An ancient power rests beneath the Terwa Uplands in western Garund—a power laid to rest by the Azlanti six millennia ago and coveted today by human and
beast alike. The former include the Pathfinder Society, who pry into the earth uncovering such treasures (though they are not alone in their desires), and the latter, the gorilla king Ruthazek and his ape empire, who lay siege to the Pathfinder expedition even now, hoping to snatch the Azlanti’s power from their cold, dead hands.
AC 19, touch 15, flat-footed 15 (+4 Dex, +4 natural, +1 size) Fort +6, Ref +7 Will +2 evasion hp 25 (bot is bite it or if swarm run Croaki hates swarms and steers well clear)
Croaki seems to like the taste of the black ant and keeps chomping away at it
Ahmande continues to 'sing' with wand in hand as Sarathor's staff slams into the ant's side. Craoki is surprised by how much giant ant tastes like chicken and investigates further is momentarily lost in a frenzy and fails to respond to the command to switch targets. Primitive undeveloped minds see the druid;s movement as trying to trespass into their territory. Both try to bite him, but the elf nimbly dodges both attacks.
AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+6 armor, +2 Dex) Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep low light vision CLW wand 43 charges remaining hp 25 (bot instrctn hit with staff/buff croaki if dr encountered)
AC 19, touch 15, flat-footed 15 (+4 Dex, +4 natural, +1 size) Fort +6, Ref +7 Will +2 evasion hp 25 (bot is bite it or if swarm run Croaki hates swarms and steers well clear)
Croaki responds to Sarathors urging and attacks red
NG Halfling Wizard 6 | Mods: Continual Flame (Spell Level 3) | HP 36 (-0)| AC/Tch/FF 17/14/14 (Light Fortification) | CMD 13 (+1 vs. Disarm) | F/R/W +6/+8/+8 (+2 vs. fear, Boon vs. Gaze) | Speed 20ft | Init: +6 (Forewarned) | 2 Star Reroll 1/1, Diviner's Fortune 7/7, Spells/Abilities tracked on Profile | Perc: +2, SM: +0
Kaya fires a second bolt at the same ant again and then reloads, "good work team!" She watches as Croaki rips chunks off the one that dropped and then turns to a second ant. "well done there lizard dog creature thing, make sure it stays down!"
Ahmande's wand goes off, shimmering blue as a portal of the same color opens behind the red ant. An eagle, throwing sparks of the same blue appears as the portal snaps shut. The eagle immediately swoops down and tears at the red ant with both talons and its powerful beak.
Ahmande continues his tale, pointing out that while Or'kin often had to visit sites of vermin infestations regularly to keep the bugs away--such that he sometimes had contracts with his clients--his treatment was always effective at removing the nuisance.
He steps forward and draws his longsword, attacking the green ant through the doorway and around Croaki.
AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+6 armor, +2 Dex) Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep low light vision CLW wand 43 charges remaining hp 25 (bot instrctn hit with staff/buff croaki if dr encountered)
AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+6 armor, +2 Dex) Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep low light vision CLW wand 43 charges remaining hp 25 (bot instrctn hit with staff/buff croaki if dr encountered)
Durvan treis to learn more of these ants
"Irori gimme insight"
touch attack:1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 2 = 26
"OH this one thinks raptors are cute"
Knowledge check 22 on ants and what a waste of a crit
The red ant is swarmed and quickly overwhelmed in the series of claws, talons and teeth. The summoned raptor even gets a strike in on the remaining ant. The last worker bites a deep gash into Croaki.
Ahmande continues to strike at the remaining ant through the curtain while his tale of pest control continues. "It's said that he viewed his work against these vermin as a war. He called his recruits the Or'kin Army!"
Actions:
Free: continue bardic performance Standard: attack green
NG Halfling Wizard 6 | Mods: Continual Flame (Spell Level 3) | HP 36 (-0)| AC/Tch/FF 17/14/14 (Light Fortification) | CMD 13 (+1 vs. Disarm) | F/R/W +6/+8/+8 (+2 vs. fear, Boon vs. Gaze) | Speed 20ft | Init: +6 (Forewarned) | 2 Star Reroll 1/1, Diviner's Fortune 7/7, Spells/Abilities tracked on Profile | Perc: +2, SM: +0
Kaya steps up and facepalms, "doy! It's not a tiny ant at all! That explains so much. My bad y'all, I'll try to do better." She fires... this time at a bit higher angle and then reloads.
Crunch:
5 ft step, Standard to shoot Red Ant, Move to Reload.
AC 19, touch 15, flat-footed 15 (+4 Dex, +4 natural, +1 size) Fort +6, Ref +7 Will +2 evasion hp 25 (bot is bite it or if swarm run Croaki hates swarms and steers well clear)
AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+6 armor, +2 Dex) Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep low light vision CLW wand 43 charges remaining hp 25 (bot instrctn hit with staff/buff croaki if dr encountered)
Indeed, the druid's proclamation rings true as the last ant collapses to the ground.
{The southern room you were in before the combat started}. This area once housed sacks containing charcoal, lime, and other dry materials used for processing sugar, as well as barrels of molasses left over from the refining process. The ants carried away the barrels of molasses and destroyed most of the dry goods containers, scattering gray powder across the floor.
{The large room of combat}. This large chamber contains a maze of pipes and air ducts near the ceiling, but the floor remains clear aside from coal scattered from the chute along the far eastern wall. The ants broke through the flagstone floor in the northeast corner which serves as the entrance to their tunnel.
Novaria wrote:
"An idea came to me, you see—my housekeeper makes a sort of lotion that frightens bugs away, and I bet if someone dumped a load of it in the ants’ tunnel, it would keep them away until we could brick it up!"
"Who has that unguent?" Ahmande asks as he approaches the tunnel. He still holds his blade out, unsure if any ants might remain inside. "We should apply it as quickly as possible, before any more come out."
AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+6 armor, +2 Dex) Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep low light vision CLW wand 43 charges remaining hp 25 (bot instrctn hit with staff/buff croaki if dr encountered)
"Agreed2 says Sarathor who heals Croaki with his wand first before helping move to stuff to the tunnel"[/b] clw wand croaki:2d8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 2 = 6
NG Halfling Wizard 6 | Mods: Continual Flame (Spell Level 3) | HP 36 (-0)| AC/Tch/FF 17/14/14 (Light Fortification) | CMD 13 (+1 vs. Disarm) | F/R/W +6/+8/+8 (+2 vs. fear, Boon vs. Gaze) | Speed 20ft | Init: +6 (Forewarned) | 2 Star Reroll 1/1, Diviner's Fortune 7/7, Spells/Abilities tracked on Profile | Perc: +2, SM: +0
Kaya looks over the carnage, "well that's that then. Probably more in the tunnel but might be a ways away. Let's go in a bit and see, dump the goop and get our goods purchased." She follows the trailblazers into the tunnel.
The model of efficiency, the party closes wounds and applies the lotion to the tunnel entrance with no further conflict.
Novaria welcomes you back upstairs. "You were able to get the job done? Finally, a bit of good news. That should keep the pests at bay for about a week. Long enough to make repairs to the basement. It looks like we will be able to reopen much sooner than anticipated. Thank you again for your efforts. Now did you mention you needed supplies....?"
Well done team. No need to roleplay the transaction as there are no DC's to the checks. They give you a discounted price on the supplies.
So, where to next?
Option 1: Find Raimondo Scevola
Option 2: Find Senzer the Alchemist
Just a reminder, you need to roll to maintain your cover story as you move to your next location.
Ren: Diplomacy {Turncoat}
Durvak: Profession {Merchant}
Kaya: Know Local or Stealth {Lay Low}
Ahmandé: Diplomacy or Bluff {Turncoat}
Sarathor & Croaki: Know Nature or Survival {Tribesman}
"Well, we have our supplies; now we need our driver. Shall we find this Raimando?" He renews the prestidigitation that makes his wayfinder appear to be scuffed and scratched, and gets ready for another walk through the dangerous streets.
AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+6 armor, +2 Dex) Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep low light vision CLW wand 43 charges remaining hp 25 (bot instrctn hit with staff/buff croaki if dr encountered)
"You looking for Raimondo sirs?" inqires the tribesman
You hear word that the caravan leader sometimes spends his time in the Wandering Way, a tavern where the down and out try to drown troubles or gamble them away.
The humid stink of Bloodcove mingles with the reek of sweat and the sickly-sweet odor of tropical plants and exotic tobaccos. The foyer of the guild house looks more like a tavern than a place of business, with tables carved from dark jungle woods and overstuffed cushions. Older men and women mingle or brood over their drinks, while strapping young toughs claim the area around the cold hearth.
Across the room, a swarthy, moustachioed man bellows in anger. He sweeps an arm across the tabletop shared with a redcheeked companion, spilling drinks and playing cards onto the carpet. “You bashterd,” he drunkenly shrieks, “You scheating bashterd, Elanzo! I need thoshe animalsh! I have a client whoshe paid fer my caravan!”
His companion wrings the remains of his drink out of his shirt. “No one cares, Scevola. Those were the stakes, and your horses will be chow for my men before we set sail in the morning!”
“You shlipped shomethin in mah drink! You’re taking my horshesh over mah dead body!”
Elanzo simply shrugs at this and snaps his fingers. The large brutes gathered by the hearth stand up and begin moving toward the pair.
Moving towards the assumed guard, Durvak calls out "Oye, no needin ter be fisty cuffs. We's all bein friends 'ere. Mayhaps me kin yack at 'em a bit ter calm 'im down, ya?"
Flashing a smile at the man, he bats his eyes a bit.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 o.O I...I...dunno what to say. I didn't expect to have a cold chance in a warm place for that to roll hit over 10... We shall see what happens next. :-P
Blue Arrow is my path of travel (in case there's an AoO or something
The thug in front punches his fist to his palm a few times. With an amused sneer, the yellow clad guard offers, "Don't look like there's goin' to be too much 'fisticuffin'. He'll go down fast."
Elanzo continues to rail at Raimondo, "Ponies or payment. And as we both know you haven't the money, ponies it is. Good luck with your caravan business. I guess you could drag your wagons hither and fro." Then, the captain takes note of the cleric's approach. "He's a friend of yours? Well, no accounting for taste. Look, if you want your friend to leave in...whatever state he is in right now, I suggest you convince him to pay his debt. Bad enough he's a drunken sod of a gambler, but to welsh bet? Unconscionable! Unless you have some solution to the matter at hand?"
Ahmande quickly begins moving towards Reynaldo. "He claims you've slipped something in his drink. That makes the bet void. If you want him to pay up, you'll have to prove that the bet was fair!"
"Let's sort this out the right way; there's no need for blades or hasty actions!"
"Maybe you've never gambled before son, but it doesn't work like that. Now, if you can pay off his debt, fine. Otherwise Raimondo pays up." The captain then turns toward the bard, "Look, you seem nice, but a bet is a bet. If you want to keep him in one piece, bring me the livestock. Or... I could take gold in place of the animals. Makes no difference to me. I would say two hundred should cover it."
Sense Motive DC 15:
The captain feels he is owed his winnings. You feel he has asked for a little more gold than he would actually be willing to accept.
AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+6 armor, +2 Dex) Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep low light vision CLW wand 43 charges remaining hp 25 (bot instrctn hit with staff/buff croaki if dr encountered)
sense motive:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 bluff to pass on secret message dc 20:1d20 ⇒ 6
"You have horses for sale? For two hundred of your shiny yellow disks? I will buy. Croaki needs to learn to hunt properly" he gives an exaggerated wink to Raimondo and everybody except Sarathor (and possibly Croaki) thinks he really means to have Croaki hunt the horses and not pay the guy off so they can use the horses for the caravan
{CORE}Half-Elf Cleric of Desna 3 | HP 24/24 | AC:18 T:10 FF:18 CMD: 13 | F+4* R+1* W+6*| Init +0 | Perc +8|SM+7 Channel(2d6/DC14) 7/7|Agile Feet 6/6|Liberation 3/3|Conditions: none| Effects:
Sense Motive:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13So close, yet still so far...
Diplomacy:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
W
"A bet is a bet, but to take that path, wisdom should guide us not to lay everything on the line unless we are truly willing to loose it." Ren says to the group with a resigned sigh and nodding his head sagely.
"That said, this man obviously over extended himself despite any claims of mistreatment at your hands. Wouldn't you rather have gold that you can spend however you wish, than be saddled, pardon the term, with horses that are worth little more than morning chow to ship going men such as yourselves? If so, then perhaps we can strike a bargain, though 200 gold is out of our price range. Would you be willing to accept any less? I also hope that your trip tomorrow is blessed by Desna and you all find great fortune wherever you travel."
"Thank you Father. A Desnan blessing is always welcome. As to not having the money," he points at Sarathor, "He just offered the full price for it. You wouldn't be trying to mislead me now, would to Father? I mean, after you just provided a blessing, I believed we were having an honest parley."
The captain walks up to the druid, "Two hundred gold for the ponies, and Raimondo is officially your problem. You can cook them in a stew for all I care. Do we have a deal?"
"SHTEW!?! I'll show you whosh can fit inna pot, you shtruttin' peacock!" shouts Raimondo as he vigorously gestures at the captain. The act only serves to cover the caravan driver in more stale beer.
"Oh, come on. You and I both know that wasn't a serious offer. Don't insult us. You're lucky to find a druid that even understands currency. You did catch the part where he talked about a dinosaur hunt, right?" Ahmande laughs, as if the idea itself were preposterous. Sarathor, no ill-intent to you, here! Ahmande's just trying to get your full-price offer off the table.
Secret Message: all Pathfinders can read, Sense Motive DC 20 otherwise:
"He'll definitely take less than 200, we need to negotiate a smaller amount."
Ahmande continues moving over to Raimondo's side, where he gives their caravan driver a good look over.
Perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18Can Ahmande see anything that would confirm his suspicion of the poisoning?
He looks up at the captain, ill favor clear in his eyes. "You want to negotiate, you negotiate with the big boys and girls. Raimondo is poisoned, that's a fact that's obvious for any to see."
Secret Message: all Pathfinders can read, Sense Motive DC 18 otherwise:
"Can anyone cast detect poison so that we can prove this?"
"Even if I can't prove it, you and I both know that the game was never fair, and the bet should be null and void. But we're all in a hurry, so maybe we'll give you something just so we can be on our way. Fifty gold sounds fair. Take it and be on your way."
No Sense Motive required: Ahmande doesn't really expect him to accept 50 gp (though it would be great if he would!); he's just beginning a negotiation. He's operating under the assumption that--with Bloodcove being a dangerous, lawless place--a low-ball offer would be expected to begin a negotiation.
AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+6 armor, +2 Dex) Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep low light vision CLW wand 43 charges remaining hp 25 (bot instrctn hit with staff/buff croaki if dr encountered)
"I pay for horses. He points at Raimondo "This man has horses I pay for horses" He addreses Elanzo "You do not have horses just claim on his bet" Sarathor glares at Ahmande before adding "I not care if you have dinosaurs I want to train Croaki to hunt horses not dinosaurs. I pay for horses to man who has horses"
"HA ha ha. You think I need to poison him to win? You really are made for each other. Look, maybe the pot was a little lower. What say you pay one fifty? Final offer. If not, my crew here gets a workout. What do you say?"
If it influences your decisions moving forward. With the discount from your efforts earlier, you have enough money to pay. You will not loose out on any gold off your chronicle sheets.
Looking the guard up and down slowly, then turning to do the same with Ahmande, Durvak nods. "Me tinks ya bein harsh witcha numbas. Butcha shud pays yas debts. Lets be payin man an see to 'er 'orses."
{CORE}Half-Elf Cleric of Desna 3 | HP 24/24 | AC:18 T:10 FF:18 CMD: 13 | F+4* R+1* W+6*| Init +0 | Perc +8|SM+7 Channel(2d6/DC14) 7/7|Agile Feet 6/6|Liberation 3/3|Conditions: none| Effects:
"Thank you for your understanding in this matter." Ren says to the captain, nodding his head in agreement. "One fifty it is."
He quickly gathers the one hundred and fifty gold and hands it over with a generous smile and a thankful handshake. "May the blessings of Desna be upon you and all of your people."
The Captain takes the gold and the blessing and moves on without further incident. After Elanzo and his crew leave, and assuming you introduce yourselves, a relieved looking Raimondo offers "Thanksh. I proly coulda taken two or <burp> three of 'em. Not so bad inna brawl. Just tell me, why is the room spinnin' so much. Maybe I need another drink to settle my stomach. Uhh..maybe I need to shleep this off. I'll be ready ta go when you need me." A very grateful caravan leader retires to his room upstairs, leaving you free to find out what happened to the alchemist.
Job well done Pathfinders. Time to go find the contact. Please make you skill check rolls to maintain your cover identities.
Just a reminder:
Ren: Diplomacy {Turncoat}
Durvak: Profession {Merchant}
Kaya: Know Local or Stealth {Lay Low}
Ahmandé: Diplomacy or Bluff {Turncoat}
Sarathor & Croaki: Know Nature or Survival {Tribesman}
AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+6 armor, +2 Dex) Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep low light vision CLW wand 43 charges remaining hp 25 (bot instrctn hit with staff/buff croaki if dr encountered)
Your journey through the streets of Bloodcove are beginning to take it's toll on the team. Interacting with the surely citizenry has begun to bring out the worst parts of your personalities. Maintaining your identities has also led you to become suspect of those around you. It's not paranoia if they really are out to get you.
Due to the nature being in this town, you now receive a –2 penalty on all Charisma-based checks.
You walk for the better part of an hour to reach Senzer's shop. A small bell rings as the door opens into Rulkep Tonics. Colorful bottles and bags of powder decorate the shelves, while curious, twisted roots and larger bottles lie securely beneath a glass countertop. Several disinterested customers mill about, eyeing newcomers suspiciously before pointedly examining the shelves once again. A gaunt, half-elven man steps out from a doorway behind the countertop, his dusky skin gleaming slightly from perspiration. He smiles crookedly from behind the counter. “Welcome to Rulkep Tonics, friends. What can I do for you today?” The shopkeep eyes the other customers uneasily for a moment before his expression shifts distinctly to fear. Silently but clearly, he mouths a single word: “Help.”
Ahmande begins backing towards the door. "Oh, is this the tonics shop? We have the wrong place. We should let these legitimate customers shop in peace!"
Ahmande fails by 5 or more, so delivers the wrong message entirely. I won't reveal what I was trying to say, and GM, you can share an alternate message to confuse things, if you'd like.
When he arrives at the door, though, he begins an incantation accompanied by some hand motions involving a small pinch of sand that he pulls from his pouch.
Starting to cast sleep, which has a 1 round casting time.
NG Halfling Wizard 6 | Mods: Continual Flame (Spell Level 3) | HP 36 (-0)| AC/Tch/FF 17/14/14 (Light Fortification) | CMD 13 (+1 vs. Disarm) | F/R/W +6/+8/+8 (+2 vs. fear, Boon vs. Gaze) | Speed 20ft | Init: +6 (Forewarned) | 2 Star Reroll 1/1, Diviner's Fortune 7/7, Spells/Abilities tracked on Profile | Perc: +2, SM: +0
Kaya's eyes go wide and she smiles devilishly. As she whips her crossbow off her back and snaps a bolt into places her brow furrows a tiny bit as Ahamande wanders back to the door. I don't think he's a coward, but we need to help this man... and I've always wanted to say this!
She draws down on the nearest 'customer', "SURRENDER NOW, CRIMINAL SCUM!"
