#7-21: The Sun Orchid Scheme, with GM Pendrak (Inactive)

Game Master Pendrak

"I am definitely for more potions of invisibility!" Yoon says with a smirk.

i have +9 umd ill hope to get the rolls for these checks, get more invis potions

Lady Ziralia takes her leave. The adventurers are given rooms to stay in, and soon after a porter arrives with the purchases the group requested.

Kiaru is able to to decipher the scroll of dancing lights.

The convoy acquires its fake sun orchid elixir outside the Citadel of the Alchemist at daybreak. The transport returns to Pashow via a meandering route, obscuring its trail to confuse pursuers. Tracking the convoy without knowing its route might have been difficult, but thanks to their infiltration the Pathfinders will be waiting for the convoy when it arrives at their predetermined ambush location.

Kiaru walks a little ways away from the ambush spot, and uses the scroll.

On his third attempt, he is able to activate it, sending will-o-wisp-like orbs of light into the sky in the symbol that indicates that the convoy guards should disperse into the desert to seek out intruders.

Tanto watches as all but two of the mages and one of the other guards leaves, taking with them all but two of the desert dogs. The code appears to have worked. The convoy should be reaching the ambush point soon.

The PCs waiting at the ambush location, including Kiaru (who is able to make it back quickly) have had one hour to make preparations, and you can hear the transport coming close so if you have any round or minute per level spells you can use those efficiently. Now the convoy will be coming around the bend soon. If Tanto wants to try to poison the mage, or the other guards, he'll need to do it now. The map below represents the point of ambush, meaning that the map doesn't look like this right now, but it will as soon as the transport arrives (Tanto has time to do his thing first). After we're all settled, you'll get a surprise round.

Map

yes master i return with grp as fast as i can

In the hour preceding the ambush Zzorn asks Tanto and Kiaru to help him with the disguise.
Zzorn Disguise Assist: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (13) - 2 = 11
Kiaru Disguise Assist: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Assuming they accept to help and Tanto takes 10, and assuming 'minor details only' (+5) such as headscarf covering and desert clothing, I'll be at Disguise DC 22, which is probably enough with distance and in the midst of battle... (i.e. Perception DC to notice disguise goes from 22 to 27 if "Creature making the check is distracted")

He briefs the fellow Pathfinders while he dons his disguise:
"Friends, I first intend to disable the heat trap by fully opening its ventilation network. move action Then Kiaru and Huni can use the transport's secret door to get in. Once in there, Huni can point us to the correct lock immediately and use his key to open it. If that fails we use the adamantine morningstar on the lock. All good? I will provide backup with my sword if necessary, while Kiaru provides cover fire. The rest of you stay outside and play cat and mouse with the guards. Don't hit them too hard, and if they fall, don't finish them off for Kurgess' sake: stabilize them and move on. Our benefactor Lady will have people nearby to transport the wounded, I understand... oh!!! and someone that's staying outside should link us all via message spell, I think. This will allow us to hear updates with no need to talk or shout!"

When the transport gets near, and Zzorn sees the signal, he downs a potion of invisibility and asks Kiaru and Huni to follow him (if they are invisible - if not Zzorn will go with whoever is invisible).

Stealth, Invisible, Normal Speed: 1d20 - 1 + 20 - 5 ⇒ (19) - 1 + 20 - 5 = 33

The above is Zzorn's can-do attitude, in-character. If you disagree with his plan IC or OOC feel free to suggest otherwise - Zzorn is very agreeable!

”So you want us to just stay outside and attract a lot of attention so that you can steal the elixir ? So Pai and I will shoot with our elemental energy and see how far we get. But if we get into trouble you have to help us out. “

"Hmm, yeah, I think leaving just the two little ones to deal with a guard, two mages, and two dogs might be too much of a risk. Especially since Yoon and I aren't going to be much good in a melee fight. How about one of you good hand-to-hand fighter types sticks around until we subdue at least most of the ones on the outside? And I don't know anything about message spells."

Pai checks to make sure that she and Yoon, at least, have their dog treats, meat chunks, and chocolate pieces stocked up and easily accessible.

"Oh... crap... huh... can you all go invisible or stealth real good then? we'll need mist, fog or a bunch boulders for you to approach while hiding. If we can't all stealth, then Yoon or Kiaru appear pretty good at sneaking around. While one disarms the heat trap, the other can open the secret door and use the key on the proper lock. Huni and I have already shown you how the lock and the trap disabling button looks like."

i can disarm heat trap and help girls in melee if is necesary, Im a master of polearm, and helpto create a good distraction.

"Good plan Kiaru - that will keep you outside with them. I'll go in with the adamantine spikeball here and deal with those locks, if the key isn't cooperating. Yoon, you with me?"

"Well, I am not so experienced and this is my first mission so I do whatever you guys think is best. So ... yes ... I come with you Zzorn." she says shyly and a little excited.

"I'm pretty sneaky, though I'll take a potion of invisibility if there's any left. This is a better plan. I like it."

Unfortunately I have had a busy couple of days and I'm totally lost. Where is Huni and the Fog Horn in this plan? I suggest helping with the diversion. if it comes to a fight, he can do non-lethal without a problem.

Sorry for the delayed post. Very busy day at work today...and then the site swallowed my post twice already tonight. :(

Tanto, realising that now was the time for action, moves up behind the first mage. Casually carrying a dagger in his hand as he made sure he was prone to do, he then waits until he and the mage are separated from line of site from the others at the back of the convoy.

With a look of disgust at the filthy fox-hunting hound, he hopes the canine won't get alarmed when the mage hopefully slumps to the ground, then silently make a small cut on the mage's arm with the pointy tip of the poisoned dagger.

Assume I'll need an attack roll here and that I'll have no choice but to roll damage. Don't want to reduce the attack by going non-lethal, unfortunately.

Attack v. flat footed: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Drow Poison FORT DC13

Going to have to wait to see what happens with the 1st mage before making any further actions, I guess?

It sounds like Huni, Tanto, and Kiaru are going to deal with the guards, while Zzorn and the small ones invisibly approach the transport. Let me know if there are any last minute buffs or anything you would have done in the hour leading up to the ambush. Everyone gets a surprise round, which will be Tanto's stab, and everyone else moving forward (any buffs or potions are assumed to have been using in the rounds directly preceding the surprise round).

As the convoy approaches the ambush location, Tanto makes his move.

He draws a thin red line on the wrist of the bald, black-bearded, dark-skinned mage in scarlet robes walking beside him, hoping the drow poison will do its work. Blood begins pouring out of the wound, and the mage turns to him with a stunned look, though the poison does not seem to had any effect.

"What the! Help, I'm being attacked! Guards!" cries the sorcerer.

Just moments before, Zzorn, Pai, and Yoon were drinking their invisibility potions nearby, and making their move toward the transport, as Huni and Kiaru similarly moved forward to engage. They all come around the bend just in time to see and hear the mage crying out for help, and it looks like he is about to begin signalling for the others to return.

Initiative order is Huni, Pai, Mage, Zzorn, Yoon, Kiaru, Dogs, Tanto.

Huni and Pai can both go ahead and take their turns.

Map

If it's ok I'll give a piggy back ride to Yoon and Pai so we don't get 'invisibility separated'; also, let me know if you want me to setup Google Slide for your battles; it would take me 2min; cheers!

If it's ok I'll give a piggy back ride to Yoon and Pai so we don't get 'invisibility separated'; also, let me know if you want me to setup Google Slide for your battles; it would take me 2min; cheers!

Yeah, that's actually fine. And if you could do the Google Slide thing, that would be cool.

Under her breath, those next to Pai can hear her whisper, "Shoot! We can't let him signal!" The next thing they see is a sizable bolt of bluish white lightening erupt from the space from which her voice issued, blasting toward the mage.

Pai takes 1 point of burn to use Extended Blast, increasing her range to 120'.

Electric blast: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 171d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

She then pulls out a chunk of meat and chocolate, ready for the dog to head her way.

Here's the link for the Google Slide version of the map

Shield of Faith: +2 deflection bonus
Divine Favor: +1 to hit and to hurt; 9 rd
Bless: +1 morale to hit and on fear saves

Huni will have cast Bless for the party as well as Shield of Faith and Divine Favor on himself.

@ Pai You say we can't let him signal, but you do realize that your attack is very loud. In this case, it is a clap of thunder.

At the first sign of trouble, Huni moves up and blows the Horn of Fog.

Yoon sees Pai hurling her energy but knows that she does not have the ability to attack at this range. And she does not want to become visible yet, so she just waits.

Pai's energy blast hits the mage, sending blue sparks arching up and down his body, and he crumples to the sand.

Huni sounds the horn of fog, and blows forth a thick cloud of heavy fog.

I made a mistake and removed one of the guards from the map instead of one of the mages. M2 should actually be G1. Zzorn, Yoon, and Kiaru can now act.

At the risk of sounding dumb, how do I edit the Google Slide?

Kiaru approaches as stealthily as he can to the dog and hits him with the back of his spear to leave it groggy.
stealth check: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
elven spear attack non-lethal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
elven spear dmg: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

sorry i missed add sneak attack
sneak attack: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (6, 2) + 13 = 21
total damage 21

Kiaru moves forward and in an impressive move knocks one of the desert dogs unconscious in a single blow from the haft of his spear.

how do I edit the Google Slide?

The slides have been set to 'anyone with the link can edit' so you should be able to (please confirm you can move the minis on the map). It's best done from a computer (don't even try with your phone... unless just for viewing). Click on the link, and past any image you want on it. Resize it by dragging the corner as you would any picture. If you get a message that you can't cut and paste, use the 'Insert' tab instead. After your pic is in there, you can then move it around with the mouse like you would a mini at your gaming table. If you have pictures in mind for the enemies on the map I can put them for you: just PM me a link for their pics.

Under the guise of Invisibility, Zzorn carries Pai and Yoon to the transport (move action), then deposit them in the square north of him (free action), then he proceeds to open the secret door (move action).

Here's hoping Kiaru disables the heat trap before we step in... oh! good! he's done with that desert dog!

The secret door is covered in chains that are secured with locks, but thanks to the successful infiltration of the workshop you at least know which locks are real and which are decoys. Yoon found out about the decoy locks, and Huni actually even found keys for the other locks. It would be a full round action to unlock the locks and remove the chains.

Also, thank you, I think I got the Slide thing figured out.

Ok thanks - Zzorn will start this round using a standard action and finish next round using a move action, if that's ok? Also, I marked both Yoon and Pai as invisible on the map, but I'm not sure if they are or not (I just assumed so). Finally, please confirm you wish me to put counters on the map for the enemies.

Yeah, that's fine, he manages to unlock the locks, and he (or someone else) can use a standard to get the chains out of the way.

"Let us haste! Here is the key that Huni provided us and you have to use it on those locks!" Yoon says with slight fear in her voice.

when u finish with locks ill locate trap and disable it

As per GM Pendrak's post above, I think between Zzorn, Yoon and Pai the door is swinging open right now; I think there's enough action economy left for Pai or Yoon to use a move action to disable the heat trap - I'll wait for the GM to confirm though. If that's the case, Kiary can just focus on the enemies and help Tanto... that finesse training and elven branch spear is fun to use! :)

Well, Pai already took her actions this turn. Yoon will be able to move the chains and open the secret door, no problem. And then next round someone can move in, and then with another move action disable the trap, no problem. But the guards and the remaining dog will get a chance to go before then. But they can't perceive invisible creatures with their Perception, distracted as they are, so they'll be focusing on Kiaru, Tanto, and Huni.

I went ahead and moved Huni and put the area of obscuring mist on the map.

That works for me.

Yoon is very excited and will move the chains and open the secret door. Then she will look out for any signs of surprises.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Yoon doesn't see anything unexpected in the corridors of the much-larger-on-the-inside transport. But just as she gets the door open, the two remaining guards come rushing over the sands, accompanied by their canine companion, engaging Tanto and Huni.

Tanto nimbly dodges the reckless attack of one of the guards, while the guard attacking Huni seems confused by the fog. The dog attacks Huni as well, but is unable to bite him.

Now we have Tanto, Huni, Pai, Zzorn, Yoon and Kiaru. That's the official order, though really any of you can act right now, within reason.

Actually, upon closer inspection I do need to make one change.

As Yoon peeks around a bit more, she actually does notice something out of place. When they had previously investigated this entryway, the door to the inner chamber where the elixir was stored, the room where the absent-minded wizard Temeera had been working on her construct, is closed. In fact, it is even hidden in the wall, and if she didn't know to look for it she would not have seen it. This door had been open the entire time they had been investigating the inside.

The transport’s interior shimmers with heat as unseen gears within the walls grind and whir. A heavy black curtain splits the room in two. In each half of the room, four chairs surround a round table.

Zzorn whispers to Huni that he's going in, and enters the transport as a move action; he then disables the heat trap with his second move action.

He remains quiet during the whole thing:
Stealth: 1d20 - 1 + 20 ⇒ (1) - 1 + 20 = 20

Pai tosses a chunk of meat and chocolate so that it lands right in front of the dog, falling past its keen nose. She then turns to the mage, holding out her hand to blast, but hesitates.

She hadn't thought the other mage would fall from her blast before, and she worries that she may have killed that one. These aren't thugs or bad guys. They're just honest workers engaged in honest work. What if she accidentally kills this one? She had doubted that she was a good fit for this mission before, and now that doubt roars to the surface.

She shakes her head once to clear her mind, then makes her decision. Pulling out her dagger, which she's not very good at using, she thrusts at the mage. I can't kill anyone THIS way!

dagger: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 81d3 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Huni continues to blow the horn while taking a defensive stance.

kiaru makes an acrobatics movement to prevent the attack of guard and gain good position on his back and thrown a powerful attack with the haft of his spear over guard head.
acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
elven spear no lethal attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
elven spear damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
i dont know if mage is flatfooted? if is flat i add sneak attack
sneak attack???: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

As the situation can change any minute, Yoon decides to invisibly accompany Zzorn to the location of the elixir.

Tanto steps back a few feet from the guards. He wishes things had gone a bit smoother with the first mage, but knows that they have to end this fight as quickly and hopefully as painlessly as possible now.

He draws the second of his poisoned daggers and flings it at the other mage. "Sorry, friend. I'll buy you a drink after all this is done!

Point Blank Shot - Ranged Dagger
Dagger (ranged): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 = 26
Critical Hit?: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 = 25
Damage (incl. crit): 2d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 2) + 4 + 2 = 9

If hits - Drow Poison DC13

Just to be clear, like I said earlier there is no other mage.
It was 2 guards, a mage, and a dog.

Zzorn stealthily climbs through the trap door, and finds himself in the transport interior. The air is hot, but he quickly closes one of the vents in the room, which causes the trap to malfunction and deactivate. Yoon follows him in warily, both of them still invisible.

The desert dog leaps to snatch up the meat and chocolate, and greedily begins to eat. Pai suddenly becomes visible in front of one of the guards, the female Garundi, but is unable to stab her with the dagger.

Huni continues to sound the horn, with deep foghorn blasts each time, belching forth pillars of mist.

Kiaru tumbles past the guard into a flanking position, and is once again effective with his nonlethal attack, delivering a singular knockout blow that sends the guard sprawling.

Tanto steps up and throws a dagger that embeds itself in the chest of the final guard.

The man stares down at his wound, back up at Tanto, and then faints from the poison.

All that now remains is a distracted desert dog, and three unconscious (but still alive, though the mage will bleed to death in about 9 rounds) humans.

The dog is going to spend its entire round eating, so we are back to Tanto, Huni, Pai, Zzorn, Yoon and Kiaru.

Pai drops another pair of meat and chocolate chunks at the dog's feet, then turns to the unconscious mage. She uses her Sacred Touch trait ability to automatically stabilize the mage, an expression of regret etched upon her face.

On the original map, the mage was placed where Tanto is now, so Pai shouldn't have to move to reach her/him.

With everything in hand. Huni moves to secure the group's escape.

Kiaru as move action enter inside to help Zzorn

I forgot to ask, how hard is it to climb up to the top of the plateau so Huni can get the best view to look for any reinforcements that might be coming?

Tanto reaches down and retrieves his two daggers from the mage and the guard, keeping a wary eye on the hungry dog as he does so.