Blood Under Absalom (Inactive)

Game Master Batpony

Need a perception roll if you check on the body!

No magic is detected on the bodies.

take 20 for a 22
Perception take 20: 20 + 2 = 22

Ah, guess you could take 20.

Searching the bodies turns up a small brass coin hidden in the folds of one of the assassins robes. The coin’s face is marked with a coiled asp and its tail carved with the letters P.O.D.

Whistling, Chamius goes looking for the innkeeper. "Evening to you. We had a bit of a mishap here; a few ostensible members of the cleaning crew came through and tried to send the lot of us to the Boneyard. We've got them secured. Any thoughts on what to do with them?"

Diplomacy check, if necessary: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Ow. Hope that's not going to cause problems.

Melea walks from body to body, stabilizing them as needed.

As Chamius looks for the innkeeper, the innkeeper is nowhere to be found! Being late in the night, a few others come out from their rooms to see what the commotion is about, but no one dares make a move to check on the unconscious assassins.

While Chamius is searching for the innkeeper, and after searching the bodies (did we find anything?), Archer indicates that the team should get armored, with the folks out of armor assisting those who normally wear it.

Then they will go see what the commotion is, when Chamius gets back.

Archer, I think we're the commotion. Well, us and the downed assassins.

*******************
OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
*******************

There is a loud banging at the door! Moments later the door flies open revealing a dozen armed tengu behind it. They quickly storm into the room, blades drawn.

The commotion is you guys! lol.
Archer, only the single coin, but from the coin it is implied that at least one member of the assassins had contact with Aspis

The Tengu you met earlier, steps forward and looks bewildered at the mess. [b]"I must truly apologies that this happened under my watch, As soon as I got glimpse of the assassins, I had went to gather the reinforcements. But it seems you have handled it."[b]

"Well, we'll take it from here, you folks may go rest in peace." You then head back into the night, to get a well earned rest. Awaiting for the next day. As you head to rest, the tengu's clear up the mess and start shoo-ing other tenants into their rooms.

You get +1 morale bonus on rolls against the Aspis Consortium for the rest of the scenario. Rules are vague on what the +1 bonus so let's just say it applies to all d20 rolls.

Chamius yawns, stretching. "Keep an eye out, would you? My voice needs some rest." He stumbles back to his room and shuts the door. Moments later, those outside can hear a sound like a sack of potatoes being dropped onto the bed, followed a few moments later by a stentorian snore.

***OVERSEER ANNOUCEMENT***

Overseer thread

The first rays of light creep into the inn’s window, accompanied by a loud knocking at the door. Someone in the hall screeches, “The sun is up! Time to gather your tickets and head to The Opera!”

***

Arriving at the opera, you are greeted by a trio of actors dressed in the garb and makeup of a traditional opera from Lung Wa. They seat you in the first few rows. Looking around you see a few others also in attendance. Strangely, there are no sets and the unlit stage is empty except for three plain wooden chairs. Then Kiang Zhen strides onto the stage and addresses the audience.

“Today I am treating myself to a display of opera, which all of you shall perform for me! Backstage, you shall find traditional costumes that will determine the roles you will portray. You may choose these roles yourself, but be forewarned - you must act within the limits of your role. Your objective is to perform an epic combat against a rival group. However, there must be no bloodshed. Any shows of lethal force will result in your immediate disqualification from the event. The troupe able to force its opponents to yield is the victor. Now go and prepare yourselves for the evening’s performance. It starts in 10 minutes!”

You are rushed backstage, escorted by a trio of aasimars. There lies before you 8 sets of costumes. You are told to choose get into character and prepare yourself for the act.

You must choose one costume, there is only one of each costume. Read the spoilers for more info. Once ready this we will go into the Act (combat), however only non-lethal damage is allowed. You may choose a costume of the opposite gender. You are only permitted costume items during the act, i.e. no weapons of your own.

Costumes:

Wait, it's dawn and the evening's performance starts in ten minutes?

The Taldan follows his compatriots to the backstage area and checks out the costumes. Heh. Been to a few of these. 'The roar of the greasepaint, the smell of the crowd.'

This scenario has left a lot to be questioned! The GM discussion page is just full of unanswered question. But you are correct. Maybe that's just how they call all opera performances in general.

Arxus will begin gathering the attire for the Warrior Woman.

I hope this part doesn't have many speaking lines... he thinks to himself.

"Well, no one can say I have done nothing in service to the Society..." Melea grumbles, looking for a suitable costume. Unable to properly don the heavy armors her preferred choices bear, she selects the clown costume and begins to paint her face, something she is very inexperienced in the art of.

So, we can't use our usual weapons, armor, or magic items. I also assume Galilah can't take part? I don't know if there's a trick for dealing nonlethal damage, or whether she would be considered an item or non-costume accoutrement.

Archer starts getting dressed as the Noble Warrior , asking Arxus, "Maybe you should be The General, Arxus. I am no General..."

Chamius picks up the ornate monkey mask. "I believe I see some small resemblance. Not much for acrobatics, but I can do a bit of magic." He begins to don the costume.

"Come, Pig. I believe our rapier wit is required this evening."

Grippli paints white circles around his and Pig's eyes. Picking up a comically oversized broom, Grippli nods to himself. "Let us go, Pig. Our audience awaits."

Arxus stops putting on lipstick mid-smear.

"Umm, alright... I suppose I could emulate the Inheritor's tactical prowess."

Arxus puts on the beard of The General, dons the armor, and grabs the longsword.

"How do I look?" he asks through a mouth only one side of which is covered in gaudy lipstick, that managed to miss his lips more oft than not.

The trio help you remove your current armor and weapons as you don the clothing. They also explain that animals are not intended to be part of the performance however should you wish to bring them on stage as part of prop for performance they will not disallow it.

Could everyone share your latest AC with the new armor? Companions on stage are not addressed in the book, but how I've interpreted it is that is really should not be part of the act, the GM discussion has allowed the companions, but the catch is you'll need to make them "perform" each round. Failure to perform might result in your animal doing something else, like lethal damage which can have repercussions as it's disallowed in the rules.

Costumes
Arxus (General)
Archer (Noble Warrior)
Grippli (Male Chou)
Chamius (Monkey King)
Melea (Female Chou)

I do not wear armor so my AC is accurate.

Okay, my AC is now 14/14/10. Should I change my profile accordingly?

Also, given that I can't make that check and the penalty for failure could be disqualification, I'll just have Galilah sit to the side.

Melea tries to intimate to Galilah that she is to be on the stage, but to stay and not act up. "It might look like we're fighting, but we're not. No need to interfere, all right?"

Can't wait for next level so I can raise her Intelligence.

"Strange looking Human with Bow with Cat that Claws, I can speak to your companion and explain that she and Pig need to sit idle if you like."

I can cast Speak with Animals to do this. It is a domain/spirit spell so no big whup to cast.

"Thank you, that would do nicely. And from what I know, I am an aasimar, a descendant of the celestials. In my case, the noble Garuda," Melea says warmly, bowing her head to Grippli while still working on her face paint.

Cool, thanks!

As the sounds of the curtains opening on the stage is heard, you are hustled upon the stage by the Aasimir Trio. You are arranged on one side of the stage. Across the stage from you, four very familiar looking faces behind costumes stare back at you with vengeance in their eyes. This time, they brought a friend, a muscular built (man?) behind a mask.

The sparsely set stage contains only a four chairs, a stick, a broom, and a small table. Ignore the actual map as it's not representative of what is on stage. Assume the stick and broom is on the table.

"Let the performance begin!"

The performance shall be treated like combat, first to make the other opponent fully yield shall be victors!

Combat Round 1
Archer, Melea
Cleric Half-Orc(Chou), Ronin (General)
Arxus, Chamius,
Fighter (Warrior Woman), Rogue (Bandit), Sorcerer Half-elf (Monkey King)
Grippli

Chamius' AC is 12/12/10, unless he can carry a shield. I suppose his whip is right out?

Melea actually grins, if only a little. "Dear viewers, I am not one for bloodshed," She states, facing the crowd. "Nor am I one to make violence, lethal or otherwise, seem stylish or any less terrible than it is. But now begins a climactic, necessary battle, the likes of which you have never seen. Our foes, mighty as they may be, were bested by us once before, on the road to the Ruby Phoenix. Should this time be any different? No! Not with the powers of all the Gods and Beings that Be on our side! Praetos!" The aasimar finishes her speech, with a flourish of her hand and a word of divine power, and a flickering aura springs up in front of her. Meanwhile, Galilah sits to the side of the stage, heeding Grippli's instructions but still utterly bemused.

Casting Protection from Evil and moving up. AC is now 16/16/12 against evils, 14/14/10 otherwise.

Archer merely moves up in an aggressive stance, and says not a word, drawing his great club. He then prepares to be attacked.

Arxus' ACs are:
AC: 20
Touch: 11
Flat-Footed: 19

Any item not part of the prop really is prohibited or is considered cheating. So your own shield or weapons is out of the question.

Melea opens the act with a speech displaying the pathfinder's confidence and tenacity. In reply, the Half Orc speaks on behalf of the Aspis group. "Let us not be fooled by those who cheat! For we came here to display our prowess to beat! We shall watch them crawl and wither at our feet!" He snickers to himself impressed with his rhyme and reason, as he cast a spell of doubt against the pathfinders.
Casting Bane. All make a DC13 Will check or take -1 penalty on attack rolls and -1 penalty on fear affects.

Seeing Archer walk up towards the group, the new guy, the other general,
calls out to Archer, "Noble Warrior, I challenge you to a duel!"
Swift action to smite, and then charges towards Archer.
And he makes a move towards him, drawing his wooden sword.

Sword,charge: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 2 = 16
NL dmg,challenge: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 4 = 14

Archer I believe your AC is as is +1 from what it normally is?

Archer draws his weapon as they come into proximity with each other, but both fail to impress the audience. Both miss

Combat Round 1
Archer, Melea
Cleric Half-Orc(Chou), Ronin (General)
Arxus, Chamius,
Fighter (Warrior Woman), Rogue (Bandit), Sorcerer Half-elf (Monkey King)
Grippli

DC 13 Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Chamius shrugs off the spell, then shakes his masked head at the opposing bit of doggerel before launching some of his own. "Half-orc squeal and half-orc chatter/Half-orc fail at witty patter/Half-orc shout and half-orc boast/We be fighters! You be toast!"

Inspire courage.

actually, the other way around, as splint doesn't allow for dex bonus, AC17/10/17
Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Bane has a 'Fear' descriptor. Arxus is immune and everyone within 10 ft of him at the casting (Grippli and Chamius) receive a +4 on their saves against it.

"These ignoble fiends make their first mistake! I have seen these tactics before, and know just how to counter them! Spirits guide our strikes, warriors! The rest of you take up what weapons you can find; we overwhelm them with our numbers! Follow me!"

Arxus then double moves up past Archer provoking an attack of opportunity from the enemy general to lead his troops into battle from the front of the front lines!

Ah, missed the lack of Dex bonus.
Corrections are:
Arxus' ACs are:
AC: 19
Touch: 10
Flat-Footed: 19

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Melea shudders ever so slightly as the spell rolls over her and her allies, but stands resolute.

dot

The General takes his chances as he attempts to strike Arxus running through the front lines, but his blade again misses the mark.

AoO: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
NL: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

The Warrior Woman not a stranger to fights moves swiftly into battle charging with her pole-arm at the nearest target, attempting to hit Arxus over the chair. But the the crowd's "Boooooooo" at the dismayed performance so far.

polearm,charge: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 = 12
NL dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

The Bandit seeing an opening, moves around and also attempts to attack the strong and mighty Arxus partnering up with the general. And the crowd continues to be enraged by the lack of fighting spirit put on in this performance.

flank,knife: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10 My rolls...
dmg,sneak: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (3) = 5

Seeing how her allies are unable to connect, the Monkey King cast a spell upon herself and holds her ground.

Combat Round 1 / 2
Conditions: Inspire Courage
Archer (Bane), Melea
Cleric Half-Orc(Chou), Ronin (General) (-2 AC charge, 1 use of challenge)
Arxus, Chamius
Fighter (Warrior Woman) (-2 AC charge), Rogue (Bandit), Sorcerer Half-elf (Monkey King) (spoiler)
Grippli (Will save for Bane)

Melea steps forward carefully, suddenly jabbing at the opposing Bandit. "And what stand you to gain with lies? We'll beat you back, and claim our prize! We'll win favor on the battlefield and in spectators' eyes, there's no hope for you, so I surmise!" She is actually beginning to enjoy this.

Broom, Inspire: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Damage, Nonlethal, Inspire: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 10 if the broom can be wielded with both hands.

Melea notices that her broomstick does not really compare to an actual weapon and just misses her opponent!

Melea, I think your to hit should be +1: +2 BAB, +2 Str, +1 Inpsire, -4 Improvised Weapon (Non proficiency). I might miss something though. If I do, can you explain in the discussion thread? Thanks!

Archer grumbles as he continues to fight. His hands are a little shaky, as the power of their Chou hits him, but he is determined to continue. He knows that he cannot pull on the power of Erastil, which also leaves him a little shaky.
Attack vs General, Inspire, Bane: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 1 - 1 = 18 NL Damage w/ Greatclub: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12

Deciding to play it up for the crowd, "Take that, you foul villain! Your evil deeds will end today!" Spending a move action for this...

I will admit I am a little confused as to which enemy is which right now...

To the audience it does not seem that Archer is out of his element at all! With a loud THUMP he knocks his club right on the head of the enemy general! The crowd goes wild!

Waiting for Grippli

Combat Round 1 / 2 ?
Grippli (Will save for Bane)
Conditions: Inspire Courage
White Cleric Half-Orc(Chou), Black Ronin (General) (-12 NL) (-2 AC charge, 1 use of challenge)
Arxus, Chamius
Green Fighter (Warrior Woman) (-2 AC charge), Blue Rogue (Bandit), Green Sorcerer Half-elf (Monkey King)
- - -
Archer (Bane), Melea

I have cleaned up the map, removing colors from your icons and adding them to the enemy as reflected above in the initiative tracker

Oops, sorry. I did not think I was up yet.

Grippli snaps his wrist to reveal a wand. A burst of white light explodes forth illuminating spectral gripplis and pigs. The specters battle the spirits hindering Grippli's allies.

"Haha, clown! Judge me by my size do you? You will find your clownhood wanting!"
Perform Comedy!: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Grippli moves towards to curtain and creeps up as far as he can go, max 15'

Bless to counteract bane

Melea once again takes a jab at the Bandit in front of her, holding the broom in two hands this time. "Never too early to admit defeat, when it is guaranteed!"

Broom vs. Blue: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Damage, Nonlethal: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

"Arxus, my friend, give this 'General' a what-have-you and show him the error of his ways!" shouts out Archer, glad that this combat is for show, not to the death.

I'm at work, so when it's my turn:

Arxus will swing his "mighty", blunt, wooden sword at The General.
Wooden Longsword (Inspire Courage): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 = 22
Nonlethal Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7

"Stay back foe! You are beaten, this you know!"

Grippli's spirits defeat the spirits of the aspis! The white chou steps towards Melea and swings his broomstick. Melea quickly steps aside and the broomstick does not even come close!

The aspis general seems determined to bring Archer down. He swings his wooden sword in a wide arc and hits Archer with a solid strike to the shoulders! In return he is hit by Arxus!

Chamius is next!

Combat Round 2
Conditions: Inspire Courage
Archer (-12 NL), Melea
White Cleric Half-Orc(Chou), Black Ronin (General) (-19 NL) (1st challenge vs Archer)
Arxus, Chamius
Green Fighter (Warrior Woman) (-2 AC charge), Blue Rogue (Bandit), Green Sorcerer Half-elf (Monkey King)
Grippli