DM Fflash's Shattered Star Campaign

Game Master DM Fflash

Fenster eyes the mirror as Lorlenn puts it away and then hops up off his chest, "Less go den. Ah shos youz da hous now. Dunno bout da Gerlz but Nateeya iz der." He starts walking with a slight limp toward the warehouse entrance, but still covers ground fairly quickly.

Relan looks at the rest of the party as if to say "What choice do we have?" and moves to follow the odd man, at a distance.

"Thank you, Fenster! May Desna guide you."

Standard marching order.

Braelex shrugs back and follows. She takes a second to check her crossbow is loaded and ready.

Plutivarchs potions haven't been distributed. Last chance before they end up on Susan

End of Part 1, A Game Afoot in Magnimar ... progressing to Part 2, The Seeker's Shard. You're about halfway to Level 2

The Boarding House

Fenster leads you to the southeast, through the alleys and foul streets of the Shadow. He seems to know a few people and is able to avoid less savory people and what looks like creatures from afar in some cases. Without him, you were sure to encounter something unsavory and a shiver runs through your spine. He approaches the Seacleft and finally pulls up pointing at a building a couple hundred feet away, "Dis far as Ah go. Bord hous wher Nattie iz. Herz haf gardz. Let Fenster go wit mirur?"

The old boarding house has been unused for a while. Clapboard sides are dark with mildew and marred by scorch marks. In places fire has gutted portions of the roof ’s moss-covered tile shingles, but the building appears to be structurally intact. The building stands near the stark wall of the Seacleft, and scree from several decades of minor rockfalls has piled up along its southern face. A small shack leans against the west side of the building, probably a storage shed of some sort. Both building’s windows are heavily boarded over

You are west of the building about 200 feet. A dirty path leads to the shack (as seen on map)

Map here

The Boarding House

Making sure that Relan is between Fenster and himself, Lorlenn digs out the mirror and holds it up, "You were also supposed to tell us where to find the Tower Girls. They didn't come back to you; so where are they?"

Boarding House

"Fenster, why would there be guards by her house? Are they her guards or are they holding her as a prisoner? Why are you afraid to approach the house? Doesn't Natalya know you?"

The Boarding House

He squints and then frowns at Lorlenn, "Oi! Ah ne'r sed Ah nose wherz dey r. Ah seen herz, das all. Ah dunno wherz dey go. Dey ne'er cum bak. Youz giv mirur now." He says that last bit a little emphatically, no longer a question, but not quite a demand.

Looking at Fulmen, "Herz dunna c me now. Herz ignorz me. Gardz hit me. Dunna wanna tussl wit dem agin. Herz no prisnr, dey lisn ta herz."

Relan nods at Lorlenn, "I think hes earned his shiny. I am curious tho, why again did the Tower Girls leave you?"

Fulmen turns to the group with concern on his face. "I think we need to consider the possbility the Tower Girls were killed. We need to get to Natalya. If she feels she's in enough danger to hire a bunch of guards things must be pretty serious. How are we going to convince the guards we're friends?"

"Dunno, new plase ta hol up, Ah gess."

Lorlenn hands the mirror to Fenster, "Luck to you. Thanks."

Fenster takes the mirror and secrets it away, scampering off without another word.

Actions?

Relan grins at the others, "Ok so who wants to walk up to the creepy house on the hill and ask for Natalya?"

He smiles, "But seriously, maybe we just go up and knock on the door?"

"Cautiously..." Braelex agrees.

Lorlenn frowns, "I don't trust it, but I suppose we can keep hands off our weapons while we approach and express that Lady Heidmarch sent us to escort her to safety." He nods.

The Boarding House

Assuming standard marching order, the party heads slowly toward the building, hands away from weapons. Once you get within 50 feet, two men decked in chain mail step out of the shack, thumping morning stars on their metal shields. They look like the hired thug sort, with rough hands, broken noses and that swagger that comes from men that fight ... a lot. They yell loudly, "HEY, why're you all headed this way? Aint nuthin' for you here, so why dontcha turn around and find some place safer to go!"

"Might not be best to mention the Lady, just incase these guards have links to the group she was suppose to be giving information on." as he moved up the path with the rest.

Lorlenn holds up his hands and yells back, "Would one of you kind individuals please inform the lady that her clients have arrived, eager to complete the Thassilonian business transaction that she began a week ago! Also tell her that we would be happy to act as an additional escort to ensure her safety in reaching the intended destination! Thank you very much!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 1 + 1 + 3 = 21

"Thassa what?" One of the thugs shrugs as the other questions him, but they both visibly relax and lower their weapons. One thug even puts his morningstar back on his belt. "Look, seems like you all may be in the wrong place. What is it you're looking for, and maybe we can point you in the right direction?"

I won't normally spell this stuff out, since I'll generally just leave their reactions as written above. But for our first real go at this, I thought I'd let you all know how this works in game terms. Lorlenn's successful Diplomacy check moved their intial attitudes from "Unfriendly" to "Indifferent." Lorlenn may now make another (or multiple with increasing difficulty) Diplomacy roll to request some sort of aid from them

Diplomacy detailed info

Okay, so more rolls. Thanks. :) Lorlenn will activate bit of luck for himself and roll twice.

"Oh, I hope we aren't in the wrong place." Lorlenn smiles broadly. "We're business associates of Ms. Vancaskerkin, the lady whom employs you to protect her. We have arrived to conclude a trasnsaction to the satisfaction of both your employer and ourselves, and thereby end the danger that requires your services. Toward that end, we will happily act as an additional escort, above an beyond your already worthy talents. Of course, our presence would not diminish your pay in any way."

He points towards the building and nods, "If one of you could simply tell the lady of our arrival, and mention the private Thassilonian business transaction that she began with our society, she will surely recognize that we are here to increase her safety."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 + 3 = 6
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 + 3 = 10

Ugh. Hopefully they aren't very charismatic, and I'm giving simple directions.

Braelex smirks, trying not to smile.

As soon as Lorlenn mentions Natalya's name, a visible shift takes place and the two men bristle, stepping forward aggressively. "You seem like a nice enough fellow, but take your friends and find what you're looking for ... elsewhere."

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Andel leans forward and whispers, "I just realized these two are of Chelish descent and probably not in a Sczarni gang. If Miss Vancaskerkin is here then she likely didn't go to another gang. Odd, if you think about it.

I assume that we've been walking during this exchange, how far away are we? Within 30 feet?

In a low voice for only the rest of the party to hear, "Anyone else get the feeling that these guards are guarding her from getting away, not protecting her? I don't think that we're getting through them diplomatically."

30 feet is probably a reasonable distance to talk and not be threatening .

Fulmen whispers back, "I don't think we're going to be able to bluff our way through this anymore. We could walk away and try to sneak in after dark and keep an eye out for anyone entering or leaving the building."

Lorlenn shakes his head, "If Natalya is being held against her will, then we don't want to wait. She, and the item of interest to our employer, could be lost in that time."

Leaning over to Braelex, Lorlenn puts a hand on her arm, "Would you like to heat things up for us?"

Activating bit of luck for Braelex.

Braelex winks, pulls a grenade from her bandoleer and hurls it at the guards.

Bomb: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 = 16
Bomb: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5 fire; splash 4 damage (DC 13 Ref save for half)

Thank the gods I wasn't standing in the middle of Braelex's grenades this time.

Fulmen readies his staff and prepares for battle.

The Boarding House Round 1

Interesting development, not really surprise since they were aware of you but I'm going to give Braelex top of the order initiative and everyone else will go after her

Initiative: Braelex, Lorlenn, Relan, Andel, Clarence, Thugs, Fulmen

Braelex turns and gathers something and then heaves a flaming pot that explodes square on the first one's chest and sprays both the thugs with burning slag. The second ducks and misses part of the splash BTW, I believe you are 1 short on your splash damage. Should be equal to min possible damage Singed and angry they raise their weapons.

ACTIONS? No map here at work, but assume standard marching order with 6 squares directly between Fulmen and the 2 thugs

Perception : 1d20 ⇒ 12
Heh, just realized i have no chance at getting this unless natural 20s count as a win :)

Perception = key skill :)

Map here

I won't always add the bars since they're a PITA to keep up with in large fights, but when I'm feeling generous, I'll toss them up

The Boarding House
Round: 1
HP: 13/13
AC: 15, Touch: 12, Flat: 14

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

TWANG!

Crossbow: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 2 = 11
BAB: 1
Dex: 2

EDIT: i took out the point blank -- looks like i'm not actually 30 feet from them, the front of the party is.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6

The Boarding House
Round: 1

Lorlenn draws his weapon and says a prayer to Desna, causing a wave of courage to wash through the party.

Lorlenn casts bless giving everyone in the party a +1 to attack rolls and saves vs. fear. Lasts 1 minute (6 rounds).

Link to bless

The Boarding House
Round 1
HP: 13/13
AC: 17

Relan moves in and attacks one of the thugs.

ATTACK
Longsword Attack: 1d20 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 7
base: +1, str: +3, focus longsword: +1, BLESSED

Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
str: +3

are you EFING kidding me!?

Worst. Dice rolling. Ever.

The Boarding House

Round 1
HP: 10/10
AC: 11

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Fulmen will move 2 blocks north and 2 east and cast Shillelagh.

Upon noticing the woman on the roof and will say loud enough for the part to hear but hopefully not loud enough for the guards and not pointing either. "There's a woman on the roof about 100 ft away watching us. She doesn't look hostile, yet".

The Boarding House Round 1 (cont)

Map here (the second thug is actually 1 step to the west, directly south of Relan)

Initiative: Braelex, Lorlenn, Relan, Andel, Clarence, Thugs, Fulmen

Lorlenn quickly invokes the grace of his goddess, washing everyone with divine insight. Relan moves in to attack.

Note, movement is greater than you can do in 1 action, unless you charge, which you can't do since Fulmen is in the way. Since you missed horribly, I figured you wouldn't care

Andel follows tentatively, but sets himself up behind the warrior readying his quarterstaff.

Clarence's bolt shatters off the right most thug's shield as he moves forward and they both attack Relan who deflects one blow but gets brained by the other.

Fulmen moves to the northeast and enchants his staff.

Round 2 (Init 1st)

Braelex casts true strike.

The Boarding House
Round: 2

Lorlenn pats Clarence on the arm and wishes him luck, then moves 30 feet forward.

Activating bit of luck for Clarence.

The Boarding House
Round 2
HP: 3/13 (-10 dmg/thug)
AC: 17

Relan reels from the blow, reaching down deep for some inner strength he attacks with burying fury and focus.

Longsword Attack: 1d20 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 24
base: +1, str: +3, focus longsword: +1, BLESSED

Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
str: +3

The Boarding House

Round 2
HP: 10/10
AC: 11

Fulmen moves behind Relan and cast CLW

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Round 3
HP: 10/10
AC: 11

Fulmen attacks a thug.

Attack w/Quarterstaff: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5
str +2

Damage: 2d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 5) + 2 + 1 = 10
str +2

Throws the frickin virtual dice out the window!

The Boarding House Round 2

Initiative: Braelex, Lorlenn, Relan, Andel, Clarence, Thugs, Fulmen

Braelex whips out an extract and throws it back. Lorlenn touches Clarence and imbues him with a bit of grace.

Relan ducks under another swing from the Thug near him and thrusts his sword, puncturing weak chain links and stabbing him deep in the abdomen. Amazingly, the thug stays standing.

Andel steps forward to engage the thug with his staff and pops him in the chin causing him to miss, while Clarence moves to get closer and fires a way wide crossbow bolt.

Fulmen moves in to heal Relan a little.

Actions for Round 3

Round 3 (Init 1st)

Braelex takes a bead on the wounded thug and fires.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 4 + 20 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 20 = 40
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

The Boarding House
Round 3
HP: 5/13 (+2 CLW)
AC: 17

Lifting his shield, Relan blocks the thug's attack with a loud clang.

Hearing the singing of Brael's bolt and the meaty thunk as it hit home, he turns his attention on the uninjured thug and attacks with a fercious swing of his sword.

Longsword Attack: 1d20 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 19
base: +1, str: +3, focus longsword: +1, BLESSED

Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
str: +3