PbP PFS Playday 2 - GM Helamans Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-21: The Dalsine Affair (Inactive)

Game Master Helaman

Dalcine Affair Roll20 Maps.


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Silver Crusade

Male Tien Aasimar HP:86/86, - AC: 21/T:12/FF:20 - Perception: +12(Dark Vision) F: +16/R: +9/W: +15 - CMB: +12 - CMD: 24, Speed: 30ft, Init: +4

Pop

Silver Crusade

Male Tien Aasimar HP:86/86, - AC: 21/T:12/FF:20 - Perception: +12(Dark Vision) F: +16/R: +9/W: +15 - CMB: +12 - CMD: 24, Speed: 30ft, Init: +4

Just an intro as we await the session kick off

The tall and well built Tian has a sense of otherness about him, and after a short period of observation it becomes evident he is tianjan, a 'heaven person'. His burnt-gold kimono is matched with dark crimson hakama pants - he almost resembles a walking sunset. A large stylised sun has been boldly embroidered on the back of his kimono, and equally stylised dragons detail the front. A fine looking katana is sashed at his waist.

The servant of the Empress waits patiently for his companions whilst playing his flute peacefully between sips of green tea.

The Exchange

63517-6 Tiefling Rogue (Knife Master, Scout) 7 | AC 24 T 17 FF 18 | HP 49/59 | F +4 R +10 W +6 | Init +7 | Perc +12 | Reroll : Not used

Rikas sets by the closest open flame, hood drawn low over his eyes as he runs the fingers of one hand through the fire. His other hand fiddles absently with a dagger. As it dances, you catch sight of yellowed nails on red-tinged skin. Indeed, you can swear you see scales upon his wrist, and not as those from an armorer. Come to think of it, the shape of the form beneath the hood is odd. As a tail comes sweeping lazily into view, you come to realize it is indeed a tiefling knelt there before the fire.

He sits ambivalent to the aasimar's flute playing.

Scarab Sages

Male Human (Mwangi) Illusionist 6/Veiled Illusionist 1 (HP 46/46 | AC: 15 | T:12 | FF:14 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+5 | Will:+7 | Init+12 | Perception+12 | Effects:

A disheveled Garundi man in dirty robes lies facedown in the mud while a pig from a nearby house sniffs at him absentmindedly. Only the slow rise and fall of his chest indicates that he is in fact alive, most likely sleeping off an epic boozer.

A small lizard ... or perhaps a dinosaur, emerges from the shadows and hisses at the pig, who lazily turns and heads back to its pen. The lizards crawls atop the sleeping man's back and makes himself a little nest, before lying down himself.

Silver Crusade

Male Tien Aasimar HP:86/86, - AC: 21/T:12/FF:20 - Perception: +12(Dark Vision) F: +16/R: +9/W: +15 - CMB: +12 - CMD: 24, Speed: 30ft, Init: +4

During a momentary pause the flautist refills his tea, he also pours a second cup which he hands wordlessly to the Tiefling, offering only a polite nod and a smile as he does. On closer inspection he seems to have about a half a dozen small lacquered cups.

After setting his tea down, he resumes his playing.


-Please make whatever purchases and changes are needed in the next 24 hours-

In the middle of the night, you are summoned to the Grand Lodge. It is abuzz with rumors of something monumental happening in Oppara. In the formal briefing, you are informed that transport has been arranged and you are the team of agents that is being sent to the Oppara Lodge.

A swift boat ride, a quick trip through Taldor’s gilded capital, and a coded knock at the front door lead to the unassuming, windowless Pathfinder Society lodge masquerading as a bait and tackle shop called Rods and Reels. The strong smell of old fish permeates the dwelling, which has somewhat of a ill cared-for, haphazard appearance. The light of a single, whale-oil lantern forms strange shadows on the floor among the nets and buckets that fill the lodge’s ground floor.

The middle-aged venture-captain who runs the lodge—a ruddy-skinned and pockmark-faced man named Muesello—emerges from the narrow spiral stairs to the lodge’s second floor and addresses you all.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Pathfinders. Let me bring you all up to speed. It seems that I may have gotten myself, and by extension the Society, into a bit of hot water. You see, lately the Taldan government has been growing particularly protective of what it considers its national treasures. Grand Prince Stavian seems to have taken a personal interest in anything older than last week’s fish stew, imposing heavy tariffs on any antiquities being sent out of the country.”

The grey-haired man lets out a deep sigh and his shoulders slump. “This is where my own idiocy comes in. I thought that I could save the Society a few pieces of gold by smuggling items out of the city, using my contacts in a secret cult of local Sarenites known as the Dawnflower Blossoms. They receive significant support from people in Qadira, and oversee regular shipments to and from Katheer.”

“Everything went very smoothly until last night. A group of local guards known as the Porthmos Militia conducted a violent raid on one of the cult’s safe houses here in the neighborhood of Westport. A man named Chalfon Dalsine, a minor noble who was himself nearly a pathfinder in his youth, led the attack. This gang slaughtered half the members of the cult, even those who didn’t fight back—it was horrible. A few members were able to escape, but the rest were either slain or captured and dragged away for interrogation.”

Muesello goes on to explain that while the deaths were tragic, his primary concern is that he had given the Sarenites several parcels for transport just last week. The parcels included a number of notes written in a personal cypher, but anything involving codes eventually makes its way to the Lion Blades, the secret spies of the Taldan government. It’s only a matter of time before they crack the code or use some divination magic to track him down. Muesello continues his explanation.

“The Society is in a very delicate place at the moment, especially here in Taldor. The upheavals caused by the Shadow Lodge have only made things worse. If the government tracks those packages back to me, they might formally expel all Pathfinders from the country! Now what I need you to do is …”

A loud knock on the shop’s front door interrupts the venture captain
mid-sentence. A strong voice calls out from the other side, “Open this door! This is the Porthmos Militia. Open this door in the name of the Grand Prince!”

Maps and links to roll20 to be provided in the next few hours... RP as you would until then and update your characters within the next 24 hours

Silver Crusade

Male Tien Aasimar HP:86/86, - AC: 21/T:12/FF:20 - Perception: +12(Dark Vision) F: +16/R: +9/W: +15 - CMB: +12 - CMD: 24, Speed: 30ft, Init: +4

Takahiro maintains a neutral expression, trying to politely ignore the smell of the fish.

"So perhaps you were a little loose with the laws and customs, but this militia, from where do they draw authority?" Takahiro questions quickly, his calm composure giving way to a steely looking determination, "Are these people authorised, or just self appointed thugs?"


The Venture Captain grimaces.

"Unfortunately yes, they're as official as its possible to be, and we don't want dead guards connected with me or the Society, so no killing them!"

Silver Crusade

Male Tien Aasimar HP:86/86, - AC: 21/T:12/FF:20 - Perception: +12(Dark Vision) F: +16/R: +9/W: +15 - CMB: +12 - CMD: 24, Speed: 30ft, Init: +4

"If they are legitimate then they should have the correct paperwork, perhaps I could ask them for their warrants or some other authority?"

The Exchange

63517-6 Tiefling Rogue (Knife Master, Scout) 7 | AC 24 T 17 FF 18 | HP 49/59 | F +4 R +10 W +6 | Init +7 | Perc +12 | Reroll : Not used

"There may not be time for that. Quick, man, tell us what we need to do!" Rikas' calm demeanor nevertheless shows the sense of urgency. This is definitely not his first tangle with the law, possibly not his first with the Taldane law, either.

Sczarni

Male Human Fighter (Corsair) 7 | Hp 37/67 | AC 22 T 13 FF 19 | Fort +8 Ref +6 Will +3 | Init +7 | Perc +2

A Varisian man enters the room. He is dressed in colorful clothing typical for people of his land: a dark purple jacket over a shiny yet dinged breastplate, and a turquoise scarf. On his shoulder, a tiny baby owlbear snores peacefully. He limps painfully on a peg leg that seems fairly recent. Boomerangs hang from his belt and a shield is slung on his back. A pair of cutlasses hang on either side of him.

The man listens to the venture-captain, rubbing sleep from his eyes and occasionally slapping the owlbear awake. "Besmara's Cutlass, Polly! If I'm to be awake at this bloody hour, so are ye!"

When the guards knock on the door, Azoth rises quickly, knocking his chair over and nearly sending Polly flying. [b]"Arr! I hate to be the bringer o' bad news lads, but me thinks these landlubbers come to make us all pigmeat!"

The owlbear and the pegleg are just flavour that my local game group came up with.

Scarab Sages

Male Human (Mwangi) Illusionist 6/Veiled Illusionist 1 (HP 46/46 | AC: 15 | T:12 | FF:14 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+5 | Will:+7 | Init+12 | Perception+12 | Effects:

The disheveled Garundi man in the corner perks up a bit when he hears the knocking on the door. "Ah, I see the men have come to pick up the laundry. Where did you put it Venture-Captain?" Eris seems to still be a bit confused after last night's bender.


The pounding on the door increases in volume and an annoyed voice calls out again. “We don’t want to break the door down, old man. Hurry up!”

“Yes, yes, I heard you. Hold on, I’ve got to find a candle.” Muesello turns back and whispers once more, “I’ll hold them off as best I can. Please get the cult members out of here, or they’re all as good as dead, and please don’t try to kill the guards! This is a large group of serious guards who obviously mean business. Any lethal attacks or, gods forefend, a death could spell doom for the Society! These are city guards acting on the authority of the Grand Prince himself!”

As he loudly fumbles around the shop to make it sound as though he’s searching for something, he whispers to the gathered Pathfinders. “Ten of the escaped Dawnflower Blossoms members are hidden here in the lodge. I was able to rescue them after the raid. They’re all upstairs—five in my bedroom and another five in my supply room.” He knocks over three hay bales along the room’s east wall, revealing a trap door beneath. He flings it open to reveal a ladder descending into darkness.

“You’ve got to get those people out of here,” he pleads, gesturing frantically at the hatch. “In my basement there is a staircase leading down to the ancient catacombs under the city. At the bottom of that staircase, there is a large lever on the right, just a few feet down the connecting corridor. Once everyone is clear of the staircase, pull it down and it will collapse behind you. That should keep anyone from following you. Once you’re in the catacombs, just ask the cult members for directions; they should know their way around. Ask them to take you to the Vault of Sarenrae—it’s their last hiding place. Oh, and track down this Chalfon Dalsine, and see if you can find my parcels: two beautiful sets of armor crafted by the fey of the Verduran Forest. Last I heard, the Porthmos Militia had taken them back to Dalsine’s home.”

One of you heads upstairs and find a group of frighten faced people huddled together.

Its gonna take some time to get these people down from the upper level, down the stairs and then down into the catacombs below... and then there is the guards at the door though the old man seems to be trying to hold them at bay...

Silver Crusade

Male Tien Aasimar HP:86/86, - AC: 21/T:12/FF:20 - Perception: +12(Dark Vision) F: +16/R: +9/W: +15 - CMB: +12 - CMD: 24, Speed: 30ft, Init: +4

"I see, things are truly desperate then" Takahiro nods sagely and with some gravitas.

He looks around the room...

Much heavy furniture? Anything we can block the door with?


All sorts of things are around the shop, including the three hay bales he moved from the door. Certainly there are barrels and boxes that can be used as well.

Silver Crusade

Male Tien Aasimar HP:86/86, - AC: 21/T:12/FF:20 - Perception: +12(Dark Vision) F: +16/R: +9/W: +15 - CMB: +12 - CMD: 24, Speed: 30ft, Init: +4

"So very sorry" Takahiro calls out in a thick Tian accent "Wait one minute, I left my goods in bad location, I just clear boxes and wares from the doorway to unblock so you can get in, so very sorry, please one moment patience honourable Captain!"

Bluff 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

"Help me move some of this stuff into the doorway" he whispers loudly to his friends.


Sheesh, says the voice of local authority, Just hurry it up in there.

Silver Crusade

Male Tien Aasimar HP:86/86, - AC: 21/T:12/FF:20 - Perception: +12(Dark Vision) F: +16/R: +9/W: +15 - CMB: +12 - CMD: 24, Speed: 30ft, Init: +4

"Very sorry, very sorry, so careless of me..."

Tak gets to work shoving things INTO the doorway.

The Exchange

63517-6 Tiefling Rogue (Knife Master, Scout) 7 | AC 24 T 17 FF 18 | HP 49/59 | F +4 R +10 W +6 | Init +7 | Perc +12 | Reroll : Not used

Rikas moves fleetly up the stairs to find the Dawnflowers. "No time to explain, guards are here, time to vanish. Come on. Now! Come with us if you want to survive!"


The group shudders and looks uncertain but one of their number moves at Rikas' urging and heads downstairs.

Scarab Sages

Male Human (Mwangi) Illusionist 6/Veiled Illusionist 1 (HP 46/46 | AC: 15 | T:12 | FF:14 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+5 | Will:+7 | Init+12 | Perception+12 | Effects:

Eris sluggishly moves up the stairs following Rikas. Once he has the Sarenraen cultists in sight he whispers a few words in Polyglot and makes a mystic gesture and states, "Everyone follow the tiefling, quick like a bunny! The militia is about to break in the front door!"

Eris casts haste. He predominantly interested in getting all the cultists and will position himself to catch all of them, Rikas, himself, and anyone else who happens to be upstairs at the time of the casting in the spell radius. The spell will last for seven rounds.

Bluff check to motivate the cultists: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

The Exchange

63517-6 Tiefling Rogue (Knife Master, Scout) 7 | AC 24 T 17 FF 18 | HP 49/59 | F +4 R +10 W +6 | Init +7 | Perc +12 | Reroll : Not used

"Don't make me pick you up and carry your sorry asses downstairs. I said GO! Now!"

Rikas pushes his way through the standing worshipers to get into a position to drive them out. Standing still like cattle, may as well push them like it.


We'll call this round 2, so Takahiro is piling crap into the doorway. Waiting on Azoth Seastrider and the other two exhorting and helping the cultists.

Three cultists, the tide breaking, move rapidly down the stairs - fear and hope both in the expressions. The rest begin to mill around the way down.

The venture captain continues to mumbled excuses through the door.

1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

The leader of the guard is impatient.

1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

But years of deceit on the Venture Captains part have made him a very slick liar and for the moment, the deception is holding.

Just Azoth now

Sczarni

Male Human Fighter (Corsair) 7 | Hp 37/67 | AC 22 T 13 FF 19 | Fort +8 Ref +6 Will +3 | Init +7 | Perc +2

"If I'm to be seein' any gold outta this, you lot best come wit' us!" Azoth says to the cultists. He helps the cultists do whatever is needed to get them out of the building as fast as possible.


Another of the cultists hustles down... and under the effects of 'Haste'? You should be able to clear another 4 cultists round 3... leaving yourselves and the remaining 2 round in 4.

Round 3

The pounding on the door grows impatient.

Dammit - what are you doing in there? Are you harboring any fugitives?

I'm just a poor old man. I have no time for law-breakers. My legs are grey. My ears are gnarled. My eyes are old and bent, Muesello calls back.

Bluff 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18 vs Sense Motive 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 17 + 2 = 37

Quiet! Silly person. Guards! Search the house.

You can hear them make preparations to break the door down. Will roll for that at the end of the round

Moving comically fast, four cultists move rapidly down into the cellar.

Your actions?

Scarab Sages

Male Human (Mwangi) Illusionist 6/Veiled Illusionist 1 (HP 46/46 | AC: 15 | T:12 | FF:14 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+5 | Will:+7 | Init+12 | Perception+12 | Effects:

Eris continues trying to hustle the cultists downstairs. "Come now, children, time is of the essence. You don't want to tell Pharasma you died because you couldn't be bothered to take two steps at once now, do you?"

Bluff check to motivate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Eris accompanies the cultists back downstairs and makes sure the trap door to the cellar remains open and clear. If there is no light downstairs, he casts dancing lights down into the secret chamber below.

The Exchange

63517-6 Tiefling Rogue (Knife Master, Scout) 7 | AC 24 T 17 FF 18 | HP 49/59 | F +4 R +10 W +6 | Init +7 | Perc +12 | Reroll : Not used

Rikas continues to herd them down the stairs. Once the guards have caught on, he swears beneath his breath. "Must move faster!" he forcefully whispers to the unarmed commonfolk.

Silver Crusade

Male Tien Aasimar HP:86/86, - AC: 21/T:12/FF:20 - Perception: +12(Dark Vision) F: +16/R: +9/W: +15 - CMB: +12 - CMD: 24, Speed: 30ft, Init: +4

Tak keeps shifting furniture....

Sczarni

Male Human Fighter (Corsair) 7 | Hp 37/67 | AC 22 T 13 FF 19 | Fort +8 Ref +6 Will +3 | Init +7 | Perc +2

Azoth gives up on the cultists. "You lot are slowin' me down! I'll see whoever makes it out alive at the bottom!" He heads down the stairs.


The guards attempt to break down the door.

Str (with Ram) 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 4 = 15

BOOOOM!

The doors shudder but are held firm - stout locks, makeshift barricades and perhaps something else keep the door in place.

Azoth slows up the flow by pushing down to the cellar.

Round 4.

I'm peaceable and not resisting in the slightest yells the Venture Captain but with a huge smirk on his face.

Just 3 cultists, Takahiro, Rikas and Eris remain.

In your hasted state and with encouragement of the cultists, you can get 4 down into the cellar below this round... and then the guards get to continue their assault on the door.

Silver Crusade

Male Tien Aasimar HP:86/86, - AC: 21/T:12/FF:20 - Perception: +12(Dark Vision) F: +16/R: +9/W: +15 - CMB: +12 - CMD: 24, Speed: 30ft, Init: +4

Tak maintains his support of the door, doing what he can to stymie the efforts of the raiding party...

Scarab Sages

Male Human (Mwangi) Illusionist 6/Veiled Illusionist 1 (HP 46/46 | AC: 15 | T:12 | FF:14 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+5 | Will:+7 | Init+12 | Perception+12 | Effects:

A bemused expression passes over Eris' face as he stands near the trap-door leading into the cellar. "This strangely reminds me of my youth, except that the authorities were yelling in Polyglot back then. Door, hold!"

Eris casts hold portal on the door, raising the DC to break it down by 5.


The Venture Captain gives you a smile and thumbs up. Already had that up and running but I appreciate the sentiment.

Scarab Sages

Male Human (Mwangi) Illusionist 6/Veiled Illusionist 1 (HP 46/46 | AC: 15 | T:12 | FF:14 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+5 | Will:+7 | Init+12 | Perception+12 | Effects:

"Hmm?" says Eris at the Venture-Captain's comment. "Oh, I see. Well, glad to help."

The Exchange

63517-6 Tiefling Rogue (Knife Master, Scout) 7 | AC 24 T 17 FF 18 | HP 49/59 | F +4 R +10 W +6 | Init +7 | Perc +12 | Reroll : Not used

Rikas continues his task of driving the cultists down stairs to relative safety. As soon as the last one is down, he will throw a quick casual salute to the Venture Captain and head downstairs as well.


With the cultists and half your team down the ladder and heading into the cellar and tunnel beyond it leaves just Eris and Takahiro.

BOOM!

The door shudders again but its going to take some time before they can get through.

Pull the lever once you are all clear Musello reminds you, I'll hold it from here.

And you both are able to head down and the Venture Captain slams the trap door shut.

Below it is dark but one of the cultists has a candle... its feeble light though isn't good for much.

Scarab Sages

Male Human (Mwangi) Illusionist 6/Veiled Illusionist 1 (HP 46/46 | AC: 15 | T:12 | FF:14 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+5 | Will:+7 | Init+12 | Perception+12 | Effects:

Actually, GM, I had already cast dancing lights down there.

Eris waves goodbye as the trap door slams shut. "A man after my own heart: stumbling about life, but trying to do good nonetheless."


Ooops - yep, you did. Thats what lack of sleep will do to me :)

Under the light of Eris' spell you are able to make your way down the tunnel some until you see an alcove with a lever. This would be the level that Musello wanted you to pull.

The Exchange

63517-6 Tiefling Rogue (Knife Master, Scout) 7 | AC 24 T 17 FF 18 | HP 49/59 | F +4 R +10 W +6 | Init +7 | Perc +12 | Reroll : Not used

Once everyone gets down the tunnel, Rikas will do a quick count to make sure everyone's there before pulling the lever. "Where to?"

Sczarni

Male Human Fighter (Corsair) 7 | Hp 37/67 | AC 22 T 13 FF 19 | Fort +8 Ref +6 Will +3 | Init +7 | Perc +2

"It seems to me we need to find the lubber that led the raid against these here cultists." Azoth suggests. "I reckon he would know why Taldor is so keen on keepin' all their shiny matters to theyselves and not sharin' it with the rest o' us!"

Scarab Sages

Male Human (Mwangi) Illusionist 6/Veiled Illusionist 1 (HP 46/46 | AC: 15 | T:12 | FF:14 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+5 | Will:+7 | Init+12 | Perception+12 | Effects:

Eris nods at the other comments, then turns to the cultists. "Well, that was quite exciting, wasn't it?" he states, pulling a flask from a pouch and taking a long pull from it. "Any idea where we are, other than under an old tackle shop in the Docks area, that is?" He also takes a good look at the group now that they're not all running for their lives.

Any Knowledge checks that might be applicable?

Silver Crusade

Male Tien Aasimar HP:86/86, - AC: 21/T:12/FF:20 - Perception: +12(Dark Vision) F: +16/R: +9/W: +15 - CMB: +12 - CMD: 24, Speed: 30ft, Init: +4

"We need to find an exit, soon, before they catch n upstairs" Takahiro looks about to get his bearings.


Lever that Rikas will collapse tunnel but I wanted to do the scene justice I paused... just give me a day. Sorry


Should be back on track in 12 hours. Thanks for your patience all

The Exchange

63517-6 Tiefling Rogue (Knife Master, Scout) 7 | AC 24 T 17 FF 18 | HP 49/59 | F +4 R +10 W +6 | Init +7 | Perc +12 | Reroll : Not used

I have been slow in my games as well the past 24 hours. No worries.

Scarab Sages

Male Human (Mwangi) Illusionist 6/Veiled Illusionist 1 (HP 46/46 | AC: 15 | T:12 | FF:14 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+5 | Will:+7 | Init+12 | Perception+12 | Effects:

Eris cleared his throat, "Er, Rikas, why don't we pull the lever? We don't want the militia following us."

The Exchange

63517-6 Tiefling Rogue (Knife Master, Scout) 7 | AC 24 T 17 FF 18 | HP 49/59 | F +4 R +10 W +6 | Init +7 | Perc +12 | Reroll : Not used
Rikas Horgold wrote:
Once everyone gets down the tunnel, Rikas will do a quick count to make sure everyone's there before pulling the lever. "Where to?"

Have been waiting on the GM to move us along ever since.

Silver Crusade

Male Tien Aasimar HP:86/86, - AC: 21/T:12/FF:20 - Perception: +12(Dark Vision) F: +16/R: +9/W: +15 - CMB: +12 - CMD: 24, Speed: 30ft, Init: +4

We started with lots of action and drama as an escape scene took place, and upon entering the passageway we pulled the lever and... cut to Our intro music :p

Scarab Sages

Male Human (Mwangi) Illusionist 6/Veiled Illusionist 1 (HP 46/46 | AC: 15 | T:12 | FF:14 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+5 | Will:+7 | Init+12 | Perception+12 | Effects:
Takahiro wrote:
We started with lots of action and drama as an escape scene took place, and upon entering the passageway we pulled the lever and... cut to Our intro music :p

Nice. I'll play Chief O'Hara in this episode after he's had a few whiskeys.

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