Ascension - Merchant's Guild

Game Master bbangerter

Aria casts magic missile on the invisible man, but she'll delay until after Cindy Lu's turn, so she can target him. If she has to move to where she's visible to do this, she'll drop down to the roof after casting the spell. (If that works, anyway. Let me know if it doesn't.) (Magic Missile does not affect those with total cover or total concealment)

3d4 if it works.

You have the range for magic missile from your current position. Could you clarify: not moving? Or coming down of the roof to the ground anyway?

I meant if she has to move to the edge of the roof, where she might be more visible. If she can do it from where she is, great. (I'm still not sure what distance the height adds to her range, or if she can see everything from where she is.)

Through the message spell: Vados, I think you can get to the runner who was invisible. Don't let him get away. But we do not need to kill him.

Unless you crit him your unarmed damage from a single attack will not kill him. And I think you can choose to do non-lethal if you want to, right? You could also try to stun him or grapple him I guess.

Garion channels the blessing of Desna then says to Cindy Lu, "I'm inclined to listen to the gnome."

Desna's healing: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 3) = 15

Through the message spell: Vados, I think you can get to the runner who was invisible. Don't let him get away. But we do not need to kill him.

Unless you crit him your unarmed damage from a single attack will not kill him. And I think you can choose to do non-lethal if you want to, right? You could also try to stun him or grapple him I guess.

Yes, you can choose to do non-lethal with unarmed strikes.

Waiting for Vados. Then I will respond. Suggestions?

Apparently Cindy Lu wants to kick you-know-what and take names. Otherwise, I think we should parley, at least. See if we can get them to stop attacking merchants.

Now you have hurt my feelings. :P Hew I am all about parley, as much as we can parley with a group of evil rogues and assassins. I say you only fight a war you have to win. These guys extorted a great deal of gold from someone we are sworn to protect, and they threatened to kill their families. When we demand, as part of our parley, that this gold be returned and that they never extort or rob a member of the merchant's guild again we can do so from a position of power and pose credible threat. I do want to take down, but not kill this last guy if we can before we parley though. Vados?

My ideal outcome of this is that we get a treaty with these guys that they leave the Merchant Guild alone, and even report to us if they know about others planning to rob our members. For that we do not hunt them down and kill them. >:) Ok, maybe we can also give them bodies back and listen to what they might want in return. During discussions lets let them know that we found them this time and can do so again if need be. Shiv, are you our spokesman? If we get some deal, how do we make sure they keep their end. Monks have to be lawful... hmm...

Any lawfuls would have to keep to their word, at least the strict letter of it. Others could be up in the air.

If Vados doesn't post soon, I will respond. I plan to be the voice. Just making sure we are tactically set.

Time will keep ticking, slowly, in the meantime. Vayga then Vados are up. (You can of course just delay).

Updated map

Also note that summoned creatures will continue attacking regardless unless you can speak a shared language. (Which I don't think anyone can?) You could of course dismiss the summoning spell as a standard action for each one if you want to take that risk.

By my count the air elemental (and stinking cloud) still have 2 rounds of existence left. Spider has 4, leopard has 3.

Through message: Get a hair sample from the fallen enemies to use for scrying.

Waiting for allies to go before I answer.

We do not trust you thieves, but yes, we will give you your fallen "friend" back. The rage and derision in Vayga's voice speak clearly of exactly how little she trusts these bandits to deal fairly or understand true friendship. She walks up to the fallen elf, lifts him from the ground and shouts, We will talk. We will speak of whose attack was unprovoked and whose attack is merely in defense of kith and kin. You will have your friend back only after reparations have been made and believable oaths have been taken!

You have extorted money and threatened the innocent lives of a merchant's family under our protection! A note will be left with the bartender here within 48 hours with a time and place to meet!

Using the message spell to allies: Kill the last enemy outside, retrieve anything that looks valuable from them (including hair), and lets leave.

I think the air elemental only has 1 round left, unless I'm mistaken.

If allowed, here are my actions for Vados

Vados moves to T37 in pursuit of the man he hit last round, using non-lethal damage to try to bring him down.

Vados attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 241d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Busy weekend. Yeah, I think Vados would follow Cindy's suggestion. @GM, if you'll accept Cindy's rolls that's fine with me, but if you want me to roll I understand.

Should do your own rolls.

Yeah, I figured, but I had to ask with that 24 sitting there. =)

At Cindy's message, Vados sprints after the runner.

Attack1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 251d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

The half-orc casts a spell then steps through the broken window.

"Its as my pal here said. You've made a grievous error and set upon us out of ignorance and without cause. We don't know nothing of what you're talking about. The guard will hear of this as you have just committed assault and murder."

Vados plants a kick to the back of the fleeing mans head and he falls to the ground unconscious.

The summoner is up

Can Cindy Spellcraft the spell the half orc cast?

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Cindy doesn't have line of sight on the half-orc, so is unable to make a spellcraft roll.

Hmm - does that mean there was nothing to hear... That limits what was cast itself... When "you stay steps back through" is he half orc now inside our outside. You confused me.

He stepped through the window (and is now on the outside).

Spellcraft requires visual sight "...but you must be able to clearly see the spell as it is being cast..." Though in practice I'd have no problem deviating from RAW on this to allow a auditory check with a circumstance penalty (and conversely someone who has vision but is in a silenced area getting a penalty on spellcraft). Irrespective of that though the distance from you to the caster drops your spellcraft check by about ~7-8 (it takes the same range penalties as perception).

The summoner yells out the open window, "Get away from him!".

His hands move in the motions of spell casting before he takes a step south from the window.

Neither Aria, Garion, or Cindy Lu are able to make out enough details to determine what spell he has cast.

Updated map

Cindy Lu, Aria, summoned creatures, NPC's, and Shiv are up

Through message: Finish the one on the ground.

GM Ascension, what will you rule the cat will do if Cindy does not dismiss it? As a 5th level caster I think Cindy would have a good idea. also, can Cindy delay and also have her animal delay? And finally Shiv, Vados intentionally did non-lethal damage to the man that is down - I do not think we want to finish him. If we kill him he gets a rez. IF, however we take him prisoner, and maybe turn him over to the guard he is a prisoner and not immediately returned to the other team. Lets have Vados pick him up and depart with him.

Cindy will delay if she can. If the cat can pounce on the enemy in the window that would be grand. :) I hope it will not just full attack the downed man. But Cindy will call out to the monk.

You there, monk, I know you to be a man of your word. But I also know the half orc lies. We know of your roll in the extortion of merchants and threats against their families. How can we treat fairly with you in parley when you abide the lies of your friends?

Skyfire returns to Aria's shoulder, and she attempts to remain hidden, listening to what conversation is imparted to her through message and other means. Aria and Skyfire also delay, waiting to see whether or not anyone will surrender, or if the fight continues.

The air elemental attacks a final time, and then dissipates into thin air.
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The spider spits a web at the enemy in the fountain.
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 (Escape Artist or Strength DC 12)

EDIT: Question: If the summoner moved did the air elemental get an attack of opportunity?.

Cats don't generally eat people, so probably head over to the window and attack the NPC elf that is visible there would be my thinking. It won't be able to charge because of the stinking cloud still in the way. It won't delay without a successful handle animal roll to control it though.

I could definitely see the spider wrapping up its victim for later consumption (even though the spider won't exist then).

The two crossbowmen who drew blades retreat back to where they dropped their crossbows to retrieve them. The other three reload and advance. Forming a rough line behind Vados.

Cindy's cloud will disappear at the end of her next turn.

Cat moves to attack the elf, whom I believe has a missile weapon out?

Bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 261d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Confirm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 131d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Grab: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Cindy chooses to act. After she has spoken to the enemy monk she casts Invisibility on herself and moves to S35. Also note that she did not drop her axe, but only offered it to the barbarian, who never took it.

Yes, the elf is wielding a long bow, though he does have an elven blade at his waist.

The leopard runs over to the window, trying to bite the elf standing in the window, who immediately pulls back half a step to keep out of its reach.

And yes you still have the axe.
And just realized I didn't move the half-orc on the latest map - he is at L39

Wait, so, even though the cat has enough movement to get into the Inn he cannot attack and the NPC's ready action costs the cat its natural 20? You sir are a cold and heartless DM. :P where did the summoner go? That nat 20 would even hit him if he were handy.

@Aria, I went back to check when the air elemental was cast. It was summoned the same round the enemy cast haste and Cindy cast stinking cloud, so it has one more round before it poofs.

The summoner only took a 5' step, so no AoO this time.

The air elemental moves into view in the window, striking at something to the south.

elemental is at U28

The elf takes a step back from the window and away from the air elemental, firing an arrow at the leopard.

5' step NW
Attack d20 + mods = 17. Damage d8 + mods = 5

The second elf reappears farther back, nocking an arrow and taking a shot at the leopard as his friend calls for aid.

Attack d20 + mods = 22. Damage d8 + mods = 8

Shiv is up

Okay. I guess I miscounted, then.

Through message: Grab the unconscious enemy and let's bolt. Vayga follow me.

Shiv moves away from the tavern (up to a double move) and hides.

Stealth: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27

I am guessing there is some alley to the east where I can hide and watch while waiting for the group to leave? None of the enemies have LOS to me can you leave my token off the map and we decide on a square?

Seeing that some actions are finally being resolved, and the question of leniency or subtle preponderance was finally answered, Una swiftly relays Shiv's message to the group. "I think its time to count our victories and leave while the getting is good. We can question the unconscious one later, and find out exactly what's going on, and decide then how we can best stop it. Vayga, help him carry the body. With just one person dragging it around, we'll be slowed down for sure."

We have two bodies to carry - the dead on and the unconscious one. Vayga has the dead one. I hope that Vados will grave the unconscious one.

Shiv dashes around the east side of the stables, disappearing from view.

Carrying the elf puts Vayga under a medium load (heavy when she stops raging and becomes fatigued).

Vados will likewise be under medium encumbrance if he grabs the other.

The gnome is up, but Garion can state his actions.

For that matter, if everyone is planning on booking it out of there feel free to state which direction you are heading.

Aria will slip down into the shadows, west of the building she's on top of, then curve around (offscreen) to the east, or whatever way the others are going with their prizes.

Cindy will hang with Vados and recommend through the message spell that we stay close enough to help each other and to retreat through the crossbow line to discourage pursuit. That monk they have could easily catch one of us. Might be smart to wait until the city guard arrives before retreating.

Cautiously Vayga moves to the east through the line of crossbowmen. Carrying the dead elf over her shoulder she makes her way back to the merchants guild hall.

As Vayga starts to move away the gnome, holding Vayga's falchion in one hand moves forward 20', holding the blade in outstretched arms as though in a peace offering.

Aria and Vados taking any other actions?

No, but the summoned creatures continue to attack...

@Cindy Did you mean "grab" the unconscious one, or did you want me to kill him? Not sure what you meant by "grave".

I meant grab not grave. I do not want to have to kill him - I am not evil after all. He is worth more to us and them alive - and if we keep him alive the other side can not get him back with the free rez. My goal would be to ransom him back to the other side for an agreement for them not to mess with the merchant guild members, including us, in the future. :) If they pursue us though we might have to at least threaten to kill that guy to break off the chase.

Sure sure. Sounds good! Just wanted to make sure.

@GM If I have enough time, I'll use some rope from my climber's kit to bind the hands and feet of the unconscious enemy, and then pick him up.

Vados picks up the unconscious man, and begins to back away towards the crossbow line with Cindy.

I think the spider has already done that for you. Move action to get rope out. Standard to tie. So if you do that you do not pick up the body and you do not move. And the enemy is 40 feet away.

Not sure if the web attack hit, unless he was knocked unconscious before the spider attacked.