A Brute Squad Betrayal (Inactive)

Game Master ThorGN

Tanner tells some strange and fantastic stories about his lifetime of sailing the sea. Enough that it's a little hard to tell how tall his tales are.

You arrive safely and find your way to Grindylow’s Goblet. After a brief conversation with the bartender, and boy runs out the back carrying your message and you sit back to wait for your contacts.

Brak stays next to Marla, who sits at a table with a small glass of wine, her book laid out before her. Brak eyes everyone suspiciously while Marla writes.

Perception 1d20 ⇒ 5

"What are you writing Marla? I hope you don't mind me asking. Books are a great love of mine. I was an under-librarian at the temple of Pharasma back in Sothis before coming here. That's what brought me to the Society in the first place. The chance to add to that great source of knowledge."

Marla smiles and looks up from her writing. The page is covered in Dwarven writing and small diagrams and drawings. "It's the account of our journey. I'm a Chronicler. I started as a Chronicler of my Clan's heritage, and when I found Uncle, I decided to start chronicling more than just genealogy."

Brak snorts. "There is nothing wrong with chronicling the virtuous accomplishments of your ancestors." he says sharply.

"You of all people better watch your mouth about virtuous accomplishments." Marla retorts. Brak shuts his mouth and blushes.

What you have done isss more important than what othersss might have done. I don't sssee the point of writing it all on a piece of paper though. {shrug} I mean are you really that likely to forget what you've done?

"You may not forget Selter but, if your accomplishments mean anything, it is important that others know and understand them. Without an understanding of the past, we are doomed to repeat their mistakes.

Do not forget, we will eventually become the past, the ancestors of some future Chroniclers, and they will look to us for wisdom. What Marla writes here will one day be history. Maybe for her descendants, maybe for all of ours. That she takes the time to ensure her account is accurate and comprehensive is something I am thankful for on behalf of those that shall read it in ages hence."

"Hungry." Tortella contributes. He begins watching the sailors.

A short time later, two Gillmen walk in and introduce themselves. Shoalo and his sister Ahrmisa. They bring forth an artifact wrapped in a wet cloth to exchange for the artifact from the Pathfinder vaults. Each party has a chance to examine the other's artifact for authenticity.

Greetingsss, I am Selter Sago. Guide through the wildernesss. Thisss ol... experienced fellow isss to determine worth of find.

Did they offer any proof of identity? Do they look and act like real gillmen? If so, do they seem to be lying about their names?
knowledge nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
sense motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Yes, they look like real gillmen. No, they do not seem to by lying about their names.

Nester Rees studies the artifact.
If someone else wants to take a look at the artifact, roll an appraise check.

Resting precariously over Escadar’s harbor, the Grindylow’s Goblet offers an unequaled view of the water. In the bar’s center, a thick glass aquarium presents a striking display. Within the tank, a coral statue of a goblin with the lower body of an octopus hosts a school of colorful fish that flit about the nooks and crannies of its tentacles.

Tortella goes to the bar to order. "Horse... meat?" he asks, smiling and counting out a few coppers.
Diplomacy (get horse meat): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Acenith will have a good look at it. She's very keen to know what it is.

She doesn't have Appraise but could maybe use Knowledge (History/Dungeoneering/Nobility/Religion) or Profession (Librarian) to have a vague idea what kind of thing it is? If she's got no clue, she'll ask Rees.

To help with your looking experienced man. Selter casts guidance on Rees.

Selter says I will take a look at it with false confidence.

Casts detect to see if it is even magical. Then guidance to help with the apraise check. (Since guidance is nota trained only skill.)
Does it glow with magical energies?
appraise: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

No Magic that you can see, but it looks very nice, and very old.

Do I get horse meat?

Selter whispers to Rees, Isss not thisss sssuposssed to be a powerful magical artifact? I detect no magic on it of any kind. Isss that expected?

Rees seems to be growing more and more dismayed. What is this piece of junk? An Azlanti artifact? Do you take me for a fool! A child could make a better counterfeit!

Surprised by Rees's sudden outburst, the bartender drops the glass she was bringing to Trotella and quickly casts a spell. The crackling fire in the corner explodes in a shower of sparks and light.

Marla, Acenith, Selter, Sithiss, and Sierra are Blinded! For Rounds: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3.

Round 1, Acenith, Marla, and Selter are up!

Prosím, pomôžte nám bohyne!
Selter casts guidance on Sithiss.

Find the lying fisssh men my ssscaley lady. Sssqueeze the truth from them.
Your eyesss may be dazzled my lovely but fisssh men smell different from thessse mammalsss to your delicate sssensssesss.

Marla cries out and covers her eyes. She reaches for Brak, her voice intoning a short arcane phrase, and a matrix of force outlines Brak's own armor.

Cast Mage Armor on Brak.

"Treachery, is it? You and your accomplice will not get away with this!"

Acenith leaps blindly at the gillman sat opposite her, attempting to grapple him/her/it. As she was very close to them when she was blinded, I'm assuming she can target the square it is in.

They're flat-footed so it doesn't provoke an AoO?

Grapple 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Miss chance 1d100 ⇒ 100

To my great surprise I think that might even have worked. High is good on a miss chance, right?

Acenith launches herself accross the table at the gillman holding the Pathfinder artifact and wraps her arms around him. The female rises up, spear in hand and attempts to free her companion.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12, miss.

The grappled Gillman attempts to free himself.
CMB: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
He does and starts to move toward the door.

The bartender steps out from behind the bar and cast a spell. Magical webs groap at the party attempting to pin them down.

Acenith, Marla, and the Gillman are now Grappled! The area of the web, marked on the map, is now difficult terrian. Any who enter it must make a Ref save as well.

Everyone!

Tortella engages the mage with spear and tusk.
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6, Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Given that Tortella threatens with both his bite and his spear (reach), the wizard will be quite unable to cast next round without first provoking an AoO.

Brak growls something in Dwarven and pushes forward through the webs, drawing his axe as he does so, he closes on the one near the door. A terrific overhand chop descends on the treacherous Gillman.

Greataxe 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Acenith launches herself accross the table at the gillman holding the Pathfinder artifact and wraps her arms around him. The female rises up, spear in hand and attempts to free her companion.

[dice=Attack]1d20+2, miss.

The grappled Gillman attempts to free himself.
[dice=CMB]1d20+2
He does and starts to move toward the door.

Turns out I miscalculated my CMD. It is actually 15 which would make that a fail, but probably shouldn't be retconning things.

Round 1
Sithis moves toward the closest gillman that is not in webs and tries to bite him.

Sithiss bite: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 16

If that hits... bite damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 and Sithiss grab: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 I don't know if I get the flanking bonus on the grapple check or not. If I do this is 2 higher but probably still fails.

The Gillman by the door drops, taken down by Axe and Fang. The artifact clatters on the floor.

Round 2

Acenith, Marla, Selter!

Selter Round 2
Where are you lovely lady?

Prosím, pomôžte nám bohyne!
Selter makes his way to the snake and casts guidance on Sithiss again.

Marla, trapped in the webs and blinded, tries to pull herself free!

Escape Artist 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

If she does so, she moves out of the webs and stands over the artifact on the floor.

Acenith tries to break free of the webs...

CMB 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

...failing miserably.

Trapped again! This is starting to become a theme..

"Rees, where are you? Take cover behind the big glass tank."

The bartender throws caution to the wind as she dashes by Tortella down the side of the tank.

The Gillman stuck in the web attempt to free herself.
Str Check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12, and fails.

Tortella, please take your AoO.

Round 2
Sithiss moves toward the nearest Gillman she can smell. (The one in the webs.)
Sithiss reflex save: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13

Crap. I'm assuming that doesn't save so she is stuck.

AoO (spear): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21, Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Where are we in initiative order? Is it my turn?

Tortella draws blood as the bartender passes by. As she reaches the tank, she casts a spell and the tank shatters casting water and glass across the floor. The strange Goblin statue drops into the qoean below with a loud splash.

Sithiss gets stuck in the web!

Tortella, Brak, Sierra!

Tortella advances and tries to bite the wizard woman.
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17, Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Brak, peering at the mess of webs, says, "Marla, stay here and guard that object." he begins advancing around the shattered tank to get at the spellcaster.

The bartender winces as the half-orc's teath sink into her defending arm.

Round 3, Acenith, Marla, and Selter!

Round 3
Prosím, pomôžte nám bohyne!
Selter casts guidance on himself.

Sithis turn is a bit later, but I'm posting it now incase I'm not online when her turn comes up.
Sithis tries to break through the webs to the other gillman.
Sithiss CMB vs. web grapple: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Success! Difficult terrain, but still plenty of movement to get to the gillman in a single move.
Sithis bite attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 I don't know if that hits or not. If it does, then...
Sithis bite damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 and Sithiss grab CMB: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Marla picks up the artifact the Gillmen tried to steal, and stays at the door to prevent others from escaping or potential reinforcements from arriving.

The bartender smiles at the half-orc then steps over the edge and falls into the sea.

Seeing her self dead and abandoned, the one live Gillman puts down her spear and surrenders.

Combat end

Tortella curses an ugly orcish curse and heads over to secure the gillman.
"You move... I behead." Tortella says, threatening with his greataxe.
Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Do we still have the artifact we brought?

Acenith looks around for Rees. She rushes over to him if he's hurt.

Isss anyone badly hurt needing the grace of the godess?

The Gillman cowers away from the ugly sorcerer.

Marla is currently holding the artifact you brought.

Is the other gillman actually dead or just unconscious?

Sithiss can dispose of that problem for us.

The one by the door is dead.

Brak gives the surviving Gillman a disdainful look, leaving her under Tortella's care, and returns to Marla.

Marla smiles at Brak, still clutching the artifact. "Nester, are you alright?" she calls out to him.

"Nestor... revenge?" Tortella offers his axe to the appraiser.