Gavan Stonechild |
Gavan looks around as well. "Let us expect that the Kortos Consortium will likely announce themselves as such. If we are able to bribe them, or perhaps convince them that we are Aspis guards and attack them - not lethally, of course - perhaps we can do more to damage that relationship."
Haldoc Tisbane |
I am willing to be the focal point of their attention, if you need someone to keep them busy while the ambush is sprung.
GM Lithrac |
Your contact shakes her head as Hikari speaks about her joining the Society. "You are presumptuous, aren’t you? I will say only this: when our work is done, I expect to meet with your venture-captain to settle up my payment. After our meeting, I do not know where I will go, but your actions in Diobel have certainly given me much to think about."
Delroya nods as she hears Gavan's words. "My advice would be to deal with them as peacefully as you can. The warehouse and many of the goods inside it belong to the Kortos Consortium, not the Aspis Consortium. We do not want to make them our enemies, if possible."
Before leaving, she hands you an important document, quickly adding "By now you should know that the Aspis Consortium is breaking Diobel’s laws. What we’re doing here is not exactly legal, either, in the views of the Kortos Consortium. I am hoping that we can get through this without drawing their ire, but as a last resort, you can use this document. It should eliminate any questions as to the legality of your actions. If you can avoid having to use it, I would be grateful, but do not hesitate to present it if necessary." See Handouts, page 2
Your search of the warehouse turns some unexpected items that you might be using for the task at hand. Kitt finds two disguise kits and a bear trap.
Type mechanical; Perception DC 15; Disable Device DC 20
Trigger location; Reset manual
Effect Atk +10 melee (2d6+3); sharp jaws spring shut around the creature’s ankle and halve the creature’s base speed (or hold the creature immobile if the trap is attached to a solid object); the creature can escape with a DC 20 Disable Device check, DC 22 Escape Artist check, or DC 26 Strength check.
Kitty makes a priceless find. In one of the far reaches of the warehouse, she uncovers a locked cage (with its key) containing a hungry fighting dog. With enough time (three hours) and practise (Handle Animal) he could be trained into becoming an ally.
Gavan searches the guard room, and finds six smokesticks, as well as ten flasks of alchemist's fire.
As for Popole, his interest is drawn by the platform accessing the lower level. While it has a rusty mechanism, the grippli finds a bucket of grease that could be used to make the mechanism more manageable. That would take two hours for one person, but as a result the platform could be raised or lowered as a standard action.
So, how are you going to use your time to prepare? You have about 6 hours.
Kitt Theos |
"Hey guys! Look what I've found. I like just leaving the main door open, it'll be less suspicious? According to my calculations, it will only take about an hour for us to seal the doors if we each picked a door."Kitt grins while showing the party his finds. "And of course, we could ensemble all the traps for when they come in! He. he." At this point, Kitt starts picking out a piece of paper and starts drawing out what he thinks should be the grand plan.
Haldoc Tisbane |
Haldoc will keep busy by moving around the crates as instructed by Kitt. I'm afraid I'm not good with animals. If we can't use this beast, perhaps we should simply release it.
Hikari Hayashi |
"I understand, Lady Delroya. We would avoid engaging the Kortos Consortium agents in battle. All bets are off though for the Aspis Consortium. They need to pay for the crimes they have committed to humanity." Hikari gives Delroya a bow as thanks as she takes her leave.
Hikari then joins his team in searching the warehouse. He then works together to move the crates.
perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 Anything else?
"The area covered by the bear trap is not large so I would suggest it be placed in front of the door from the guardroom. see red X We then block all other entrances. That would only leave them two routes, that from the guard room and that from the skylight. They could try to break their way through the other entrances, but it would delay them." Hikari ponders briefly, then quickly adds on, "We should probably only set the trap when we are certain that it is not the Kortos Consortium who are entering."
Kitty Underfoot |
"Oh look how they are keeping that dear animal" Kitty gets over to the dog, making sure it will respond ok and has something to eat before releasing it and working with it a few hours...
Handle Animal 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Popole |
Popole begins to move crates before the secret doors.
"UFffF! I anyone wants to help!"
Kitt Theos |
"I'm going to move these boxes here, maybe we can use it as a trap! Anyone good with disguises, they could use this to maybe talk with the people who come in, and identify Kortos and Aspis. What do you guys think?" He says this as he spends the next hour moving boxes to near the entrance as Hikari points out.
Hikari Hayashi |
"No, Master Kitt. I'm afraid I am not proficient with disguises." In fact, the idea appears to be faintly distasteful to him. "When the Kortos agent come, let us try to talk reason to them. I trust they are unaware of the harm Aspis is doing to their city. And when the Aspis agents come, I do not think I would be the only one who would want to take them down in return for their nefarious deeds."
GM Lithrac |
Added movable wooden boxes to the map, so that you may mark where you want to move them. Moreover, I'd like each of you to make a quick list (with OOC tag) of how his character uses his/her preparation time. If you need to make a roll, also do it within your next post. Finally, please set your mini where your character is after he's done all the preparation he wanted to make.
Kitty Underfoot |
Actions:
Per above, used Handle Animal on the dog, ultimately setting it for close protection whilst Mouser is off engaging melee. Roll as per above was 17, assume no other circumstance bonuses - so should be ok as long as the animal didn't start as hostile.-Can use Wild Empathy as well if that was the case
Kitt Theos |
Actions:
Moved about 6 Wooden boxes as depicted on map, (far right double doors and where they are standing) ~15 feet each between Terra and Kitt.
Hikari Hayashi |
To clarify, if a group of us move the crates, do we still need to make the 20 DC strength check? If so, then it is one to roll and the other(s) to aid?
Gavan Stonechild |
Gavan will take some time and grease the mechanism to lower the platform, then will lend his strength to moving boxes.
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Haldoc Tisbane |
As stated, Haldoc will merely act as the muscle and aid in the positioning of the boxes as the others see fit.
Did we want to block off the secret entrances or have we decided against that now?
Kitty Underfoot |
Kitty finds the dog some food, either from her pack or purifying something nearby... "Poor thing, you look starved!"
Kitt Theos |
Turning to organize the party, Kitt directs Gavan and Haldoc to cover the doors.
I went ahead and move the boxes to cover the doors, with the lot of us, I think 6 hours is more than enough to cover the doors. Also put a few boxes in "strategic" locations
Hikari Hayashi |
Hikari takes a look around at the party's handiwork, moderately pleased. "That would leave either the skylight or the guard room that they enter from. We should position ourselves around these area, while at least some having access to the other areas in case they break through the blocked doors. Since my attacks are primarily ranged, I'll stay somewhere near the centre to provide support to whomever is engaged."
He thinks through the plan, and adds, "Could someone with good hearing, say Kitty, try to listen out for the agents? If we hear the Kortos agents, we should remove the bear trap before they enter."
GM Lithrac |
After six hours of intensive work moving the crates around and taming a dog, noise can be heard coming from the outside. Someone attempts to open one of the barricaded door, then another, before attempting to come through the guard room.
Do you disarm the bear trap, or not? There's no clue who these people might be.
Popole |
Popole doesn't do anything with the traps and posts himself in range for his net, on the side of the main entrance.
Kitt Theos |
Kitt stays behind the boxes where he is, not making any move but he whispers to everyone else "Anybody want to check who that is?"
Hikari Hayashi |
Hikari whispers, "Until we can be certain it is the Aspis, I think we should disarm the trap. We can't afford to start a battle with the Kortos Consortium before we even have the chance to talk."
Popole |
Popole's forehead wrinkles.
"Yeah, they said the Kortos Consortium will come as well... Anyone could disable it?"
Haldoc Tisbane |
Indeed, let's disarm it. I'll handle it. On the assumption its more a strength thing than a Disable skill.
GM Lithrac |
You can always trigger it with a pole or something like that, then re-arm it later. I'll assume you do so.
The bear trap closes with a loud CLANG, warning the people outside that something is afoot. "Who goes there? State your business? Why are the entrances closed?" says a prudent but unhappy voice through the door.
Kitt Theos |
Kitt and Terra maintain silence waiting to see who enters the room. My heart is beating, oh the excitement, let's hope our plan works!
Hikari Hayashi |
"I agree," Hikari whispers back. "Let's wait for them to come in first before we engage them in conversation. I do not like the idea of speaking through a door. Some can remain hidden in case things go south."
Kitty Underfoot |
"Hold on!" Kitty chimes in with customary Halfling friendliness.
Kitty fumbles with the latch for a few moments before opening, allowing people to hide.
Kitt Theos |
Kitt and Terra remain as silently as possible as they hear the people coming in.
Kitt, Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Terra, Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Haldoc Tisbane |
Haldoc will remain where he is as well, though he will try to stay inconspicuous.
Stealth: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20
Popole |
Popole tries to hide between shadows and boxes and crates.
Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
GM Lithrac |
Two humans open the door and enter the room, looking highly wary of what's afoot. They glare at Kitty expectantly. At the same moment, two other figures can be seen on the rooftop, looking down.
"What are you doing here? You're trespassing. Why are these boxes blocking the doors? Explain yourselves or face the consequences. You better be convincing."
Hikari Hayashi |
Hikari calls on Shizuru's guidance before they enter to sweeten his words to avoid an unnecessary battle. cast guidance if there's an opportunity to do so before they enter, otherwise remove the +1 below.
diplomacy, guidance: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 = 25
Hikari steps up and performs a bow, before speaking. "Greetings. That you have not attacked us immediately tells me that you are not of the Aspis scum who have been defiling this city, and thus are from the Kortos Consortium. We have no dispute with you. We are from the Pathfinder Society and the last thing we want is to damage the relationships between our organisations. Our feud is with the snakes of the Aspis Consortium. I know that you are in partnership with them, but I doubt they have revealed the depravity of their deeds. They are not moving simple goods, but are producing and peddling drugs, not just in your treasured town of Diobel but also out to the rest of the Inner Sea. We just rescued a number of your townsmen whom they have entrapped by this drug. Thankfully, we rescued them early enough, and I hope they find adequate rest at the Church of Sarenrae that we brought them to. We just want to shut down their drug operations, before they hurt more people. More of your townsfolk. Please, we have no quarrel with you."
Do we still have samples of the drugs or did Captain Zendrani take them?
Kitt Theos |
Kitt listens intently to the words of Hikari, he won't admit it, but is impressed by his diplomatic attitude. Guess I should do the same huh. Taking lead from Hikari, he steps out from the shadows in attempt to further convince the folks that they are no threat.Also casting guidance if there is time
"Well, Hello! That man here speaks the truth. We have seen the damage this drug has done, and we don't know how many more are impacted by this evil. Surely you don't want the livelihood of your fellow peoples destroyed. Maybe some even to death! Our intent is a noble one, to save lives. I hope you would understand. "
diplomacy, improve attitude, guidance: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 = 14
Kitty Underfoot |
Assist Dip 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
The cheery halfling chimes in - "Like he says, everything as above board as it can be - just some shady ne'er-do-wells have been about peddling nasty drugs, and I'm not talking a bit of innocent flaylef down behind the tomato bushes, no, something much darker. We're hanging about to ask them to put a stop to it - sorry about the trespass, but surely as decent and upstanding citizens you can see the need and maybe look the other way til at least supper?"
GM Lithrac |
Casting guidance as you are trying to talk down unfriendly people isn't such a good idea, especially if they're not trained in Spellcraft. They might take that for an offensive action.
The men look at each other, and hesitate for a second, especially after seeing the evidence you found in the sewers. "We might get into trouble if we leave, but you sound like you have a case. Very well, we'll remain neutral in this matter." Then they leave as quickly as they came.
I'll assume you set the bear trap again.
Kitt, as for casting mage armor it shouldn't pose any problems (you only have two castings lasting one hour each though, so you can cover yourself and someone else), but guidance has a duration of 1 minute. If you want everyone to have the benefits of that spell when the Aspis come, it means that you would need to continually cast it (36 seconds casting that spell every minute) until the enemy comes. Not to mention that casting makes noise, and will definitely attract attention. Even having yourself only means that you'd need to cast that spell every minute until the Aspis come - possibly hours later. So no, you can't have everyone under guidance.
Half an hour later, as you are starting to think the Aspis won't show up after all, noises alert you of someone's presence - the Aspis is here! You don't see them so far, but you sense them lurking around.
You have one round to prepare. Everyone's entitled to an action (standard and move actions).
Popole |
Must Popole make another roll to stay hidden? If it is so, he'll take ten (for a total of 21).
Popole tries to stay hidden and has his net readied.