Zinou's Among the Dead (#1-49) (Inactive)

Game Master Zinou

You are awaiting your briefing.

.

..

A week ago, you were seated in the main hall of the Grand Lodge of Absalom, waiting for the arrival of Absalom’s newest venture-captain, a tall, dark-haired and olive-skinned Varisian woman named Eliza Petulengro. Renowned for her composure under pressure and the author of more than two dozen Pathfinder Chronicles entries, she appeared in the hall suddenly, a stack of chronicles in her arms, and looked you over before speaking.

"My greatest pupil, Pathfinder Bodriggan Wuthers, has gone missing. He followed a cleric contact back to Wuthers’s home city of Oppara to work on a massive dig beneath the House of the Immortal Son, Oppara’s famed opera house and once temple to the dead god, Aroden. That was a year ago. He sent monthly reports, hoping to see their publication in a chronicle, before all contact dried up a few months back. I’m worried something has gone wrong, and the Society has a vested interest in the artifact he was researching and seeking. We want you to travel to Oppara and find Wuthers. We’d like to know exactly what he was seeking, too, since he neglected to inform us through his monthly correspondence. He hinted only that the cleric of Irori he was working with told him the object was the world’s greatest ‘living’ artifact—whatever that means.

"Be sure to wear something festive. The Taldan nobility are arrogant on their best days and if you arrive at the opera dressed like that," she waves her hands at you, "they’ll surely lose your tickets or regret to inform you that the opera house is oversold.

"Any question? Every second counts, don't waste time!"

Festive ey??? Gunnar chuckles as he strokes his marvelously crafted suit of Stonemail. Any Dwarf in Taldor would consider himself lucky to have such a beautiful suite of armor...

Torean chuckles at the thought of wearing finery until he realizes the woman is serious. "You're serious? Attend an opera and then just slip out and find a secret way into this place? There will be people everywhere. Did Wuthers at least tell you where the entrance is?"

"So we're not just looking for Wuthers and this artifact, but we should see what happened to this Cleric too. Do you have a name? Maybe we can ask around Oppara for him or any clue to what he was doing."

Chuckling at his companions discomfort, Eldarian pipes up. "Finery on a dwarf.. Thats like putting frosting on a cow pie!! Do not worry, my friends, I am sure that even Taldan nobility is familiar with Dwarven ideas of finery. My question is how are we going to get there, and since we are going undercover at your behest, is there any way that you can offset some of the costs for these fine clothes. If its enough to get us into an opera unnoticed, it is not likely to be cheap.."

Gunnar vehemently shakes his head at the Dwrfs suggestion.

Pfah I think ye didn't understand me properly there Eladrin. This is the finest clothing a Dwarf could wear. Any Dwarf wort his salt knows that to wear yer finest armor is to make yer forefathers proud!

As the Pathfinders discuss what would be fashionable to wear to the Taldan opera, a slight man dressed in Taldan finery enters. He clears his throat, stands erect, and says: It is my pleasure to introduce Lord Rolando Pascal, of Taldor.

Upon his pronouncement, another Taldan enters the room. He wears well-made, well-polished armor and carries a flag bearing the sigil of the Glyph of the Open Road.

Thanks Miguel, that'll be all. The servant departs, leaving the flagbearer.

Forgive him--he was recently appointed as my herald and he has taken to his duties most zealously. Did someone mention the opera? I've sat through my share of those ordeals and, though I don't relish the thought, I think I can help navigate us through those dark political waters. As for the clothes, it's more about how you wear them than what they look like.

The man smiles widely.

For a Pathfinder, Vordrek presents a somewhat odd appearance. A gruff-looking tiefling with thick horns and a profound underbite, the garb he wears as armor is nothing more than a padded silk robe, finely woven, with some additional magical protection-- an outfit that, were it not for his companions, might let him pass unnoticed at a fanciful event like an opera. No weapons are visible on his person, only a few wands. Around his neck is a medallion bearing a two-colored mask: the holy symbol of Nethys. The medallion shimmers now and again with arcane power. "Where there's a will," Vordrek says in a gruff voice, "there's a way. I may know a spell or two that can help. I just hope it's more eventful than my last opera," he adds with a chuckle.

Vordrek has also played Sewer Dragons of Absalom, which involved going to an opera.

An opera? The barely civilized woman rolls her eyes at the task handed to her. This'll be great. She adjusts the rough fur cloak around her shoulders and gives a sharp-toothed smile.

"I am the witch that waits in the swamp. And this," she says with a thump on a soft-covered bag at her side, "is the young one. Don't cross him and don't cross me and you'll leave with all your teeth." The triangular head of a small scaled creature pokes out of the bag before darting back in.

She gestures at her rough clothing, most a rough hand-sewn fabric, though her blouse does seem to be of better make. "I am confident that this will be suitable garb?"

Indeed, Sewer Dragons of Absalom is awesome. I'd highly recommend True Dragons of Absalom too, if you have the opportunity to play it (only 5-stars GMs can GM it)!

Eliza Petulengro wrinkles her eyes as the dwarves speak of armors counting as jewelry. She shakes her head and states "I'd think a CLEAN armor would be fine either."
She looks over to the witch and simply says "You want to attract a bit less attention, though. If you relinquish putting on some... clean cloths, you can invest in disguises."
She raises an eyebrow at Rolando's herald and continues. "As for how getting there and what to search for, Eladrian, the priority is to find what happened to Wuthers. I am worried about him. If anything bad would have happened to him, please bring back his body and journal. And as I already told you, the only pathfinder who could infiltrate in the House of the Immortal Son's secret digging site is Wuthers. I have no other information about that but I don't doubt seasoned pathfinders like you lot can find easily a way in."

She picks up some of the papers she carried and that got away from her hands while she was speaking to you and takes a good look at you all. "Bodriggan's life is in your hands now. He is a great friend of mine. I must go, if you want some more information about him, you can ask in the lodge. Farewell, pathfinders." And she leaves in a hurry.

Maybe you know things about Bodriggan Wuthers or you can ask around. You can go shopping before you go to Oppara. Once there, you'll find easily the House of the Immortal Son as it's one of the biggest opera house in Oppara.

She Who Waits purses her lips and looks over the other gathered agents. "Fancy Pants," she says to Rolando, looking him over, "you will aid me in finding new clothes. And then you will tell me of the things done in an opera. Is it similar to the Chelish murder-plays they have in Korvosa?"

She attempts to ask around the local lodge for any information regarding Wuthers, but is quickly shown the door and mistaken as a local vagabond.

Diplomacy to Gather Information on Bodriggan Wuthers: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0

Well if they tells me armor aint proper for an Opera that would be a real shame! If there's some magics ye know that can help me out I'd be very greatful yes indeed!

Yea I've played True Dragons of Absalom too. It was a lot of fun, although it was at a convention and I somewhat doubt our GM was a 5-star... He did tell us, though, that the middle part of the scenario is called "Lambs to the Kobolds" which I find hilarious.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Vordrek realizes after she leaves that he probably should have thanked her for the honor of giving him this mission. Social graces were never his strong suit. "She isn't exaggerating her opinion of Wuthers," he tells the others after she's gone. "They have quite a history tegether; he was her protege in the Society."

"Is it similar to the Chelish murder-plays they have in Korvosa?"

"You... could say that. Though not nearly so brutal. Mostly just a lot of singing and acting. Of course, many of the Korvosan plays aren't as bad as the ones you'll find in the less-inhabited parts of Cheliax proper-- now there's some violent entertainment, if it can be called entertainment."

Gather info: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Yes, quite the adventurer. I hope we find him alive--this Wuthers should have some interesting tales to tell.

She Who Waits purses her lips and looks over the other gathered agents. "Fancy Pants," she says to Rolando, looking him over, "you will aid me in finding new clothes. And then you will tell me of the things done in an opera. Is it similar to the Chelish murder-plays they have in Korvosa?"

That's Lord Fancy Pants, and yes, I will gladly be your escort to the opera, Rolando says, bowing with perhaps a hint of sarcasm.

And there are some similarities, I suppose. People who think they are more important than they are, watching an insufferable show. The only difference is that in the murder play, the actors can die. In an opera, the audience want to kill themselves if they watch too long.

I'm all out of gold, and I can get by on my own with my Entertainer's Outfit and my diplomacy. And if I need to, I have a wand of disguise self. But anyone who has the funds, I highly recommend a Sleeves of Many Garments. 200 gp, PFS legal, and you can change your clothes into whatever you want (including Hot/Cold Weather outfits and, with some table variation, swarmsuits). Amazing for the price.

"Oh," she says with a small quiet voice, "do most plays not result in the death of the adventurer? But about these clothes; I recently heard that live snakes were in fashion?"

"Eh, I sure hope not. An opera is not my idea of a place to die. Who ever heard of a glorious death at an opera?" Torean shakes his head.

"I guess we'd better find some suitable clothing. I wonder what would make Wuthers want to explore this place. A "living" artifact? I'd still like to know something about this Cleric too."

"Oh," she says with a small quiet voice, "do most plays not result in the death of the adventurer? But about these clothes; I recently heard that live snakes were in fashion?"

It's been a while since I've been back home--they very well might be. But I suspect we should wear something that will draw less attention to ourselves. Skullduggery and flamboyant clothing are not a good combination.

Good idea on the garments of many forms Gunnar will afford himself one of those.

So, are you buying cloths? Between us, it's not a big deal.

Already purchased them...

Upon your arrival in Oppara, you make some preparations before going to the opera. You soon learn, if didn't already know, that the House of the Immortal Son was once a temple to Aroden. It's a large, windowless, cylindrical building made of polished marble and granite and surrounded by thick, finely carved pillars. This opera also has a reputation for opulence and excess and never turns away anyone with any obvious amount of money or fame. Although you know that pathfinders are a source of great discussion in Taldor's elite, the nobility loves to read their exploits and adventures.

You arrival does not go unnoticed, but you are not frowned on. As soon as they understand that you are pathfinders, the staff lets you in for free. Your seats are poor, being relegated to the back of the theater. Still, the production is grand. Aroden would be proud.

As yet another twirling dancer in a brown costume festooned with bright pink, flowing silk scarves spins across the jungle set at the front of the stage, the orchestra reaches a screeching crescendo that crashes the entire opera to a halt. The dancers stand quietly for a moment, breathing heavily and listening to the scattered applause across the obviously bored Taldan audience. Suddenly, a sound like a thousand gongs shakes the entire building to its very foundation and the audience murmurs in a mixture of delight and fear. The actors and orchestra, however, flee the stage, disappearing behind the curtains.

You have two rounds of action, what do you do? Your characters all stood up and the crowd is fleeing.

I still Gunnar and Vordrek to post their character information in the discussion thread, please.

Gunnar was somewhat bored by the play but also oblivious to it's lack of quality. However when panik breaks out he remains calm and collected afterall the veteran pathfinder is also a veteran of many battles. And in order to better mess with anyone messing with him he cast two spells to be ready for battle.

Cast Enlarge Person and Barkskin and take a move action. Level 1 and 2 domain spells marked off. AC is now 21+3 -1 from size=22. Initiative is now +1 due to dex penalty. Threatened area is 20 feet. Map seems to be protected Zinou.

Torean stands alarmed as everyone else is. "Well, I guess the newest VC was right. Everyone, stay close and stay alert!" He casts two spells to allow him to be ready for whatever may be coming.

Cast Expeditious Retreat and Shield of Faith. +30 Foot move and +3 AC

Eladrian was somewhat entertained by the dancers, but quickly became bored. When the gong crashes, he jumps up along with everyone else, looking about in consternation. "What in the nine hells is going on here?" he exclaims. Grabbing a local from the crowd rushing past, Eladrian tries to get some information from him.

K. Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Gather information: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
"Why is everyone running? What is happening?!" he asks, keeping his hands near his earth breaker

She Who Waits starts up from her seat, where she was beginning to doze off. "Is the murder starting? It would be more interesting than that play" she inquires.

Taking a moment, she chants a low, strange rhyme and harded ether surrounds her. Her pet pokes its head out of the bag, but she quickly shoves it back in.

"Not now, child. Not now," she murmurs as it moves.

Casting mage armor on myself. 7 hours remaining.

That was definitely not part of the show, but it is a welcome distraction nonetheless, Rolando says, casting a couple spells of his own.

Heightened awareness, extended Moment of Greatness

Vordrek does his best to keep calm amidst the chaos. "I'm going to need a better view," he says in his gruff voice. He chants and gestures, and rises off the ground.

Casting levitate. Spending two move actiona to move 40 ft up (or to the ceiling, whichever is lower). Casting sanctuary in the second round (so 3 rounds of its protection in combat-- DC 16 Will to attack me).

Sorry about the map. I took the liberty of placing your characters.

The party buffs itself and Eladrian grabs a random noble taldan by the arm who stares at him in awe. "Let go! Otherwise I'll call the guards. GUARDS! GUAAAAAAARDS!" But no guard seems to be coming in the fleeing crowd. Good idea but I'd say you can't get information from a fleeing noble man in this situation.

Moments after the gong, the doors leading into the theater crash open and a horde of zombies floods in, immediately attacking nobles too shocked to run. They're coming in from various doors, and before you can formulate a plan, the doors behind you burst open with a quartet of erstwhile noble zombies and a bugbear zombie looking for an easy meal, accompanied by a... minotaur zombie!

Round 1 - Dead Men Walking - Bold may act! - map in the header
Eladrian (grabbing a useless noble man), Gunnar, Torean
ZOOOOOMBIES!
Rolando, Vordrek, She Who Waits

Note everyone: my flag grants a +1 morale bonus to attack rolls, weapon damage, and saves vs fear.

Eladrian studies the nearest newcomer for a moment before drawing his earth breaker and swinging.. but his finery restricts his movements.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 2 + 1 = 14
Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 17
For the love of god can I get some new dice please?!

Just in case..: 2d6 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 5 + 2 = 12
Maybe??: 2d6 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1, 6) + 5 + 2 = 14

Torean steps towards the nearest zombie and swings his warhammer. "Ha! Now, it's a party!"

Step NE
Attack (PA, Flag): 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 1 = 26
Damage (PA, Flag): 1d8 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 1 = 18

AC is 23 with Shield of Faith

As stated above Gunnar cast Enlarge PErson on himself so I wanted to enlarge his token but it looks like I still can't edit the map.

The closest Zombie would have provoked an AoO from Gunnar as Gunnar threatens the area 10' through 20' feet out. AoO 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 Damage 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 2, 6) + 8 = 19 Okay that's a miss anyhow...

Gunnar now a very big Dwarf with a very big hammer swings it in deadly arc employing ancient Dwarven combat techniques to whack a row through the zombies.

This is where it gets a bit complicated. Due to the combination of great cleave and Goblin Hewer Gunnar can make a cleave and attack subsequent foes regardless of positioning as long as he hits the last target. As there's 4 zombies in reach I'll roll for each but the routine stops once he misses. Also as I still have a move action I'll use studied target for the first Zombie for +2 to hit and damage.
First attack 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30 Damage 3d6 + 10 ⇒ (5, 2, 4) + 10 = 21
Second attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 Damage 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 5, 4) + 8 = 22
Third attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 Damage 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 6, 1) + 8 = 17
Fourth attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 Damage 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (1, 4, 4) + 8 = 17

Edit: Also should the bugbear or minotaur step through the door on their turn the first would provoke an AoO from Gunnar. Here's my roll for the AoO: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 Damage 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 1, 6) + 8 = 20

Suspecting that the zombies have no real organization or structure, from his high vantage point Vordrek targets the bugbear zombie as his allies hew through the others. He mutters a chant and three bolts of force spout from his fingertips, streaking unerringly into the bugbear's body.

Magic missile vs bugbear: 3d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2, 1) + 3 + 1 = 10

The combined assault of Eladrian, Torean and eventually the large Gunnar wipe out the little zombies from the battlefield.
The bugbear staggers towards the darven warrior over the corpse of several taldans and swings his morningstar, piercing the magical shield warding Torean. 6 damages
The minozombie steps forward and swings his greataxe towards the same target as his undead companion but hacks only the door in splinters.

BZ vs Torean: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 for Morningstar: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

MZ vs Torean: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Round 2 - Dead Men Walking - Bold may act! - map in the header
Party
ZOOOOOMBIES!

Everybody's up except Vordrek!

She Who Waits giggles softly to herself and pats the satchel holding her familiar. Oh, yes, the time has come. The murder's started," she coos, "and we'll get to take part! Don't worry Lord Fancy Pants, I'll help you out."

She begins to stare disconcertedly at the bugbear zombie, humming a magically infused tune to herself under her breath and watching it struggle against ill luck.

She is targeting the bugbear zombie with her misfortune hex (it is not mind-affecting) to make the creature roll twice and take the lower result on ability checks, attack rolls, saving throws and skills for the duration of the hex. Will DC 20 negates. She will also cackle as a move action to extend the hex.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

The Bugbear zombie seems affected by the witch's hexe.

She Who Waits giggles softly to herself and pats the satchel holding her familiar. Oh, yes, the time has come. The murder's started," she coos, "and we'll get to take part! Don't worry Lord Fancy Pants, I'll help you out."

Yes, well, perhaps I spoke too soon. Still, the acoustics in this place are amazing. Don't worry about me; I bring help of my own.

The Taldan steps back next to the witch as he sings a mournful tune, summoning the spirits of the departed to rise up around the Pathfinders and infuse their weapons with power.

5 ft move.

Standard: Weapon Song-- Anyone who accepts the benefits of my song, on their turn, gains:
Superstition: +3 morale bonus to saves vs spells, SLAs, SUs (but you must try to resist all spells, including helpful ones).
Weapon Song: I will enchant all weapons that are already magical to gain the flaming and frost properties. Any weapons that are not magical yet will become +1 flaming weapons.

I have Lesser Spirit totem as well, but that won't do anything against undead.

Flagbearer in effect: +1 morale to attacks, damage, saves vs fear (doesn't stack with superstition)

Note: Moment of Greatness is in effect for 10 minutes. You may spend its effects (once in the next 10 minutes) to double a morale bonus before you make a roll. Good for saving throws in a pinch.

I'm going to opt to not take it, as I'm a spellcaster.

Note that you can still cast spells. You just have to resist friendly spells cast by others.

Gunnar will delay until after Eladrin acts as currently there isn't much he can do.

Wow, that's awesome Rolando. Torean is probably untouchable by spells now!

Torean gives a dwarven warcry as he feels Rolando's song give power to his warhammer. The dwarf's innate training spikes and he can simply feel any magic around him roll off his skin. He growls at the bugbear zombie and smashes it with his hammer, flames and frost trailing in the air as he swings.

Attack (Flag): 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 1 = 16
Damage (Flag, Song): 1d8 + 8 + 1 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 1 + (2) + (3) = 16

Torean is at +8 to his saves vs. spells and spell-like abilities. +12 if he uses the Moment of Greatness effect.

I will take the bonuses, thank you!
Eladrian will carefully consider the last zombie before he steps forward towards the last remaining zombie and take a swing.
Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 2 + 1 = 31
Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 14

Damage: 2d6 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 5 + 2 = 10
Damage: 2d6 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (5, 5) + 5 + 2 = 17
Flaming: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Flaming: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Frost: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Frost: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Gunnar accepts Rolando's buffs. He will also ready an attack agains the minotaur. Or can I attack him through the door? Either Way I will roll my attack below. And applly studied Target as a move action.

Attack1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13 Damaeg 3d6 + 10 ⇒ (3, 2, 3) + 10 = 18 Faming 1d6 ⇒ 3 Frost 1d6 ⇒ 3

The bugbear takes several hits, three spheres of pure magic coming from the ceiling, and is crushed from both sides but he seems resistant to Eladrian and Torean's weapons. Gunnar's attack hit only what remains of the door that is currently being hacked by the minozombie. Maybe they have found a common goal, this door will not stand any longer! The witch curses the zombie with ill fortune.

The bugbear swings his morningstar at Torean but as everyone thought it hit, Torean is unharmed, thanks to She Who Wait's hex. The minotaur steps forward in the flaming and splintered door and tries to hit Eladrian but misses widely.

BZ vs Torean: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 Well, not this time :)
BZ vs Torean: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

MZ vs Torean: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Round 3 - Dead Men Walking - Bold may act! - map in the header
Party
ZOOOOOMBIES!

Knowledge, religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 To realize it has DR/Slashing

Torean realizes the cutting edge of his axe will be of more use against the undead flesh. He drops his hammer and draws his axe, swinging it around against the bugbear corpse.

Attack (Flag): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 1 = 22
Damage (Flag, Song): 1d8 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 15

With the Minotaur stepping into reach Gunnar swings his heavy hammer once more in a high arc but his blow is weakly swung.

Attack 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26 Damage 3d6 + 11 ⇒ (1, 2, 1) + 11 = 15 Faming 1d6 ⇒ 3 Frost 1d6 ⇒ 3

Torean, your axe is +1 and flaming, don't forget.

Knowledge Religion to see what I know about the zombies before I take my turn: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27