Clebsch GM Wrath of the Righteous Adventure Path

Game Master Clebsch73

I was trying to step back to let someone else take the lead, especially because Avelina is not one for subtlety, but I'll push things along if need-be

Avelina dashed off to get Anarya and Ellena as fast as possible. Once they were back, she brought everyone in for a huddle.

"This is a matter of grave importance that must be dealt with swiftly! I propose the direct approach, as the easiest way to deal with someone hiding in the shadows is to shine a light on them. We casually take up positions around them while Ellena and I accost them and press them until we learn the truth!"

Avelina clapped her gloved hands together as a punctuation.

"Any objections?"

If there are no objections, I'll post another update tomorrow of her accosting them

Sorry, had a busy few days.

"'m not much good at talking to folk," Raine says with a shake of her head. "You want me to shadow them, though, I can do that. Keep an eye on 'em. Watch for strange stuff."

Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

sorry just got back from vacation

Karas shrugged to Tauni, "if they're just being mopey, why not let Avelina talk to them? Haven't seen a better cheer squad in ages. Gods know they dont want to talk to me."

Tauni earlier suggested Raine follow the group but she also mentioned Nurah had talked to the group just before they started behaving suspiciously. If Avelina wants to talk to the paladins, I'd suggest that Raine locate Nurah and keep her under observation while Avelina attends to the soldiers.

Ellena agreed with the others. ”I think talking to them is a good idea. If Avelina can’t get through to them, then we will have to figure something less out. I’ll be happy to accompany you, milady, in case they get a little defensive during the talk,” Ellena nodded.

Raine is fine with watching Nurah.

Avelina approached the soldiers, her head held high, arm-in-arm with Ellena. She decided that she would have a little bit of fun with the paladins.

"Why hello, dear Comrades in Valor. I am always delighted to see our warriors commiserating. It is our bonds of companionship that elevate us above the demons, you know! You provide a stunning example to all that see you, fine knights."

Diplomacy to improve attitude: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21
Bluff to play dumb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

"Speaking of which, I recently saw you having a conversation with that dashing bard Nurah. Are you fans of storytelling? A budding romance perhaps? Oh, you must tell me! I do love a good romantic story, you know?"

Diplomacy to make a request for information: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (4) + 19 = 23
Bluff to play dumb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19Figured she might need to roll another bluff since it's a new diplo check

Avelina was known quite well by that point for her nosiness and constant desire to play matchmaker. She of course lacked the self-awareness to realize that she could be such a known quantity. Known quantities aren't romantic, after all.

The paladins stood a little straighter when Avelina hailed them and approached. They looked like most soldiers look when approached by a superior officer or other person of status and nobility. They waited hoping for praise but fearing they would be in trouble. Her words of praise caused them to relax as they no longer worried they were in trouble, but they were not really friendly. One of the two whom Tauni identified as having talked to Nurah, named Ruduk, spoke for the group when he said, "Thank you, m'lady. You are most kind."

"Speaking of which, I recently saw you having a conversation with that dashing bard Nurah. Are you fans of storytelling? A budding romance perhaps? Oh, you must tell me! I do love a good romantic story, you know?"

Here the Ruduk and his mate Galkud, shifted uneasily and did not make eye contact. "We are but humble soldiers, m'lady. It would be presumptuous for us to expect a budding romance while on such an important mission. When we speak to her, we are only reminded of our loved ones back in Taldor and why we are fighting this noble fight."

Avelina straightened her back and placed an indignant hand on her hip. Her manner shifted to a grave imperiousness.

”You are hiding something. I pray that it is only something embarassing and not something treasonous. Either way, I shall have it out of you. I do not tolerate disembling from paladins of Mendev. We both know the oaths you swore. Now, speak.”

She is making an allusion to the paladin code of conduct saying that lying is proscribed

Ruduk and Galkud were obviously ashamed when Avelina reminded them of their expected behavior.
"Forgive us, m'lady, Galkud said. "It's just ... I ... We have no excuse except, well, this place is frightening enough and we're going to be fighting undead next, and we heard that the enemy skinned all the prisoners and are using the skins to impersonate our crusaders. That other army'll betray us and attack us at the worst possible moment. That's what we heard anyway."

Avelina reared back at the mention of people being skinned.

”Who told you that about people being skinned? Nurah?”

At this question the two seemed genuinely confused. "It was ... ". They looked at each other, puzzled expressions on their faces. "Nurah? Maybe."

They did not seem to be lying.

Once Ellena had an opportunity to speak to Avelina away from the men, she wondered about the problem. ”Is she just a troublemaker, or has she used some fell magic to create these disturbances? I’m all for confronting her!”. If Avelina agreed, Ellena planned to use Detect evil on her either way.

Avelina concern gave way to a smug confidence as the truth was revealed. The Mendevian court lacked the prestige and ego of a southern court, but no court is a steanger to intrigue, and she knew how to manage intrigue.

”Why then, I will need to go speak to Nurah myself. You two carry on as though nothing happened, and tell no one we spoke.”

Avelina took her leave with Ellena, nodding along at her Champion’s words.

”Your instincts match my own, meaning the Inheritor’s Will has clearly aligbed our purposes. Let us quickly gather the others and find Nurah.”

When Avelina found her companions, she got them up-to-speed on the current situation.

Once gathered together, the group watched Nurah while Ellena alligned her thoughts and motives with the Inheritor's to detect evil in Nurah. Had she been evil enough to detect, her form would have been cloaked in a shadowy aura, but Nurah showed no hint of evil.

She was talking to some of the newly freed crusaders, explaining what the Knights of Kenabres army had accomplished in their march to Drezen.

Avelina drew her allies close. ”We should get her alone where she can’t draw anyone else into conflict. Any suggestions, my comrades?”

Karas looked uneasy regarding confrontation involving him in front of the paladins. "Um... Maybe we can set up a meeting in the command tent? away from the eyes of the army?"

”She didn’t radiate evil to my vision. It would have made it simpler if she was...”

Tauni is a bit reluctant to say this, but she tells Ellena "There are some arcane and some divine means to mask black hearts from noble souls. I've even heart of magical tokens being crafted for such intent."

Avelina nodded with gravity at Tauni. ”The demonic obscenities are master manipulators. I have heard Auntie speak of this.”

She took Ellena’s arm. ”Come, my Champion. Let us go speak with Nurah.”

Assuming Ellena came along, Avelina approached Nurah and caught her attention. She flashed a dazzling smile at the newly freed crusaders and then Nurah. ”Why hello, dear Nurah. I was wondering if I could perhaps speak with you in the command tent?”

Ellena was happy to accompany Avelina. She wasn’t sure about this Nurah and was afraid violence might be the woman’s answer to being questioned. She wasn’t about to let her create a ruckus and possibly injure someone. ”Of course,” Ellena agreed.

She stood silently while Avelina invited the woman for a more private discussion.

Nurah gave Avelina and Ellena a bright smile and said, "I'd be delighted. Hello Ellena. I have to tell you that my retelling of your exploits at the bridge and liberating those captured crusaders always lifts the spirits of the knights."

Ellena blushed a bit, not good at taking compliments. ”I think you must have missed most of the bridge battle. It truly was Karas and the others that carried the day. I basically got ran over by an aurochs,”she said as they three of them made their way outside of the ears of everyone else.

Let's assume everyone who wants to participate in talking to Nurah has gathered at the command tent and Nurah goes along. Such meetings are not unusual in the course of the journey. I'll set up a map of the tent in case things move to melee.

Avelina waited until her companions were spaced out around Nurah before begining her speech. Avelina began pacing back and forth, her hands on her hips.

"Now...Nurah. I must say that I have heard some rather concerning accounts of behavior on your part, accounts that are corroborated by evidence. I would like to give you an opportunity to explain yourself."

She turned around at the exact point she would be squared up with Nurah.

"We know that you have been manipulating the soldiers somehow with the aid of magic. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Nurah looked confused and hurt as she said, "That is a lie! I have done nothing but raise morale and spread the good news of the release of our dear crusader brothers and sisters. Wait!" she paused, hand up, and thought a moment, then continued. "Was it Rogbert? He's been a problem for me for a while. He's infatuated with me; keeps trying to spend time with me. I may have told him something to take his mind off me and focus him on his comrades. Perhaps he misunderstood."

Rogbert was one of the paladins questioned by Avelina. If Nurah was lying, it was not evident to any in the tent.

Command tent map is up. Adjust positions if desired.

Karas stood behind Nurah. Uncomfortable with the intrigue that was playing out and not sure what to do about it. He let Avelina take the lead in the questioning.

Feeling defensive, Tauni barked "It was me, Nurah! I saw it myself, and I saw the magical auras. We won't be so easily misdirected."

Nurah keeps her cool and turns to face her accuser. "Dearest Rabbit, you know better than most that magic can be used for good as well as evil. Why do you jump to the conclusion that my use of magic was evil? Yes, I used my bardic wiles to implant a suggestion in those two, but only to direct them to spend their time doing something for the cause and to stop harrassing me with their plays for my affection. I suggested there might be a demon in disguise. among our new recruits. We must be ever on the watch for such evil attempts to infiltrate our ranks with fair seeming counterfeits."

Again, she seems completely sincere.

"Enough of this," Anarya says. Her eyes blaze white as her magic falls over the tent, creating an aura in which lies are impossible for those who succumb to her magic.

Spending one use of Mythic Power on Inspired Spell to cast zone of truth (DC 19 Will Save negates). This does affect everyone, so if you wish to resist the spell, you must save as well. Anarya willingly fails her save.

"It seems you're changing your story, Nurah," Anarya cuts in, her voice low and terse. "A moment ago, you thought to cast suspicion upon one of our paladins. But now you admit to enchanting their minds only when confronted?" Her eyes, still glowing white, narrow as she locks her gaze with Nurah. "Tell me again what really happened, and speak directly."

Throughout all of the questioning, Raine elects to stay outside-- she trusts the others will be able to wring the truth from Nurah, and in turn, she wants to keep her eyes out for anyone who's taking any sort of interest in the proceedings. So the red-head crouches before the tent, scratching idly in the dirt with a stick with half an ear turned to the conversation inside the tent and both her eyes darting among the neighboring tents and any passers-by.

Nurah remained defiant. She rested her hands on her hips and stood as tall as she could. "I did not realize I needed a story to deal with a couple of immature lads. I used a suggestion on them to induce them to use their time more productively. While you're accusing me of crimes, it is possible the real enemy is in our midst and you are unaware of it. I have dealt with demon spies before. They can be very hard to detect."

”Something is fishy with your story. Actually, the way you told your story. Either you are hiding something or you aren’t telling us the whole story. I expect you to stop lying and tell us everything. The Inheritor’s mission is too important to be sidetracked by rumors and lies!”

Nurah looked vexed and said, "The Inheritor can kiss my ..."

Before finishing her sentence, she seemed to feint but in fact she rolled in a kind of backwards somersault, came up and turned to flee the tent.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

While this is a pretty good acrobatics roll, the RAW say that the DC increase by +2 for each additional opponent avoided in one round. So that would subtract 10 from her roll and cause her to provoke an AOO from everyone.

Since no one said they had any weapons drawn, anyone who wants to make an attack of opportunity may make a grapple attempt on Nurah as she tries to tumble away. Karas may have other options if he can attack with claws. Or you could attempt a trip maneuver. She moves as indicated on the map unless someone can grapple her. If you have magic options that can be done as immediate actions those would be allowed.

Raine gets to her feet uncertainly at the sound of Nurah's voice, her brows furrowed, but before she can call anything to those inside the tent, the conversation takes a sharper turn!

If she makes it outside to me, I'll attempt a trip.

Potential CMB: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Anarya can do little but stick her foot out in an attempt to trip Nurah as she attempts to flee, surprised at her rapid dash away.

Trip: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Tauni tried to predict her roll and grab her braid before she could get out of the tent, but in her anger at having been accused of misinterpreting the obvious interaction threw off her grab.

Prescience 1d20 ⇒ 8

Grapple 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Avelina reached out for the halfling the second she began to run. No villain talked about her Beloved Inheritor so insultingly around her and got away with it.

Grapple: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Ellena also tries to get a hand on the little traitor.

CMB 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

The agile halfling bard slipped through the grasps of Tauni and Avelina, but Anarya tripped her and Ellena easily grabbed her, although she squirmed mightily.

"What's going on in there?" Raine called apprehensively at the sounds of scuffling from within.

”Get in here, Raine! We have a traitor in our midst! And now we have to figure out what she knows....”

"By Iomedae, I will not let you escape," Anarya swears, eyes changing to a molten silver as she casts another spell. She reaches out to grab the struggling woman's hand, magic sparkling along her fingertips.

(Spending another use of Mythic Power to cast shackle. Anarya makes a melee touch attack against Nurah, who can then make a DC 19 reflex save. If she fails, the manacles lock their wrists together, binding Anarya to Nurah. If she succeeds, the manacles appear in Anarya's hand instead.)

Melee Touch (includes the bonus from Legalistic curse - fulfilling her promise to restrain Nurah): 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 4 = 22

(In case it becomes relevant, the DC to unlock the shackles is 30.)

Nurah wriggled and squirmed and avoided the attempt to cuff her. The touch attack hit, but Nurah made the reflex save.

"Quick, pin her and I'll get these on her," Anarya said urgently.

The manacles will last for 8 hours.

Raine hurries in, glancing around at the scene, and adding her weight to Ellena's.

Aid the grapple: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

With multiple people holding Nurah, she cannot avoid being chained.

Are these manacles or fetters? Is Nurah attached to Anarya?

Manacles - it's easier to ensure she can't run if she's cuffed to a person. Does Ellena or Karas want to take it? If not, it can be Anarya.

Karas was too taken by surprise to assist in apprehending the traitor. He watch though as she was deftly dealt with by his companions.

He glowered at the girl as she wriggled and gets cuffed. "Let her spend some time with Ellena. Surely there isnt a better bodyguard for her now."

He got in her eye level and asked "Why? Why would you try to sabotage us? What do they have on you?"

Avelina strode up to Nurah, hands on her hips again.

”Now, in the interest of forgiveness and magnanimity, I’m going to assume you were going to say that the Inheritor can kiss your cheek, as I’m sure we can all agree that a kiss from the Inheritor would be a Glorious Blessing. I mean, who could not help but melt into a puddle at the thought of Her Beautiful Red Lips—“

She covered her mouth with her hand as she finally realized how off-track she was getting.

”Ah, yes. So. Right. Anyways, you had better tell us what is going on! I do not appreciate being lied to.”