FiddlersGreen |
A well-built man in coattails and a powdered wig answers the door.
"What is this. More homeless hobos and penniless vagabonds? Away with you! Master Rutowski is not seeing visitors this evening..." he says in a pompous, nasally voice.
Yndra Marthaun |
So far for a good first impression. Mpf!
Yndra gently nudges Starling forward and gives Dusklord a slight motion with her head, urging him to hand her the potion.
Dusklord |
"Perhaps I will simply demonstrate the usefulness of the potion myself," Dusklord whispers before unstopping the flanks and drinking it quickly.
Stowing it in his belt pouch, he steps to the front of the group and addresses the man.
"I can understand why you would think some of these, my companions, are homeless hobos and vagabonds. Most of them have the appearance of being so, though I assure you that is not the case. In fact, though Master Rutowski may not intend to entertain visitors tonight, we are calling on him to discuss an important matter. If you could please mention that this involves a dire matter involving Master Vilk, I am confident he would see us."
diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 2 = 18 This is the kind of place I'd love to have Starling take the lead, but we haven't had a post from her since Sunday, and I'd rather not wait.
Yndra Marthaun |
You're right. She's still on a trip, and Stephani is off the grid as well.
"Please do make sure to mention that this is a matter of life and death, good Sir," Yndra adds from the back.
Diplomacy, aid another: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Drat. Maybe GM could bot both Stephani and Starling, and assume they'll aid the Diplomacy attempt with their +10 modifiers...
-Posted with Wayfinder
FiddlersGreen |
Sure can do.
As Dusklord downs the potion, he feels a strange sensation creeping across his face as facial muscles he had forgotten he had reawaken to pull his mouth into.... A SMILE!!! As he speaks, Starling bats her eyelashes whilst Stephanie gives off a mysterious, hard-to-get vibe, and the combination of those is enough to soften the guard's attitude just a little.
"Well I suppose you can't be that bad with such manners and such comely... ah... manners... ahem. But letting you in might annoy Master Rutowski and endanger my job, you understand, and times are hard, and my mother is in need of some anti-plague..."
You remember that a vial of anti-plague costs 50gp.
Stephani du Boules |
"Anti-plague? Why, I have a vial her with me that I would be happy to donate to your mother's health."
Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Yndra Marthaun |
Yndra pokes Stephani in the side, and pulls her down to whisper "That's sweet of, dear. But I don't think his mother is actually in need of some anti-plague..." She pulls a coin pouch from her belt, containing 25 gold pieces. "This should see you mother through her illness, I believe...?"
I'd fork up the entire amount if I could. Yndra has little tolerance for petty delays and greedy people. However, I'm mostly broke. :S
FiddlersGreen |
The guard certainly seems more interested in the gold offered by Yndra than the antiplague offered by Stephanie, but he seems to be waiting for a little more.
"Well it might, my dear, but it won't if Mr Rutowski throws me out for letting you lot in without an appointment, you see."
I'd take it if it was my own campaign, but the scenario does call for a 50gp bribe. XD
Elvik Dimbelt |
Elvik is a rich bastard, so...
"You think it's just money they want?" Elvik asks Yndra and hands her 25gp.
Yndra Marthaun |
Yndra smirks at Elvik and hands his 25 gold coins to the guard in a smooth motion. "I do..."
FiddlersGreen |
Almoch, Rutowski's combat-butler, pockets the gold with a swift (and possibly well-practiced) motion that you have trouble seeing which pocket exactly the gold disappeared into.
"The master is in the living room. I will show you in. Follow me and do not wander."
You follow Almoch to the living room, and he waves you in. A fine-featured gentleman of mixed Taldan and Ustalavic descent reclines on a fainting couch, though his pointed ears and upturned eyes betray an even more exotic ancestry. He gently lays aside the book in his hand. He frowns as you enter, and you realise with some surprise that whilst your attention was fixed on the gentleman, his manservant had very qucikly made himself scarce.
“You’re clearly not locals, nor are you expected. I know only Pathfinders to be so bold. Your fearless little Society has already taken enough from me. Leave or I will call the guards,” the gentleman says coldly.
Stephani du Boules |
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Knowledge (history) untrained: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Stephani makes a slight bow. "Please, pardon our intrusion. Yes, you are correct that we are members of the Pathfinder Society, but it is urgency rather than brashness that causes us to disturb you."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Dusklord |
"Indeed," Dusklord says as he smiles broadly. "This paladin cannot lie...we come on urgent business regarding Master Vilk. His life is in danger, and we thought you might be able to assist us."
sense motive: 1d20 ⇒ 3
diplo assist: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Yndra Marthaun |
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
"Please, Professor," Yndra interjects as she steps forward. "Let us not insult the good man's intelligence. He has properly identified us as Pathfinders, so he already knows it must be about Master Vilk. And since we come barging in his house at this ungodly hour, it must be a matter of importance." He wants big words and beating-around-the-bush language, doesn't he? Hah!
"With that out of the way, surely we can come to some arrangement later. Surely you must have expected this call one time or another. Why else would you instruct your man at the door to let us gain an audience with you so readily....? I am sure the matter between you and Master Vilk had some... rough edges. We can assure you, we have no interest in picking at scabs. However, if there is remnant of affection or loyalty you have for our colleague, then surely you can do nothing else than help us tonight. If you will excuse my trite expression, it is a matter of life and death. All we ask of you is to give us a nudge in the right direction. Should Master Vilk return to Ardis, and find himself in trouble. Where would he go? Who would he turn to in trust, and who would he avoid due to old enmities?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 (with possible +2 bonus)
Starling the Swift |
I'm mostly back from my travels so my posting should be regular from now on:
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Knowledge, History: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32 added both bonuses
Starling moves into the room, taking a second to register Rutowski's mannerisms and behaviors, her eyes quickly scanning the book he was reading as well while her friends open up the conversation. Moving from behind them, she makes clear eye contact with the gentleman, softly citing the first lines of a famous Taldan epic from memory, "Sing in me O muse, about the rage of Stavian the first, that brought so many misfortunes to his Empire!" Having caught Rutowski's attention, she smiles and adds, "I always liked the Talliad, that unsurpassed masterpiece of literature. I'm glad to see that it is still being read for pleasure, as it should, outside the bardic academies." Starling takes a few additional steps and sits down next to Rutowski speaking softly, focusing on his eyes and keeping her voice down so that it is difficult for the others to hear most of her message.
"We are here on a matter of great importance. Our affiliation, which you have correctly guessed is hardly relevant. We are here to help Vilk." At this point Starling says Vilk's name softly while she gently takes Rutowski's hand in her own and squeezes it in support while maintaining eye contact. She continues in an even lower voice, "Now, I understand that some bad waters have run between you two, and I also know that you were hardly to blame for that misfortune. But being a poet well versed in the nature of love I know well that love's fires cannot be completely extinguished even with a thousand buckets of ice-cold water. Rather, its flames always wait for the opportune moment to be rekindled and to burn even hotter than before. Help us help Vilk, and I am sure that he will fully recompensate you for his past mistakes," Starling finishes the sentence slowly, hinting at the manner of this recompensation. "All we ask for is information about Vilk's behavior, actions and habits to save him from a dark curse that has been cast upon him. As justice dictates, the fate of the one who has harmed you is now truly in your hands. The choice between vengeance and mercy is yours."
FiddlersGreen |
Stephanie and Dusklord fail to impress Rutowski, and even Yndra's well-reasoned argument doesn't seem to sway him (though it comes close).
It is not until Starling sings to his love for Taldan epics and soothes his nerves with her smooth words that Rutowski finally sighs and retakes his seat, gesturing to the other overstuffed chairs and divans that fill the room.
“Forgive me. I sometimes forget that it was Ardis’s machinations that took my beloved away from me, and not the Pathfinder Society itself. He was here, you know. Not five days ago he stood where you are now, ranting and raving about Judge Pradowca and her lofty position. He was… so different from the Vonran I loved. So cold—hate just roiling off of him. Help him. Please. I shall try to help you however I can.”
Bard for the win. He will answer any questions you have as best he can.
Starling the Swift |
Starling nods solemnly as she wipes a tear from the corner of her eye, obviously excited about the chance to reconcile the two lovers. "We suspect Vilk's curse has been causing him to attack specific victims. Judge Pradowca is probably the latest in the series. Did he mention anything else of interest, anything unusual at all, when he was here? Do you know his current whereabouts?"
FiddlersGreen |
"Judge Pradowca has not been made a victim yet, for I saw her in the marketplace earlier today. But I fear Vonran will seek her out sooner rather than later. There are only a few other poor souls left in Ardis I’m sure Vonran bears a grudge toward, though the worst offenders moved on decades ago to Caliphas. Of all his remaining accusers, Judge Cevianna Pradowca is the worst. She bore a grudge against Vonran for refusing to wed her and so turned her courtroom into a weapon against him. She’s the one who handed down his banishment. I wager he’ll hunt her next.”
Dusklord |
The corner of Dusklord's mouth lifts slightly as the man describes the sordid triangle between the three, with lovers, former lovers, and jiltings.
"Where does this judge live? Her life is in danger, whatever harm she did to Vonran. Where might we find her?"
FiddlersGreen |
"In Ardis, as in many cities, judges lodge in their respective courthouses. Judge Pradowca’s courtroom lies in the city center, halfway across the city from Rutowski’s townhouse."
You can assume that you know how to get there when you wish to move on.
Yndra Marthaun |
Yndra is content to lean back, letting Starling work her magic on the man. My my... Being exiled for refusing to marry. Will be interesting to meet her...
Yndra nods at Stephani. "The Judge is as good a lead as any. Even if she's not targeted immediately, maybe she can tell us more. I suspect there is quite a bit more to Master Vilk than we know already..."
FiddlersGreen |
Ok, looks like you're moving straight on to the Courthouse.
The black granite edifice of the courthouse looms high above its enclosing wall, though a gate ahead stands ajar. Fearing the worst, you make your way to the gate, and as you enter, a scream breaks the evening’s silence. Upon the wide, stone steps two figures lie prone. A third, hulking form unleashes a furious howl before bounding to the roof and through an open skylight. The courthouse door stands ajar, and a low growling echoes from somewhere within.
Yndra Marthaun |
"Well, either we just got here in time, or we're just too late. In both case, we don't have a second to lose!" Hiking up her skirt, Yndra launches herself into a full run up the stairs and through the courthouse door, looking for the growl coming from within.
Just to make sure I understand: The growling echoes coming from within are probably made by the hulking form we saw crashing in through the skylight? Or would those be two separate sources of sound?
Starling the Swift |
"Make haste friends, time is of the essence!," Starling gestures sharply at the others, loosens her favorite lute and runs after Yndra to find and confront the interloper.
FiddlersGreen |
Yndra leads the party to the courthouse doors past the fallen guards. The dark courtroom looks like a scene out of a nightmare. A young woman, perhaps twenty, lies on the floor with her throat torn out. Across the room, a well-preserved older woman stands atop her bench, supporting a bleeding arm and swinging a ceremonial blade erratically. Four slobbering mongrels, each as much dog as wild wolf, circle her makeshift tower.
Yndra: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Dusklord: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Elvik: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Serak: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Starling: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Stephani: 1d20 ⇒ 4
hounds?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Round 1:
Dusklord
Yndra
Elvik
Hounds?
Serak
Starling
Stephani
Duskie, Yndra and Elvik are up.
Yndra Marthaun |
"Just in time, and just too late," Yndra comments. Slipping the axe from her belt, Yndra continues her dash forward. "Oy!" she yells at the wolves. "Pick on someone your own size!" Hoping that draws their attention away from the woman on the bench, Yndra calls upon her magic for protection "Nethys, all-seeing One, destruction by magic will have to wait a bit. For now, I'll trust in my axe, if you'll grant me your protection."
Move action while drawing weapon, then cast Shield of Faith. Stat line updated.
Dusklord |
Dusklord's eyes narrow as they enter the room. "Indeed, it is as I feared. Perhaps I will introduce these wolves to fear, as well."
He reaches out a hand toward a wolf in the back.
"I am the alpha male...fear me!" he says melodramatically.
Cause Fear on wolf to top left, DC 16 Will
FiddlersGreen |
Yndra moves up to engage the hounds in melee whilst Dusklord attempts to assert his dominance over them.
will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 Well then!
Dusklord does a double take at the beast's reaction.
"Did that mindless beast just sass me?" he thinks to himself. "At least Aeleth had some respect, notwithstanding his strange ways of showing it..."
Round 1:
Dusklord
Yndra
Elvik
Hounds?
Serak
Starling
Stephani
Elvik?
FiddlersGreen |
Having not been attacked directly yet, the beasts focus their attacks on the judge. Fortunately for her, her elevated perch prevents her from being flanked. However, the beasts are still able to reach her...
attack roll: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
attack roll: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
attack roll: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
attack roll: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 4) + 2 = 11
The judge screams as she falls to their assault, bleeding profusely. Her chest rises weakly, showing that she is still alive, but surrounded by wolves as she is, it is not certain for how long.
Round 1:
Dusklord
Yndra
Elvik
Hounds?
JP -11
Serak <----------we are here
Starling
Stephani
You guys are up.
Stephani du Boules |
Stephani charges at the closest wolf.
Power Attack, Charge: 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 2 + 2 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Crit Confirm?: 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 - 2 + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Starling the Swift |
Starling knows very well that she won't be able to stop the wolves with her rapier or songs - she's simply too far. Instead, she begins gesturing at the wolves' general direction and mutters a magical incantation. The spell takes longer than usual.
Cast Sleep at the wolves, Sv. vs. Will, DC 15; I'll choose the area of effect to catch as many wolves as possible before Starling's next turn.
Dusklord |
Dusklord's lip curls into an angry sneer as the wolf resists his magic.
"Very well...running in fear was the merciful way. We shall be forced to resort to inflicting...great...pain!"
The wizard draws a wand and sends a magic missile hurling toward the sassy wolf.
MM: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Yndra Marthaun |
"Hang in there, ma'am, we'll have these beasts off you in now time." Yndra steps around the table, hefts her axe overhead and swings it downwards at the wolf's muzzle with great force.
Attack -PA: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 1 = 16
Damage +PA: 1d8 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 3 = 10
FiddlersGreen |
I'll put Serak in delay.
Serak spaces out as he tries to decide which wolf to cook first. Meanwhile, Starling attempts to put the wolves to sleep.
will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Remarkably, the wolves prove as impervious to her enchantments as they did to Dusklord's! You begin to suspect they are of a special breed that is impervious to mind-affecting magics! Fortunately, Dusklord's magic missile hurts one of them just fine, as do Starling's sword and Yndra's axe.
Round 1:
Dusklord
Yndra
Elvik <----------we are here
Hounds?
JP -11
Serak
Starling
Stephani
Ok Elvik, you're up. None of the wolves are asleep, but two of them are down. Serak, if you are there, you can come out of delay too.
Elvik Dimbelt |
Seeing the spell has no effect on the wolves Elvik moves around the table and tries to hit the wolf in front of him with his axe.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
FiddlersGreen |
Elvik moves up and cuts a gash in the flank of one of the remaining wolves. It wheels around tries to take a bite out of the dwarf. Meanwhile the other remaining wolf heads over to Yndra to take a bite. Looks like dwarf's on the dinner menu tonight!
attack roll: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
attack roll: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Or perhaps not, as Elvik bashes his attacker aside with his shield and Yndra's attacker stumbles on its way down the stairs, barely keeping its footing when it reaches her.
Round 1:
Dusklord
Yndra
Elvik <----------we are here
Hounds -5
JP -11 1d20 ⇒ 16
Serak
Starling
Stephani
Dusklord |
Dusklord sneers and aims his wand at the wounded wolf.
"These wolves are fortified against magic...brute force may be the only way!" he says as a magic missile pelts the wolf Elvik had struck.
magic missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Yndra Marthaun |
"Say no more. We'll have to do some research when they're dealt with. I'd be very interested to find out what would cause such an effect." With careless effort, Yndra steps besides the wolf and swings her axe again, studying the wolf intently to find any evidence of the mentioned magical defense.
Attack -PA: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 - 1 = 18
Damage +PA: 1d8 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 3 = 8
Elvik Dimbelt |
Elvik strikes at the wolf once more.
Axe attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
FiddlersGreen |
Dusklord, Yndra and Elvik make short work of the remaining wolves.
The prone body of Judge Cevianna Pradowca lies before you. You came here to ask her where to find Vilk, but it occurs to you that the lupine form you saw jumping on to the roof moments ago is quite possible the droid lycantrophe you're looking for.
Combat over. What do you guys wanna do?
Stephani du Boules |
"Can the judge be saved?" Stephani bends down to examine her.
Heal: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (19) - 2 = 17
If it looks like it will help, she will use her wand of Cure Light Wounds to revive her.
FiddlersGreen |
She is still alive. She managed to stabilise on her own.
The old woman gasps as Stephani's healing spell brings her back to consciousness.
"Oh... those eyes, and those teeth. It was the Mauler. It was the Midnight Mauler! Whoever you are, you must stop it!" she mutters barely intelligibly.
Starling the Swift |
While Stephani treats the judge's wounds Starling walks quickly to the nearest window and looks for any hint of the said lycanthrope's movement or an easy way to get onto the roof.