[PFS] Teamwork Experiment Table Fez (Inactive)

Game Master Nathan Hartshorn

Vindlér hustles up the stairs opposite the final guard and Iluvia and casts a spell on himself, then turns to face the woman. "You're outnumbered and outmatched here, woman! Tell us where you've taken Belinger and we'll let you live!"

Move up, cast True Strike on myself.

Iluvia screams her frustration, "I'll never tell and never give up. You've broken the law by helping Belinger and I'm taking you in, even if it kills me!"

The thug, extremely desperate, strikes at Qioté once more, as Iluvia moves on to target Anthys with her hair.

Slash!: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 1 = 3
Tangle!: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 - 2 = 17

Order 9th Round
Thugs (R: -11, bane), Iluvia -10
Vindlér, Berato, Marcus, Qioté (Wolf -8), Anthys

"Our papers were all in order. And we'd have talked to you had you not attacked us. Now you will greet Asmodeus in person."
Anthys attacks the guard on the stairs.
Longsword, Partial Cover?: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 2 = 9
The thug dodges, but with Qioté and the wolf there it is only a matter of time.

Touch of Good on Qioté. "My soldier friend here is quite right, milady. You had your chance. Now you're impeding our imperial mandate. We will see how the House of Thrune remembers you when they write the history books on this joint venture they sponsored with the Pathfinder Society."

"Yak, yak, yak."

Qioté maneuvers his steed to attack the thug as he stabs at the wild-haired witch.

Wolf Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Attack, Touch of Good: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

The thug continues his defense and manages to avoid being hit thus far, though Qioté stabs Iluvia, making her grunt with more pain.

Order 9th Round
Thugs (R: -11, bane), Iluvia -16
Vindlér, Berato, Marcus, Qioté (Wolf -8), Anthys

Filled with the divine power to strike with almost guaranteed precision, Vindlér raises his crossbow to his shoulder and calls out to Iluvia. "Very well then. Let Abadar judge you according to your deeds." He levels the weapon at Iluvia and squeezes the trigger.

Crossbow, Truestrike: 1d20 + 2 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 20 = 36 Damage, Judgment: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Vindlér's bolt rips through the air, guided by Abadar's judgement, and slips through the combat around the base of the stairs, cuts several locks of her large waving hair, and ends lodged in between her ribs. She makes a soft wheeze and remains standing, though Berato's spell allows him to know that she is fragile where as before she was fighting off death.

Order 9th Round
Thugs (R: -11, bane), Iluvia -21
Vindlér, Berato, Marcus, Qioté (Wolf -8), Anthys

Marcus continues to attempt to parry the Thug's strikes from around the corner.

Attack, Cover, Aid to Qiote's AC vs. Thug : 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 1 - 4 = 4

"Last chance to surrender peacefully. Don't be stupid." says Berato as his spell reports Illuvia's fragile state.

Blood dribbles from Iluvia's lips, "Never. The law is not on your side and as a Hellknight I uphold the law."

Slash (Qioté)!: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 - 1 = 20
Tangle (Anthys)!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 This is actually an attack, but there aren't hair things I can say to represent damage. But that roll is the only way she can hit haHa!
Damage (Qioté): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Damage (Anthys): 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

With one final desperate push both Iluvia and her thug hit their targets, though it is too little too late.

Order 10th Round
Thugs (R: -11, bane), Iluvia -21
Vindlér, Berato, Marcus, Qioté (Wolf -8), Anthys

"Your law is an instrument for the rich to keep the common man in slavery. As such, you are now a pawn to their games and alas, in this case, Queen takes Pawn."

Berato casts divine favor on himself, the power of Torag filling him with divine energy.

"I follow a higher law. One that would teach a man how to fish so that he can feed himself and his family, instead of depending on useless aristocratic parasites like you."

Anthys is Lawful Good and respects the law generally (but within limits as seen in his background). This place bewilders him. He doesn't know the term "Ex Post Facto" but knows the concept, and decides to not feel any guilt about resisting arrest.
Longsword, Partial Cover, Str Penalty: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 - 2 - 1 = 10
However, he is unsuccessful this time.

Aid Another, Wolf Attack Thug, Cover: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 1 - 4 = 13
+5 to wolf's next Attack vs. Thug

Marcus knocks the Thug's weapon out of the way, throwing him off balance and creating an opening for Qiote's wolf.

Vindlér loads another bolt in his crossbow and aims at Iluvia. "Foolish woman! Listen to Berato, he speaks truly. The Law isn't a tool to oppress, but to uplift all civilized beings and to save them from the darkness of chaos and destruction! I only wish you had learned to love the Law as we have, but I see it is too late for you, and so Abadar's judgment is upon you." He steadies his aim once again, and fires.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 Damage, Judgment: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Qioté allows his wolf to continue to snap at the thug, while he concentrates his lance on the hair whipper.

Lance Attack vs Woman: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Bite Attack vs Red: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Trip Attack vs Red: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Marcus' opening allows Qioté's wolf to leap forward ripping a chunk out of the muscle between the man's neck and shoulder, while Anthys and Vindlér maneuver Iluvia into a position to be skewered by Qioté's lance. With this final thrust Iluvia drops to the ground, streaming blood from her multiple wounds. Combat over! Achievement unlocked: 1 minute melee!

You guys want me to wrap in the next post so we can move on to part 3?

Works for me. Anyone want to try and bind their wounds to prevent death?

Anthys is ambivalent. He hates this country and their twisted version of law, but he kind of feels sorry for the guards who were just doing a job. He doesn't have the skill to save them, though he'll try.
Heal (First Aid) on random guard: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Well what do you know. He says to the unconscious but no longer dying man,
"Your date with Pharasma is postponed. You can thank the mercy of Iomedae for that, soldier."

Using cotton bandages and silk gauze, Berato stabilizes all the fallen and puts them all in the recovery position, all together in a spooning position at the back of the library hidden by the shelves. He proceeds to disarm them all and inspect their belongings to find anything of use.
Taking 10 gives Berato an 18 vs. DC 15 First Aid
Perception with Guidance while searching their gear and the library in general: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 1 = 23
"Gentlemen, we have approximately one hour before some of them could regain consciousness. I suggest we move on to find what's happened to Zefiro next door!"

"Of course, let's not dawdle." Qioté is ready to move on.

On Iluvia's body you find the following note:

By the authority vested in the Imperial Ministry
of Historical Accuracy by Her Infernal Majestrix,
Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House
of Thrune, Signifer Iluvia Thorn is hereby
authorized to apprehend the suspected traitor
Zefiro Balinger, to question his known associates,
and to confiscate any unlawful items found within
the Museum of History in Corentyn. Zefiro
Balinger and any evidence are to be delivered
into the custody of the Sirmium bureau of the
Imperial Ministry of Historical Accuracy.
– Inspector Lusarious Deckland

Making your way up the stairs you enter Zefiro's office. Bookshelves and display cases stand in the corners of this large office. An oaken desk sits in the middle of the room with large windows set in the wall on either side of it. Doors to the south open to a raised terrace, and a large painting of Abrogail II hangs on the north wall.

Berato's keen eye finds latches on the side of the painting, allowing it to swing open and reveal a room hidden behind it. Several bookshelves, a desk, and a display case crowd this cramped room. To the left stands a statue of Aroden. This hidden room behind the painting holds most of Zefiro’s secret research and illicit projects. Among other things, the you find an early (and now publicly redacted) diary filled with tales of infernal war crimes committed by Thrune, an Aspis Consortium cargo manifest for a shipment from Taldor to Khari, and Zefiro’s holy Arodenite scriptures.

Between the five of you you are able to figure out which texts would need to be preserved by the Pathfinder Society before they were destroyed by the Order of the Rack. As you finish collecting texts to be saved from Cheliax's purging fires the sounds of alarm begin breaching the walls. It appears your combat with Iluvia did not go unnoticed.

Zefiro Balinger’s arrest and imprisonment casts a dark shadow over Cheliax’s new relationship with the Pathfinder Society, especially as you have brought to light new ways in which the infernal empire hoped to reshape their national narrative by falsifying its past. If Taldor ever founded a colony so deep into Rahadoum, Ibhir is not it. You board a ship out of Corentyn before authorities are able to connect yourselves to the museum incident.

Back in Absalom, Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus can barely restrain his fury at Cheliax’s duplicity and use of the Society as a cat’s paw to validate Chelish lies. He sends for Ianareth Alazario, the new liaison from Cheliax, only to find that she has slipped away from the Grand Lodge to “attend to pressing business abroad.” Farabellus assures you that although Cheliax may be more powerful than their organization, the Society won’t suffer this indignity with a smile. He cryptically advises to remain in Absalom and await further word about a daring mission he has only just begun to plan—one to save the Society’s ally who has paid the greatest price for Cheliax’s villainy: Zefiro Balinger. Dayjobs if any please, I'll get chronicles done tonight.

"Damn, the double-crossing devils," Vindlér exclaims as he reads Iluvia's orders. "They open the door to us again after years, only to turn us into villains for doing what we were asked to do! This is no Law!" He continues muttering to himself for quite some time, obviously indignant that he's been turned into a criminal in any nation, let alone for doing a job requested by the nation in which he is now a fugitive.

Upon arriving back in Absalom and receiving orders from Farabellus to await further orders, Vindlér asks the Master of Swords, "Sir, what preparations should we make to help us save Belinger? We owe the man a great deal for the information he has provided us thus far, and we will stand ready to aid him when the opportunity arises."

After getting advice from Farabellus...

While he awaits the call to begin the rescue operation to save Belinger, Vindlér returns to his duties serving as a watchman on the walls around the Grand Lodge. As he patrols the walls, his mind frequently returns to the suffering historian, and the fury that arises within Vindlér sharpens his senses to a razor's edge.

Dayjob Profession (Soldier): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Any chance the Iluvia fight satisfies the following faction goal:
"Defeat a divine spellcaster whose patron is an evil deity and whose CR is at least equal to your character level."

Anthys goes to the temple of Iomedae to pray.
What do we do when what is Good conflicts with what is Law? I know what my great-grandmother would have said, and done. I hope I have done right in your eyes.
He makes a point to write back to his instructors in Lastwall, offering thanks for their training him in defensive tactics. He doesn't exactly write "Thanks for teaching me to outlast the spells of an Asmodean witch" but it's what he's thinking.
Then, like Vindlér, he does his rounds.
Profession (Soldier): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

No day job adn no faction card goals, unless one of the recovered texts is a "named text". Why is Qioté Dark Archives, anyway??

"I do not enjoy running from those who oppose me, but in the interest of getting this information back where it belongs, I will leave... for now."

Upon his return to Absalom, Berato secures a membership to the Temple of the Shining Star in the Ascendant Court, so as to assist Ollysta Zadrian in coordinating the Silver Crusade's operations.

Vanity: Membership - Temple [4PP]: You can use Heal to make Day Job rolls. Once per game session, if you have access to an operating temple of your faith, you can have a cleric cast either cure moderate wounds or lesser restoration on yourself or one of your allies, free of charge. You must visit the temple to receive this attention.

Dayjob Heal: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

I also wish to complete the following faction goal:
--> "Defeat a divine spellcaster whose patron is an evil deity and whose CR is at least equal to your character level."
If not, by way of stabilizing all combatants to prevent their deaths, I will attempt to satisfy
--> "...allow an enemy combatant with no means of escape to flee without further harm."

Master Farabellus chuckles, "Its best that you prepare your infiltration skills, because it sounds like Zefiro is going to one of the jails in Ostenso, home of the Chelish Navy. We've got contacts that will be able to help us, but don't worry too much until I call you back again."

Sorry Vindlér, she's a witch, and therefore arcane. The next mission however...

I suspected as much, but figured I'd check. :)

Vindlér's grave expression drops as Master Farabellus hints at the covert nature of their next mission. "Infiltration? There's not any chance you meant invasion is there?"

I think in our entire party there are 0 ranks in Bluff and 1 rank in Stealth. Qioté's +4 Bluff untrained is the best we have... May have to see what cheap items we can buy.
Anthys looks similarly disheartened.
"We, er, may end up taking a more direct approach than you envision."

Marcos pats everyone on the shoulder, "Don't you worry none, we'll have something figured out for you. And if a direct approach is necessary I'm sure you can handle yourselves if your report on that last fight is accurate."

Marcus returns to the Grand Lodge with the others, even more quiet and reserved than his usual self. He is not proud of his country this day, but is not surprised by the outcome or the duplicitous nature of the request that sent them on their mission.

Marcus throws himself into the more menial tasks of his side job working as an assistant butler for several of the society members, while discreetly securing a curative wand for future use, as the one he borrowed from Anthys was so important. He has a lot to think about over the few days before the rescue mission takes place.

Day Job, Butler: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

As they depart the Grand Lodge, Berato suggest that each of the team members invest in an Elixir of Hiding before they are dispatched into Cheliax again. "Alternatively, if one of you is good with disguises, we can use the clothes of Illuvia's guards we retrieved during our last adventure..."

Awesome. I'll have the Chronicles to you guys by tonight. You've got until you head to the Bloody Nail to purchase things, done "between" scenarios.

The captain’s quarters aboard the Hornet’s Nest sits in uncomfortable silence. The normally composed Zarta Dralneen awkwardly shifts in her chair, repeatedly glancing across the room at a stocky halfling with short salt-and-pepper hair and practical black clothing. Between them stands Venture-Captain Dennel Hamshanks, the ship’s captain, who seems relieved to have other visitors.

“Welcome, agents,” Hamshanks announces. “My other guests have already skipped the social niceties, so I don’t see why we need to start now. Zefiro Balinger, a Corentyn museum curator and ally of the Society, has been abducted by agents of House Thrune on charges of ‘treasonous misinformation’—which is to say the heretical preservation of unedited Chelish histories. The Decemvirate cannot afford to lose such a valuable asset, nor can it allow these documents to be thrown onto a ‘clarity pyre,’ but Cheliax would love nothing more than to do exactly that.” Hamshanks pauses as if waiting for someone else to pick up the conversation, then clears his throat at the distracted Zarta.

Zarta snaps to attention. “Pathfinders discovered that Zefiro has been taken to Ostenso. His prison is called the Bloody Nail, a facility where political enemies disappear for interrogation and punishment. Trying to spring a captive from a high-profile prison in the heart of a major Chelish city would normally be suicide, yet that is our only remaining option.” Zarta’s expression sours slightly, and she glances at the halfling again before muttering, “Fortunately, I know someone who specializes in such suicide missions, yet curiously always seems to come back alive.”

The halfling smirks at Zarta, hopping to his feet. “Please, Zarta, the pleasure is all mine. The name’s Tamrin Credence, longtime Bellflower and master of coming back alive. The lovely paracountess laid out your situation for me. Luckily enough, liberating Chelish prisoners is a favorite hobby of mine, so it looks like we’ll be working together on this project.

“So here’s the plan: we march up to the Bloody Nail looking all intimidating. I’ve still got some clout with Ostenso’s guards from back when I worked for the Consortium, so I’ll convince the lead interrogator to bring some of his guards with me to deal with a Loyalty Day ‘emergency.’ Fortunately for him, I’ve brought some of my own agents—that’s you—to cover for him and his soldiers while we’re away. Knowing Chelish prison administration, he’ll agree as long as one of his lackeys can supervise you. I’ll keep the interrogator distracted long enough for you to get the lay of the land, ditch your babysitter, break in, get what we came for, and get out before anyone smells a rat. We’ll meet back at the southernmost docks of the Custodisce Break and sail for Andoran. Easy enough?”

"Is there a specific uniform to wear?"

Tamrin reaches into his pocket and tosses something to Qioté. It is a Bronze rank Aspis Consortium badge, "This is the only thing you'll need for a uniform. The Consortium, just like the Pathfinder Society, has a lot of ragtag teams rather than a uniformed militia."

Anthys has a fondness for liberation-minded halflings. He feels a bit better about this mission.
"A pleasure to meet you, Tamrin. I am ready to go."

"OK, let's do this."

Will complete purchases Monday but I can also start now if it's ok with the GM to buy stuff later.

Yep, that's fine by me. No one has any questions for Tamrin then?

Oh, I suppose we should.
"We made some enemies last time in Cheliax. And we left them alive. Hopefully their superiors will choose to leave their debacle behind them, but do you think there are warrants out for our arrest with descriptions?
And do you have suggestions as to how we might ditch our babysitter? Is knocking them out a viable option?"

Tamrin shrugs, "I've been to Ostenso recently and I haven't seen any warrants out. To my knowledge no one actually knows what you looked like when you got into that altercation with the Hellknight, and they are having a hard time remembering with most of them taking hits to the head.

As for your babysitter - try dropping a hint to Krima. She’s a Bellflower plant at the Nail, so if you can tip her off and get her to switch jobs with your supervisor, you’ll have free run of the joint. If that doesn’t fly, charm him, drug him, knock him on the head—whatever works.”

"Mr. Credence! how are you doing these days? it's been a few months since the docks in Corentyn! where did you say we'll be able to find this Krima person again?"

Tamrin grins, "I do apologize for the way I had to dig through your ship, must keep up appearances and all. Though working for the Consortium at the time was fairly interesting... As for Krima, she's somewhere inside. I'm certain if you ask your babysitter to take you around they would be willing to show you the other guards working there."

"Sounds like a plan. I'll make sure I introduce myself to the guards proper to get their names then. Question is, what will be my alias? Cloak and dagger is not exactly my specialty, but you live and breathe in this very complicated and dangerous web of secret identities... and that takes nerves of steel and a daily dose of bravery. I'll take any advice you may have Mr. Credence."

"Hmm. Glad we'll have someone on the inside to show us around. Any idea what kind of time we'll have inside to get Belinger out?"

Tamrin pulls out a pipe and begins packing it with pipeweed. Hamshanks clears his throat, and Tamrin stops and puts it away again with a grunt. "The best advice I have, is to stay quiet, or give very little information. Let the other fill in the blanks that you leave however you want. And any lie told will be much stronger if it has a kernal of truth somewhere within.

For example, your babysitter asks, 'What are you doing here?' You could come up with a big elaborate lie about wanting to help out Cheliax keep its lawful prisoners secure, but you're liable to trip yourself up. Instead, just say, 'To help.' You're not lying, you are there to help, you're just helping someone other than the asker. Simplicity is the best defense."

Tamrin makes some quick calculations in the air using his fingers. "I'd suspect you have no more than an hour or two. It will be difficult to pull the interrogator away for longer than that without him suspecting something. Any more questions?"

"Keep quiet and move quickly. Got it."

"So we lie by telling the truth? Interesting. I think even I could manage that." Vindlér folds his arms across his chest and nods. "Right then. I think I'm ready."

Marcus nods along silently as the briefing continues. "It is a good plan. I am afraid I do not usually cut an intimidating figure, but the premise seems simple enough for the rescue. Venture-Captain Hamshanks mentioned that we were also to retrieve the histories that landed Zephiro is such trouble, however. Do we have reason to believe they will be in the prison, and if so do we know anything about where they would likely be located?"