Before the Dawn, Part I: The Bloodcove Disguise (Inactive)

Game Master TriShadow

Well that certainly turned dangerous in a hurry. Ren thinks to himself.

Backing up Kaya, he adds in his most serious tone, "I would do as the lady says. She is far too deadly to ignore."

CHA check to intimidate(not a trained skill): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Don't forget, you are all at a -2 to charisma checks. Kaya, please give me an Intimidation, Bluff or Diplomacy check for the round (your choice, though it does seem a little Intimidate-y). I will have the lower roll between you and Ýridhrendir act as an aid other. Anyone else want to attempt a course of action?

”Even Croaki doesn’t mess with her” intimidate: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (11) - 2 = 9

He adds a few words in elven instructing Croaki to guard Kaya

handle animal: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 2 = 20

Definitely Intimidatey - size - city: 1d20 + 2 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 - 4 - 2 = 11

Seemingly caught of guard, one of the men points at Kaya, "Look girly, I don't care what kinda lizard you kin scare. You should turn yerself around 'n get outta here before we fill every flask in here with yer blood and then...do something real bad with it...like... uh...crap, GET 'EM!"

Yellow Intimidate vs Kaya: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

It seems the thugs had planned to threaten you away before tying violence. However, Kaya's sharp(ish) tongue steals the wind from their confidence. With no other real options, they decide to attack. The leader pulls a sap from his belt and slaps the cleric. Though it could have been worse, the dwarf's ears were left ringing from the blow.

sap: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 4 - 2 = 221d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
CONFIRM?: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 2 = 91d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Toe to Toe in the Tonic Shop---Round 1 (bold may act)
Yellow {shaken 1/2 rounds}
Kaya
Durvak {27/27 hp -3NL}
Ren
Ahmande
Sarathor
Red {shaken 0/2 rounds}
Blue {shaken 0/2 rounds}

"I did warn you." Ren says to the thugs with a sigh as the fight breaks out.

He then beckons to his goddess, "Desna! Please bless me and my allies as we teach these ruffians some respect."

Bless spell/+1 morale bonus to attack.

Ahmande motions to Senzer to go into his back room, but knows the timing of his spell is precise, and the man may not be able to get out of the way in time. Still, they needed these bandits to go down, and if Senzer was an accidental casualty, it was only sleep, after all.

Trying to get Senzer out of the sleep area of effect, but there may not be enough time for him to jump out of the way.

He then draws his bow, and aims it at the corner of the shelf, waiting for the man to round the corner into his view. He begins telling the tale of these Pathfinders and all they'd already accomplished here in Bloodcove, hiding in plain sight and ambushing more Aspis agents here right now!

Kaya, pumped into a frenzy by her newfound attitude throws down! "OH YOU'VE DONE IT NOW! When he invokes DESNA THAT MEANS TROUBLE FOR YOU!"

Her eyes flicker briefly with concern though, except usually when that happens we have Kord here soo...

She steps back to allow her allies an easier path, levels her crossbow at the thug attacking the dwarfest of dwarves and fires. Quickly reloading she watches to see the opponents reactions.

Edit: Technically I guess Kaya wouldn't have IC or Bless up yet, so -2 hit and -1 damage. Whoops... but at least she won't have issues with messing up Ahmande's sleep spell.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

knowing what Ahmande is casting he tries to make his way acrobatically past the first thug. (taking the green line

acrobatics: 1d20 - 11 ⇒ (13) - 11 = 2

Adding a -10 modifier as Sarathor is moving his full speed

He then swings at any thug still standing with his quarterstaff going for cracking heads hard

staff power attack: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 - 1 = 5
staff damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Kaya, as you are all going in a lump AND we are in Pbp, I will allow you to 'delay' for buffs.

Sarathor waits for the spell to take effect. Though the burst covers most of the room, everyone surprisingly stays on their feet. The druid moves forward, and is nearly clipped in the side of the head for his efforts. Fortunately, the red clad thug was unprepared for the maneuver and was unable to draw his weapon, let alone take a swing. Unfortunately, Sarathor's attack misses the mark. Across the room, both the Desnan and the elf lend aid to bolster their allies. Meanwhile, Kaya snaps off a bolt that thumps into the leading thug's shoulder.

Toe to Toe in the Tonic Shop---Round 1 (bold may act)
Yellow {shaken 1/2 rounds} (-5/?? hp)
Kaya (shot)
Durvak {27/27 hp -3NL}
Ren (cast Bless)
Ahmande (Inspire, cast Sleep)
Sarathor (moved and swung)
Red {shaken 0/2 rounds}
Blue {shaken 0/2 rounds}

It seems the sight ate my post this morning. :-(

Trying again...

With a smile as the man twacks him, Durvak speaks up. "Aye laddy. Nice try, gotta hit 'em harder, lest ya just gettin attention." Open handed, he swings wide, and slow.

Durvak, looks like you forgot to account for the buffs.

The dwarf shrugs off the human's attack and returns with one of his own.
The red and blue clad thugs move and surround Sarathor, but the cleric proves to be too elusive to hit. Seeing his allies struggle, the head thug drops his sap and draws his blade. "Oh, don't worry little man, we know how to hit harder!" The violence blow catches the dwarf slightly off-guard, though he manages to avoid the worst of the attack. Senzer takes the opportunity to flee to the back room, slamming the door behind him.

Toe to Toe in the Tonic Shop---Round 1 (bold may act)
PATHFINDERS ARE UP!
BUFFS: Bless, Inspire Courage
Crates and furniture take two spaces of movement AND an DC 5 Acrobatics check to move through.
Yellow {shaken 2/2 rounds} (-5/?? hp -2 NL)
Kaya
Durvak {22/27 hp -3NL}
Ren
Ahmande
Sarathor
Red {shaken 1/2 rounds}
Blue {shaken 1/2 rounds}

"Croaki! Get him" Sarathor calls indicating yrllow

handle animal dc 10: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Croaki whines in the background

Sarathor whirls and brings his staff down on Red as hard as he can as he moves to block access to the door 5'step

staff: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 11
staff damage: 1d6 + 4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 3 + 1 = 10

"Some elven Singing not speeches please" calls out Sarathor as his poweful blow catches one of the shelves

assuming an 11 is going to miss

Not sure if the minus 2 to charisma checks only applies to residents in the city not to Croaki. If it does apply to croaki then he stays guarding Kaya

Croaki moves forward and swipes a talon at yellow

claw: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9

From buffs not flanking

Ahmande swings his bow around to the crowded row, and takes aim across and above heads, waiting for just the right opening as he sights down the way. He sees it and lets the arrow fly as he calls out to Sarathor. "Sorry, never been a singer. I can mime, though!"

Ren rushes around the nearby crates and past the man in yellow, offering up a choice opportunity for that same man to attack in the process.

Regardless of whether he is hit or not, Ren slides behind the man and offers up his own attack. Unless of course he is rendered unable to do so. Let's hope that doesn't happen.

MWK Morningstar+buffs+flank: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 26
B/P damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

AoO Yellow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 231d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
CONFIRM: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 231d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Sarathor prevents anyone from chasing Senzer, but is unable to land a blow.Ahmandé's arrow strike true, but does not dissuade the thug leader. Ren gets into position and feels bone crunch as his morning star crashes into the thug. The man falls to the ground, however this victory came with a terrible price.

Toe to Toe in the Tonic Shop---Round 2 (bold may act)
PATHFINDERS ARE UP!
BUFFS: Bless, Inspire Courage
Crates and furniture take two spaces of movement AND an DC 5 Acrobatics check to move through.
Yellow (UNCONSCIOUS -14/?? hp -2 NL)
Kaya
Durvak {22/27 hp -3NL}
Ren (6/17 hp)
Ahmande
Sarathor
Red {shaken 1/2 rounds}
Blue {shaken 1/2 rounds}

Kaya moves forward, stopping behind the little dino. Seeing one target down already but concerned about Ren's injuries, she sights in the thug behind him and fires. Playing up her earlier blustering she adds, "HARVEST THEIR SOULS FOR YOUR GODDESS!"

As soon as I decided to add "Unless of course he is rendered unable to do so." to my post, I knew you were going to crit me. I even said it out loud. Ask my dogs, as they heard me say it. ;) Anyway, I am glad I helped drop one.

You're right GM. Forgot the Buffs

Watching the man before him fall, Durvak frowns. "Me does 'ope 'es okay."

As the fight continues to rage around the priest, he quickly turns his attention to the remaining foes. From the smell of smoke in the air, it's evident the man is thinking hard.

Finally, after a long moment he looks up to the man in blue robes. Pointing an open hand forward he calls out. "In zee names o Eye-Rori, STOPS IT! Yous lays down NOW!"

A gasp of pain erupts as a bolt blossoms in 'Red's' thigh. He empties his scabbard and thrusts his scimitar at the druid, but Sarathor knocks it aside. Upon hearing Durvak's words, the blue clad warrior drops to the ground. He casts aside his sap and awkwardly draws his blade and takes a haphazard swing at Ren. The violent attack yields little more than flying sparks from the stone.

Toe to Toe in the Tonic Shop---Round 3 (bold may act)
PATHFINDERS ARE UP!
BUFFS: Bless, Inspire Courage
Crates and furniture take two spaces of movement AND an DC 5 Acrobatics check to move through.
Yellow (UNCONSCIOUS -14/?? hp -2 NL)
Kaya
Durvak {22/27 hp -3NL}
Ren (6/17 hp)
Ahmande
Sarathor
Croaki
Red (-5/?? hp)
Blue {prone}

Ahmande moves to get a better line on his targets, without any other Pathfinders in the way. He tries to make his pantomime more humorous for Sarathor's benefit, high-stepping in exaggerated motions across the front of the store as he moves.

He lets another arrow fly, trying to keep the fight contained to the back of the shop.

fKaya continues her roll or taunts, "look at that! Even this Eye-Or-Eye guy makes you submit and bow down to the ground! Just give up already!" She reloads her crossbow and continues the assault, shooting at the standing thug.

Seeing the man in blue drop to the ground but still attempt to strike him, Ren swings down hard to reward the man for his efforts.

Mwk Morningstar+buffs vs Blue(prone): 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 12
B/P damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

"You really should surrender. Desna has a path for all of us, but is whatever you were doing here really worth your life?"

He then steps back giving Sarathor a flank on the man in Red.

Sarathor swipes at red

power attack: 1d20 + 4 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 4 - 1 = 21
damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

"Naughty!" cries out the priest as he watches the man in blue swing from the ground. "Yas no shud be tryin ter cut 'em!"

Leaning down, he moves to bop the man on the head. "Yall need ter given na-ow!"

Another of Kaya's bolts finds its mark, this time sprouting from the red shirted assailant's kidney. With a final and resounding crack against his skull, the thug near Sarathor falls in a heap before the druid. Ahmande's arrow misses the mark. Ren and Durvak are better able to take advantage of the prone man's position, but don't damage him enough to deter him from continuing. "You ain't the worst o' my problems!" The man stands before trying to finish off the dwarf. However, his blade catches nothing but air.
Durvak can take and AoO aganst BLUE as he stands.
Scimitar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 161d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Toe to Toe in the Tonic Shop---Round 4 (bold may act)
PATHFINDERS ARE UP!
BUFFS: Bless, Inspire Courage
Crates and furniture take two spaces of movement AND an DC 5 Acrobatics check to move through.
Yellow (UNCONSCIOUS -14/?? hp -2 NL)
Kaya
Durvak {22/27 hp -3NL} Can take an AoO
Ren (6/17 hp)
Ahmande
Sarathor
Croaki
Red (DYING -24/?? hp)
Blue (-4/??)

Ren looks to the fallen man in red and casts a spell, hoping to prevent him from slipping away and dying.

Stabilize

"Desna may have a different path for you still. We will see."

He then steps over the man and climbs on the furniture to give Durvak a flank on the man in blue.

Ahmande continues to fire at the man in blue. "We've got him cornered now; he's got no chance. Let's finish this!"

Kaya smirks and can't resist adding, "ah good call Sir Priest! The live victims cook up so much better!"

She reloads and fires at the remaining thug.

With a sigh as the man stands, Durvak slaps at him. "Me said ya stay da-own." he groans.

With a chuckle as the blade glances off his armor, he offers a warm, toothy grin. "Yas shud look 'round. Yous fiends be down. Wes gotcha corn-ad na-ow." Shaking his head, he goes for an uppercut to the man's jaw.

Sarathor moves to swing at the last standing foe

staff: 1d20 + 4 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 2 - 1 = 17

staff damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

"I'd stop fighting now before Croaki works up an appetite"He smiles at his opponent

If there isnt a standing foe then no swing

Sarathor jabs the end of his staff into the remaining thug's face, sending him into oblivion.

COMBAT OVER

Senzer wipes his brow and wrings his hands in his leather apron. “Thank you, Pathfinders! I’ve been expecting you ever since I stopped contact. Tragic illness grips my poor son, Roald, and a woman named Lura Ichon claimed to have a cure. I signed away my entire operation to the heartless wench to cure my son, but the elixirs she sends every day are diluted with cheap rum to the point of being almost useless. In exchange she’s worked me sunup to sundown manufacturing drugs for her little den of vice, the Sanguine Pit."

“I know she found a real cure for my boy—tiny amounts of it in those elixirs she sends keep him from getting worse— but I can’t march into that bar of hers and demand it. And as soon as she learns what you did to her men, she’ll kill me and Roald, as sure as you’re standing here. I want to help you, really I do, but I gave the Society everything I had for three years. Now, I need you to return the favor. If you want any help supporting your excavation, I need that cure for my son, and some guarantee that Lura Ichon won’t dump us in the bay the moment you leave.”

As the last thug drops, Kaya rushes over to help stabilize him. (I'm guessing Ren will beat me to that though so I won't roll anything) She frantically apologizes to Ren, "oh my gosh I'm sorry. I just started bluffing hoping they would stop and then my mouth dug a hole I couldn't get out of and I don't know... I just kept talking smack and I'm sorry if I offended you or Desna. I have great respect for her. I mean, she's like awesome and you are awesome and... I'm sorry."

She turns to the alchemist. "Oh dear, that sounds terrible! We will of course help. Even if it wasn't for our shared interest in your skills, we would still help. Can you describe this Lura person so we know who to 'talk' to when we get there? And uh... if things go bad does she have a big crew at her bar?"

"Ya tinks it be in 'er tavern, eh? Whicha one be 'ers? Mayhaps me friend an me kin purchase yas curative ting?" inquires the dwarven man.

"Iffen not...Is tink mes friends got 'em utta options too. By Eye-Rori's grace wes does whats wes kin ter 'elp ya!" he adds, with a bow.

With a quick glance around the room, Durvak mumbles to himself. "Be ya well an sees betta path."

(if any are not stabilized by magic yet, Durvak would cast it on each in turn)

"Well, her headquarters, the Sanguine Pit, turns a tidy profit as a drug den and as an arena for animal fights. Most nights, the Pit hosts dog- or cockfights for your run of the mill commoners, but once a week she hosts an exotic bout between strange creatures from Mwangi and beyond. She arranges almost any fight that someone with enough money requests. Any given night there could be upwards of a hundred people, but I don't know that any would step up to helper in a fight. She's able to take care of herself."

Bad guys have been stabilized, no dead.

Any other questions? When you are ready to move on, don't forget to roll your 'cover identity'.

Ren does in deed make sure that each thug is stable, using magic from the divine Dreamer to assure success.

As Kaya begins to apologize, Ren waves his hands, "Dear lady, there is no need for that. You did nothing wrong. These men seemed dead set on their task, and it was likely inevitable that we would come to blows"

He then quietly listens to the woeful tale of the alchemist Senzer while healing his own wounds and the wounds of the others in the group.

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 6 Selecting out the enemy guys.

If I may take 5 on each charge from the wand, I will just knock off one more charge to get back to full.

"Don't fret sir. Desna has a better path for you and your son. We will get this cure and make sure Lura Ichon leaves you alone. What else can you tell us about her before we confront her?"

"This is no good. You don't hold someone's sick kid hostage for compliance. I have a flexible moral outlook sometimes... but that's too low! We'll help take care of this for sure, and we'll make sure this Lura can't ever bother you again; don't worry."

Ahmande helps the others tidy up the shop as best he can, but he looks anxious to seek out the Sanguine Pit.

Diplomacy, turncoat: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Sarathor searches the aspis for loot

survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"I have a feeling persuasion is going to be of the knock heads together variety"

@ Ren: Taking 5 off the wand out of combat is fine.

Profession Life Coach: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

"Aye...lettuce 'ope she listen ter reason." nods Durvak as he turns to leave.

"But if she doesn't listen to reason, I don't imagine we will loose any sleep over taking the path of greater resistance...right over her head." Ren says with a stern look as he walks out of the shop.

diplomacy(turncoat): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

You make your way across town to the bar, doing your best to lie low, however, when you are about a half a block away, you notice the lone bouncer take note of your approach. He tries to casually go through the doors without making a commotion. As he opens the door, you hear loud cheering. Something is obviously happening inside.

Nearly eighty onlookers crowd the barroom of the Sanguine Pit, along with a half-dozen bookies and wait staff delivering drinks. The clamor of cheers and shouted bets drowns out any intelligible sounds in this large, crowded bar. A massive aquarium, fifteen feet on a side, dominates the room as a dogsized lobster creature and a dark green, man-sized fish with fanged jaws circle one another, occasionally trading blows. Heady, pungent smoke fills the air, and the floor is slick with spilled drinks and seawater. Near the central tank stands a well-dressed and well-rounded woman with auburn hair. Towering over her, at seven feet tall, stands her idealized, amazonian reflection. Both women bear a curious glowing rune on their foreheads. The bookies clearly defer to the smaller woman, and everyone keeps their distance from her glamorous bodyguard.

As you get your baring in the room, you notice the bouncer say something into the woman's ear as he points in your direction. Her eyes go wide before a wicked smile settles on her lips. "Looks like we have some new contestants. TIME TO PLACE YOUR BETS!"

You have one full round of actions to prepare. Please state what you will do to get ready before taking your Round 1 actions.

Battle in the Pit ~ PREP ROUND ~ bold may a full round of actions {swift, move & standard or any legal combination thereof}.
Sarathor
Ahmandé
Kaya
Ren
Durvak
Lura

The icon of a merchant denotes NPC patrons and count as difficult terrain.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

"She's a summoner, and that must be her eidolon. I've only ever read about those in books!" Haha, I always have to laugh when CORE characters encounter non-core NPCs.

Ahmande digs into his pouch to retrieve a wand. He begins calling out to the ringleader. "You must be Lura! I see you've been expecting us. Then you know that we'll get what we want here today. Stand down, and there need be no bloodshed!"

His words, while a challenge to her, also serve as an inspiration to his companions, spreading his own confidence amongst the Pathfinders.

With their surprise gone, Kaya is expecting a fight. Maybe Ahmande can talk them down? Better be ready either way. Using her fancy pearl broach she recasts a quick spell which strengthens her defenses. As an outward action, she pulls her crossbow and points it back and forth between the two obvious enemies.

K: Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 Can she tell which is which? If so she will advise to take out the summoner first.

Standard to recast Shield with Pearl of Power I, move to draw crossbow.

"Well if you want a fight" Sarathor mutters an incantation over Croaki (Magic fang) "I am sure Croaki can oblige" and then move towards the arena area with Croaki following

"Oye, hows ya doin?" calls out the dwarf as he takes in the room. "No need ter bet. Yall shud save yas gold. Wes only 'ere ter talks shop whicha lady friend. Yas gots ya sumtin we'd like ter 'ave."

"Mayhaps wes kin talk business in private?"

Slowly, he moves forward through the crowd.

No 'prep' for him. Double move through the crowd

I will let Ren post his prep and his Round 1 action together so we can keep things moving along here.

"Oh no you don't! People come to The Pit to watch all kinds of fights. You just added yourselves to the action!" You notice Lura mutter an incantation of her own. She touches one of the eidolon's hands.

Battle in the Pit ~ ROUND 1~ bold may go.
Sarathor
Ahmandé
Kaya
Ren May post for two rounds
Durvak
Lura

The icon of a merchant denotes NPC patrons and count as difficult terrain.

Prep round

Not wanting to leave the good dwarf facing the deadly Lura alone, Ren casts longstrider and practically glides through the crowd to come near Durvak.

"As my friend here says, we have come here for something you have."
1 round of agile feet lets him move normal speed through the crowd

Round 1 actions

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

"I knew this would come to violence." He offers as he casts shield of faith on himself and takes out his morningstar.