PFS - Thod GMs the Goblinblood Dead (Inactive)
Game Master Thod

"I discovered some tracks leading off perpendicular to ours over there." Chanix states as he thumbs the air behind him.

Is there any means that I could determine what kind of tracks?

Priscilla approaches the cart while others examine the tracks. She uses her door sight ability

"Indeed we do have our own means from succumbin' to death's pretty invitation. We, o' course, wouldn't want to drain your supplies to heal up any of yer gaurds."

The dwarf's iconic grin, although the fact is lost on the caravan leader, is nowhere to be seen at this statement. As he settles his shield back in place and leans on his Bec de Corbin he says, "I reckon we should know a little bit about this "safe" place o' yers. What makes it safe? Can we spare a bit o' time to investigate these here tracks leading to this caravan trail?"

The trail seems to be less than 24 hours old and made by the bugbear and the three human skeletons.

The caravan leader steps up:
"Well - you will see about the save place when you come with us. Off course we understand your mission was to follow the perpretrators. So I will have to leave it up to you if you can spare an hour or an hour and a half to help me or prefer to be on your hunt now."

Decision is up to you. People who want to go stright on the hunt - please allow anyone else to do at least a posting in case they still have unfinished business.
Sorry for slow posting - just back from my second trip to Germany. The whole family is now back here again.

Markus shakes his head.

"I will stay with the caravan."

"If they want what is in the caravan they will be back."
Chelsea states, then ponders for a moment before going on.
"I wonder who is controlling them?"

"If this place is as safe as has been said, then maybe we'd be better to take 'em there, and come back. Our main goal may be to track down the bastards mastermindin' this, but it does us no good to let the caravan be taken. I'll stay with the caravan until we reach the safe point."

"I'm ok with staying together though I'll bet we find some answers if we follow this trail."

"We should not split up. We should make sure the baggage is safe before we wonder off. Don't want things to happen while we are gone. Something tells me we won t lose the trail. How far is the safe place?"

Gregor examines the tracks to determine who/what made them and how long ago they were made.

Survival (untrained): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Swing and a miss!

Gregor scans the area for any more surprises.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

"I know we're charged with following the perpetrators, but I would not feel right leaving the caravan to fend for itself in an area that's already proven to be vulnerable to an ambush. Let's get the cargo to a more secure location and then double back and follow the tracks. In return for doing so, I would like to ask that we be allowed to borrow any supplies that might help keep us alive during our hunt. We will of course return what we don't use...."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

It takes about 20 minutes when the caravan leader leaves the road and the wagon disappears completely from sight in a small grove.

Jandri is soon busy taking out various traps and contraptions that seem to be protection for the night.

Seemingly feeling safer now they have reached the grove - Jandri moves over to Gregor.

"Here - take these. They might be of help."

And with this words he hands over 2 potions of Cure Light Wounds.

Markus offers a hand in whatever preparations are needed to make the site defensible for the night.

"Now, yer sure yeh'll be safe for a bit whilst we go explorin' them tracks?" Toren looks back at the trail and scratches his beard, "Maybe I'll find something that belonged to the Goblinblood Wars too. I'm curious to learn more about them...hopefully the Gobs shed a LOT of blood."

All the traps look quite complicated.

Chanix notices Gregor receive something from Jandri. Hopefully this is what they've been waiting for.

How does this work? He completed the Shadow Lodge Mission. Do I get credit for it? I didn't think an opportunity to use the skills I wanted had arisen yet.

Markus waves Chanix over.

"They've brought these traps along to help them secure the site but I'm just a simple organgrinder. Could you lend a hand in setting them up?"

It's a Disable Device check.

Gregor approaches Chanix and, with a knowing nod, opens his pack and reveals the vials. "Looks like Torch's hunch was right again. Hope we don't need these...but they're nice to have just in case."

Typically all members of the faction get credit for the mission once it is accomplished.

Chanix looks at the crude devices and immediately crafts in his mind warning and immobilizing traps.

Disable Device to create traps? 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

"Come along Markus. Let me show you some rudimentary snares. Your strength will help insure any catch will not be loosed easily."
He then goes about assisting the others in preparing traps.

Markus does as Chanix says and follows his directions.

"Thank you. I'll feel better when we leave knowing the caravan has some protection."

Chains nods at Gregor.

"Glad it didn't come to methods I was willing to employ. I would have made no one happy. The willingness to help us Pathfinders is worthy of our protective service. "

Toren glances back at the three, "Yah'll comin' wi' me an' the halflin' here? We're just gettin' shorter waitin' for yeh!" He guffaws at this and leans on his shield.

Assuming the caravan doesn't need anything else from Markus:

"Yes, let's track down where the dead are coming from."

"I'm interested in figuring out what created those skeletons."
Chelsea says as she joins the two at the edge of the camp.

"We're off then.'

Toren jumps a bit as Chelsea comes up, "Yeh startled me yeh fiery brand! Yer quiet as the dickens!" He shuffles a bit away, still a little afraid of the sorceress.

"One of the many benefits of not wearing armor."
She states matter-of-factly to the dwarf.

"Heh, to be sure flamy filly! I think I'll keep an eye out for a stone that captures yer essence. I'm a gemcutter and gemfinder by profession, I have a bit of an eye for these things...I'd like to give yeh a present o' some stone that reminds me of yeh. Maybe a spinel or a tourmaline..."

Chains appears amid the party as if by emerging from a shadow.

Perception for other enemies, tracks, clues 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Chelsea takes her turn to step away, allowing Chanix to step into the middle of the group.

Setting up the traps takes longer as expected - but Chanix seems to enjoy himself doing so. Markus is just glad he got such good help.

It is nearly nightfall when the group follows the tracks again.

You don't walk for long when you reach an open field that seems to be a grave yard.

This small forest clearing smells of recently tilled earth. Several crude grave markers dot the landscape, each currently marking the position of an empty pit.

You spot a large wolf ahead of you. He seems an imposing view - despite the shaggy hair and streaks of grey. His red glowing eyes seem to look with interest at you.

Healing Untrained 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"What...is...that?" Toren holds his shield in front of him, making sure he keeps himself and Tessa between the wolf and the party.

Knowledge Nature (untrained): 1d20 ⇒ 12

Knowledge Heal (untrained): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

"That looks like a Warg....a hungry one at that."

Markus levels a dagger at the beast.

"Do we kill it?"

Perception on the animal to see if it is aggressive or anything unusual 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Heal 1d20 ⇒ 8
Chelsea responds to Gregor.
"If it's hungry enough to come at us I'll be sure to sate its appetite with a taste of flame."

"I'm afraid I don't know enough about them to do us much good...but I suspect if it were stalking us we wouldn't have been able to spot it; and if it wanted to attack us we'd already be fighting."

"What's it doing here by itself? Or is it?"

KN: Nature untrained 1d20 ⇒ 14
Sense Motive on the Warg 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Perception for other creatures, noises1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

"Well what is it beast? Speak up!"

A dark rumbling noise answers Markus from the Worg

"Humans, they stumble into my hunting grounds and even demand that I explain myself. There have been times that you would have rued such arrogance."

Chanix steps forward with arms crossed,

"Darkest beast, what is it that you could possibly hunt on such desolate ground? Let us not be fooled into thinking a free beast would not be more successful in such endeavors. Perhaps... we seek the same thing?"

Diplomacy 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

"I ain't exactly human, master wolf. I don't mean to be disrespectin' yeh by any demands, but it is curious as to why you're here, seemingly alone, and hungry. I've got some rations yeh could eat if y'are hungry."

Toren's shield thumps the ground and he slings one of the straps to his backpack off his shoulder.

"We are sorry Mr. Wolf we did not know that this was your land. Have there been many tresspassers on your land lately?" Priscilla prepares a bullet for her sling.

The growl of the Worg seems less threatening

"These woods once where good hunting grounds. During the wars there where many game, goblins or humans here - enough to feed my whole pack.
Yes - the times are gone long ago. Still - it wasn't that bad until the undead started to scare away even the last game that lived here.
Some rations you say. They are welcome. You don't happen to have anything fresh with you by any chance."

"Something like the plump little gnome beside you would do fine - the one who can't distinguish a Worg and a wolf."

The Worg opens his mouth wide in he direction of Priscilla to show large fangs - only to close it again and give out a grumbling sound like laughter.

"Undead? That's why we're here. We were attacked not long ago by skeletons; and their trail led us here. We're looking for the source of the evil...when we eliminate it things might improve for you here."

"I would be grateful if you could take care of this scourge. What you are looking for is a hobgoblin clan who have a lair not far from here. Some fresh meat and I might even show you the way.
You are sure you still need the juicy gnome. She would make a truly magnificent meal. But I guess I will have to settle with Dwarven Bread. "

"Take the bread and be happy with it", Markus warns in the halfling's defense.