8-05: Ungrounded but Unbroken by GM Chadius (Inactive)

Game Master chadius

Hudor frowns, "If you do it, it would probably be better to do it when she is in her private quarters. If you could get in, search, then get out. Locking the door behind you while keeping anyone the wiser would be best."

"It can't be my decision alone though."

"Well, I am happy to try picking the lock, but if someone thinks they can bluff their way into getting a spare key, I have no objection to that, either."

Even if I found suspicious the Captain's attitude I will not try to search her quarter. If we get caught, it could result in bad publicity for the Society.
Lets focus on our job and duty.

Gratius has no habilities to help breaking into the captain's office.

Hudor nods, "Gratius is right. Until she does something suspicious, we should probably play it straight. Alright, I'm going to bed."

"Get some sleep.....tomorrow comes early..." Korvan advises the others from his bunk.

"Alright then; wish me luck."

Just to speed things up, since I don't want to slow the game down...

Stealth (sneak there): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23.
Disable Device - 1st attempt: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13.
Disable Device - 2nd attempt: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28.
Perception(search the room): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33.
Stealth (sneak back): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25.

You decide to simply "enjoy" the week. All except for one...

In the dead of night, Kent unlocks the door to the Captain’s office. The space is cramped, yet it fits a walnut desk, a hard-backed chair and a bookshelf.

On the Captain’s desk he sees several calligraphy pens, a pot of invisible ink, and even two scrolls of lesser restoration. You also notice a gray fur cloak on the wall.

Kent begins to look around and makes it quick just in case he is discovered.
1d3 ⇒ 1

One of the books, Tactical Engagement, feels lighter than it should be. The book is hollowed out, and as Kent opens the book he finds a bronze badge bearing the image of a snake. He also finds this letter, inside:

The letter bears an etching of three stony hands grasping a roughly spherical faceted gemstone. Each of the hands has three fingers.

With this evidence, Kent quickly returns to the bunk. If someone noticed him, they haven't made a big deal about it...

It’s been a long week of training drills, scrubbing floors, and peeling potatoes. But finally, it’s time for your next major task. Captain Othis orders you to the training yard.

Just outside the mess hall, an oval of hard-packed dirt surrounds four columns made of black stone. Gray stone benches encircle the training ground, providing a clear view for nonexistent spectators. A raised balcony made of blue and purple crystal emerges from the stands. Dummies made of stuffed burlap sacks affixed to posts are scattered throughout the field, some wearing crudely painted smiles and posed in offensive gestures. Captain Othis stands in the crystal balcony, a mischievous grin on her usually stern face.

”Alright. It’s time for you to spar with another group of recent recruits. Spells, potions, and other combat-enhancers is forbidden. Both groups will not use lethal force or face the consequences.”

She leads you to a rack of blunted simple and martial weapons. ”These hit just as hard as normal weapons, you don’t need to check your swing.”

Anyone who uses these blunted weapons do not take a penalty for dealing nonlethal damage.

”Fight until they surrender or are knocked unconscious. Begin!” Captain Othis raises her hand, declaring the start of the fight.

Dell Darkblade and other recruits raise their weapons, feebly. ”B-b-best of luck to you.”

Round 1
Kent
Flaith
Sarsa
Florent
Hudor
Recruits
Korvan

Korvan is a bit too slow to get a jump on the enemy team.

COMBAT MAP

Gratius takes two weapons, one glaive and one longsword.

Once in the arena he moves closer to one of his opponent and ready and attack.

Glaive (Ready Action): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Damages (NL): 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

With Reach, Gratius can make up to two AoO
Glaive (AoO #1): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Damages (NL): 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Glaive (AoO#2): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Damages (NL): 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Taking a longsword Flaith prepares to fight.
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 91d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Asking a sorcerer to fight without spells is a bit unrealistic and seems counter-productive for determining a recruit's worth. But he doesn't see any way for him to get spells off without being noticed.

Hudor takes a wooden spear and hefts it. Feels slightly heavier than what he is use to.

He moves to the right side slightly and then readies to strike if an enemy gets too close to him.

Spear (Readied Action): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
NL Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Move: 20'
Standard: Readied Action

@ Flaith, don't forget to move your character on the map and specify which (colored) enemy you are attacking.

Kent shares what he has discovered with the others.

"We will need to be careful - it would appear that, as always, the Aspis have it in for us..."

When the time comes for battle, he quietly salutes Dell and the others, then starts firing blunt arrows at Red.

+1 Mighty [+2] Darkwood Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 = 17, for 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6 non-lethal damage.
+1 Mighty [+2] Darkwood Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 1 = 24, for 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11 non-lethal damage.

"I suppose there was something to find after all.."

Sarsa gave a small frown. No spells. She hefted a quarterstaff, and tried to keep nearby Flaith, who seemed much more comfortable in this combat, and moved keeping Hudor on her opposite side. Inexperienced and unlikely to hit, she elected to go on the defensive.

Total Defense action, AC to 15 for the round. Flaith hasn't moved yet or isn't moving, but I'll keep my relative position to her if she does (down 1, right 1)

Kent fires a pair of arrows at the recruit wearing a Red bandana, knocking him out immediately.

"Hmpf. How disappointing. You other recruits had better not fail!"

The recruit with the yellow boots moves towards Gratius and is poked twice for his trouble. He too passes out, overwhelmed.

The purple-clad recruit figures that Gratius's reflexes must be overwhelmed, but he's wrong. It takes all of his movement to close in on Gratius.

Dell, with his Black gloves, moves up to Hudor and easily dodges the sorcerer's spear. "Sorry if I hit too hard."

"No apologies, Dell! They are the enemy!" Captain Othis shouts.

Nice rolling, everyone. This will be over quickly at this rate...

Round 1
Recruits (Purple 7 damage)
Korvan

Round 2
Kent
Flaith
Sarsa
Gratius
Hudor

COMBAT MAP

"No worries Dell. I probably won't be much of a challenge but I'll give it my all. Non-spell attacks are not really my thing."

Spear vs Black (Dell): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
NL Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Hudor thrust his spear at Dell, but nearly trips himself in the process with his awkward attack.

Flaith attacked purple

Kent moves around, and calmly tries to finish-off Purple.

+1 Mighty [+2] Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 1 = 20, for 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11 non-lethal damage.

Kent quickly KOs the Purple recruit with a blunt arrow, leaving Dell remaining.

"Damn it Dell! Fight like your life depends on it!"

Round 1
Recruits (Purple 7 damage)
Korvan

Round 2
Kent
Flaith
Sarsa
Gratius
Hudor

COMBAT MAP

Flaith charges the Dell.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 141d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Sarsa, spurred into action by Flaith's charge, also charges at Dell.

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 11
(NL) Damage: 1d6 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1

It went about as well as she expected.

Gratius moves and tries to strike Dell.

Nothing personal Dell, you've done your best.

Glaive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Damages: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

"Damn it Dell! Fight like your life depends on it!"

Something about Captain Othis and her remarks spur Dell into action. With incredible grace and skill he ducks under Hudor's spear, leans away from Flaith's sword, parries Sarsa's thrust and he doesn't react when Gratius's glaive scrapes against his armor.

Surrounded by three foes and a pillar, he swings his sword at Sarsa.
1 is Flaith, 2 is Sarsa: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Sword: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Sarsa feels a bruise forming on her shoulder, but it's unnaturally dark. The blow seemed so strong, she feels a bit woozy...

Sarsa, I'll need a Fort Save, DC 13. If you fail, open the spoiler below:

Round 2
Recruits
Korvan (Can take round 1 actions)

Round 3
Kent
Flaith
Sarsa (5 Nonlethal, Fort Save DC 13)
Gratius
Hudor

COMBAT MAP

Round 1

Korvan draws his falchion for the upcoming melee fight and moves into position.

Round 2
The half elf moves next to the sorcerer and takes a swing against the foe with his sword...

Falchion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13...DMG: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (1, 2) + 7 = 10

Hudor yells at Korvan, "Korvan step back. You were suppose to grab one of the wooden weapons, not use your own."

He then thrust his spear at Dell, "Sorry about this."

Spear: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
NL Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Gratius moves and tries again to hit Dell.

Damn, he's fast!

Glaive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damages: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Flaith continues to press the attack after moving into flanking position.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 151d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"No, I'm sorry..." He grunts as Hudor manages to bruise him. 8 damage, woo!

Captain Othis shouts. "No place on the battlefield for niceties, Dell! You need to win at any cost!"

Ah the life of low level melee. Miss miss miss miss KILL miss miss miss KILL... looks like we're back into the miss phase.

And two more hits come in while I'm typing up the post, haha.

Gratius and Flaith tag team Dell, overwhelming him and knocking him out.

Combat Over

”Well, isn’t that great.” Captain Othis mumbles. ”You’ve managed to successfully clobber some recruits, barely out of their mothers’ wombs. Congratulations.” She claps sarcastically.
You earned a success!

Sarsa's Fort Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Sarsa feels very woozy and passes out just as medics run onto the field to revive everyone. She's out for a solid minute before recovering, none worse for the wear. While the medics heal her wound, you notice a trace of black powder on her shoulder where Dell hit.

Dell Darkblade walks up to you. ”Please, take this as a token of goodwill. You fought well.”

He hands you two potions of Cure Light Wounds.

"As for YOU, Dell! You and your squad will be scrubbing the floors for the next week. Or even worse, when I'm with you! Pick up those weapons and carry them back to my office."

Dell quickly hands you the potions, and then hurries to pick up the black blunted scimitars he and the others wielded.

The next major event happens on the following day. Would you like to do anything before then?

Did you inform us of your findings? In the Captain´s office.

Did you inform us of your findings? In the Captain´s office.

Kent found some stuff, and shared it with the party.

Hudor rips a part of his shirt off and 'collects' the strange black powder on Sarsa's wounds.

Later that night, he shows it to everyone and ask if anyone might be able to identify it.

Not sure what type of skill that would be needed to identify it.

Super sorry about vanishing in the middle of combat, wasn't expecting stuff that ended up happening, thanks for picking up the Fort save for me, and I'll mark down my damage.

She woke, eventually, wobbly and unsteady. Sarsa grimaced as she poked at her shoulder. "I didn't expect these blunt things to hurt that much. I've been hit before but this is.. way worse than that."

That night, as Hudor pointed out the black powder and declared it to be from where she was wounded, she was utterly befuddled.

"It was just a wooden sword, right? How could this have happened.."

"Well, the captain is an aspis agent, and he will do his utmost to hurt us! We need proof of his deeds!"

I agree. We need solid proof if we want to expose her.

Hudor realizes that he needs alchemical knowledge to identify the powder more accurately. Or maybe he can examine Sarsa a bit more closely afterward.
A Craft(Alchemy) DC 13 or Heal DC 18 check can identify the powder based on what happened to Sarsa.

Then again, if Captain Othis is behind it all, maybe another search of her office is in order...

Kent remembers a few good ways to gain access to her office...

Heal: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Looking at the powder, Hudor hasn't a clue what it is or what it does.

Flaith looks at the powder and shrugs.
"No clue, sorry!"

You can always try Heal checks untrained. It's a Wis check in that case.

Sarsa, the field medics will heal your injuries, assuming you let them.

Heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Looking at Sarsa's wounds, Gratius recognize the reason behind her quick unconsciousness!

Sarsa, gratefully, will allow the field medics to heal her injuries, and after the fact, turns towards Gratius for the answer to what caused them.

Gratius recalls stories about Dusk Agate Extract, a poison that works on contact.
Victims fall unconscious for a minute and lose 1 point of Wisdom.

Likely the scimitars were smeared with it. But who smeared them?

"We are going to need evidence to prove or disprove that the Captain was behind the poison."

He looks at Kent, "Think you could do another run into her office. A weapon used in the match plus the original container of the poison would be useful."

"I am unskilled in determining out what the weapons were smeared with. I imagine they should not have been coated with whatever it is."

Kent nods, and prepares for another 'run' that evening...

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25.
Disable Device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20.
Perception #1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25.
Perception #2: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20.
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24.

"If we want one of the weapons, we should probably talk to the people who wielded them."

Kent slips through like a whisper in the night, past all of the night patrols and reenters Captain Othis's office. A bit more confident than before,

While looking at the desk, Kent finds a letter on the bottom of the pile addressed directly to the Captain.

Kent also finds a hidden compartment in the stone wall. Behind it, you find a single dark vial.

Feel free to add any more investigation you'd like to complete.

The next day, Dell Duskblade, tired and weary from lots of scrubbing, interrupts your breakfast. ”The captain wants to see you. New assignment.”

Captain Othis leans back in her chair. ”Normally the Peerless Empire gives us most of our duties, but sometimes we run security detail for businesses and guilds.” She holds up a flyer. ”The Glitterfang Halls, an upscale establishment owned and operated by the adult crystal dragon Cestranell, hired us to provide extra security for tonight’s grand opening. I want you to keep a lookout for Inysha, a notorious cheater and master of disguise. You will report to the casino at 1700 hours, two hours before it opens. Understood?”

Captain Othis hands you a tablet with a crude drawing and description of Inysha.

Gratius says I'm not good with people, but someone with some skills could talk to Dell. He seems like the puppet's Captain and not very happy about it. May be it will be possible to convince him to talk about the Captain's ties with the Aspis and her tries to make us fail our mission?

==== In the Captain's office ====

What can we expect from this Inysha? How good is the local security of the Glitterfang Halls?

Before Captain''s Office

"Interesting. So the Captain has setup a caravan with gems for ambush. I wonder who this Slagcrusher is."

Perception DC17: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Hudor starts to examine the dark vial Kent brought back. He thinks it is the poison, but isn't quite sure. He hands it over for others to help identify it for him.
A single Perception (Aid Other) success will work to identify the poison.

====In the Captain's Office====

"Seems like a odd job for mercenaries to take part in. Looking out for a gambler that cheats. Wouldn't specialized rogues be better?"