[PFS] GM - Mark Garringer's 06-05 - Slave Ships of Absalom Table 1 (Inactive)

Game Master Zizazat

"Excellent! I look forward to further word of your success!" Lady Darchana says excitedly. Saying their goodbyes to Lady Darchana the Pathfinders leave the study heading back to the front door. On the way out Lady Darchana calls after Aria, "Stay a moment if you don't mind dear."

Leaving Madinani Estate the Pathfinders make their way to the Harbormaster’s Grange. It has been an eventful day going back and forth across Absalom, now as they head to the Docks, the Pathfinders see the sun sinking lower toward the western horizon as it will soon set for another day.

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?”

Handing over the letter, Aria says "I believe this will make everything clear. Many thanks."

Inspector Ginsi is happy to help after reading Lady Darchana’s request. It takes her only a few minutes after reading the request to confirm the pending docking request for the Kat Season in her ledger, locate and sign out a rowboat, and finally locate the pilot roster. She excuses herself to notify a pilot to prepare for departure, leaving the Pathfinders alone in the empty office.

(Slightly earlier ...)

Benjamin noshes on the snacks, appraising them. "Oh, here it is. The hot roll with the berry tart ...m'lady. Just my own opinion, but the savory and the sweet only complement each other. As far as this business goes, justice will be done."

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

While Ginsi leaves the office, Aria springs into action, opening the ledger and flicking through the pages idly, hoping to find what she is looking for.

Benjamin gets a whiff of the fish stew, and thinks it could probably use some help in the flavor department.

Tori asks Aria the obvious question when no one else does, "What are you looking for?"

Lysassa snorts when it is implied she has been incompetent but manages to hide it by blowing her nose a few short seconds later and partakes of the served refreshments when offered them before leaving along with the others.

Seeing Aria look around for something Lysassa will cast detect magic and take a quick look scanning the area.

Lysassa finds no other magical auras beyond what are generated by the Pathfinders.

Search Time: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Aria raises her eyebrows "I'm checking to see if the actual docking certificate for At Sea is located here, thats all"

If the Inspector comes in, I'll hit him with a Charm Person

Aria looks around for the docking certificate in the mess of papers but without much luck. She starts to get the sense that there may be five or six different filing systems in use.

Aria looks harder, determined to find whatever it is she is looking for.

Search (if I have to roll this again): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Just as Aria finds the document she's looking for, the door opens and Inspector Gilsi enters, all smiles. She says they have a pilot waiting at Docking Slip 49, a dwarf named Zigil.
"She's a hoot and a half! You'll love her!" Ginsi offers.

The Pathfinders quickly head to their assigned slip, as the sun slips down below the western horizon. Checking the knots tied in a rope attached to a rowboat, a female dwarf stands with her back to you. As you approach she turns, looking over her shoulder. Zigil grunts a greeting as you arrive a the small rowboat. "You row, I navigate." she says curtly. "Let's get underway."

Go ahead with any planning etc you wish to do before heading out to the Kat Season. Let me know when you are ready.

So I got it?

Yes, sorry that wasn't quite clear. :)

Eryndir, all set to fall on the dock master or do something to distract and delay him, checks himself at Aria's small whisper of triumph. He looks slightly tipsy as a result, mumbles something about needing air, motioning at the fish stew, and heads out.

Benjamin nods solemnly and knowingly at Eryndir. A fish stew is hard to ruin. But not impossible.

"You'd expect me to row?" Lysassa says looking at the dwarf on eye to eye level from being bend over with old age (and being pretty small to begin with)

Not sure how many places there are to row..but if at all possible a frail old woman like Lysassa will not be sitting down to row ;)

Once aboard the rowboat, Tori picks up a paddle without comment and begins rowing like a pro, "I don't really care about claiming the ship as much as I want to make sure all those slaves are released, not just the one we're interested in. Is that going to be a problem for anyone?" She asks the group, looking at everyone individually in turn if the seating arrangement allows for it.

After waiting for a moment for objections, she adds, "Right before we get there, you magic types probably want to think about casting some spells, I'm sure there's going to be fight. Unless one of you wants to sneak aboard and scout first, assuming they don't spot us rowing in."

"I think stealth is always an excellent option, the quieter we are, the better chance we have of getting aboard unawares, and the easier it is to win a fight if one should happen".

Even so Lucia cast on herself the shield spell from the wand, and prepares the bow on her hand, but I try to conceal it the best she can (well is imposible to conceal the composite bow but at least i try to not be evident at first glance).

Up to four people can row. Lysassa won't be required to row :) Lucia could hide under a tarp with her bow ready, while the others row.

Benjamin gets to rowing immediately. "Be there shortly, ladies."

I will do so. And it is a Composite LONG bow, so it is BIG. Sorry i couldn´t remember clearly the type.

Eryndir helps row. His bow is propped up on the seat next to him.

Lysassa enjoys the nice boat trip by relaxing and not rowing.

"No problem about setting all the slaves free..as long at it won't cause us any problems to do so, priority should be getting the one we want though."

I'm assuming a boat trip of a few minutes to get there?

It's about a half mile or so, and part of that is through the Graveyard. I'm not sure what a 4 person rowboat speed is like but I would assume it's at least 30 minutes.

Lysassa will then enjoy an half hour boat trip looking out at the other ships around (trying to make sure nothing sneaks upon us) and with holds casting anything for now (most spells will last rounds...not 1/2 hour) while we make our way to our destination.

If the row trip is that long i will have to recast the shield with the wand, but for now with bow at hand i keep looking arround.

Is it dark as we row up or just twilight?

Lucia: I am ok with you just using 1 charge from your wand when you approach the ship.

Tori: It is dark now.

As Lady Darchana eluded to, any ship that carries more than six people or 500 pounds of cargo cannot, by law, sail through the Ship Graveyard except under the guidance of a registered member of the Pilot’s Guild. Regardless of its own captain or pilot’s skill, a specially trained pilot travels out from the Harbormaster’s Grange to a waiting ship once it has signaled. This pilot then directs the ship through the ever-changing maze of wrecks that constitutes the Ship Graveyard.

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 weatherworn 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.

DC 10 Climb to get up the ladder.

Anything you want to do now 'before you arrive' or 'as you arrive' etc would be appropriate.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

"This is the one," Ben whispers, pointing at the sloppily altered ship's name.

Lysassa points at the ladder and mimics climbing (no point in talking on the small chance that they haven't noticed us yet)

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Bow at hand and scroll of web prepared on the belt. Before arriving at the ship Lucia asks:"If someone need something, now is the moment to say it". With the spell message Spell failure: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Lucia cast on herself the shield again, and nods at Lysassa gesture.

Tori begins to climb the rope ladder, attempting to be somewhat quiet.

Take 10 on Climb for a 17, and take 10 on Stealth for a 14. If she can't take 10 on Stealth, feel free to roll it for her to speed things up.

Tori - it looks like we posted at nearly the same time :) The intent here is that the approach is difficult undetected. Even though they know the rowboat is here that doesn't preclude stealth attempts to get on board etc...so if my post changes your action any feel free to retcon.

A half-orc, wearing a black bandanna on his head, looks over the side of the boat at you and says "'bout Go-rum time!" He moves away from the side yelling "Pilot made it finally!"

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Aria just manages to notice the sloppy hidden name of the ship, although her primary focus is on the half-orc, idly wondering if he is suspicious about so many people aboard on the boat. Fully aware that Tori wishes to sneak aboard, Aria resolves to draw the attention of the Half Orc onto herself, ready to draw upon her magic if the Half-Orc should turn out to be the only sailor around on the deck.

Climb: 1d20 - 7 ⇒ (17) - 7 = 10

Nah, even if they see her, Tori will still just take her time going up the ladder unless they become aggressive.

Lysassa waits for signs of the half-orc turning aggressive (at multiple people climbing aboard his boat) before deciding if she should try to climb up the rope as well.

Has something happened?, anybody there?...

Tori climbs up the rope, looking for a good place to hide as she leaps over the side and onto the desk. She feet land softly and the half-orc is looking away from her, toward the raised quaterdeck at the stern of the ship. Across the deck though, two gnoll crewmen are looking right at her. One of them points at her and chitters something. It is dark on the deck of the ship.

Aria scrambles up behind Tori.

Map updated.

Tori gives Aria a quick nudge of her head towards the gnolls and half-orc then looks behind her, perhaps indicating she should say something helpful while the others board the ship.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

"Mahjub likes inspecting his purchases before buying them" Aria remarks casually, as she smiles at the half orc, giving him a wave.

Technically, everything I said is true, so I rolled Diplomacy rather than bluff, although I guess that depends on a GMs view as to what diplomacy actually is. Subtract 2 from my roll if you consider it a bluff check.

Best I could think of on the fly, sorry Tori :/

Lysassa will motion to Benjamin and Lucia to climb up as well.

Eryndir patiently waits his turn at the rope.

If Lucia can climb she will do so (and will not keep the bow at ready) Climb: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8 i will do so, but if has to wait for Benjamin she will hand sign him if he is going to climb.

Lucia starts up the rope ladder, but between stowing her bow and the rocking motion can't seem get going.

The half-orc gives a half start and turns around to face Aria. "Mahjbu? Mahjbu pilot?"

The half-orc steps next to Aria and looks over the side again seeing Lucia and/or Benjamin he roars over his shoulder at the gnolls, "Repel da boarders!"

Aria: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Benjamin: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2
Eryndir: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
Lucia: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Lysassa: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Tori: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Curtzog: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Gnoll 1: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18
Gnoll 2: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3

Round 1
Eryndir
Lucia
Curtzog
Lysassa
Gnoll 1
Aria
Tori
Gnoll 2
Benjamin

Eryndir and Lucia may act. As a reminder for those in the boat it will be a DC 10 climb check (and a move action) to get up to the deck.

Lucia throws the backpack to the ground, and try to climb again.
Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Oh no!

Lucia loses her balance on the rope ladder, misses planing her foot on the boat and splashes into the water!

Lucia - I'll need a Swim check. Anyone who is in the rowboat wants to 'aid another' in this instance may.

aid another: 1d20 ⇒ 19

If the rope is clear, Eryndir climbs. If it isn't, he helps Lucia. Either way, it's the same bonus.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20