1310 PbP Gameday - Darkest Vengeance - utopia0147 (Inactive)

Game Master utopia27

"No need to resort to violence just yet. Let us simply knock on the door and let what happens next guide our actions."

The party regroups on the flagstone porticio of the Manor, and knocks loudly. The house remains quiet, with no apparent response.

VBH stands forward and bashes the mahogany panel (the lower one) of the large double doors, creating a thunderous noise. The ringing assault on the door raises no further response, except for the distant, silent weeping of the cabinetmaker that crafted the beautiful door.

The large Manor house looms dark and unresponsive.

@VBH - pardon the liberties, but you seemed impatient.

What time in the night would it be?

Ka scans the area around the door with detect magic.

7 PM opera + 2 1/2 hours + travel @ 1/2 hour + snipe hunt @ 1/2 hour = 11 PM.

detect magic shows no magical auras, entities, or items. Just the background hum of a living environment. The door seems unimpressed.

No prob, VBH isn't a terribly subtle person.

I'll call on my "divine eyes" to see if the door is magical. If not, I'll simply try to open the door.

If that fails, I'll use a charge of my wand of Disguise Self to appear as Ka, and try to pick the lock, trying to Take 20 if I can for a "28", or 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10.

Ka finds the prank to be very funny, but wonders what the heck is Garinol thinking...
I think we are crossing lines here and would like to come back tomorrow. Or maybe take a look around the house, to see if anything is suspicious.

The door, it is locked. Taking 10 on the lock allows Ka (er... Garinol? Trick or... oh wait) to successfully pick the lock.

It's a large, heavy set of double doors. The handles are heavy and deliberate - burnished brass - and move smoothly. Teh doors themselves are well balanced - not difficult to open, but with weight and gravitas. Testing the handle, the door unlatches and travels slightly open - quietly and smoothly.

Yes, Skeldon is an inventor with a care and attention to things mechanical. :)

In a whisper...That is fine craftsmanship. Take heed friends.
Zedril begins rubbing his hands together. As he methodically moves his hands about they begin to darken and crackle.

Well, no one gave me attention, so let's proceed and see where this will end. If someone finds us don't count on me to explain it ^_^ I hope we find strictly super evil undead outsiders and can kill it without discussing it.

Ka loads his crossbow and just holds it in his hand, without raising it. He uses Virtue on self, and moves in with the others.

Violence knees Gerald through the door, lance at the ready, trying to keep space to maneuver.

Should take the time to mention that Gerald is only medium sized, so he shouldn't have issues moving through a building.

Ths disguise self was a joke, or might have been dwpending on who was on the other side. I find that passive play doesnt help in PbPs so I acted, mostly to get things moving. :) If someone wants to tfy something, Im game.

Ill go ahead and step inside, "Hello. . ."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Mounted on the wall opposite the main entrance, a stuffed elk’s head glares above a coat of arms. A compass rose inlay fills most of the floor. On either side of the mantle, two separate halls exit south. At the northeast and northwest corners, wide arches open into two turrets.

The foyer is dark and quiet. More moonlight might stream in from the window'ed turrets if they were not shrouded in drapes.

Tomnus follows the group in staff at the ready.

VBH doesnt have any knowledges except nature, anyone able to roll local or nobility on that coat of arms and that inlay on the floor?

VBH nudges Gerald in the direction of each hallway, and watches to see if he reacts to any scents down the corridors. He also gives a close look at each corridor himself.

Gimme a sec, few rolls here. I think I've got this right though. Also, Geralds Scent is an always on thing, so if anyone approaches within range, he'll alert.

Gerald Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
If Gerald detects anyone, Surv check to track via scent: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
VBHs understanding of what Gerald indicates with Handle animal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
VBHs perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

coat of arms is a gimme
The coat of arms in the front foyer is the ancestral Miregold coat.

Gerald signals that there are recent scents, but several. They're stronger to the right.

Map's up - please feel free to move yourselves about.

Utopia, the map is leading to the beggar's pearl map.

VBH nudges Gerald to stand over in front of the right hallway.

Think I'm looking at the right map, just moved myself. Does this expose anything more to my sight?

VBH - what's your illumination? You've got the worst low/dark sight of the group...

I'll follow behind VBH.
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Sorry, for some reason it wouldn't let me post from my mobile, just got home. Carrying a torch in a shield sconce. Also, Gerald has low-light vision.

Proceeding down the corridor to the right, you see more mounted heads on the far wall, some rich carpets, and what appear to be comfy chairs and couches.

Ill post tonight.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Violence checks behind him to make sure the rest of the group is moving up behind him, and then slowly nudges Gerald down the corridor further, lance at the ready.

I'll go ahead and pull out and hold up my Wayfinder, activating Light, but otherwise unarmed.

"Hello. . . ", following VBH in a bit. "We are Pathfinders here, just seeking a little bit of, what's the phrase, claim the right to sanctuary and hospitality."

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Ka smiles but shakes his head. You pick the lock then ask for shelter?

At least we didn't kick the door down

Murderous Hobos, remember :) Honestly, just wanted to get things moving.

Shortly after Garinol 'halloo's', a light can be seen moving from the back of the house. A man holds a lantern in one hand, and a crossbow in the other. Behind him, another form can be seen in the shadows from the lantern.

"Oy! Who are you and what are you doing in here! Back it up - back to the door with ye!"

Now it's the time for the famous "I told you so!"

Ka looks to the other Ka, waiting for him to improvise.

"Is that a dog? You muzzle that thing and back off, before I shoot it. A dog? Really?"

I apologise in advance for what I'm about to do - but it would be bad roleplaying for VBH not to respond angrily to someone threatening Gerald. It might be wise for someone more charismatic and/or smarter to hold VBH back.

Violence bristles at the threat to Gerald and sits taller in his saddle, holding his lance tight to his side, ready to attack at the slightest provocation.

"Apologies sirs...we assure you that we are here on business and only wish to have a word with you."

Detect Evil
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

detect evil: yes. not clerical 'aura' level evil, but a mundane, grubby sort of evil. A 'shoot your dog to tick you off' kinda evil.

@VBH - obligatory 'wrong-avatar-post' requirement satisfied. gotta happen a couple times in every game :)

Still holding up his Watfinder for light (hey looky right here) "No need for violence, friends. We are Pathfinders here to help the master of the house, as it where."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Zedril points at the stairwell and casts Light.

Now, let us speak calmly, we have come to help. If we were here to hurt you, you would have never seen us.

detect evil: yes. not clerical 'aura' level evil, but a mundane, grubby sort of evil. A 'shoot your dog to tick you off' kinda evil.

@VBH - obligatory 'wrong-avatar-post' requirement satisfied. gotta happen a couple times in every game :)

"Pathfinders, eh? Hospitality, is it? Couldn't have come during the day like civilized people, eh?" The man speaks without apparent irony, but a gently accusatory tone. He does appear to relax a bit, but nearly jumps out of his skin when a 'light' spell illuminates the stairway. It's surprising that he doesn't fire the now off-line crossbow.

"Let's have no more of that then, shall we? Tell you what - you settle you down in the lounge over there," he indicates the area to your left with the carpets and comfy chairs. "Leave us a moment to collect ourselves, and we'll see what can be arranged." He gestures the man in the rear back up the stairs, indicating he should 'put on some trousers - yer an embarrassment!', and setting about lighting some light sconces.

In the lounge, a long mantle displays a collection of antique blades and more stuffed animals. Fine upholstered chairs and sofas line the corners, accented with small tables. An alcove opposite the display houses a well-stocked wine bar.

"I'm Giulio. Please help yourself to a drink, I'll return in a moment."

And Giulio turns to retreat up the stairs.

Day or night it doesnt matter with the Society. Believe me sir I would much rather be in a brothel at the moment.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Ka uses the opportunity to scout a little further, going across the room with the sofas and looking what else could be seen.
Stealth: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Ka sees a short corridor with doors leading off. One logically seems to let out to the summer kitchen the party saw from the outside. The other leads farther into the house, though an advanced spatial sense (and a 23 per roll..) would indicate that the second door is nearly under the stairs. Ka can hear shuffling and bumping from the upper floor as the folks hastily dress.

Rhydderch watches as things unfold, politely refusing drink to better keep his wits about him.

Forgive my light, I saw another on the stairwell and wanted to ensure our safety. My apologies.
Zedril dispels his Light spell and follows the man into the lounge.

Violence quietly helps himself to a stiff drink. While no one is looking he poors some down Gerald's throat as well.

Someone should check that meeting table while we have the chance.

Ka opens the kitchen doors and takes a look inside. If nothing is relevant he tries the other door.

The drink is good. Rhydderch notes, if he's at all inclined, that there is a sweating water jug (of a sort designed to cool water without magic).

As you spread out, observe, pour a drink, Giulio and his gentlemen have returned downstairs, and are bashing about in the center room - apparently some sort of kitchen.

Can we get a map update? Are they armed or waiting to talk with us?

Ka closes the door to the kitchen and move to the southwestern round area, pretending to look at the outside through the windows.

map updated :)

Y'all can't see Giulio & co. at the moment - but you can hear that they've returned from the upstairs, where they went to put on some trousers.

Ok now I understood it. So they probably are where I was just peeking at.

Ka snaps his fingers to call Zendril's attention, saying something to him with gestures, but producing no sound. He points to the corridor north of his position (as much as you know, unless there's something else there) and waves a hand in front of his nose, clearly meaning that something smells rotten, followed by a gesture for him to get close.
Let's look for the Bathroom, then. Calm down Ka, you can do this.
The aasimar moves to the door stealthily and opens it in a regular move, not doing it too fast but not wishing to be too stealthy and looks like a stalker if they see it. He then looks astonished at whatever they are doing there, as if surprised.
Stealth: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Bluff if needed: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Explaining it better, I'll move to the door and open it as if I was looking for the bathroom, looking surprised to see them there and whatever they are doing, but if they do not notice me (unlikely) the better.

@Ka - note that there are two things labeled 'kitchen' - an interior kitchen, and a 'summer kitchen'. The stink was coming from the 'summer kitchen'. I've tried to be more clear and explicit on the map.
I'm going to wait for a bit more input before moving the discussion forward here.