Sethran-GM |
-THREE DAYS EARLIER…-
Within the Grand Lodge in Absalom, city at the centre of the world, You all sit among the class of ‘Advanced Alchemy – The difference between Potion and Poison’. Just four fresh faces amongst a bunch of Pathfinder hopefuls, yearning to earn your confirmation and get out into the field. Your tutor, Janira is painstakingly lecturing you on ways to tell if the bottle you have found contains a lifesaving potion or a deadly poison.
It is the middle of a sweltering summer afternoon in Absalom and you find yourself drifting off despite the Halfling’s eager voice, one student knocks over a vile of acid, the caustic liquid melting through their desk, and trousers, before they awake with a start.
Then something unusual happens, a roar can be heard across the city and then the ground begins to shake, the very walls of the Grand Lodge rumble and creak and then, as suddenly as it started, the earthquake stopped and all returned to normal, albeit with you all albeit more awake. Janira for her part doesn’t seem to notice the strange occurrence and her lecture continues unabated.
-PRESENT DAY-
A few days have passed and it is lunch time at the Grand lodge in Absalom, you huddle inside the great hall as the rain hammers down outside, giving the summer day a grey overcast dismal look, lunch tray in hand you sit at the only table free in the crowded space, everyone hiding from Marcos Farabellus and his enforced fitness tests. You look around you, and the three others sat at your table…
Nayan Sacharja Nedes |
A young, dusky, weather beaten young man sits himself down and scans the faces at the at the table, before turning his gaze and staring out of the window.
“Beautiful isn’t it? You can almost feel the world changing. I always find the best things in life happen when it rains”.
He turns back to his Companions.
“The name is Nayan by the way. New to Absalom…” He pauses and turns his attention but to downpouring outside. “… But not to its weather”. A smile crosses his face and for the briefest of moments there is glint in his eye.
Vol Tarkan |
A heavily muscled Varisian man is sat at the table quietly eating his food. Between mouthfuls he reads a book clearly borrowed from the lodge library titled 'Identification of Magical Auras: A Practical Guide for Pathfinders'.
When Nayan speaks Vol stops reading and places a small note in the book with more care than thought possible for such a powerfully built man. He closes the book and places it in a clean spot to one side of his plate clearly more concerned about the book than starting a conversation.
"Greetings Nayan. I have heard much about Absolom, including this constant rainy weather, though this is my first time visiting here. You may call me Vol." he says with a slight nod of his head.
He takes his time to nod in greeting to the other unconfirmed pathfinders seated around the table too.
"Lad" |
A scrawny Halfling girl, barely touching her food, much more interested in the variety of strangers passing by, whips her head around to join the conversation at the table.
"Oh, new to Absalom, are you?"
*smirk*
"You'll be wanting a guide, city ain't safe for newcomers. Course, good help don't come free. My name's Lad, lived in Absalom all my life. And where are you from?"
She looks around the table as she speaks, and seems to settle on Nayan as the most amiable, speaking more directly to him in the final question.
Gilbert Swiftscales |
A tall kellid man in shinny steel armour and sporting two mis matched saw tooth Sabres approaches "Greetings I am ... Gilbert. I commune with the spirits of the dead and I have found a Lost soul of the Red Mantis. He wishes to seek out the one known as Torch. I have reached an agreement with him I willtap into his skills and in return look to track down this Torch and put the spirit to rest. He feels he has unfinished business with Torch as dos the society. Some find this arrangement distasteful. Are you of such persuasion or may i eat some bread here"
The ghost rider archetype is in dire need of clarification. I will bring this melee medium instead. I need to double check if he gets the double bonus to damage hero lab is suggesting he does though
Sethran-GM |
Yes Gilbert, your spirit bonus adds to non spell damage rolls and so does your seance bonus, which you can later share
Vol Tarkan |
As the halfling girl talks to the strange looking human Vol turns his attention to the newcomer.
"That sounds like quite a task you have set yourself Gilbert. Those weapons look very familiar to me, and if one who bears blades such as these has died seeking this Torch then I suspect he will not be easy to find."
Vol says with a nod towards and empty seat.
"You should sit and rest while you can, I have no issue with your... inherited vendetta. I'm sure you're not the only one in this room with ulterior motives for joining the Pathfinders."
Manly Mann |
The sun-touched girl with the brown pigtails stops shovelling food and glances at Gilbert. She offers him a bread roll, spitting food as she talks.
"U've nho edeya whut hyou djust shaid. Bhut U've ghut uh shphare rholl!"
She rubs spittle from the roll with the sleeve of her grubby blouse, and offers it again.
She grins; her mouth full of half-chewed bread and beans.
Lumpii |
~~It's been a while since I RPed, so I apologise in advance xD~~
Along with the sound of waterlogged shoes quickly scurrying across the floor there can be heard a loud panting and a horrific screech made from a rather large chair being push across the floor toward the table of five.
"Hey, mind if I sit with you guys? The other tables are all pretty crowded?"
A firm yet polite voice cam from the chair, well it came from behind the chair, in fact it came from a rather short halfling, not even moderate height as far as his family and friends we're concerned.
If they managed to see the man behind the furniture they would be met with a brown-haired, brown eyed, two-foot somerhing, pirately looking fella with a lensless monocle.
"Oh damn!" the unnamed stranger began to shuffle somewhat awkwardly, as if in some kind of pain. "I need to sit down soon, the longer I stand the more aggitated these acid burns get."
Manly Mann |
"...'Guess I'll eat it then."
The girl finishes her meal and pushes the plate away. She leans back in her chair trying to balance it on two legs...Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Vol Tarkan |
Vol watches as the young girl starts to lean back on the rear legs of her chair.
"You should be careful with these chairs, they're not very..."
"Lad" |
Reflex save to catch Manly's chair, and therefore stop her from falling:
Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
"Lad" |
"Ya might wanna be a little more careful there, hun. Don't wanna piss off some 'o the bosses round here. Some 'o them might be a little jumpy, and try to take yer head off"
She smiles reassuringly, and then looks pointedly at some of the more threatening faces around.
Manly Mann |
"Thankyou!"
The girl steadies herself. She pats her head and face with both hands; then shakes it vigorously.
"'Head's still there too!"
"I'm Manly 'case you don't know!"
She beams,"Please'd to meetcha!"; and offers a grubby hand to anyone who might shake it.
Lumpii |
The male halfling hopped up onto his seat, taking their silence as acceptance.
"Nice catch" He nodds over toward the other halfling "The names Lumpii, pleasure to meet you guys."
Sethran-GM |
Nice guys, feel free to keep it going whilst we move on
Pleasantries and amatuer circus stunts are cut short as the door to the great hall blows open ominously, lashing those nearby with rain and howling winds. Stepping out of the downpour is a bedraggled looking field agent, sopping wet and obviously chilled to the bone. He looks around grumpily for a moment, without any of the self-satisfied air you would expect from a full-fledged Pathfinder and stomps over to the closest table of unlucky miscreants he lays eyes on, unfortunately that appears to be you.
Standing above the smaller than average halfling and dripping water from his oiled cloak onto their ridiculous 'pirate' hat their introduction is cut off by a massive sneeze.
"You lot are wanted by Venture Captain Dreng in the Wounded Wisp" he says without pre-amble, using his veteran status to indicate that the halfling should give up his seat. "He seemed impatient and wanted you there straight away, I'd hop to it if I were you."
With that he says nothing more, waiting for an empty seat to occupy.
It would seem that travels await young Pathfinder hopefuls, though the travel seems cold... and wet...
Manly Mann |
Manly stands to attention and salutes.
"Aye, Captain!"
"Not that you're a Captain...no offense meant; you're probably Captain material. What's your name so we can tell the Captain you recommended us?... Nevermind; responding with alacrity not-Captain!"
She is almost to the door when she comes to a sudden halt.
"Uh... what's a Wounded Wisp and where can I find it?"
Vol Tarkan |
"With a name like that I'm assuming this place isn't going to be a temple..." says Vol with a slight hint of sarcasm.
"Hey 'Lad', looks like we may be needing that guide after all."
Lumpii |
"Alright then, no rest in the life of a Pathfinder, and all that."
Lumpii hopped up out of his seat and away from the falling cascades that down upon him.
"Let's get this show on the road, we're-a comin' Captain Dreng! Maybe we'll find something interesting while we're out there..."
He then awaited their newly appointed guide and will happily follow along.
"Lad" |
"Hey, I know a shortcut there! It's not too far. Follow me!"
She half-runs out into the street, completely ignoring the rain, and the mass of puzzled faces behind her. Turning to the group:
"You coming?"
Manly Mann |
"Aye, Also-not-Captains!"
Manly follows 'Lad' and Nayan onto the streets of Absalom
Vol Tarkan |
"Well i'd rather not go out in that weather, but i guess if a Venture Captain wants us then i'd best do as he asks. Vol says, mostly to himself.
He stands and heads towards the door while trying to keep up with the others.
Sethran-GM |
The full-fledged field agent shakes his head and slumps into the seat vacated by Lumpii, dropping their soaked travelling cloak. That seems to be the end of their interaction with you as they call over to order something warm to eat.
Heading out into the pouring rain, you see that Absalom seems uncharacteristically abandoned, most sane people avoiding this torrential rain unless absolutely necessary. New to Absalom, Nayan remembers what he has read in the guide books and begins walking to the wounded wisp.
Lad pipes up halfway through, informing you of this illustrious 'shortcut' and darts down an alley, it is certainly a shorter route, but the rain seems to have not drained from this part of the city and the mud splashes up your various outfits. Finally you arrive at the Wounded Wisp, drenched and unpleasant you step into the door.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside the Wounded Wisp it is pleasantly warm and very busy, a fire roars in the fireplace and the air is filled with pipe-smoke and the sell of cooking boar, many of the windows seem to be boarded up, against the weather or disrepair, you are unsure. You leave your wet cloaks in the cloakroom and step into the bar proper.
In the corner sits the 'honoured' Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng, he seems perfectly dry and his nose is red, not from the cold you suspect, but the several empty tankards in front of him.
Manly Mann |
Manly strides towards the Captain, attempting to sweep a mostly full tankard from the table of a distracted(and hopefully drunk) patron as she goes...Sleight of hand: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Lumpii |
As Lumpii follows in behind the female human, watching around the room to find anything of note, or over hear any conversations.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Sethran-GM |
As the companions make their way into the Wounded wisp, Manly tries to hoist a beer without paying, Lumpii snoops on conversations, whilst Nayan moves straight to the Venture-Captain to get down to business.
drunk perception: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 4 - 2 = 15
As one of the drunk Pathfinders turns to their friend on the table, an argument erupts about the exact size of a minotaur's horns. deftly Manly sweeps through and leaves one tankard up. Most of the conversations in the place are about the earthquake that happened a few short days ago and this torrential rain in summer, but nothing of consequence.
Venture Captain Dreng looks up to the strange Maelstrom man from his tankard with a smile, his words are slightly slurred but his eyes are still alert.
"Ahh welcome youngster! Take a seat take a seat! Now what did I call you here for? Ahh yes, the case of the missing Pathfinder!"
Manly Mann |
Manly pats herself with her free hand.
"Well, I'm still here."
She pulls up a stool and perches at the Captain's table.
"And so are you Captain!", she smiles, sloshing frothy liquid towards Captain Dreng as she gestures.
Lumpii |
"Oh damn, looks like we've gotta go find them then. Who're we looking for and where were they last seen. What were they wearing and what were they doing? Any names or notes we need?"
Lumpii hopped onto a seat and ground his backside into the seat, enjoying the sound of the rain hammering down upon the roof, the breeze rattling through an open window and a slightly soothed groin.
"God I miss sitting down." He turned to the venture captain and with a quizical brow asked. "It's your round isn't it?
Bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Vol Tarkan |
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Vol sits with the others and waits for a break in the conversation. When he finds an opportunity he gets straight to the point.
"This halfing asks some good questions. I have one more too. We are not confirmed Pathfinder agents, as you well know Captain. Why would you ask us to do this rather than more experienced Pathfinder's?"
Gilbert Swiftscales |
A man walks up to the table "Sorry I'm late had a bit of a misunderstanding with your messenger. I thought he was looking for a bunch of sheep." He surveys the cups and the others round his table and sighs. "That is no way to effectively commune with the spirits merely consume alcohol." He sits and promptly falls on his backside as the seat he was going to sit on has disappeared. "Make one snarky remark to a poltergeist and you never hear the end of it" he mutters from the floor
"Lad" |
Lad pokes her head in between the captain's and Gilbert's, as if from nowhere.
"It's 'cos we're disposable, right? Some kind of trail-by-fire?"
*sigh*
"Yay..."
Sethran-GM |
The old man nods, which is over exaggerated with his drunken state and he gives you all a broad smile. Looking quizzically at the Halfling and his cheeky request for a round of drinks the Venture captain scoffs, he waves dismissively at Lad's insinuations and begins his tale.
"It is not my round, I do beliee it is yours short stuff. Now, the case of the missing pathfinder. Ahh yes, you all re-call the earthquake that hit a few days ago yes? Well, it seems to have broken open one of the old siege towers outside the city's walls. One of our agents was on his Confirmation in the area and it would seem he has taken it upon himself to investigate the fortress and hasn't returned. he was due back some time ago."
The Venture Captain takes a long swig of his drink, allowing the tale to sink in before continuing.
"I need you all to go to the tower outside the city and find our lost agent, Balenar and bring him back to the Grand Lodge. Many of our agents are busy with the Aspis attack and you all need some experience before your own confirmations."
Manly Mann |
"Tower,Balenar,Lodge,Experience! Aye Captain!"
Manly salutes.
Lumpii |
"Looks like we're going to have to cut that short Captain, we need to gather up supplies and get on our way. Unless you happen to have anything on you that might help along the way? Eh?"
Lumpii once again had to suffer and he hopped out of his chair and began to shuffle. Maybe his boots were too big, maybe that was chafing on the burns. Maybe he should have paid attention in fortitude studies. Maybe... Just maybe.
Sethran-GM |
The Venture Captain nods drunkenly as if expecting your answer, or perhaps not accepting another one from raw recruits. With that he orders another drink on the Halfling's tab and shoos you out of the door.
"Best get on with it then, I haven't got anything for you and we have no intel on the siege tower as it only opened a few days ago and we were planning an expedition, though with Balenor getting excited it has made things more hasty. Sorry 'bout the weather and all."
And so, banished by the drunken Captain, Lumpii shorter on coin, Manly feeling tipsy from stolen booze and Lad feeling under appreciated the Pathfinders once more head out into the pouring rain, a quest to be had. Nayan acts as guide oncw you leave the streets of Absalom, the canny Abendego veteran grabbing a map from the lodge, Vol bores you to tears with observations on the many siege towers littering the grounds beyond the wall and Gilbert, well he just creeps you out.
Vol Tarkan |
sense motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
"Back out to the rain again i guess..." says Vol rather grumpily.
Manly Mann |
"Rain is made of water.
Sea is water too.
Think of it like swimming."
"Or drowning; I forget which."
Manly jumps into a puddle with both feet.
"Splosh!"
"Anyone know anything about siege towers or Pathfinder Balenar?"
Gilbert Swiftscales |
sense motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
"I have not heard from Balenar" Gilbert pauses before adding "That is good news for him I think. I may be able to speak with some old spirits within the tower and learn more about the place Fortunately my abilities do not depend so much on the weather"
He creeps towards the ruin rather glad of his wide brimmed hat
"Lad" |
SM: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Creepy ghost man is creepy, but she follows anyway. Maybe he will speed up the mission...
Sethran-GM |
The ruined siege castle now being called the Fallen Fortress rises out of the churned earth of the Cairnlands. No doors or windows mar the otherwise smooth expanse of the tower’s walls. The tower is quatrefoil in plan; its eastern wing has largely collapsed, exposing the interior floors to the open air. Only the topmost level seems whole, though its eastern portion hangs precariously over the mountain of rubble left by the collapse. At ground level, the rubble frames a gaping hole in the side of the building that provides access to the tower’s darkened interior.
Under the rolling thunder you can hear the growling of some ravenous beasts, a crack of lightning reveals the sight of three half starved dogs on the towers lower floor, they start at your group as they head forwards.
dog initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Vol initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Nayan initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Lad initiative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Manly initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Lumpii initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Gilbert initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
We are now in combat! pbp works a tad differently in that you will go in blocks, as long as your block is up you are free to post, so it is a little more free. Bold will be up and I will update the list after my go. Use the map on the screen to see where you are and place your icons at the base of the rubble for the start of the turn. Squares with rubble are difficult terrain and there are three dogs.
Initiative Order, Bold is up!:
Lad
Dogs
Lumpii
Nayan
Manly
Vol
Gilbert
Slide 1 is the map, I will sort out icons later, which is fine as Lad is at work ^^
Gilbert Swiftscales |
The rain has caused the brim of Gilbert's hat to fail at the most inopportune moment "Whats happening?" calls Gilbert shaking off his hat
A link to map might also prove useful. Unless I am being as blind as my character
Ian Hawthorne |
The rain has caused the brim of Gilbert's hat to fail at the most inopportune moment "Whats happening?" calls Gilbert shaking off his hat
A link to map might also prove useful. Unless I am being as blind as my character
its at the top of the page
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1H0fxhLBdVTucmhP-ofZE-4TarROAbAloh9n sfL4sw9g/edit#slide=id.p
"Lad" |
"Damn, mutts."
Lad draws her shortbow, and fires at the nearest of the dogs, in a natural, well-performed maneuvre.
Attack vs Purple: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + (1) = 5 (incl. Sneak attack)
Sethran-GM |
Lad
Dogs
Lumpii
Nayan
Manly
Vol
Gilbert
There is a solid thud as Lad's speedy arrow sails through the stormy sky and pierces the lead dog who lets out a whimper in pain as the rubble is stained with its blood. Enraged, the dog scampers over the ruined masonry to face the Halfling, but is unable to strike.
The other dogs, warier of the armed humanoids step backwards bearing their fangs and readying to strike.
Bold are Up!
Lad
Dogs
Lumpii
Nayan
Manly
Vol
Gilbert
Purple- 5
Orange-
Red-
Nayan Sacharja Nedes |
Let the storms protect us and be our weapons
Bending down slightly Nayan forces in hands down and outwards in a thrusting movement, gathering the power of the storm around him. Shifting back slightly, a rock breaks loose from the ground, rises into the air before Nayan's eyes flash and the jagged stone hurls towards the hound.
Telekeneticblast: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 = 131d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 and pushes the dog backwards 5'
[ooc]5' step. gather power, Telekentic blast with Pushing [/occ]