Core or Bust!

Game Master dien

"So, are we actin' with any legal authority here. Last thing we need is her hidin' behind the law. And, are we bringin' her in, or dealin' with her in a more direct way?" He looks to Shaya after this last comment, "What!?! I'm just askin' questions here. Don't look at me like that. Celeena brought this on her self." Back to Drang and the group at large, "I'm imaginin' that bein' from Cheliax that she has some kinda talent fer the arcane or summonin' up trouble fer us. Gonna have ta buy a weapon that kin hurt 'em before we get too much further inta this mess."

"Why would da rules protect someone trying to hurt dis town?" He pauses, frowning, "And what kids'a weapons are good?"

At the mention of summoning, Jikan thinks... "Hrm, maybe and maybe not, but I think I have another scroll to pick up regardless."

Jikan would like to purchase a Scroll of Protection from Evil.

"We know of the location of this vault. Do others know of it too? Will others come seeking what we seek? Do we know if the vault itself has defenses?"

Drang looks to Jikan and waves dismissively. "Come now, you should know better than that my young friend! Absalom architecture is ancient, and the structure of any subterranean tunnels, especially that of lost tunnels such as the ones we are speaking of, would have remained the same barring quakes, collapses or Kobold infestations. Among other things. The point being, these documents are still highly relevant, dangerous and devastating if in the wrong hands! Wonderful is it not?" he exclaims guilelessly.

Looking at Shaya, he continues: "We could do that! Although, by the time we got the proper attention of the authorities, Celeena would have more than enough time to recover the documents and disappear. Also considering she and her mercenaries killed a Pathfinder, we feel it better to play this one close to the chest. And by "we" I mean me and other venture-officers, and perhaps some people at the highest levels." He grabs a stack of papers and begins to stacks them neatly. "There’s not much that can be said about the vault. It was reportedly used to store a portion of the family’s wealth and was ingeniously trapped when the Decklands fled Absalom. The family archives, where the documents should be stored, should be right next to the family crypt in the lower levels."

"Insofar as "dealing" with her..." Drang shrugs. "I will trust you to make the right decision when you need to. Anyway, apart from her and whatever mercenaries she has brought with her, the location should be unknown to any but us! I would be careful, it is possible the vault has its own defenses. Possible. The vaults defenses, if they exist, are unknown to us."

Any other questions?

Klo listens along, trying to look like he's fully understanding everything. So we need these documents. Hopefully the others will know which ones we're looking for. But what if I'm the only one that makes it? Maybe I can just get all the documents in the archive. How much can that really be?

"I'll get more bags." the big man says, leaning on a new spear. He otherwise looks ready to head out.

Seeing you look to each with questioning stares, the venture captain waves you away excitedly. "Have fun storming the vault! And do not worry agent De la Mancha; I am almost 78% certain there are no host-inhabiting extra-planar parasites in this vault" he comments excitedly, somehow managing to push you all out of his office, which he then slams shut.

***About an hour later***

Sitting on the corner of a quiet street in the coins district, the red brick Deckland townhouse melds in with the middle class buildings in this portion of Absalom. The sky is overcast, with thick stormclouds building up in the afternoon air. As Korum begins his preliminary sweep, he notices a small, flickering candle which can be seen through a barred window on the building’s west side. A single wooden door, reinforced with iron bands, can be seen on the building’s south face.

I have unceremoniously dumped your tokens on the first map we will be using, but that does not mean you are that close to the building. All told, you are about sixty feet away or more away (more if you want). What I do need is to understand how you are approaching this building. Paint me a picture Pathfinders, and feel free to discuss your options in character.

Earlier

Dulcinea faintly smiles, half-amused, at Dreng's antics.

"That Dreng loves to play the fool, doesn't he?"

She walks away with the group, humming to herself and shaking her head.

"78%...ridiculous."

Now

Dulcinea idly twirls about her rapier.

"I do not know about the rest of you, but I am not particularly known for my stealthiness. A knight prefer to avoid such games, no?"

Purchasing a masterwork, cold iron greatax.

"Yeah...'nuther one. Like draggin' my sister around weren't enough. All clangin' an' bangin' around like throwin' a rock inta a store sellin' pots 'n pans. May as well let me take a look see. At least the big guys not here."

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

"I'm not 'known' for my stealthiness either. But being as small as I am has advantages."

Despite saying this Jikan let Korum go ahead and scout while he stays back with the party. He waits for the reconnaissance before deciding what to do.

At mention of a stealthy approach, Klo shakes his head, happy to let Korum handle that. From their remote position (wherever folks think is smart for us to be watching from) Klo tries to watch their surroundings for signs that this place has lookouts or something.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

He seems happy to take everyone else's lead, though, on how to approach. As he waits, he gives Dulcinea a curious look, "I heard knights from your lands are men, yuh?"

Dulcinea throws her head back and laughs.

”There are many rich men who run around in armor killing peasants who think that earns them the title ‘knight.’ Don’t worry. It’s a common mistake.”

Perception #1: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Perception #2: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

The mercenaries inside seem none the wiser as Korum makes his way around the townhouse. From his observations, there are two points of egress; a barred window and the front door. From inside Korum can hear the sounds of conversation, and ballparks about three people on the inside.

Perception checks will be needed for anything else.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Shaya knows from past experience she is not at all quiet. Her brother's told her that. A lot. With a lot of wincing at her attempts. So she hangs back with the others, whispering Shelyn fangirlism to the new 'knight.'

"So do you practice any kind of art! I'm going to be a painter, I'm just not very good at it yet..."

It is difficult to determine anything else, but the bars on the window do seem like they could be pried off by a strong enough warrior. The front door would appear to be locked as well.

Forum comes back and shares his discoveries, such as they are. "So, what do we think? I can try and pick the lock, but good chance anyone listenin' will hear it."

Jikan thinks. Drat! Yet another scroll I could have bought to solve this problem!

"Either that or we knock, I guess. Picking the lock sounds more fun to me."

Klo shrugs, ”Bust the door down?”

The tower-shield bearing, scale mail wearing cleric of Irori chooses to stand with the second wave of the party, letting those who have focused their talents to be silent eyes prowl forward.

"Can you not pick the lock quietly?" he asks Jikan, unsure of how this skill works.

<<sigh>>

"Yeah, I can try, but considerin' the situation they might be lookin' out fer stuff like this. How 'bout the rest of you? Kick it in or see if we can sneak a little closer?"

"Well, kickin' it in will also make a lot of noise, right? We could just knock," says the paladin.

If the others give her the dirty look this naive suggestion deserves, Shaya frowns and shrugs. "Well I guess if that's off the table, then my vote is try the lock, bro."

Dulcinea idly taps her scabbard against her boot.

”Go for the lock. We will cover you.”

She winks at Shaya.

”It’s easier for you to show you my art. You’ll see it soon enough.”

Just going to put this here for Jikan: there is no reason you couldn't take a half-hour/hour to go and find a merchant that is still open despite the later hour and purchase a scroll. You're in the middle of Absalom.

When you've set on a course of action though, go ahead and roll/inform me you're casting a spell/other.

That's alright... It's more Jikan's thought process than actual purchasing wishes, although he will probably will by Scrolls of Knock and Silence after this. :)

Klo shoulders his spear, which THOKS against his dragon scale armor. He gives Korum a thumbs up and points to the door. ”Shout and we come break dat door down, yuh?”

Klo will get as close as possible without having to cross any open ground. Ideally, he’ll be one charge action away from that front door, if at all possible.

"Well, stay close as it may come to kickin' this thing in."

disable device: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Korum's skill with disabling locks is second to none among your group. However, perhaps his eye for alarms could be second to someone's.

"WE GOT COMPANY!" shouts the one right in from of Korum as the door opens and run right into a thin length of twine which is somewhere connected to a bell. A bell that rings gaily as the armored man draws his weapon and a loud bang is heard, that of a wooden door banging shut.

Round 1

Devil's Claw (Red)
Dulcinea
Devil's Claw (Blue)
Jikan
Shaya
Korum
Yargul
Klo

Red Merc attack!: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

The mercenary in front of Korum marches up to try and slice the half-orc, only to fail miserably.

Here's the battlemap. If you are to the side, consider yourselves across the street, about fifteen feet away without any obstruction along the way to get to where your fellows are. Also, don't split up.

"Gah! Wilted Petals that was close!"

Aaaaand... Of course, I forgot to bold. Dulcinea is up. I'll put up the correct format on Blue''s turn.

"Korum!" Shaya yelps. "Watch out, bro, you don't need a haircut that badly!"

(just free action rp)

Dulcinea shrugs and smiles.

”Oh well. The straightforward way it is.”

She dashes to the side of the door, waiting for an opening to join the melee.

Double move. If someone could move her to the square to the right of Klo, I would appreciate it. Computer is in the middle of the Longest Update Ever

Round 1

Devil's Claw (Red)
Dulcinea
Devil's Claw (Blue) - Readied
Jikan
Shaya
Korum
Yargul
Klo

The other mercenary steps up, drawing his weapon before readying himself for something, shouting out "Fall back!".

"You should listen to yer boss. Fallin' back sounds like a great idea, or fallin' down dead, either way works for me."

greatax: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 171d12 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

If he goes down, I will move down the hallway, looking for traps
perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Acrobatic to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11 just in case. If he does not go down, I will slide 5 feet to the left to free up the space for more violence from the team.

Klo takes a stab at the defending man, but the stab is made awkward by the doorway.

If Red is still up, Klo will attack him. If not, Klo will move into the room and attack Blue.
mwk spear: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Move Action
Jikan walks up. "Small hallway huh? You jerks are lucky." No Enlarge Person this time.

Second Move Action
He takes out his Wand of Magic Missile, ready to start the whole process again.

Shaya hurries to join her brother and the others...

(Double move, not sure my current location is legal or if there is a wall there. If it's not legal, I'll have to revise it to stand somewhere else)

Yargul advances, hustling to Korum's side. Double move

Round 2

Devil's Claw (Red) - 13 dmg
Dulcinea
Devil's Claw (Blue) - Readied
Jikan
Shaya
Korum
Yargul
Klo

Thanks for the map link update, but fair warning, I'll be changing maps fairly frequently here.

Korum leaves a nasty looking wound to the mercenary's arm and torso, and not wanting to engage in a repeat performance, he withdraws back.

Dulcinea saunters into the building, her sword at the ready.

"'Fall back'? Where exactly do you plan on falling back to?"

Single move, readied action to attack an enemy that comes in range

Dulcinea glances back towards her allies.

"This looks like quite an annoying setup here. Any ideas?"

Round 2

Devil's Claw (Red) - 13 dmg
Dulcinea
Devil's Claw (Blue) - Readied
Jikan
Shaya
Korum
Yargul
Klo

"To your mother's bedchambers, that's where!" taunts the unwounded one and he keeps ready for ... something.

Bad guy trash talk! Since the scenario doesn't bother with giving me anything to throw at you, perhaps taunting you will make you do something silly!!! Muahahaha.

Looking over to Yargul, "Well Chief, I yield the floor to you and that wall you carry around."

Move Action
Jikan moves up to the doorway and sees the tiniest of slivers of the enemies.

Standard Action
"And so it beings again..."
He activates the command word on his wand and hits one of them with a Magic Missile. Targeting Red.
Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Yargul nods at Korum and moves into the room.

Trusting his armor and his shield, he moves between the two enemies seen. He plants his tower shield as a wall between himself and the enemy to his left.

move, plant tower shield for total cover against red's doorway.

Shaya hurries up, views that there's not a lot of room for glaive smacking and that people with smaller weapons may want the prime territory next to Yargul, and instead settles for.... a warning, at the guard with the blue bandanna.

"Riiiiight. See this rose? It means I worship Shelyn. She's a nice lady. Queen of Beauty. Probably, your face is in the most beautiful configuration possible right now, the one the gods intended. But buddy if you don't lay down arms and let us pass there's a not-insignificant chance I'm gonna have to rearrange it to something less pleasing to my goddess. And that would make me sad."

Intimidate to demoralize blue: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Round 2

Devil's Claw (Red) - 15 dmg
Dulcinea
Devil's Claw (Blue) - Shaken, end Round 4[/dice]
Jikan
Shaya
Korum
Yargul - [i]9 dmg
Klo

"Huh. Well... Uhh..." stutters the blue bandana'd mercenary as he nontheless attempts to strike Yargul

Readied Action: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 2 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Readied Action - Critical Threat confirmation: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 - 2 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

From the other side of the shield, the other mercenary calls out with some urgency "Devgar, if you don't surrender right now, I am going to piss in your ale next time we go out on the town you addled cow-splat!!!"

"That ain't no way ta treat an ale! 'Sides, if you don't surrender, you ain't never going 'out on the town' ever again. Yer boxed in and out numbered.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

I would just be getting in the way at the moment.

Klo rumbles down the hall, trying to get into a better position to help Yargul. "Hold on! I come!"

Double move

Round 2

Devil's Claw (Red) - 15 dmg, Surrendering
Dulcinea
Devil's Claw (Blue) - Shaken, end Round 4
Jikan
Shaya
Korum
Yargul - 9 dmg

From the other side of Yargul's shield, you hear "Ale or no ale, I give up!"

Hopefully this isn't too much to accomplish in a technically out-of-turn moment...

As one opponent falters, Klo yells out, 'PUT DOWN WEAPONS! GET DOWN ON FLOOR!"