with a soft thud, sizing up his opponents. After sensing no immediate hostility, he decided to go along. He steps into the middle of the boat, like he owns the place, while speaking to the monstrous crew.

"Wow, y'all are as ugly as I am! Who's in charge here?"

If they would stop me from moving in, feel free to redact my move.

Climb: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Glexit starts to climb the ladder, but seems to get stuck on a step.Really. You can't climb a ladder now? I should work out more.

"Don't worry. I'll be fine. As soon as I defeat this ladder."

Celas leans over the edge of the boat and whispers to his companions, one of whom fell and the other who is stuck. "Come on guys, it isn't looking good up here!"

Celas climbs the rope ladder with ease. He nodes to the first mate.

Shalendra slips as she climbs dropping into the water. Curtzog chuckles ”Lubbers.. the two Gnolls give an yepi laugh enjoying another's misfortune.

Shalendra make a DC 15 swim check to swim back to the ladder or rowboat.

Lumo easily climbs the ladder to the deck and speaks up asking who’s in charge. Curtzog sneers at Lumo, ”I’m in charge here! Step out of line and I’ll make a pair of snakeskin boots out of you.”

Glexit tries to climb but get’s stuck on the rope ladder. Curtzog complains "What is this are they sending me a traine pilot? The first mate is getting impatient.

(DC 10 climb check to ascend the ladder. Rolling 5 or less causes one to fall into the water.)

On the Main deck is the first mate Curtzog and 2 Gnoll crew members, they seem to be expecting a pilot accompanied by one or two sailors, so will take no action yet.

We are in pre-initiative action so still follow the the single turn actions I will roll initiative after the first attack, 4th person boards, or they become suspicious.

All in bold may act

Glexit: 1 dam
Celas: 1 dam
Narkas: 1 dam
Lumo: 2 dam
Doldrak: 1 dam
Shalendra:

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Celas, waiting for the remainder of the group to climb the ladder, takes his time to scan the upper deck of the boat for anything amiss. Did the captain expect trouble and leave a trap or two?

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 I wish the moon was full I might be able to see better
climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 At least I don't need much light to climb by

Climb: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Glexit finally makes it up the ladder."I told you I would make."
Glexit looks around. "I thought I heard something about snakeskin boots?"Glexit looks over at Lumo. "I hope they are not referring to you."

Celas glances around looking for traps, while it’s not a trap the main deck has two ten foot square wood grates that access the old below. The grates are fairly flimsy and may collapse under too much weight.

Narkas climbs up the ladder onto the main deck.

Glexit manages to make it up the latter this time.

In Combat:

Curtzog realizes something is wrong, and growls at Glexit ”Hey you no pilot. All hands repel boarders!” He yells in alarm. Drawing his greatsword the half-orc points it at Celas, ”The fish are going to dine on you tonight!” causing chills to run up and down Celas's back for round.

Curtzog Demoralize on Celas: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

All in bold may act

Curtzog:
Lumo: 2 dam
Doldrak: 1 dam
Gnolls:
Celas: 1 dam Demoralized (shaken -2 to hit, save, skill checks, and ability checks) for 1 round.
Narkas: 1 dam
Glexit: 1 dam
Shalendra:

Lol it's always Celas who gets shaken.

Lumo has been waiting for this movement. He steps up to flank Kurtzog, drawing his Earthbreaker at the same time. "So, you like to take on weaker foes? How about a real opponent this time?"

Power Attack w/ flank: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 3) + 8 = 14

Swim: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (11) - 4 = 7

Shalendra doesn't manage to make it back to the boat or the ladder as the battle breaks out on the deck. "I'm going to be of no help unless I can get up there."

Lumo steps behind Curtzog and clobbers the half-orc but doesn't drop him.

Shalendra flounders in the water, Doldrak reaches out and pulls her back into the rowboat.

DC10 climb check to ascend the ladder. Rolling 5 or less causes one to fall into the water. Swimming requires a DC15 back to the ladder

The two Gnolls put out their longbows and fire one arrow each at Lumo and Narkas both shots miss.

All in bold may act

Curtzog: +16 dam
Lumo: 2 dam
Gnolls:
Celas: 1 dam Demoralized (shaken -2 to hit, save, skill checks, and ability checks) for 1 round.
Narkas: 1 dam
Glexit: 1 dam
Shalendra:
Doldrak: 1 dam

Celas takes a 5' step to his right, aims his bow at Curtzog, and fires.

Longbow: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 = 26 Point Blank + Precise Shot
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Longbow: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 1 = 21 Confirm Crit?
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Celas whistles, signaling his companion to also attack the Captain

I didn't bring the Falcon in the first fight as the map was small and indoors..

Wow! Listen to my partner and fly over to the big guy and attempt to bite him with my strong beak.

bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

That hawk could annoy the heck out of this gnoll. Lumo yells to the hawk. "Hey, birdie! Go around his back!"

After a moment, he realizes he's speaking to an animal. "Celas! Ask Feathers to get around his back!"

If your hawk flanks, he will get +2 to hit.

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Celas, Longbows are x3 crit multipliers.

Celas, Longbows are x3 crit multipliers.

At work, not able to see my character sheet and need to update my profile with that info...

Damage Crit 3x: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Editing my turn. Missed that I had been pulled out.

Shalendra drops her backpack in the boat, and climbs the ladder. She makes it to the top and surveys the battle. Hanging off the edge of the boat she gives the enemy with the sword the Evil Eye.

Climb: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17
Will save DC14 or -2 to AC for six rounds. -2 to AC for one round if saves.

Shalendra flounders in the water, Doldrak reaches out and pulls her back into the rowboat.

Adding emphasis to the bot.

Lumo, with a confused look, cries out. "Oye, you lot in the boat! Time to get up here! "

Despite being shaken, Celas steps back and puts an arrow through the first mates eye nearly killing him. Celas’s hawk comes down and finishes the job killing Curtzog.

Soaking wet, Shalendra drops her pack and climbs the ladder in time to give an evil eye to one of the two Gnolls.

Narkas, Glexit, Doldrak and Lumo can act before the Gnolls next attack.

All in bold may act

Curtzog: 16+18+3=37 dam -Dead-
Gnolls green:
Gnolls purple: (evil eye: -2 AC for 6R)
Celas: 1 dam
Shalendra:
Narkas: 1 dam
Glexit: 1 dam
Doldrak: 1 dam
Lumo: 2 dam

Lumo smiles as the First Mate drops. Gorum does not smile on those who fight the weak. He moves to the gnoll on his left, skirting the gated floor. "Give up, slaver.".

Power Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 6) + 8 = 18

Pulls his bow and zips a shot and one of the gnolls
+2 Composite Short Bow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Dm - my rolls above reflect if any target is within 30ft for point blank, I also have precise shot if the target would already have an attacker on them. If not deduct 1 from both rolls.

Glexit points at the nearest gnoll. "You should give up now. Too late.". Just as he's done, Glexit points and a searing cone of flames leaves his fingertips as he casts burning hands.

Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Lumo drops his gnoll with one blow.

Narkas and Glexit wound the other Gnoll.

Badly wounded the Gnoll drops his weapon and dives over board trying to escape with his life.

You hear growling and fearful cries from below deck.

Bold my act

Gnolls green: +18 dam Dying
Gnolls purple: +9+1=10 (evil eye: -2 AC for 5R) In water fleeing.

Celas: 1 dam
Shalendra:
Narkas: 1 dam
Glexit: 1 dam
Doldrak: 1 dam
Lumo: 2 dam

Lumo runs to the edge of the boat. "Hey, quick! Should I swim after him?!" +6 to swim, I could probably catch him.

Wait... the captain was female... how do I tell if a dog-face is a lady?

Seeing the Purple One flee, the Hawk flies over and attempts to peck him to death.

bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Celas, seeing the one flee, moves to the side of the ship, chasing after his loyal companion, and attempt to strike down the fleeing gnoll.

bite: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Lumo backs away from the edge. "Well, I guess we're not taking him alive. Hey, does anybody see the captain? Wasn't she a lady? Was she a dog-face?"

The slaves can wait a moment more. Time to deal with the wounded.

The first mate is dead-dead correct?

Lumo heads towards the final dying gnoll and attempts to resuscitate him. "You will fight worthy opponents in prison, scum."

Heal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

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Lumo wonders if he should swim after the escaping Gnoll.

Celas’s Hawk swoops down and delivers a wound to the escaping Gnoll causing it to pass out and start sinking.

Celas gets to the edge of the ship in time to see the dying Gnoll slip beneath the water.

Not recalling that the Captain was a human female, Lumo goes to trying an resuscitate the only dying gnoll on the ship, he is unable to stabilize the creature, but luckily for him the creature stabilizes on it’s own.

From below deck you hear screams of terror and an unnaturally howl from from some type of beast just before one of the screams turns bloody and is cut short.

”Aaaaa….WOOOOooo…. AAAaa/”

All in bold may act

Gnolls green: 18 dam unconscious stable.
Gnolls purple: 10+2=12 dam dying/drowning

Captian: unknown 3r
Kinore: unknown
Other: unknown

Slaves: (1: 10 dam dying)

Celas: 1 dam
Shalendra:
Narkas: 1 dam
Glexit: 1 dam
Doldrak: 1 dam
Lumo: 2 dam

Celas, at a full run, moves to the hold entrance, but doesn't go down.

Shelndra clambers on deck. "We need to get down there. Something is happening." She runs to the hold entrance, and casts light on her bracelet.

Lumo, realizing what is going on below decks, curses in Draconic. He points to the Hawk.

"Flappy! This one is protected! No more dead doggies!"

Lumo, Earthbreaker in hand, jumps over the passed out gnoll and runs full speed down the stairs. He drags the hammer along the wall as he descends, yelling out. "Halt, or feel Gorum's wrath, slavers!"
Fighters are the best trap finders.

Edit: Just noticed the second map. I double moved down the stairs.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Update post based on what Lumo sees

Lumo eyes quickly adjust to the dim light in the hold, he sees among the barrels and crates that Iron rings are attached to the inside of the hull on both sides provide anchor points for manacles. Along the port side is an open and empty iron cage bolted to the floor. There are two doors towards the stern.

More importantly, Lumo sees four slaves chained to the starboard side’s iron rings. Three are Keleshite and Vudrani humans, the Fourth is a Gnome female who is also gagged. The Gnome excitedly beckons to be freed. There is also a Young Trollhound who is munching on one of the Keleshite slaves. There is also a half elf keeper visible behind some railings.

All in bold may act (Giving the rest of the team time to post.)

Gnolls green: 18 dam unconscious stable.
Gnolls purple: 12 dam dying/drowning

Captian: unknown 3r
Kinore: unknown
Other: unknown

Slaves: (1: 10 dam dying)

Celas: 1 dam
Shalendra:
Narkas: 1 dam
Glexit: 1 dam
Doldrak: 1 dam
Lumo: 2 dam

Narkas, Doldrak and Glexit move to the top of the stairs leading down to the ship’s below deck.

Meanwhile Kinore cast grease {link} under Lumo’s feet then whistles for the trollhound to attack Lumo.

Lumo please make a Reflex DC14 save to avoid falling prone.

The young trollhound leaves the dying slave and bounds up to Lumo. The bite just misses the Nagaji warrior.

The dying slaves manages to stabilize disputed the mauling she received.

Glexit sniffs at the air and comments "I smell something being burned. It's coming from below deck."

All in bold may act

Gnolls green: 18 dam unconscious stable.
Gnolls purple: 10+2=12 dam dying/drowning

Captain: unknown 2r
Kinore:
Young Trollhound:

Slaves: (1: 10 dam stable)

Celas: 1 dam
Shalendra:
Narkas: 1 dam
Glexit: 1 dam
Doldrak: 1 dam
Lumo: 2 dam

(Due to trying to complete this scenario within the scheduled time I will be enforcing the 24 hour posting requirement and botting. Posting players are welcome to suggest actions for botting.)

"I shall see what this burning is." Glexit moves to go down and see what is burning.

This is where Lumo is correct?