[PFS] GM Skipper's Blood Under Absalom (tier 5-6) (Inactive)

Game Master SkipperD

Jal looks grimly on the newcomers. "Been a while since I've tangled with Tengu." He looks neither excited not intimidated.

The tengus look slightly perplexed by the scene the have found, and from the back steps Kankai, your liaison.

"I brought help as fast as I could, but you seem to have dealt with the interlopers..."

"Well, thanks" Eramos says sarcastically,"Could of used you a couple of minutes ago. Actually, best you didn't. Probably just get in our way"

Jal sheathes his blade. "Excellent!" He gestures to the Blood and bodies, "Someone needs to clean this mess up, anyway."

He flips the coin in the air. "Its Aspis work, by the way." He keeps his eyes on their liaison, watching to see if that bit of information is a surprise or not.

Sense Motive, Studied Target: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 2 = 22

"Your arrival here is well received. Please tell us, how did you become aware of the secret attack? We have not had time to send word to anyone as yet."

Upon hearing hearing the accusation leveled against the Aspis Consortium, Kankai reacts with, genuine, shock.

"If another participating organization has sunk so low, I will inform Xho Nuo immediately, so he can decide what happens to their representatives."

In response to Caduceus' qeustion she looks slightly sheepish.

"There are a few divinations in place to let us keep tabs on our contestants... For your safety, of course!"

"Oh, of course," replies Jal sarcastically, giving the Tengu a flat stare, "Safety first."

He shrugs and looks back down at the bodies. "So dies that mean we get to go back to sleep?"

***OVERSEER ANNOUCEMENT***

Overseer thread

The first rays of light creep into the inn’s window, accompanied by a loud knocking at the door. Someone in the hall screeches, “The sun is up! Time to gather your tickets and head to The Opera!”

***

Arriving at the opera, you are greeted by a trio of actors dressed in the garb and makeup of a traditional opera from Lung Wa. They seat you in the first few rows. Looking around you see a few others also in attendance. Strangely, there are no sets and the unlit stage is empty except for three plain wooden chairs. Then Kiang Zhen strides onto the stage and addresses the audience.

“Today I am treating myself to a display of opera, which all of you shall perform for me! Backstage, you shall find traditional costumes that will determine the roles you will portray. You may choose these roles yourself, but be forewarned - you must act within the limits of your role. Your objective is to perform an epic combat against a rival group. However, there must be no bloodshed. Any shows of lethal force will result in your immediate disqualification from the event. The troupe able to force its opponents to yield is the victor. Now go and prepare yourselves for the evening’s performance. It starts in 10 minutes!”

Oh we are SO going to crush this!

"Let's get moving." Braxus says sharply, a noticeable departure from his usual demeanor. He quickly heads to the backstage looking for the costumes mentioned.

Taika listens impassively to the instructions for the opera to be performed, brows rising a fraction but otherwise no emotion across her pale face.

"I suppose I should have saved the money of my new robes," she says laconically as they move for the backstage.

To the others she says, "Let me join us all by the whispering spell I used in the tavern... unless there are objections? Few enough of the spells I cast are lethal to begin with, so I shall stick by and large to my usual tactics."

Taika hunts the most vividly white robes she can find, trusting the pale costume will stand out on the stage... if such are to be found among their given roles.

Does our judge expect us to perform a Tien-style opera? If so, let me know if there's any knowledge checks Taika can make that might help us imitate an existing opera.

"That's fine with me Lady Taika. The whispering magic is really helpful. Your tactics have been great this entire time. I trust you." Braxus says, his eyes lighting up for the first time all morning.

His smile quickly fades though as he struggles with the various costumes, not sure what he is supposed to do with all the strange clothes. He looks over to his friends and shrugs, "I hope you are having fun." He takes out one of his wine filled flasks and takes a long draw on it before offering it to the others, "Anyone else want a swallow or more? I brought enough for everyone."

This is going to be really interesting. What are the roles we are supposed to choose from? Braxus will be looking for anything really, as long as it fits. If nothing does I expect he will make "alterations" as necessary. ;)

"Opera! What wonderful news, I have relished this art for long, yet never had a chance to perform. It looks like Desna is smiling to us!" cheerfully adds the Chelaxian.

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Backstage, you must quickly choose one of eight different costumes. There is only one of each costume. Though the roles of the characters are gender-specific, an actor may perform a role associated with the opposite gender. The costumes are extremely elaborate, so a trio of aasimars aid you in readying for their performance, helping you don yor costumes and apply makeup.

@Taika: You're expected to perform a mock combat, with the team left standing at the end being the victors. Shenanigans are not only allowed, but encouraged.

"I think I can pull off the General or the Nobel Warrior" Eramos says after reading the roles. "He looks at the others, we have a lot of warriors in this group, so I guess we all could fit these roles."

"I'll fit the Chou perfectly I think. "

The use of plural in the Chou text implies there can be more than one. Is that correct? If not, what happens to the people without a costume?

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Jal gives the whole exercise a flat, expressionless look. Finally, he shrugs, "I'll be the bandit."

Id prefer to have a bigger weapon, but its more thematic to Jal. :D

The GM said there are 8 costumes, and the first 3 spoilers all seem to have 2 options so I think you are correct and that there are two Chous for a total of 8 characters. So how about Wizened Crone for Taika, Chou for Auric, General or Noble Warrior for Eramos, Cruel Bandit for Jal, General or Noble Warrior for Braxus(either is fine for him), and that leaves Caduceus to either be the Warrior Moman(this could work for Braxus too if need be) or the Monkey King or a Chou so he can cast spells/channel. The Chou lets you speak to the audience and like Auric, that could be really important with high charisma scores.

Braxus looks at Eramos and says, "You pick. I'll take whatever you don't."

"I guess I will be the other Jing. The noble warrior." Eramos agrees grabbing the armor.

Braxus nods to Eramos and then gets to work with the three aasimars as they try and help him into the costume armor of the General, but he scowls at them when they try to apply the makeup.

"Just get on with it!" he barks at the outsiders and they continue to paint his face. He hefts the wooden sword provided and swings it quickly from side to side and then brings it down in a strong slice. "Yep. This will do fine." Then he grins and says, "Tell me we are up against more Aspis today. I know this isn't supposed to be lethal, but I can still enjoy giving them some deep bruises."

Once combat starts Braxus will use Martial Flexibility to take heavy armor proficiency

Taika snorts softly at dressing as an aged human, but dons the wizened crone costume. She links everyone with message.

Just for clarity, is the costume replacing all our gear? Could Jal retain his armor? And what about stuff like rings, amulets, cloaks, goggles, etc?

@Auric & Braxus: There are indeed two clown costumes.
@Jal: The costumes replace all your regular combat gear. Items used for spell casting are allowed for any role with permission to cast spells.
I'll give Caduceus time to chime in as well, but the current roles are:
Auric: Chou
Taika: Wizened Crone
Eramos: Noble Warrior
Jal: Cruel Bandit
Braxus: General

Cant slip the any rings or an amulet on under? Braxus is cool with rocking things nekid. ;)

If I trade roles with Taika, could I wear my healing gear under the Robes (assuming Taika is cool with switching to the Monkey King)? Or if I take the role of the Woman Warrior, could I wear my Bracers under the "splint mail"? We can disguise it with the peacock feathers. Or could I play the Monkey King and say it is part of my "spell casting"? I just want to be able to keep the healing up. I was also wondering if we had time to buy Sleeves of Many Garments for 200 gp. It's a wrist slot, so I can't use them, but I am certain others can.

you can borrow Braxus' sleeves of many garments, though I am not sure what you can wear. Even with the effects of the sleeves I took everything off once he said all our gear was swapped,(I figured the helpers would have made sure we couldn't wear them, so that it is a fair performance) but you might be able to swing some things as a caster like spell components, or wands as part of spell casting.

He said [b]combat[b] gear. So I am looking for confirmation instead of interpreting myself. That's why GM's get paid the big bucks, lol.

(Fine with switching if it's needed)

Shifty ruled that you're only limited with regards to the role's weapons and armor/shield; anything else is allowed. Whats the final line-up, then?

With a look of frustration mixed with scorn, Jal pushes away from the aasimar dressers. He looks down at his bandit's costume, disdain obvious on his features as he taps idly where his wrist sheaths usually are and touches his neck ... which looks somehow ridiculous for not being wrapped in his ever-present kapenia.

"Let's get this over with," he practically spits as he tests the weight and balance of the fake knife.

Bandit! (I'll update his stats when I can today.)

If I can wear everything else, then I will go as the monkey king I guess.

All set then as originally stated. My stat bar is updated.

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Chou here!

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Stat line is updated. It was basically just swapping out armor. :)

Final line-up:
Auric: Chou
Taika: Wizened Crone
Eramos: Noble Warrior
Jal: Cruel Bandit
Braxus: General
Caduceus: Monkey King

Emerging onto the sparsely furnished stage, you are met by your opponents, a group of Aspis agents accompanied by a Tien man. Kiang Zhen wastes no time and bids all you to start your "performance".

Comat Round 1
Bold may act
___________________________________________
Braxus, Taika
Cruel Bandit (yellow)
Jal
General (pink), Monkey King (green)
Auric, Caduceus, Eramos
Warrior Woman (red), Chou (blue)

Braxus strokes his fake beard, as he shifts his weight in the heavy stage armor. This is strange and binding, but I can make it work he thinks to himself. As he prepares to walk on stage he settles his balance and tests his range of motion, sure he can swing the wooden weapon to strike his enemies unhindered.

As his group is lead on stage and he first catches sight of the Aspis, his blood runs hot, and a growl begins in his chest. He narrows his eyes while clenching his teeth and he focuses his anger. "Let's end this quick" he rumbles to his friends.

When Kiang Zhen calls for action, Braxus rushes forth, barely holding his blood in check. In the back of his mind he thinks, Taika won't be happy if I kill them, so I best keep some control. I think there might be another reason too.

I know Braxus should wait for Taika, but I can't see him thinking complicated strategy, at least at first, with Aspis involved after last nights attack. Despite his lack refined thinking he has instincts for combat and he strikes up the middle for a variety of reasons. Controlled Blood rage(focus to Strength)Move to Cruel bandit(yellow), 2 Hand PA+Furious Focus)

Swing for the fence!(NL): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15 And a miss! Strike one!
Non-Lethal Damage: 1d8 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22

Depending on who you were swinging at (what role they have), it might hit. It would have tagged me, lol.

Natural 1 is always a miss except for skill rolls.

Whoops! I just looked at the 15. Didn't realize you had a mighty +14 to hit.

I hope the more playfully inclined members of the party take the stage aspect to heart, as Braxus might under different circumstances. Ham it up, so speak, lol. It's not often we get a chance like this.

Taika surveys the stage a moment, seriously, and then with a faint smile. Tactical decisions are all well and good, but this calls less for maximal efficiency and more for... buffoonery. With that in mind...

She strides to the front of the stage, arms and cane upraised to face their audience.

"Behold the power of the hoary frost of age!" she intones. She is not exactly one of nature's born dramatic performers-- but hopefully her spell makes up for it. She gestures and chants-- and a slick rime of ice appears under three of the "enemy."

(Casting Grease, Reflex DC 19, blue square on map)

Reflex, red: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Reflex, green: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Reflex, yellow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

The Monkey King and Warrior Woman slip on the ice, while the Cruel Bandit tries to slip past Braxus.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

Braxus gets an AoO vs yellow.

Comat Round 1
Bold may act
___________________________________________
Braxus, Taika
Cruel Bandit (yellow)
Jal
General (pink), Monkey King (green, prone)
Auric, Caduceus, Eramos
Warrior Woman (red, prone), Chou (blue)

"I wanted you to try that!" shouts Braxus, "Now join the others on your backside little bandit!" and he reverses the direction of his previous two handed strike with surprising speed...

AoO PA no Furious Focus : 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Damage NL 2hand: 1d8 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25

Just clarifying some thing I noticed. Aside from moving half speed(because he could try to move at full speed but add 10 to the dc),should the yellow bandit loose his move action AND provoke since he failed his acrobatic check? Now the wording under Acrobatics is slightly odd so let me know if I'm off here. Even if he doesn't loose his move action he should still move only half speed, leaving him a bit short of Taika unless he has a 40+ move.

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They only lose their move action if they try to move through your square, if they go around you they do not.And yes if it is full speed it is an additional 10 to the DC, but who knows how fancy this guy is with abilities, because some do nerf the additional penalty. For instance, the swashbuckler get to move at full speed with no penalty at seven, and i am pretty sure this is a rogue talent for it.

Jal rolls his eyes at this whole exercise, but dives in. ”MWA-HAA-HAAA!” he yells with a ridiculously overacted tone … then he jams his ‘knife’ into the back of the opposing bandit’s ribs.

swift to make Yellow his Studied Target. Then move to flank Yellow, and power attacking him in the back with Sneak Attack.
blunt dagger: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 11 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 22
damage: 1d4 + 4 + 2 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 + 4 + (4, 1) = 16

If I knew what the Japanese equivalent of mustache twirling was, Jal would totally do it. :D

Thanks Eramos! ☺️ Moustache twirl, lol. Love that image Jal.

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Totally a hair-flip. All the anime villains do it.

Braxus almost knocks the Cruel Bandit out as he moves past, and Jal finishes the job.

The Monkey King gets to her feet, her mask muffling her swearing. She then weaves a spell, causing your joints to stiffen up.

Will, Auric: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Will, Braxus: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Will, Caduceus: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Will, Eramos: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Will, Jal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Will, Taika: 1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 3 = 31

The General challenges Braxus to honorable combat, steps closer and strikes twice with his wooden sword.

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Non-lethal damage: 1d8 + 4 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 7 = 13

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Comat Round 1
Bold may act
___________________________________________
Braxus (9 non-lethal), Taika, Jal (slowed)
General (pink), Monkey King (green)
Auric, Caduceus, Eramos (slowed)
Warrior Woman (red, prone), Chou (blue)

The Paladin looks down at his costume, " Um...Monkeys love bananas, Thank about bananas!"

I will cast Bless. <<Each ally gains a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects.>>