DM Beckett's PFS 2 - 23&24: Shadow's Last Stand (1-2) (Inactive)

Game Master Beckett

Maldoc will quickly ask, These renovations, do you know what it was that was worked on, exactly?

"Mostly just cleaning up the place. That and the city had been harping on him to do some work on the sewers around here. They closed the place down for a few months, but when they opened back up, everything looked new and modern."

Were we in his office to begin with? I was hoping we'd be leaving the others there while he took Rhuul for a tour.

"Oh, is there sewer access somewhere in the building? Is that why they closed it down?"

Were we in his office to begin with? I was hoping we'd be leaving the others there while he took Rhuul for a tour.

Yes, sort of. He took you to the changing rooms. His particular changing room is also his office. :)

"Come. Lets retire to my quarters for a bit. I need a break FROM THESE HACKS, anyway, and a distraction would do well."

If you follow him, he actually leads you to a small section of the dressing rooms, which apparently serve as his private room as well as office. "Ok, lady's and gents. What can I do for you?"

So Rhuul and Umaro saw the "office" on the tour, but the others didn't? They are still talking with the actors?

Rhuul looks for a way to distract Senlokto.

"Umaro, you are not looking well. Sit down."

After making sure that Umaro is seated, he tries to make him feel better with a joke.

"How many actors does it take to light a lamp?" he pauses for a moment. "IT depends on what it says in the script!"

He looks past the curtain to an area of the stage that Senlokto can't see.

"Speaking of which, what is someone doing there?" he asks, pointing to where Senlokto can't see.

bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Trying to create a distraction of Umaro to grab the note

Sarephta turns to the remaining companions.

"We need to get someone down that trapdoor, preferably with no one noticing. I'm not a very stealthy candidate; anyone want to try to get down without being seen?"

Umaro will glance at the dwarf for a moment, Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9, not entirely sure on what the dwarf is rambling about, but will sit as the dwarf helps him down.

If Senlokto glances away, Umaro will attempt to grab the note.

"Anyone care to try the trapdoor?" Sarephta asks quietly.

Maldoc will volunteer to try to open the trapdoor if the close is clear. He'll quickly look to see if there are any signs of a trap or alarm before doing so, if it loks clear he'll move quickly to open it and allow his low-light vision to scan the area below.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Sorry, I've got two games that I keep thinking are just about over, and was trying to push them so I can focus on this one. I'm going on vacation tomorrow or the day after. I'll have internet except when travelling. I've also been doing some grinding in my home table top game after hearing that Aasimar and Tiefling will not be legal after Season 6 starts. :(

After the tour, Senlokto returns to the dressing room office, and then comments that he needs to get back to work. They will open tomorrow at 4 pm, and he expect to see you back to begin your rigorous training for your parts and to test your natural talents. Senlokto then gathers everyone and returns to the main theater, and begins to harass the actors once more with ridiculous commands.

You are free to try to sneak back in if you like, either leaving and trying to find another entrance, or waiting until the theater closes in a few hours once the rehersal is finished. You are not certain when exactly that might be, though.

"Do we want to take a private, guide-free tour tonight?"

"I say strike while the iron is hot. But as already mentioned, the smith didn't think much of my style. I'm more of an in-your-face dwarf than a sneaky one. One of you lot must be able to get back while I take up the directors attention."

Rhuul says quietly.

He then goes for the stage.

"Mr Senlokto, I'm trying to understand my characters motivations. What drives me to prace around naked? Is it pride in my sturdy figure? Have I taken a vow to wear nought but my magnificent beard? Did I have a bad experience with lice, and foreswear clothes? Has a holy man made me swear a year of nakedness in return for his blessing? I really feel to do justice to the part you are writing for me, I need ot know more!"

Someone, anyone go. Rhuul has a good bluff and diplomacy and a negative stealth. This is our best bet to get the note and maybe look in the trap door. Taking ten on bluff for 16, or ten on diplomacy for 18

Umaro is not the one for stealth. I think Maldoc might be our best bet.

I thought I said I was going to go to the trap door and all that. I still hold by that action. I had a 26 Perception, if I need Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Kryssa waits with baited fish hook down by the shore...

Sorry, I'm a little confused, too. The way I understand it, Rhuul and Umaro are trying to distract the Senlokto and the performers so Umaro can sneak of to go grab the note, and Kryssa, Sarephta, and Maldoc can sneak off to go to the trap door. Is that right? I'm also trying to find an appropriate map, as nothing was included in the scenario, if we need it.

I think that's accurate. Maldoc is the only one trying for the trap door...Kryssa and Sareptha should keep watch for him.

Yes that seems to be right, Rhuul was going to make some distraction so Umaro had a chance to grab the note.

Agreed. Rhuul is even up for doing some naked dwarf 'dress rehersals' if that is required. He's proud of his dwarven body.

I got confused as well, because it sounded like we were ushered out at some point. I'm ready for thuggery... but with a celestial flair.

Proposal: If there is a moment when Maldoc can try the trap door or Umaro can try to grab the note, we take it. If no chance comes up, we come back when they are closed.

Both the note and the trap door are located inside his personal dressing room, which is also his office. When he first took you aside, he took you there, where you noticed these things, but where not able to grab the note or open the trap door without him noticing. When some of you "went on a tour", I think there was confusion, as you had already been in the place you wanted to sneak into. I didn't say it at the time, but when he left with some of the party, he closed and locked his office, (I didn't understand what you where trying to do, so I didn't think of it).

So, at that point, if you can pick the lock, you can attempt to investigate inside his office. Can anyone do that? Otherwise, the only real alternative is to break in, which will be immediately obvious, and change everything after that point.

Or, you could wait until after the tour, have Rhuul distract Senlokto, while everyone else "takes a look around". You will still probably need to break in, but will probably have a lot more time before you are discovered. I'm assuming that's what the plan is.

If so, can I get a Perform (It's Art, . . . Really) check from Rhuul, and a quick Stealth check from everyone else, to sort of drift away without drawing too much attention.

Can I also get a Disable Device check or a Str check to enter his office in the dressing rooms (Str check will leave obvious evidence of breaking through the door afterwards).

Sareptha does her best to appear inconspicuous as she looks around.

stealth: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (15) - 3 = 12

I think we've already designated the two that are going to try this. I guess I'm really trying to assist Maldoc and Umaro in their efforts to get back there, get the door open, and then check the trapdoor/note.

I did a stealth check earlier, and a perception check for the trap door when we get there. Here is a Strength Check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Oof, he'll try it without trying to be so quiet, if he can.

Again!: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

A simple DC 10 Stealth check to wander off inconspicuously should do it. The thing is, everyone is trying to go to the same exact place (minus Rhuul).

Rhuul does an amusing rendition of taking off his clothes, while telling a variety of off colour jokes to try and keep everyone occupied while the breaking and entry takes place.

I'll take ten if I can for 16, but if not..
perform: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Stealth: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

Umaro starts to try and head back toward the back, but quickly trips on something in his path.

Stealth-AC Penalty: 1d20 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 2 - 3 = 3

Kryssa knocks over a rack of costumes.

The half naked dwarf calls out "Everyone is a critic! Stop messing up my performance and come and watch."

Turning to the rest of the audiance Rhuul adds

"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. Then when you do criticize that person, you'll be a mile away and have his shoes!"

Trying desperately to salvage this with humour!
perform: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Oh, boy...abort! abort! We'll only get through this with Rhuul's good checks.

yeah I think it might be best to try and wait for night when we can do this without people around.

As Rhuul starts doing his thing, the other begin wandering off, one by one. At the crescendo of Rhuuls, um, um, performance, Umaro, tries to slide out around a corner behind the stage, but walks directly into a wall, that turns out to be a well made prop. Going straight through it, he knocks over a small ladder, that hits a shelf, that starts a small chain reaction that ends with a mock lead cannonball slamming into a large gong, filling the theater with an abnormally loud GGOOOONNNGGGG.

Umaro's rural eyes follow he cascade of events, unable to stop it. From the front of the stage, loud shouts about how someone is fired and cursing out the various actors (who had nothing to do with it) can be heard.

Can I get a Dipomacy check from Rhuul to calm things down.

From everyone elee (besides Umaro, Rhuul, and Maldoc), can I get Aid checks.

"Clumsy amateurs!" calls out Rhull. "But ever so enthusiastic. See how they wish to embrace the spirit of the performance. Ahh, the Chaos of the theatre. Never work with animals, children. Or amateurs!"
diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Dip Aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

"Sorry, we were going over blocking."

aid dip: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

Sarephta stands to the side, not sure what to do.

Sorry, I meant Aid checks for Maldoc to break in the door.

Oh, I'm better at that!

aid str check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Pffft, strength checks.

Strength Aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Breaking through the sturdy door, you are able to grab the note freely.

Getting to the trapdoor requires bit more work, as you need to pull away the large rug that's concealing it. Once that is done, it opens up to a small compartment, with a ladder leading down into a small 20ft by 20ft room. In one corner of the room is a pile of rags, beneath which lies the decomposed body of Senlokto Boraminder. In the other corner of
the room lie scattered papers, including the deed for the Captive Audience, signed by Senlokto Boraminder, as well as papers providing the details of the recent renovations to the playhouse, some of them signed by both Ouidda and Senlokto.

Maldoc will grab all of the evidence he can before retreating from the small room. If he has time he will also find something on the body that might prove who he is.

Look at these. Maldoc will hand the papers in question over to those that may wish to examine them.

"..Speaking of the theatre. How many actors does it take to change the oil in a lamp?"

The ever present pause is pregnant in the air.

"None. Just they complain to the director!"

There is nothing on the body that you can really use to prove anything, but it's clearly the same gnome you just spoke to. This one's remains, though, have been dead for some time, causing the room to stink, but the putrid smell does not go upstairs (while the door is closed). Either there where two of them, or one of the Senlokto's is something else.

Umaro busies himself picking up the mess he made, but also keeping an eye out for the others to come back from their trip back stage.

Kryssa examines the walls searching for any secret doors.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

It takes a moment for the clues to come together for Sareptha, but then she whispers to her companions.

"It appears there is an impostor here...we should apprehend him at once!"

Rhulls stomach rumbles, a reminder that the dwarf had not been fed yet.

"Pardon me. Anyone got an apple? Speaking of apples... What do you get if you cross an apple with a shellfish?"

The pause is disrupted by another rumble of his stomach. "A Crab Apple!"

Maldoc has no problem with confronting the imposter, however he will ask that somebody else to the talking.

Sarephta begins to move back toward the "replacement" Senlokto Boraminder.

"I'll confront him...just make sure we have him surrounded so he can't get away," she says.

"I'll give him a nice, big, angelkin hug to hold him in place."