# 9-16: Fallen Family, Broken Name, with GM Pendrak (Inactive)

Game Master Z...D...

Disappointed with his last swing, Hskoro is more careful this time and sweeps across the goblin's midsection with his axe.

Battle Axe +Flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

"You would presume to direct the arm of The Most Unholy Church, HEATHEN?"

"Okay."

*sckhuuuuch...*

masterwork silver heavy flail, flank: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

"Has somebody got THE RACK, so we can tie this wretch down!?"

The goblin leader dodges, or blocks with her shield, the diverse attacks that threaten her, save that from Hskoro's battleaxe, which slips her shield and delivers a cruel wound into her shoulder. The goblin looks pretty badly hurt.

Tholand is up.

Tholand cracks his knuckles smiles and and says: Im gonna enjoy this!
Tholand does a Superman punch to the goblin leader, aiming for right across the jaw.
Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 91d6 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

The goblin seems determined to fight to the death, and seeing a human, a type of creature she hates above all other types of creatures, she focuses her hatred again on Giovanni, slashing him with her dogslicer, sending blood flying. The goblin cackles madly. The gecko attacks Giovanni as well, but its heart doesn't seem into it.

Giovanni takes 8 points of slashing damage. Giovanni, Hskoro, Smiley, Tholand, Everbloom, and Mikhail may act.

No longer able to get a clear shot off on the goblin, Everbloom circles around the fight and tosses another flurry of pine needles at the goblin.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 = 15
Magical Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 5 + 1 = 11

Why ME? There's clearly a dwarf right HERE! Giovanni takes the moment of distraction to stab with rapier.

bluff, feint: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

rapier, flanking, denied DEX if feint successful: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13
damage, sneak attack: 1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 3 + (4, 6) = 19

Hskoro hisses as Giovanni is hit hard by the goblin. "No. You fight me. Attack me."

He then sweeps his battle axe at the goblin again.

Battle Axe: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Har! Come closer so I can squeeze yer neck!

Smiley attempts twice to squeeze her neck.

Power Brawler's Fury: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Power Brawler's Fury: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Minimum damage. Of course.

masterwork silver heavy flail, flank: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

The chief feels as though she's been stomped by an enormous foot from the heavens!

The goblin is struggling, fighting to block all the attacks with her shield, or dodge them as they come, but finally Mikhail is able to brain her with his flail, and she falls from her crude saddle. With its rider slain, the gecko runs off into the underbrush.

You take your time to loot the goblins of any valuables. More importantly, you find a strange magical rod where the goblin outrider discarded it. Burnt feathers have been crudely tied to the rod but the black sheen of ash covering the rod rubs off easily, revealing a dark wood haft inlaid with silver script.

Insuring all the goblins are dead, he also goes through and gathers up the loot for everyone to look at.

"Hmmm... Alchemist's Fire is good for those good at throwing things. Nice arrows also. Maybe the potions will be more valuable and whatever that rod is."

Can I use perception to identify the potion?
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Everbloom rifles through the gear and picks up the potions. She gives them a sniff, and a little lick, then returns them.

She picks up the rod. "Is this what we came for?"

Had a busier than expected weekend, but I'll get updates up in the next few hours.

Yes, you're able to identify the potions as potions of cure light wounds by taste and smell. Nobody else have Spellcraft and detect magic?

Ole Smiley's got Smellcraft and Detect Beer. Does that count?

not i

Nope lol I have fists though...

Really? Nobody else? I'm not that good at it, buuuut....

Though flummoxed by the diabolic inscription, the Vicar does his best to study the unholy implement.

Spellcraft on rod: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

I could use my folio reroll, but it would be a big wager for a narrow chance of paying off; if nobody else among us can take another crack, we could also try to find someone else to identify it, or buy a scroll of identify; either of those might be worth it.

Nope!

Everbloom looks particularly proud of herself. "It's a healing potion." She tucks it into her belt pouch. Anyone else is welcome to claim it? She's just making sure it doesn't get left behind.

The Pathfinders are unable to immediately identify several of the items, and cannot seem to read the inscription. However, upon returning to Elidir, Venture-Captain Brackett can help.

"Ah, this must be the Hellfire rod. It was a symbol of the Irrica family's power. Daily one may use the rod to call up fire, but I think it may have had a secondary use, based on the inscription. See here," he says, pointing to the silver lettering, "Infernal. It says, 'Only those who can command the lesser power of this rod can be trusted with True power.' I wonder what that means exactly..."

He identifies the other more run of the mill magic items as well, before sending you on your next mission.

"Your next mission is in Valten. According to the Irricas' will, the locket containing a portion of the true name was willed to a distant cousin, a woman named Delara Adnen. She is a retired Druman Blackjacket mercenary. Travel there and meet with her to either obtain or look at the locket. Please refrain from more questionable means of doing so, because the last thing the Pathfinders need is to annoy one so well-connected. Per the family lineage described in the will, there is one Irrica whose fate is unaccounted for; I shall be looking into this."

Again, you guys have time to retroactively purchase anything you need while in Elidir, as we push forward. That is a second quest complete, so each of you receives more gold.

The Pathfinders arrive in Valten without incident. Valten is a small but bustling town, and the group is easily able to locate Delara's estate.

Past the houses and shops clustered at the town's center, a large mansion stands on a hill overlooking the river. A wrought-iron fence encircles the beautifully maintained grounds of the estate, its gate standing open and adorned by a family crest.

Once the Pathfinders arrive at the estate, the butler asks your business before ushering you in to see Delara. After waiting for a few minutes in the elegantly decorated parlor, a muscular, middle-aged woman with graying hair enters the room. She regards the Pathfinders thoughtfully before speaking.

"Good day. I am Delara Adnen. My butler informs me you all wish to see me, though he neglected to give me your names. Have a seat, and we can discuss business."

Smiley's not so good with fancy-talk. He bows respectfully and allows one of the fancy-talkers to fancy-talk. Because he's not so good with fancy-talk.

Good day, m'lady. My name is Giovanni Stellaluce. We understand you possess a locket willed to you by your cousin. Giovanni lets that hang hoping for a response.

Hskoro bows to Delara. "I am Hskoro. It is honor to meet you. My companions is correct, we have been directed here to inquire about a locket willed to you by your cousin, Irricas."

Everbloom, in her ruined finery and raining down leaves and twigs from her fur with every movement, looks around the room with interest.

"Nice place." The way she smiles, you're not entirely sure its a compliment.

Diplomacy to AID: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Rolling an aid in the hopes someone more diplomatic than I am takes the lead roll.

will attempt a diplo action with her response.

Anyone object if I take the Rod now? Vicar of Hell, here, after all.

Mikhail leaves Elidir with something he did not arrive there with: A fearsome iron axe with a head shaped like a crested amphisbaena.

Once at the manor....

"NOBODY EXPECTS TH-wait. You *were* expecting us?" Mikhail blinks, then takes a seat to ponder the implications to himself.

I am as yet untrained in Diplomacy, and have a Charisma of 6, so I'll not try to 'aid'.

Delara gives a concerned look.

"The locket, you say..."

She looks over to her butler, "Please, bring our guests some refreshments. Tea this morning? Coffee? Something stronger?"

She makes small talk before the refreshments arrive, and then asks, "Now... what do you want to see the locket?"

Typo this morning, should read "Why do you want to see the locket?"

Your cousin Irrica's estate was ransacked by goblins. We have been hired to ensure Irrica's willed items have been properly distributed and verified. Giovanni puts on a face of "official business".

bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

A servant enters and sets a cup of tea and a plate of confections in front of each Pathfinder before departing.

Delara seems satisfied with your explanation. She goes over to a nearby curio cabinet, opens a drawer, and produces a small box. Inside, wrapped in paper, is a small locket, which she takes out and displays to it those gathered, holding it up in her hands.

"Here it is. I boxed it away, never even bothered trying to open it. Its cursed, like everything having to do with that family. Glad I'm just a distant cousin, as it were. Its for sale, if you want it."

Travel there and meet with her to either obtain or look at the locket. Please refrain from more questionable means of doing so, because the last thing the Pathfinders need is to annoy one so well-connected.

Ole Smiley's not afraid of a curse. Can I hold it?

"How much?" Everbloom asks.

"We should have the more magical inclined take a look at it. See if they can identify the curse."

"Give that here," Says Mikhail in his usual brusque enthusiasm, although otherwise now looking a picture of upper-bourgeois civility as he pours tea and nibbles confections.

"CONFESS your secrets, wayward box," He says softly but sternly to the locket. "I fear them not, though you would do well to fear me...."

Detect Magic/Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Remember, any save I must make against a magic item, I get +2 to!

Thanks ma’am, nice place ye ‘ave here. I’ve fought off a curse or two in my day, I think we can help ye.Tholand puts on his best smile, takes a snack and some coffee. I’ll have to work this off later, eh Smiley? The way ye were punchin back there, ye might want to do the same. Hahahahaha! Tholand belts out an obnoxious rumbling laugh. Anyone having met Tholand knows, he finds his own jokes to be hysterical.

Har! Right you are, Tholand Warmane. About the punchin' anyway.

Smiley produces a mug of beer from...somewhere...and takes a deep swig.

But you can have my beer when I'm cold and buried. Har!

Our Mission wrote:

Travel there and meet with her to either obtain or look at the locket. Please refrain from more questionable means of doing so, because the last thing the Pathfinders need is to annoy one so well-connected.

Ole Smiley's not afraid of a curse. Can I hold it?

Delara hands over the locket to Smiley. She turns to Everbloom, thinking, "I'd say I could part with it for 10 gold pieces."

As Smiley turns the locket over in his hands, the surface of the locket does not reveal any inscriptions that could be the true name. A closer
examination, however, reveals the mechanism to open the locket, which Delara seems to have not yet spotted. As he tries to open the locket, it suddenly seals itself shut, and the reflected image of a ghostly young woman appears on the locket’s surface. She is dressed in a nightgown and has a melancholy demeanor.

"Please, do not disturb my locket. It is precious to me, and I would like to keep the memories within to myself. Who are you, strangers? Have you come to bring me peace at last?"

Delara sits in stunned silence, her mouth agape.

Smiley jumps in surprise as the locket speaks to him, then smiles broadly.

Well, howdy there, little lady! And I do mean little. How do you even fit in there anyway?

He turns the locket over, looking for a door or something, then turns it back.

Well, I can say for sure that you're in luck. Smiley Stonegirdle, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, is here to help. What can Ole Smiley do for you?

Indeed, it seems to be the genuine article. Ma'am, we would gladly offer 20 gold pieces for the locket in order to bring peace to this lingering spirit. Giovanni pleads with the lady.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
cripes

Everbloom gives Giovanni a glare when he increase the price from ten gold to twenty.

"Ten is fine." she quickly tells the woman.

Hskoro looks at the locket strangely, "Is a soul trapped in the locket?"

Smiley jumps in surprise as the locket speaks to him, then smiles broadly.

Well, howdy there, little lady! And I do mean little. How do you even fit in there anyway?

He turns the locket over, looking for a door or something, then turns it back.

Well, I can say for sure that you're in luck. Smiley Stonegirdle, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, is here to help. What can Ole Smiley do for you?

Surprisingly, the little, ghostly woman responds.

"My name is Althea Irrica, daughter of Rutillo Irrica. I am not in the locket, I think, sir dwarf. In fact, within the locket is a portrait of my beloved fiance. He was killed when one of my family's convoys was attacked, not long before..." she frowns, and seems confused, "Before whatever it was happened to me happened. At any rate, my spirit seems to be bound to the locket. I do not know for certain, but I think you need to help me find my rest." The little projection seems thoughtful, though still deeply melancholy.

"I do have one idea. If you could find my engagement ring and touch it to the locket, so that I can be close to it one last time, I think that might allow me to find peace in the afterlife. I doubt it should be terribly difficult, my parents probably have it back at the manor."

Delara ignores Giovanni's and Everbloom's talk of money, still agape at the fact that her dead, distant relative seems to be haunting a locket. But a few moments after Althea's shade finishes its speech, the woman speaks.

"I already sold the ring..." Delara says, trailing off.

Smiley does not flinch when the woman in the locket responds to him. It's exactly what he expected.

Ho! Well, then, we'll find that ring for ya, little lady!

He turns to Delara.

Who'd ya sell it to, and fer how much?

Giovanni shakes his head and removes his glasses to polish them with his handkerchief. Not exactly the complication we were expecting.. but nonetheless. Madam, we'd like any and all information you have about items that came with this locket. Please.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Hksoro quickly speaks up, "And I'm sure you will allow us to take the locket with us to free her without charging us, won't you?"

Diplomacy (Aid Other): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

"I should hope so. It's her relative we're putting to rest. In fact, she should probably pay us for dealing with it."

Aye, let’s put this poor soul to rest, ma’am who’d ya sell it to?
Having several missions under his sash, Tholand is unphased by the spirit in the locket.
Tholand will peer around seeing if anything or anyone is spying on them.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Delara seems to be still lost in thought for a few moments, before she answers, "I sold the ring with a few other items to a merchant caravan passing through Valten. I believe their leader was called Arvok. They are leaving town today by the main road, but you may still be able to catch them if you hurry."

She moves over to a desk, and withdraws a piece of paper from a drawer. She grabs her quill, and dipping it in the ink, she quickly writes out a note in a clear script, before continuing, "Here, this note instructs the merchants to give you the ring, and deduct the value from my accounts. Furthermore, you can take the locket, free of charge."

Delara frowns, wringing her hands. It is obvious that she feels bad about the entire situation.

As the Pathfinders get ready to leave to catch the caravan, Delara has a final word of warning, "When I received the ring and the inheritance, I was told that the last two family members who had owned it had passed away mysteriously after a downturn in fortune. I'm not particularly superstitious myself, but nonetheless I wanted to avoid trouble, so I didn't even handle the ring before selling it. But Althea's story has me worried that the ring's curse may extend beyond the Irrica family. Good luck, and be careful."

The merchant caravan is on the main road and easy to spot, so finding it isn't a problem. Four wagons are clustered next to the road, pulled off to the side so as not to impede traffic. Next to the wagons, several people mill about chatting, while a few armed guards keep an eye on passing travelers.

One of the merchants who seems to be organizing his stock calls out as you approach, "Hail there! You lot need to buy anything? We're about to leave town, and you won't find anything to match the quality of our goods in Valten. What can I do you for?"

Indeed, sir. I you would be so kind, we are looking for a very specific set of items you would have purchased from Lady Delara. A ring in particular. As you can see from her note here, we are in a position to compensate you for it's return. Giovanni offers the note.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Looking for his initial disposition to my proposal.