DM Dr Evil's 00-01: Silent Tide (PFS) - First PFS PbP Gameday Event (Inactive)

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

Cressyk attempts to focus his negative emotions on the Box of Golden Faces, yelling and cursing at it.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Cressyk opens the illusory chest with ease, finding inside a collection of material components for a wealth of spells.

When he roars and threatens the Box of Golden Faces, it also opens, revealing a collection of ancient stone miniatures of a Viking army from the Land of the Linorm Kings.

The inquisitor cannot, however, make heads or tails of the musical notes on the final chest.

You have opened 4 of 5, succeeding in your task, do you stay and make any more attempts at the last chest, or report back to Grandmaster Torch? Do you take any of the items from the chests?

Cressyk doesn't touch anything within the chests, respecting Grandmaster Torch's wishes.

I don't think any of us have the skills to solve that last chest...if only I was a level or two higher.

You can make a perform check untrained (though not Linguistics or Knowledge checks over DC 10). If you make that, then you can figure out the tune...

DC 10 Perform check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 i did it!

Elael stares at the Holed Safe for a few moments, seemingly spacing off while Cressyk single-handedly opens several of the other safes.

"This is a song. If we can get a performer, we might be able to play it..." Elael off-handedly hums the tune.

Although very interested in the items, Rhanloi is still fresh enough from the Pathfinder Indoctrination course that he remembers they should be honorable in their dealings, and so he notes the contents but does not remove them from the containers.

Jiro moves over to the Holed Safe to inspect the notes. While he is anything but a trained musician, he had to play the Shamisen as a boy. Perhaps his traditional Tian upbringing might help him out here..

Untrained Perform check to aid Elael: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Elael succeeds in deciphering the notes on the rectangular box into some sort of upbeat tune, but the mystery of how to open the chest still remains.

You have got enough boxes open, if you want to try the 5th you can, but it's not a requirement.

Elael snaps his fingers. He puts his lips to the pores on the box, blowing into them one by one. If there are musical notes, he imitates the music from the tune by blowing into the pores.

Blowing into the small holes and covering others does make musicial notes much like a traditional recorder. Elael finds getting the notes right, and making them into a song, takes some skill and practice, but given enough time, and good manual dexterity, he is able to approximate the song well enough that the hidden panel on the chest irises open allowing access to the chest.

Inside is a sheaf of hand-written music apparently a complete symphony written by a long-dead Taldan composer.

DC 12 Perform check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Now that all the boxes are open, you signal to the guard, and he looks at each one, nodding. He then escorts you back to Grandmaster Torch's audience chamber. The eccentric information broker still rests in his tub and smiles as you enter.

So, you went above and beyond and opened all the safes. How thriliing! I shall reward you as we discussed with the location of Nessian's new hideout, but I shall also reward you with a generous tip."

One of the adjutants brings out a leather pouch full of coins for each of you. "It turns out that our friend Nessian and his dog-loving gang, has taken up residence in a half-fallen siege tower outside the city walls. They have named the place the Pyramid of the Dog...how quaint." He proceeds to give you proper directions to find the place.

As you make ready to depart, the Grandmaster has a parting shot for you:"My friends, I am sure you understand that no one, especially not Nessian, can know where you came by this information. I would view such a indiscretion as most unprofessional and do my best to spread the word of your untrustworthiness. While you have found I am a good friend, I can be a more fearsome enemy. Act wisely, and by all means, save our city!"

The guards lead you and Yargos out of the Grandmaster's rooms, and back through the Siphons to the surface. Happy to have fresh air again, you are alarmed to see the sun beginning to rise for Oathday. You are near the gate that will lead you to the Pyramid of the Dog, but still must travel through the waking city to the proper location.

The pouch contains 100gp each. Putting your earnings so far at 280gp. Opening 4 of the 5 chests is also the second half of the secondary success condition necessary to earn the second prestige/fame points at the end. Since you have completed both parts, you will earn the bonus point (provided you still complete the primary success condition)

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Cressyk sees lights emanating from the distant cliffs and points. "There! Yargos, what do those lights mean?"

Jiro instinctively moves his hand to the hilt of his sword, but quickly realizes they'll most likely face skeletal undead again. He sighs mentally and tightens his grip on his walking cane.

I suppose this means we move to the next scene - I'm done with the current one and ready for the next :)

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Elael's eyes flash to the cliffs to see the flashing lights. "My friends, another message. Three orange and one green light, repeating. It seems we're faced with a dilemna...move to stop the undead again, or go to kill Nessian."

"Either he knows we're after him and he's using them as a distraction for something worse OR we have to stop them and make him realize he's being thwarted so he has to confront us."

"The safety of innocents is paramount. We must thwart the current attack." Rhanloi says. It has been a long day, like the hunts he used to take in his homeland. The prey was just as deadly, but then again, so was the environment...

Cressyk nods at Rhanloi's comment. "Eventually, we'll get ahead of him and stop being reactive. For now, we must stop them from wreaking havoc on the city."

When you point out the repeating signals to Yargos, he recognizes its significance instantly: it is one of the final and most important signals.

Yargos explains "These lights will send a team of Black Echelon operatives to attack the Metro-Cathedral, an old church of Abadar in the Puddles. According to the codebook, when Black Echelon shuts down the giant organ at the Cathedral in midtune, the sudden disruption becomes the signal for Silent Tide to begin in earnest; the awaiting Armada is to approach to the city and begin its attack run. This is the beginning of the end, unless we stop it. That organ has to keep playing!"

Yargos frantically urges the PCs you to change course and race for the cathedral.

Will get a second post with arrival at the Cathedral up later today, but it's a busy Monday. I linked the map we'll use already, and will get it all set up today sometime

As you race for the cathedral, a magnificent tune begins playing from the pipe organ leading you to the site. As the Cathedral comes into view, the sound starts to breakdown and become patchy. At the doors to the once grand, now run down Cathedral, a creepy moment ensues as the sound becomes a cacophony of off-key noise and then suddenly comes to an end. Yargos screams, "You must hurry and continue the music. The end of the tune is the signal for the attack!"

As you throw the doors of the Cathedral open, you see an astounding site. At the far end behind the altar is an enormous keyboard connected to a dazzling array of pipes. The keys of the keyboard are about 15' in the air, and about 5' wide each. It is apparent that the priest of Abadar play the tune by hopping from key to key, but now you see that the priests are under attack, one remains standing horrified near the front of the cathedral.

Two Black Echelon operatives stand on the keys, finishing off the last cleric of Abadar, while several more swarm up the pipes. One of the operatives has reached the top, and it's innate circle of silence stills any sound coming from the organ.

Yargos is nearly overcome with panic "You must keep the tune playing. You can't let it stop."

Hymns of Oathday - Surprise Round

23 Elael
21 Red Operative
20 Rhanloi
20 Jiro
20 Yellow Operative
20 White Operative
17 Black Operative
14 Archibald
14 Eostre
14 Purple Operative
14 Blue Operative

Some notes about the organ and gameplay:
• The organ keys are elevated 15 feet off of the ground. Climbing up is a DC 10 Climb check and full round action.
• Traveling from white key to white key requires a DC 5 Acrobatics or Perform (dance) check. The DC increases by 2 for each additional key someone attempts to cross in a given round.
• To play the more slender black keys, one either needs to stand on an adjoining white key and reach up and yank the key down with a DC 5 Strength check, or climb directly on top of the black key (Climb DC 10). Leaping from black key to black key requires a DC 10 or 20 Jump check depending on the distance between the keys.
• Anyone who successfully depresses multiple keys in a round may also make a Perform (keyboard) check as a free action. A success of 10 or more contributes to the hymn and keeps the music alive. Each PC gets a +2 circumstance bonus to their check for each key they manage to depress in a single round.
• The organ keys connect to the 30-foot pipes above. Four Black Echelon operatives have already climbed up the pipes. Climbing the giant twisting maze of brass pipes requires a DC 10 Climb check each round.
• As long as the organ continues to play, anyone of lawful alignment in the cathedral benefits from the effect of a bless spell. The bless effect kicks in as long as any key is depressed.

Why do NPCs always gotta be so useless?

Rushing into the room, Elael dashes towards the gigantic keyboard, a dagger in hand. "I can play the keys if you guys take out the Operatives!", he shouts to his companions.

Archibald strains to hear Eleal speak. "What!? Speak up! ...confound it all! Who knew the Silent Tide could make such an infernal bloody racket?!"

Rhanloi runs in and stops in the middle of the church, launching his raven and yelling a single word in draconic. He then fires a force missile at the white operative standing in the middle of the pipes. damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 (4 of 7 left)

The raven flaps towards the same operative, attacking a moment after the missile hits! Raven attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 Peck!: 1d4 ⇒ 4

It should be noted that raven familiars have a +4 to hit and deal 1d4-4 damage due to their 2 Str. That is to say, that attack roll is a 13 and it will always deal 1 damage. See the familiar page HERE

They must have changed it. I sure didn't make those stats up, and I only use the PRD here on Paizo...well that sucks! :-P

I am sorry I didn't make it clear that you have a surprise round on the busy Black Echelon, and as with any surprise round, you get only one Move Action or one Standard Action only. The Operatives will not act during the surprise round, but will when Round 1 resumes thereafter.

So the count for the surprise round is: Elael, Rhanloi, Jiro, Archie, Eostre, and Cressyk (who had an 11 on initiative and is at the end of the list).

Rhanloi, do you want the move action in the surprise round or something else? Elael, only a single move in surprise round, ok? The rest should post either a Move or Standard Action

BTW, I agree that the familiar raven gets 1 hp damage if it hits, which it wouldn't have anyway...Maybe in a Hitchcock movie they do 1d4?

I'll move him back a few squares and have him cower in some pews :D

I'll keep the movement only then...

Jiro uses the moment of surprise to rush forward.

I moved myself 4 squares on the map.

Cressyk rushes forward, longspear in hand.

Hymns of Oathday - Surprise Round - concluded

Seeing the Black Echelon members killing off the clerics of Abadar and scaling the pipes, the party silently advances from the front entrance, trying to close the distance to the enemy as quickly as possible.

The Black Echelon members begin to notice the intrusive PC's as they make their way up the center aisle.

End of Surprise Round

Hymns of Oathday - Round 1

23 Elael
21 Red Operative
20 Rhanloi
20 Jiro
20 Yellow Operative
20 White Operative
17 Black Operative
14 Archibald
14 Eostre
14 Purple Operative
14 Blue Operative
11 Cressyk

Elael starts of the action in the Cathedral.

Elael dashes forward, knife in hand, at one of the floor-level Black Echelon members, and hurls the dagger at the undead as he draws closer.

Ranged Dagger vs. Red Operative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The dagger flies wide, however, and clatters against the great piano.

I'm useful for my skill checks, I promise! We just need to start disposing of the undead.

Rhanloi will continue running to the left side of the alter (opposite where Elael is - if you could move my token 40' that would be great!) and fire a force missile at the gold operative (furthest one to the left on the pipes). damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
4 of 7 left today

Hymns of Oathday - round 1

Taking the initiative, Elael rushes forward, throwing his dagger end over end at the nearest Black Echelon member. But the dagger falls short clattering to rest atop the keys of the great organ. The intended target turns to the elf rogue and silently leaps down to the floor of the cathedral, mist swirling about his feet and legs. He points at you wordlessly advancing to melee distance.

Rhanloi rushes to the other side of the altar, and launches a force missile at the Gold Operative who is scaling the iron pipework. The missile slams into the wraith, knocking back to the keyboard with a loud tone.

Red Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Gold Climb DC 15: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Jiro is on the clock, then a whole host of bad guys.

Jiro isn't in the thick of it yet and continues to push on, running towards the Black Echelon operatives.

Double move.

Hymns of Oathday - Round 1 - continued

Jiro continues his onward rush to the front of the cathedral, still too far away to make any moves to stop Black Echelon this round.

The Gold Operative who was knocked off the pipes, jumps to the floor also looking to engage the intruders, gathers himself, and approaches Rhanloi his sickle threatening.

Atop the pipe organ, White silently spreads his fingers, and the mist begins to spread outwards and downwards covering all in a 30' radius.

Again, this makes ranged attacks have a 20% miss chance like partial cover

Black continues scrambling up the pipe, effectively using his silence radius ability to halt any sounds from those pipes.

The cleric of Pharasma again confronted with the undead, rushes around the far side of the church, readying her holy symbol.

Gold Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Ok, Archibald is up, and Cressyk can probably give an action now also.

Archibald hobbles up the aisle, and what seems to be his typical grumbling is actually one of his more powerful spells. His eyes roll backward into his head, but he seems to see clearly, moving with the vigor and purpose of a man a third of his age. (30ft. movement and casting true strike)

Cressyk moves quickly to the keyboard on the right side of the cathedral.

Round 2
Rhanloi smiles at the undead creature before him. He speaks an arcane word and reaches out to touch the operatives sickle! As he does the air sizzles and a jolt of electricity flies from his outstretched hand through the sickle and to the gold operative.
Shocking Grasp touch attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 Zzztt: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Shocking Grasp crit confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 extra juice?: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Hymns of Oathday - Round 1 - concluded

The old wizard advances to the end of the row of pews. He is muttering incantations all the way, but as get to the end, his eyes roll back until the whites show. He stiffens and straightens as if guided by another.

Purple just sits tight atop the pipes of the organ.

Blue Operative joins his mates leaping down to take on the attacking hereoes, but stumbles and falls prone at the base of the big keyboard.

Finally getting it together after a late start, Cressyk double times it to a position on the right hand side of the stage.

End of Round 1

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Now that we are starting to close to melee distance, things shoulld get interesting in Round 2.

Hymns of Oathday - Round 2

23 Elael
21 Red Operative
20 Rhanloi
20 Jiro
20 Yellow Operative
20 White Operative
17 Black Operative
14 Archibald
14 Eostre
14 Purple Operative
14 Blue Operative
11 Cressyk

Elael can start us off again. Rhanloi, I have your action already.

Elael draws his other dagger, faced with an undead foe directly, and delivers a quick, efficient stab to it.

Dagger vs. Red: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Hymns of Oathday - Round 2

Trading a thrown dagger for a handheld version, Elael plunges his knife hilt deep in the Echelon operative in front of him. The skull inside the cloak turns to him in a soundless scream, all sound fading as the elf rogue gets close to the apparition. The withdrawn dagger has no blood, but the operative visibly sags, but swings it's long sickle in an arc at Elael's exposed ribs. When the ancient blade connects, the metal head clatters to floor harmlessly.

Seeing an operative next to him, Rhanloi starts to cast a spell then steps back confused as the aura of silence that emanates from the Black Echelon makes casting impossible.

Red Claw: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Will give you a different standard action, or a move and cast, holding the charge. Need Rhanloi to straighten out his action, and Jiro to go when he can.

Would he be able to get out of the 'cone of silence' with a 5' step? If yes, then he'll 5' step and cast the shocking grasp and hold the charge. If not, then he'll cast another force missile at the operative - damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 - leaving 3 more for the day.

Anyone in or adjacent to one of the Black Echelon is affected by the silence. So depending on where you 5' step you'd be clear to cast and hold the charge. Just a few more hours and I'll run Jiro and get the action moving again.

Jiro takes two small steps towards his target and drops his walking stick only to draw his sword in a fluid motion that hopefully connects with the Black Echelon operative.

5f step, Iaijutsu Strike with power attack @ Blue Operative. AC 13 until the next round.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d10 + 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (7) + (1) + 9 = 17

My goodness, Jiro need to bottle that! I like when your damage roll equals your successful to-hit roll.

Hymns of Oathday - Round 2 - continued

The Tian Samurai flicks his sword out in a cat-like motion, and the razor-sharp blade bursts through the Echelon operative, scattering it's essence and sending it's skull-head rolling against the base of the giant keyboard.

Seeing Jiro obliterate its teammate, Yellow steps forward and swings it's ancient sickle at the samurai a unearthly silence enveloping him as the blade whizzes past Jiro's ear harmlessly.

White and Black Echelon members successfully climb the iron pipes, and sit up up there spreading their eerie mist across the space, making ranged attacks against them difficult.

From the east side of the Cathedral, a side door opens, silently, and another skeletal agent enters, his sickle dripping blood. He advances to attack Cressyk, but not this round. Throught the door, Cressyk can see (but not hear) other shadowy figures.

The oracle of Pharasma cries out to the her goddess for favor against these abominations (though only a few of you can hear her) and advances swinging her mace, and sending the Black Echelon operative to her goddess halls.

Yellow Sickle: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4
Eostre Mace: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Crit Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 = 7

Ok, Archibald is on the clock with True Strike all cued up.

True Strike: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (2) + 23 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Watching as the operatives fall around him, Archibald whirls across the hall with unnatural grace, thrusting his staff and hitting his staff and striking the yellow operative square in the chest before his yellowed eyes come back into focus again. "Huh... bwuh..."

Hymns of Oathday - Round 2 - continued

Archibald swings has staff with the unnatural guidance and it waylays Yellow wraith, sending it to the dust where it belongs.

Like his other climbing operatives, Purple now sits atop his metal pole, emitting the eerie mist that makes the Black Echelon so hard to see/hit from a distance.

Another apparition shuffles out of the eastern side room, swinging its sickle against Eostre like a farmer scything wheat, but the nimble cleric easily dodges.

New Blue attack: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Need Cressyk's action soon to close out the round.