GM Engleaktig |
Players, please post your PFS information (for reporting this game) either here or in the discussion thread. Thanks!
I'm going to give everyone a little time to finalize their characters.
Also, please post summary stats for your characters. Check out this campaign to see how these players did it.
GM Engleaktig |
You guys will start out in Daggermark. In the River Kingdoms.
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“I have a mission for you,” says Istivil Bosk, the Venture-Captain of Daggermark in the River Kingdoms. After receiving the assignment from Venture-Captain Adril Hestram in Absalom, traveling for weeks across the Inner Sea and up the lengthy Sellen River, and with barely an hour to adjust to Daggermark’s sights and sounds, the Venture-Captain of Daggermark now paces back and forth across cramped quarters crammed full of maps, books, and adventuring gear.
“Your timing is perfect, friends,” explains Bosk, an elderly man with graying hair and a pinched, weathered face. He waves a parchment in his hand. “I received another letter just yesterday.” He holds up another stack of letters. “It’s from the Black Marquis—I believe his real name is Bazzak—the leader of a band of brigands surreptiously known as the Pirate Pact. In all of these letters, he claims to need our help and offers us The Memoirs of the Silver Brotherhood, a rare text—maybe the rarest—in exchange. The Society tried for years to track it down and now Bazzak claims to be ready to give it to us. I’m sending you north to Deadbridge near the Echo Wood to meet this Black Marquis and offer him your help with whatever it is he needs. I want this book, and you’ll get it for me.”
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And so the mission travels north along the Sellen River, to the aptly named village of Deadbridge, a rundown hamlet partially built on wharves. It is there, in a rundown antique manor house where stands Urdul Bazzak, the Black Marquis.
“I rule the Pirate Pact and with it the stretch of the Sellen River between here and Numeria,” proudly states the portly little man. “The waterways are the lifeblood of the River Kingdoms, so you must understand that any menace to the river is a menace to the balance of power.” The Black Marquis stops and quickly looks to his left and right before leaning in and continuing in hushed tones. “Unless someone deals with this threat soon, I could lose everything. Normally I would rely on my most trusted lieutenants, but ...” Bazzak sits up, regains some composure, and resumes. “The book I’m willing to trade for your service—The Memoirs of the Silver Brotherhood—contains information about an Azlanti treasure vault deep within the Echo Wood. That’s where I sent my most trusted lieutenants. Only, on their way they were waylaid by spiders and abominations and only one returned alive. Lady Riverbane sent out another ship upon her return, the Hanspur’s Luck, to search for my men. The Luck hasn’t returned either.” Bazzak points to the only other person in the room, a raven-haired beauty standing in a corner. “Lady Riverbane is my most trusted second, and she will take one of my best ships and guide you back to the Azlanti vault. Rid the river of these monstrous spiders and their abominations, find the Hanspur’s Luck, and uncover the whereabouts of my men, and the book is yours. Do it quickly, do it quietly, and do it before the rest of the Pact realize I’ve sent my best men on fools’ errands that may have killed them all.”
Desh Greyskin |
Desh stands mutely, watching the little man give his briefing.
He’s a tall, athletic-looking half-orc with the long-limbed, rangy build of a wolf. Over the course of the trip up the Sellen, you’ve learned he talks about as much as a wolf would, too. His patched-up, utilitarian traveler’s clothes have about as many stitches and seams as his scarred face, and he looks fairly comfortable with the weaponry he carries at easy reach.
When the black-haired woman is introduced, his gaze shifts over … trying to sniff out her motivations.
Trying for a Sense Motive: Hunch here. Does Desh trust that Lady Riverbane is what she’s introduced as being? Or that she might be more deeply involved with this mystery than is initially obvious?
Sense Motive, DC20: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
EDIT: huh ... i'm trying to decide if opening with a natural 20 is a good omen or a wasted roll. :D
Kohinoor an-Gul |
As the Black Marquis tells his tale, Kohinoor adjusts her robes uncomfortably. Her hair, dark brown with a touch of red in the right light, is tucked into a white headdress, while the blue and white robes of a Sarenraeite cover her short, stocky frame.
She looks over the other woman briefly before turning her attention back to the Marquis. "You said there was one survivor? Did he or she say anything beyond spiders and abominations? Anything else you know would be helpful when we try to find your ship. If you do not know anything, then with your permission, we will be on our way." Her voice is high and reedy, with a hint of a Qadiran accent. As she speaks, she fingers the holy symbol tucked into her sash, feeling the places the silver's been worn smooth from her father's hands.
Flyndal Danwrick |
A halfling, modestly dressed in animal skins and a chain shirt, leans against the wall to ease the strain of craning his neck to see all of these freakishly tallfolk. Bazzak's the only one that's even close to a respectable height...
Listening to the pudgy man's words, he weighs the risk against his empty pockets, coming up with few options. "Seems agreeable to me. We'll find your men, stomp your spiders, and keep it all under wraps."
GM Engleaktig |
"You said there was one survivor? Did he or she say anything beyond spiders and abominations? Anything else you know would be helpful when we try to find your ship. If you do not know anything, then with your permission, we will be on our way."
"Aye. I be that lone survivor, ye mewling kitten!" Lady Riverbane scowls. "I brought our most trusted and loyal inner circle with me ta find the Azlanti treasure. Alas a pack of giant spiders ambushed the expedition, slaying everyone but meself. Bazzak dispatched scouts to locate survivors, but all they brought back were accounts of Pirate Pact members found dead, dangling in spider webs stretched across the River."
____________________________________________________________"Seems agreeable to me. We'll find your men, stomp your spiders, and keep it all under wraps."
"Most appreciated, Flyndal!" Bazzak nods appreciatively. "Indeed, I would be very grateful to all of you for your assistance!"
GM Engleaktig |
Did Desh's Sense Motive (hunch) roll yield any results? Or does she seem legit to Desh?
Whoops! Sorry I missed the question. 1d20 ⇒ 13
Lady Riverbane is legitimately a river pirate and Bazzak's second in command. She's really a human, and is not under any sort of mind control.
That said, she is holding something back / not telling you everything she knows.
GM Engleaktig |
1d20 ⇒ 18
"I've told you all you need to know!" He's telling the truth.
Kohinoor an-Gul |
Kohinoor nods, seeing the man's near-panicked state and his fear. Stepping forward, she offers a small bow. "We thank you for what information you have provided. If there is nothing else, I for one am ready to begin our journey to these spider-infested riverways to find your men and ship." She turns, looking to the raven-haired Lady Riverbane. "If you would be so kind as to show us to your ship, it would be most helpful if we began."
Flyndal Danwrick |
"I've told you all you need to know!"
Flyndal gestures toward the marquis with a placating gesture. "Sir - with respect, the more we know, the more likely we are to succeed in our mission without any... complications. Our goal is to find your men without alerting those that would seize the advantage. We can assure discretion, but lying to us only hurts your cause."
Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17 Well, how 'bout that?
Desh Greyskin |
At the Black Marquis's response–as well as Kohinoor's preparations to leave–Desh picks up and slings his well-worn pack over his shoulder. He nods to Flyndal's words, but his only addendum is a muttered, "I need to buy a longspear."
Actually, he needs a longspear, some fishing hooks, and some fishing line/string before they leave. Let me know if that's kosher, DM. Otherwise, Desh is good to move on.
Rod Benteft |
Oh, geez, I didn't realize we'd started so fast! Okay, lemme try to catch up.
Rod tagged along this mission, seeing it a good opportunity. Water was never something he was particularly good around, but everyone had to get over their... inconveniences at some point. Besides, now that he was an officially seasoned member of the Society, it was his duty to lead the newer recruits on missions!
He lets the others ask the questions, but his eyes continue to rest on Lady Riverbane. Whether it's out of attraction or suspicion is up to debate. Even so, his mind was abuzz with thoughts. Spiders... the most elite members of these river pirates were waylaid by mere spiders? Something's... off. I can't put my finger on it, though...
As the others seem ready to roll out, Rod nods and smiles at Lady Riverbane. "By your lead, milady." he said with a respectful bow.
Diplomacy/Flirting to try and improve her mood: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Desh Greyskin |
Hey! There he is! Now we just need our Grog! :D
Oh, and one more thing to add to Desh's shopping list, if there's still time: acid flasks. I'd like to add one or two of those. Let me know if all this is available on our timetable before we board the Lady's ship. :)
GM Engleaktig |
Rod, is this character registered as CORE? In the recruitment thread I noted that you have items from Ultimate Equipment in your gear. Unfortunately, those are not allowed in a Core game. Per Mike Brock's post: "For players participating in the Core Campaign, only the Core Rulebook and Traits document may be utilized for character creation." I hate to be a stickler, but... (And, for those who might not know: Mike Brock is Paizo's Global Organized Play Coordinator.)
As the others seem ready to roll out, Rod nods and smiles at Lady Riverbane. "By your lead, milady." he said with a respectful bow.
Despite her natural proclivities, Lady Riverbane cannot help but flash a lascivious smile at Rod.
Desh, yes, there's an opportunity to gear up/make purchases.
"Sir - with respect, the more we know, the more likely we are to succeed in our mission without any... complications. Our goal is to find your men without alerting those that would seize the advantage. We can assure discretion, but lying to us only hurts your cause."
The Black Marquis leans close to Flyndal and lowers his voice: "You have to finish this mission quick! I don't trust some of the men remaining with me. I've caught wind that some of them are dissatisfied with this current problem and are planning a coup. Clearing this issue up puts my men back to work and cements my position as their leader."
Flyndal Danwrick |
The Black Marquis leans close to Flyndal and lowers his voice: "You have to finish this mission quick! I don't trust some of the men remaining with me. I've caught wind that some of them are dissatisfied with this current problem and are planning a coup. Clearing this issue up puts my men back to work and cements my position as their leader."
Either satisfied with the Black Marquis' answer, or that it's the best one they'll get, Flyndal nods and moves out with Desh. "Of course. We'll be about it, then."
Desh Greyskin |
Desh nods once and stands ready to head for the door … and the markets beyond.
Where he’ll start with 45g to spend, and pick up:
longspear (5g)
2 acid flask (20g)
Crowbar (2g)
fishhook x5 (5sp)
flint & steel (1g)
empty sack x2 (asp)
whetstone (2cp)
chalk x5 (5 cp)
belt pouch (1g)
Monies remaining: 15g 4s 3c
GM Engleaktig |
Following the audience with the Black Marquis, you can roam the streets of Deadbridge before heading for the docks.
Does anyone wish to attempt to gather information here? Not, the townsfolk regard your presence here with a great deal of suspicion; getting useful information from them might be difficult.
The party will eventually rendezvous with the Black Marquis' ship, the Scrag Fisher. It's a 50-foot long, single-masted vessel rigged with a lugsail.
Whenever the party arrives, Lady Riverbane and several able-bodied sailors are already on board preparing for departure.
Again, we can put off boarding if folks would like to do stuff.
Desh Greyskin |
An hour later finds Desh heading towards the dock ... his pack a bit heavier, his coin pouch a bit lighter, and a longspear resting across his wide shoulders. Still not liking the smell of this job—and with some time to kill before their ship is to depart—the tall half-orc decides to hit a string of whatever taverns are nearest the docks. Dives always have more rumors than curs have fleas. Loosen the right lips, and maybe one of those rumors might be helpful.
Lets see if Desh can learn anything fishy/helpful about the Marquis's crew or this job they died on. Can he spend some coin to buy drinks or bribe for a bonus to the roll?
Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16
Hours spent: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Other than this, Desh is ready to go.
Flyndal Danwrick |
With no coin, and nothing but time until they ship off, Flyndal decides to tag along with the big man. Glaring out at the endlessly bobbing ships on the water, he mumbles to himself. "It's a shame the Marquis' lads didn't hire us, instead. We could have avoided this whole river business entirely."
Diplomacy, AA: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2 Mwah ha ha ha!
GM Engleaktig |
Desh learns a bit about Lady Riverbane: This dashing young woman is gifted with undeniable magnetism and a cunning mind. Behind her aura of proud confidence and resolve lies a viciousness that has earned her the fearful respect of her peers. But, she has publicly stood up for the Black Marquis. She has earned the enmity of many of the other pirates; it is difficult to tell if they dislike her because she vocally supports Bazzak, or because she a mean queen B--or both!
Flyndal learns a bit about the local, um, working girls. And a working boy. An a local drunk. Who's also a working... never mind. ;-P Just teasing, Flyndal.
The six sailors manning the Scrag Fisher are all members of the Pirate Pact. Though insubordinate by nature, these buccaneers follow Riverbane's orders without question or hesitation. Their names are Andrezi, Esmerelda, Fox, Thorpe, Tormer, and Viorel.
Kohinoor an-Gul |
Kohinoor decides to ask the other members of the crew what they know about the spiders and lost vessels. Instead of following Desh and Flyndal, she boards the ship and looks for opportunities to get the crew separated from Lady Riverbane.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Time: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Ready.
Flyndal Danwrick |
Flyndal learns a bit about the local, um, working girls. And a working boy. An a local drunk. Who's also a working... never mind. ;-P Just teasing, Flyndal.
Flyndal's knobby ears perk up at mention of unscrupulous ladies. "What's that? Hey Desh, save summa that coin! Surely we've an hour or two 'til high tide, or whatever they set their boats by!"
Desh Greyskin |
Desh shakes his head with a smile as he stands to leave, "YOU can pay to dip your dangle, Flyn." He shoulders his pack and longspear, his long strides already carrying him towards the door and the waiting boat beyond, "Anyway, we got a boat to catch."
Flyndal Danwrick |
"Pssh. You're as much fun as a Ragathien monk, today." His sour tone is spoiled by a crooked grin as the halfling makes a suggestive gesture with his hand – imitating shears snipping below the waist.
Desh Greyskin |
Desh responds to the halfling's jibe with a blank look. He doesn't seem amused, then again he might just not get it. Who knows?
Either way, he climbs aboard the Scrag Fisher and finds an out-of-the-way spot to drop his pack and settle in for the river trip.
GM Engleaktig |
the halfling makes a suggestive gesture with his hand – imitating shears snipping below the waist.
One of the working girls cocks her head sideways at Flyndal as though confused. Then, her moneymaking instincts kick in and she says: "Kinky! But I can handle that." She holds out her hand expectantly. "Kinky costs extra, honey."
Nice shout out to the Empyreal Lord Ragathiel! :-) Though, I don't imagine he gets a lot of monks since one of his subdomains is Rage.
____________________________________________________________
The party boards the Scrag Fisher and heads out!
Since it left Deadbridge, the Scrag Fisher has been cutting a straight furrow into the lazy waters of the Sellen River, making good speed thanks to its industrious crew actively manning the ship’s sail and ropes.
Deadbridge is already far behind when an exclamation rises. "Sail Ho!" One of the robust sailors points ahead while turning toward Lady Riverbane standing at the helm.
"It’s a cog, Milady. And it flies no colors—should we tender these trespassers?"
Looking at the incoming vessel, Lady Riverbane answers in a stern voice: "Nay! Not today, man. We have our mission. We’ll stick to it."
Without another word, the crew gets back to working the hawser and lanyards. As the two ships draw closer, the other craft's pitiful state becomes obvious. With planks and riggings missing in places, sailors frantically move about the deck and appear to have difficulty steering their ship. The other ship is the Waverender—the name barely readable on the vessel’s verdigris nameplate. There are a dozen sailors visible aboard her.
As the two ships avoid collision and pass alongside each other, a shout rises—"Now!"—followed by a volley of grappling hocks from the other vessel.
The Scrag Fisher is under attack!
____________________________________________________________
The party is represented by your icons and a thin green border.
The enemy is in red.
The grappling hooks/boarding lines are in orange.
There are a dozen enemy sailors. It is assumed that the pirate crew take on the six that you don't have to deal with. They and your ship's crew are off screen so we don't clutter the map too much.
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Desh: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Flyndal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Koohinor: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Rod: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
River Thugs: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Sorted Inits:
Flyndal
River Thugs
Qstor/Grog
Koohinor
Rod
Desh
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Flyndal, you're up first! Grog, you're on deck after the thugs! Literally, and metaphorically. :-) This is round 1.
Flyndal Danwrick |
"Pirates!" Flyndal announces, freeing his mighty blade from its sheath. Remembering who hired them he adds, "Different pirates!" Running to the nearest grappling hook, he chops at the nearest rope binding the ships.
Move right 5'
Power Attack, Greatsword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
GM Engleaktig |
WHACK! Flyndal uses his greatsword to remove one of the boarding lines.
Flyndal, a greatsword does 2d6 of damage, not 1d10. Doesn't matter in this case. :-) You totally cut through the rope! I've removed it from the combat map.
Surprised and somewhat frightened by the barbarian's extreme reaction, a couple of the River Thugs target him with their short bows:
Thug 1 shortbow targeting Flyndal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20, damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Thug 2 shortbow targeting Flyndal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7, Miss!
The rest target other party members:
Thug 3 shortbow targeting Desh: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6, Miss!
Thug 4 shortbow targeting Koohinor: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17, damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Thug 5 shortbow targeting Rod: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14, Miss!
Thug 6 shortbow targeting Qstor/Grog: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17, damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Then, half of them drop their bows and draw their swords, while the other half draw more arrows. The archers each take a 5-foot-step back.
Please keep track of your current HP. I changed the enemies with swords to a light pink with blue border. The enemies still in red are the archers.
Flyndal Danwrick |
Flyndal, a greatsword does 2d6 of damage, not 1d10. Doesn't matter in this case. :-) You totally cut through the rope! I've removed it from the combat map.
Isn't that for a medium greatsword? I'm a halfling.
Kohinoor an-Gul |
Does Grog have an HP total I can monitor? I have no idea how much panic I should give his six damage.
Kohinoor pulls her holy symbol from the sash around her waist and holds it up, sending a gout of holy fire at the man who shot her.
Fire Bolt: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20 YAY!
Damage?: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Awwww...
Desh Greyskin |
WAIT! I CAN USE MY NEW LONGSPEAR! CHANGING ACTIONS IF THERE'S STILL TIME!
Desh dodges under the arrow and lunges forward with a snarl, stabbing across the gulf of water with his new longspear.
MOVE: draw longspear. FREE: 5' step forward. STANDARD: stab Pirate 2.
longspear: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
If you're not cool with my changed actions, DM .... let me know and we can stick with the greataxe to the rope bit.
GM Engleaktig |
Isn't that for a medium greatsword? I'm a halfling.
D'oh! You're right; my bad! :(
____________________________________________________________Calling upon the righteous fury of her deity, Koohinor burns thug number 3!
Desh demolishes thug number 2! With a cry of fear and pain, he expires; then he falls overboard (because it makes for a cleaner battle map).
Sorted Inits:
Flyndal
River Thugs
Qstor/Grog
Koohinor
Rod
Desh
Just waiting on Rod to post, then we're back to Flyndal. This is still round 1.