Zoomba's City of Strangers

Game Master Zoomba

Gameplay thread

..

Holy dots

Yakima checking in

Dottage.

It’s been nearly a month since Venture- Captain Drandle Dreng, a decrepit yet well-respected Pathfinder, instructed you to meet him dockside in Absalom. On arrival, Dreng herded you on to a Korvosa-bound merchant vessel and gave you a series of quick, stern instructions.

“One of my good friends, a merchant in the Varisian outcast’s haven known as Kaer Maga, sent me a very strange letter, which I need you to investigate. The merchant — his name is Horis Collgardie — tells me that the residents of Kaer Maga are very upset about the Society’s plan to build a lodge in their city and even further upset that the agents we sent are making trouble, stirring up the delicate balance of power that exists in the so-called City of Strangers.

"The trouble is, not the Decemvirate or any venture-captain I can find gave the okay to build a lodge there. We know it would be folly to do so—at least right now—and so this idea that Collgardie has that the Society is there and doing just that is worrisome. In a few weeks time, you’ll be in Korvosa. From there, book passage on a river ship for Harse, then travel overland to the road’s end at the cliffs below Kaer Maga — the so-called Twisted Door. There you must pay the Duskwardens to escort you through the Halflight Path to reach Kaer Maga. Once inside the city, find Collgardie and find out what he’s talking about. If there are Pathfinders in the city founding a lodge, tell them I order them to stop at once. If this is some kind of ruse, get to the bottom of it and do what you can to keep our Society’s good name in Kaer Maga—we may not be completely welcome there, but neither
are we unwelcome. Let’s keep it that way. Any questions?”

While this is one of those, 'you remember the mission briefing in the past' scenario intros, you can "remember" asking Drendle Dreng questions if you would like.

Ali moves forward, looking exhausted - as though he hears the endless chattering of two wildly different voices at all time.

In one hand he carries a cracked sword and in the other holds a gold feethered thrush who appears to be lecturing him on his duties to Shelyn when he approached Drandle Dreng. The golden haired man shushes both of them and inclines his head to to the venture captain

Master, if I am hearing this right, and I may not be we are suspecting these people of pretending to be the society. Do we think this is malicious or benign? What sort of authority do we have with them? If they are genuine can we try to bring them into the fold?

Before you holding her helm in her left arm stands a blue-eyed, plain-featured female knight clad in black full plate. On her back, an expertly crafted polearm is crossed with an equally well made falchion. Another heavy blade of gray skymetal hangs at her left hip.

Her dark armor has a heart-shaped key embossed over her left breast. She twirls a golden cape about her shoulders which features expertly stitched appliqué of a fiery angel, golden key, antlered longbow and blood-soaked rose. The feathers in her black helm are also gold and match the linen tasset that hangs from the front of her belt, which contains a number of stubborn stains.

The belt itself has a brass buckle that displays the dour face of a gigantic Construct.

She curtseys to her companions – as best you can while wearing full plate.

Knowledge (dungeoneering): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

“Excuse me, Venture-Captain Dreng. What do we know of the Twisted Door and Halflight Path? How do we pay the Duskwardens – with coin or something else?”

“Have you a contact or is there a public information broker we can use to locate Master Collgardie within Kaer Maga?”

"What is your favorite color?"

“Do we think this is malicious or benign?”

Eadie nods in acknowledgement of the paladin’s question. “Yeah and if they’re delicious, can we just kill them?”

Master, if I am hearing this right, and I may not be we are suspecting these people of pretending to be the society. Do we think this is malicious or benign? What sort of authority do we have with them? If they are genuine can we try to bring them into the fold?

,,

"I haven't the foggiest." Dreng says with his usual vacant grin. "I don't know who would be impersonating us maliciously: even the Aspis aren't usually that subtle. And Pathfinders shouldn't be daft enough to start a new Lodge out of the blue. Of course, I'm sure in your missions you've each worked with enough Agents to know that following instructions isn't always a given in our little group." He chuckles softly. "In either case, Collgardie may have figured out more."

Dreng then turns to Eadie. "Kaer Maga's up at the top of the Stroval Plateau. Best way to get there is going through some caves, but since they're, well caves, the Duskwardens guard the Path up. Check your packs; I'm sure a helpful sprite will have stocked away enough coins to book yourselves an escort." There's a twinkle in the old mans eyes.

As for Collgardie, you're all experienced Pathfinders. I'm sure with a name and a few loose coins you can track him down in no time. And... He remains silent for several minutes, giving this last question more thought than all the others combined. Vermillion

Vermillion

“So COOOOOL!!” Eadie exclaims.

“You know, I asked Venture-Captain Trotter Flaxseed that question once. And he said ‘beige.’ BEIGE, mind you!”

The young warrior shakes her head. “I couldn’t believe it. It was like finding out St Niklaus of Aroden’s church secretly hated Crystalhue.”

Ali chuckles at the woman's outburst.

Yes I agree Archimedes He says to his bird This one does feel like she would belong at a Gathering of Artists at a Shelyn temple... The good guildmaster too for having such good taste in color

A tall woman in a cloak and hood joins you. Pushing the hood back to discuss the plan you see that she has very likely had a bad run in with some acidic substance.

Greetings and salutations. We will do what is necessary Venture-Captain. If the lodge exists we will make sure that it is dismantled and the founders chastised appropriately.

Eadie waves a cheery greeting to Yakima. “Hi! I’m Eadie.”

She then removes an apple from her pack and takes a bite before impaling a generous chunk of the fruit on her spiked gauntlet.

The young Pathfinder looks to Ali for permission before offering the treat to the gold feathered bird. “She’s so sweet, Ali!”

“Emu?”

The paladin chuckles at his bird and inclines his head to Eadie He is pleased to meet you - his name is Archimedes and he is a thrush, not an emu. Don't feed him too much or he'll get pudgy he says poking the bird in its stomach playfully.

Ali clears his throat Erm, I think we are about ready to go Venture-Captain

“Oh, she's a he. My apologies, Mr Archimedes! I meant you’re so strong, handsome and … manly.”

Eadie turns back to Ali and smacks her forehead with an open palm. “A thrush! Of course. That was going to be my third guess – after Dodo.”

A large Shaonti man with a rather bank look on his face joins the group. The man is quite large, with a bald head and traditional tribal markings and tattoos which are common to his people. He watches the gathered folk converse and does not react at Eadie's outburst. Rather, his cold eyes drift toward Dreng. The man cannot contain hid disdain for the disheveled Venture-Captain, though he remains at least outwardly respectful. The shoanti steps forward and tilts his rather big head to the side then back again. "I care not for the reasons. I am Crowe and my presence here only means that the Society sends a message to these impostors. And so I shall." Crowe merely places his large hammer like weapon, nearly as tall as the man himself with large spikes on the business end, in front of him, tapping the earthbreaker once on the ground with a rather loud thud.

“I am Crowe.”

Whoa! So many birds who think they’re men and men that think they’re birds in this party!

Eadie corrects the Shoanti giant gently. “No. You’re a man. Archimedes is a cro … thrush.”

"I have always wanted to visit Kaer Maga." Traber. He wears a heavy robe and from the look of his hands and face, is covered in bandages meant to cover his deformities. His accent is Chelaxian and his mannerisms speak of money. "And I find the thought of shutting down a branch of the Pathfinders, even a false branch, to be rather amusing."

Dvalin softly grunts at the revelation of a faux society lodge ...
"I am sure we can get to the bottom of this ...
... with the right questions of course."
his finishes his comments with a toothy grin.
This sounds like fun

Ready

”See, you’ll all be fine.” Dreng says with a toothy grin. ”Just keep your heads down and your brains on. The city’s an odd pot with its own balance and players, so don’t go stomping about like you’re in an old tomb.”

----

From the freighter to Korvosa, the six of you disembark into the busy port. You get off and stretch your legs in the old Chelish colony, resupplying as needed, before making the well-worn trek northward towards the base of the Storval Rise, and atop it your true destination: Kaer Maga. As mentioned in the discussion thread, you can make any purchases you need here.

After a few days’ travel, you finally find yourself at the base of the Twisted Door, a looming gateway that marks the entrance of the famed Halflight Path. The six of you make the approach at sunrise, just as the heavy stone slabs are creaking open before a handful of travelling merchants packing up their camps from the night before. A half-dozen men and women decked in brown and grey leather armor finish pulling the Door aside and step out to usher you in. Badges on their right brest of a golden arch on a blue backdrop mark them as Duskwardens, a dedicated group of rangers and patrolment who guide travelers to and from Kaer Maga from the south.

”Come on, this way!” one of them calls out as he waves you and the merchants forward. ”Quickly now: it’s a long journey up and even underground it’s best to finish it before night!”

Your fellow travelers hurredly gather their belongins and carts and move into the dimly lit tunnels beyond. Once the last man, an Osirian laden with packs filled with spices, is through, three Duskwardens grind the Door shut behind them. Then the march begins, as one Duskwarden leads the lot of you slowly up through the twisting tunnels and stone-carved stairs of the Halflight Path. As you trudge along narrow chasm-side paths and the ruined remains of ancient structures, the rest of the Duskwardens march to either side of your procession, torches lit and swords loosely sheathed.

Yakima takes it we are leading the horses for those that have them...

She'll try to be near the lead so that her superior dark vision can come into play in case of troubles.

Ah tunnel delving, reminds me of my many adventures in the sewers of cities all over the Inner Sea. Thankfully not nearly so fragrant though.

“Don’t go stomping about like you’re in an old tomb.”

Eadie looks over the mummy-oracle, dreadlocked dwarven Gorumite, feral Shoanti and bleach-faced alchemist.

She snaps off a salute to the venerable Venture-Captain. “You’ve got nothing to worry about here, VC Dreng!”

“We certainly don’t look like your typical Pathfinder suicide squad!”

The Duskwardens march to either side of your procession, torches lit and swords loosely sheathed.

The young warrior appraises the Duskwarden escorts professionally and decides to go one better by pulling her enchanted falchion from its sheath on her back, as she sends her ioun torch spinning above her head.

She gazes around at the surrounding caverns curiously, keeping alert for trouble.

Take 10 Perception: 10 + 13 = 23

Crowe regards Eadie with a blank expression, but offers a nod.

He follows group and the wardens in silence, earthbreaker over his shoulder. The shoanti looks about the odd sites of Kaer Maga with a stoney curious expression. He does not say a word.

Ali proceeds, periodically using his Detect Evil...just in case.

Traber finds himself in the middle of the group. He has an air of boredom. He makes it seem as if all of the others are there to see to his safety.

The trip up the Halflight Path is long and slightly grueling. While as experienced adventurers you seem to handle the journey fine, many of the merchants are visibly exhausted as the trek goes on and on. About four hours after the lot of you entered the tunnels, all of you but Traber sorry Traber :( suddenly notice(s) a slight shaking on the solid brick wall lining the west side of your passage. Before she (they?) can call out a warning, the entire section collapses, and out from beyond it dozens of yipping and barking green creatures carrying swords begin to swarm out from the darkness beyond. Goblins!

The filthy creatures take the merchants by surprise and as the Duskwardens begin to draw their swords and run to their aid you see the vile humanoids being and tearing chunks out of the defenseless traders. As you six ready to join in the fray however, another chunk of masonry crashes down from the ceiling. The dust clears to show that it has cut you off from the Duskwardens and the rest of the group, and you find yourselves trapped in a small passageway as five goblins begin to drop down from above to menace you.

COMBAT HAS BEGUN! A map has been linked up above.

Initiative
Eadie
Crowe
Yellow Gob
Yakima
Black Gob
Bangle Gob
Grey Gob
Blue Gob
Traber
Dvalin
Ali

First there's a surprise round, in which everyone but Traber was Perceptive enough to act in (remember, only a Standard OR move action, or a charge). After that, we’re in normal initiative. Bold characters can make their actions; for simplicity's sake I don't care which order amongst them.

Round 0 Bull's Strength (5 mins)
"Vile creatures ... You will parish before the gaze of Gorum!"
Dvalin will cast Bull's Strength (+4) ...

Surprise Round: 20' movement ; AC=24

With her falchion already drawn, Eadie charges SE-SE 15’ at the weasel(?) (standard action only charge)

falchion + Power Attack (PA) + Furious Focus (FF) + Chaaaaarge!: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 2 = 19 versus flat-footed
magic slashing damage: 2d4 + 16 ⇒ (3, 2) + 16 = 21

“Crowe, I’ve left you a charging lane, but I think the bangled gob should be our focus.”

Eadie AC=24 after charge. Her movement is currently restricted to 20’ until she sheds her backpack.

I've moved you Eadie, but you all should be able to move your icons in the Slide. Let me know if you cannot. Also, shedding a backpack as a move is fine.

Eadie charges the strange looking weasel, whose eyes grow wide with recognition right before it gets torn apart by her blade. The unarmored and bangled goblin in the rear shrieks out in rage.

Initiative (Surprise Round)
Eadie
Crowe
Yellow Gob
Yakima
Black Gob
Bangle Gob
Grey Gob
Blue Gob
Traber
Dvalin
Ali

Right now, still in the surprise round, Crowe can act, then all of the goblins. Dvalin, can absolutely cast Bull's Strength once his turn comes up after them, but once I post their actions if you wish to change your action you can do so.

Don't forget Yakima in there among the gobos!

Crowe lifts his earthbreaker and lets out a feral yell as he charges the goblin nearest him. He brings the thunder and attempts to hammer the vile creature directly to the nine hells.

"YAHHHHHHHH!"

earthbreaker + charge + power attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
EB damage: 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (1, 1) + 14 = 16

I cannot move Crowe's token on the map, but he is charging the black goblin directly in front of him. Crowe will have -2 to AC next round for AC of 16.

I guess I mis-understood. I thought Dvalin would get an action in the surprise round before the goblins went ... since Bull's Strength is only 1 action casting time, that would have been what he did; since he can't go before the goblins, he will restate his action for round 1 when his turn comes up.

You will Dvalin, but in this case the goblins are also in the surprise round. You'll go right after their partial actions.

Crowe charges forward with a yell, and deals a strong blow to the goblin before him.

Deciding to echo the bloodrager, the 'yellow' goblin also gives out a scream and charges Dvalin, slashing at him with it's small shortsword even as it clinks off the dwarf's armor.

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 for damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Initiative (surprise round)
Eadie
Crowe
Yellow Gob
Yakima
Black Gob -16hp
Bangle Gob
Grey Gob
Blue Gob
Traber
Dvalin
Ali

I have also updated the Slide settings. You all should (finally) be able to edit and see the map.

[b]Look out behind![/]

Yakima reaches into her bandoleer of bombs and tosses one behind the party at the Turquoise Gobo.

explosive bomb, point blank, ranged touch, saving Dwalin from any blast: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 1 = 11

Hmm probably a miss. miss direction, 1 is straight up: 1d8 ⇒ 8
Splash only hits turquoise and black then.

Splash damage 9 DC17 reflex for half.

Turq save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
grey save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

The two goblins dance and shriek as loud flames lick at and singe them. The 'turquoise' goblin shoots at Yakima in response with a bow, while the his partner charges Ali.

Attack on Yakima: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 for damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Attack on Ali: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28 for damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Meanwhile, the goblin fighter clobbered by Crowe tries to slash back at the bloodrager...

Attack on Crowe: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 for damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

...as the unarmored goblin hurries steps towards Eadie and chants a few words as a burst of flame shoots out towards her.

Burning Hands fire damage, DC 13 for half: 3d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 3) = 8

Initiative (surprise round)
Eadie -8 or 4hp
Crowe -2 hp
Yellow Gob
Yakima -1hp
Black Gob -16hp
Bangle Gob
Grey Gob -9hp
Blue Gob -9hp
Traber
Dvalin
Ali -4hp

Round 0
Dvalin will swing back at the yellow goblin ...
+1 Greatsword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 for Slashing: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 2) + 5 = 9

Reflex vs DC 13: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Eadie GRUNTS as the little pyro’s flames shoot up the joints of her armor.

“Mybigsisterwhoissmallerthanmedoesfirespells. She’sagnome.”

Dvalin takes advantage of the charging goblin's reckless movement to score a decent blow in its side.

Meanwhile, Eadie manages to shake off most of the flame spell, though the sheen of her armor is slightly singed.

I am going to wait until tomorrow morning before putting Ali on 'delay'. However, for now, especially as you are occupied on other ends of the map, Eadie and Crowe can take their actions for the first full round of combat.

Initiative
Eadie -4hp
Crowe -2 hp
Yellow Gob -9hp
Yakima -1hp
Black Gob -16hp
Bangle Gob
Grey Gob -9hp
Blue Gob -9hp
Traber
Dvalin
Ali (partial action for surprise round) -4hp

Round #1: 20' movement ; AC=24 from Charge

Eadie charges 10’ at the bangled goblin this time.

“If you play with fire, you’re gonna get … um … slashed!”

falchion + PA + FF + charge: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 2 = 22
magic slashing damage: 2d4 + 16 ⇒ (4, 4) + 16 = 24

Ali will draw his cold iron Trident and prepare to fight.

Oh joy! Goblins....

Crowe grits his teeth and presses his attack on the goblin!

earthbreaker + power attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
earthbreaker + power attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

dmg: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (4, 5) + 12 = 21
dmg: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (6, 2) + 12 = 20

As Ali draws out his sword, Eadie's chaging slash cuts the unarmored goblin to ribbons. It falls.

Meanwhile, Crow unleashes two furious slams with his earthbreaker, but the goblin just manages to dodge the first while the second swing bounces off of its armor.

At the other end of the cavern, the goblin before Dvalin continues to slash furiously at the dwarf, but its blows seem ineffective.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 for damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Initiative
Eadie -4hp
Crowe -2 hp
Yellow Gob -9hp
Yakima -1hp
Black Gob -16hp
Bangle Gob
Grey Gob -9hp
Blue Gob -9hp
Traber
Dvalin
Ali (partial action for surprise round) -4hp

Yakima throws another bomb this time at the Yellow Gob. Exempting the party from the splash damage.

bomb, touch attack, point blank: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
damage: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3, 1) + 6 = 11 9 pts to Blue and Grey DC18 Reflex for half

blue Ref: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
grey Ref: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Yakima's bomb hits the closest goblin dead center, and it screams and dances as the flames continue to burn on its back. Meanwhile, its two close companions shriek as they also get burned by the wide blast.

The 'grey' goblin attack Ali again even as it moves slightly closer to the alchemist who singed it. As he does so, the turquoise goblin shoots at Yakima again itself. In both cases, their attacks miss.

grey attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 for damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
turquoise attack: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 9 - 4 = 8 for damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Finally, the black goblin cackles at Crowe for his missed strikes and slashes out at the bloodrager.

black attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 for damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Initiative
Eadie -4hp
Crowe -2 hp
Yellow Gob -20hp and on fire
Yakima -1hp
Black Gob -16hp
Bangle Gob
Grey Gob -18hp
Blue Gob -18hp
Traber
Dvalin
Ali -4hp

Round #2: 20' movement ; AC=24 from Charge

Spotting an open charging lane, Eadie raises her blade and rushes due west 25’ at the grey goblin this time.

"CROWE! I'm gonna go support the caster-healers. You OK with that?"

falchion + PA + FF + charge on Grey: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 2 = 34
magic slashing damage: 2d4 + 16 ⇒ (4, 2) + 16 = 22

Confirm Crit?: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 2 = 22
If so, an addtional: 2d4 + 16 ⇒ (3, 4) + 16 = 23

Round 1
Dvalin tries to finish off the yellow goblin in front of him ...
+1 Greatsword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 for Slashing: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 3) + 5 = 14

Dvalin's mighty swing cuts down the burning goblin before him. Meanwhile, Eadie charges forward and with a furious blow cleaves the 'grey' goblin in two.

Initiative
Eadie -4hp
Crowe -2 hp
Yellow Gob
Yakima -1hp
Black Gob -16hp
Bangle Gob
Grey Gob -18hp
Blue Gob -18hp
Traber
Dvalin
Ali -4hp

Croww growls as the pesky goblin evades his attack, his anger beginning to show he doubles his efforts and presses his attack.

"Go sword maiden. I shall follow shortly!"

Crowe once again brings his giant hammer down upon the goblin.

earthbreaker: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
earthbreaker attk 2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 6) + 8 = 17
damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 2) + 8 = 14

Ali moves to the blue goblin and levels his Trident at him - and charges.

[b] Die scum[b]

Trident Charge: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 201d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Traber continues to stand in the middle of the group. "Are you not done with this riffraff yet. Get done so that I may continue my journey."

Hold Action.