DM Panic's PFS Perils

Game Master wakedown

Sad Rock is awoken; he rallies to the stables.

What time is it?
I wonder what time it is.
"What time is it? Sad sleepy."

His club is out and he's concerned that something might have happened to the nice baker ladies.

Well since Ugnoth would have stopped his patrol about midnight he'd have bern brought to the stables too.

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Survival for tracking 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Yes, sorry, I presumed my search would find nothing... silly me!

Damvorak returns to the others to gather help with the mare, and rallies in the stables ready to fight.

,Dont forget, Ugnoth should still have his lantern floating around.

Alaric hisses, frantically clearing the hay to find the source of the sound.

Alaric soon realizes the sound may be coming from within the stall with the "horse" and unlatches the door and begins to step inside.

Unfortunately, it appears someone had rigged that stall to drop several hundred pounds of sharp debris carefully hidden among the ceiling on the first person to make such an effort.

Rain of Debris: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8

Alaric can make a DC14 Reflex save for half damage.

The falling debris makes quite a bit of noise.

Once Alaric dusts himself off and clears the hay, a trap door is easily found in the stall's floor.

I'm not sure the next section will translate well into a PbP. Go ahead and post how you wish to tackle the trapdoor, and I'll do my best to adapt it to the medium so its not too tedious.

Since there's a lot you can do without combat down here, I'm going to tackle several rooms in one post so we don't get bogged down.

A ladder descends into the inn's cellar below, and you all climb down the ladder to investigate, occasionally hearing a loan groan or what sounds like a dwarf-accented voice complaining about accommodations.

The walls of this subterranean area are made of brick, the floors hard packed dirt and stones. Everburning torches rest in wall sconces scattered throughout the complex, providing the normal light throughout the cellar. Doors are heavy oak, and most have simple locks.

Cellar Map

NW Room
You all descend in the northwestern corner and first explore the outer perimeter.

Crates and bits of furniture are stacked against brick walls and oaken doors lie to the east and south. The crates contain extra linens and tableware for the inn, as well as a variety of men’s and women’s clothing from a number of different cultures and races. The door to the south is unlocked.

SW Room
The L-shaped southwestern room is bare and featureless, save for a few faint bloodstains on the floor. The eastern door is unlocked.

SE Room
A wooden ladder in the southeast corner descends from above into this untidy chamber. Some pieces of broken furniture lie scattered across the floor, along with some soiled clothing. A corridor leads north.

NE Room
A number of wooden chairs and other furniture are stacked in this large room, as well as a few casks. The casks contain mead and ale.

The western door here is locked.

You can break this door down, or pick the lock. All the doors leading into the unexplored area are in the same situation - locked and requiring picking or breaking down.

A low moan can be heard some distance beyond the door.

(Living prisoner moan - not the wail of undead)

Sad's only action would be to heal Sir Alaric with his wand of CLW once he had been dug out.

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Healing

"Sad help Sir Cowlick," Sad says as he tries to help.

When the cellar is revealed, Sad draws his club and puts away his wand of CLW.

Before people descend, he will look for tracks down below.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Survival

Sad definitely finds a handful of tracks, maybe three or four sets, that look roughly like humanoid boots.

And drag marks, like something was dragged through the area up the the locked doors.

Ugnoth will be happy to smash the door in. Unless someone has acid splash to melt the lock....

Damvorak proceeds, quarterstaff at the ready, though he wonders if someone is going to put something heavy over that trap door and trap them all in here. He tries to put it from his mind.

"Anyone any good with locks?"

...if no one steps up, Damvorak tries to beat down the door himself. Putting his shoulder into it, he beats down the door for a few rounds effort.

Strength: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Strength: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Strength: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Strength: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

EDIT: Ninjaed by Ugnoth. If Ugnoth steps up first, then Damvorak will stand with him and try to take the door down together.

Earthbreaker ,2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1) + 3 = 7

Earthbreaker ,2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 = 8

Earthbreaker ,2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 4) + 3 = 8

Earthbreaker ,2d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4) + 3 = 9

Sad will help with the door bashing should Ugnoth fail.

While Ugnoth works, he will keep an eye out for trouble, or, better yet, the nice ladie who live here bringing plates of scones.

After hammering away at the door for a minute, Sad Rock, Ugnoth and Damvorak reduce it little more than splinters.

Beyond, the long area is bare save for a rickety side table and chair set against the north wall. A set of keys lies on the table, alongside a browned, half-eaten apple, stale crust of bread, and dull paring knife. Ironbound oaken doors lie on the eastern and western walls, and a door-lined corridor stretches to the south.

Updated Map

The surface of the table is carved with swirls and chipped grooves incised by an untrained hand.

The key ring has eight blackened iron keys on it; one fits each of the cells to the south, another fits the doors to the east and west of the table and at the end of the hall to the south.

Three of the cells are empty.

Description of each empty cell:
The door to this jail cell has a small window at eye level, blocked by three vertical iron bars. Matted straw is strewn across the floor, and a set of manacles hangs affixed to the wall opposite the entrance. Two buckets sit at the center of this dank prison.

Three of the cells are occupied.

Each of the occupied cells hosts a manacled dwarf - two male and one female, who appear bruised and poorly fed.

After the cacophony of bashing down the door, one even ventures to call out into the hallway.

"Ughhh... who's there? Can ye hear me? Help us!"

Another dwarven voice accompanies the first, but simply groans in pain and rattles his manacles.

Sad Rock scratches his head, wondering what the beardpeople are doing under the house of magic scones and happiness. He'd ask them, but that would just be too confusing.

"Uglynot, they look hungry. Should I go get them scones?"

No Sad, lets bring them to scones.

Ugnoth will look around for the keys or mechanism to open the cages.

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

If he fails to find them he will ask the dwarves...

Keys? Does anyone know who or what has the keys to get you out of here?

Failing that Ugnoth does carry 2 flasks of acid which could be useful to destroy the locks.

Keys? Does anyone know who or what has the keys to get you out of here?

Damvorak picks up the keys off the table, "I think I have them here - let us see." He takes the keys and tries them in the locks, freeing the Dwarves if they're the right fit, and cursing if not.

I'm going to skip/handwave the optional encounter in this scenario because it's way undertuned for this party.

Damvorak picks up the keys and quickly identifies the correct key for each cell. As he unlocks the first cell, within a moment the party hears stone grating on stone as a secret panel slides open.

Shambling out from an undiscovered room, two fleshy devilkin lumber into the room (lemures, modified to have no DR). Ugnoth immediately charges the first, bringing his Earthbreaker down and smashing it into a gooey paste.

Sad Rock follows suit, charging the second and expecting to make some sort of peanut-buttery type spread to use on the scones along with his river drake brain. The lemure somehow survives the oread's first swing, but Alaric charges third and his flail does the job, pulverizing the monster.

Damvorak swings the cell door open, steps inside an unlocks the manacles of the first dwarf. He repeats the process for the second and third as well.

The dwarves are in no shape to fight their way to freedom (no amount of healing or food resolves this), but upon prompting they relate their tale.

"Ah'm Rakuska Ingardam, n' we bypassed Xer only t' be waylaid by a faith barge n' have all o' funds taken from us before bein' captured." (this is the female)

The second dwarf, Pechas Domnri, a Pahmet dwarf like Amauhak by his beard styling, nods and shakes his meaty fist.

"Aye, but not without a fierce and meety fight! I threw many o' me bombs but twasn't enough!"

The third dwarf, Holfist Senstrom, exhausted and eyes sullied nods, "Aye, and me daggers took a few as well, but they were too many!"

Rakuska continues, "We've been twice interogated by a merciless Razmiri cleric calling 'erself Holy Ahendile."

She presses a fist into her open hand. "She was convinced we were in th' country for some subversive, nefarious purpose. Th' mute lad brought us food sometimes, sneakin in' treats. Tasty scones, but with no spread. Sweet boy. We saw some smilin' ol' ladies when we arrived too."

Sad Rock stares at the beardpeople slackjawed, having a hard time following the conversation. He already doesn't speak Common well, and the accents on these beardpeople make it seem like they are speaking dwarven.

"Time to get more scones now?"

Ugnoth will allow Damvorak to take the lead in the further invesigation, his skill lies more with the earthbreaker in this situation.

As such, he is not that comfortable underground, definitely a little unsure of himself at the moment, missing the obvious keys on the table.

She presses a fist into her open hand. "She was convinced we were in th' country for some subversive, nefarious purpose. Th' mute lad brought us food sometimes, sneakin in' treats. Tasty scones, but with no spread. Sweet boy. We saw some smilin' ol' ladies when we arrived too."

Damvorak makes introductions all around, "...and this is Sad Rock, and my name is Damvorak. We were sent by the Pathfinder Society to rescue you."

"So were the crones who run the inn in on it? I presume they'd have to be, but it sounds like there's another - a leader of this unholy coven and someone we haven't yet seen."

He turns to the group, "We should isolate and neutralize the old ladies. Anyone have any manacles? I have some rope, but manacles would be better."

- - -

...after a moment he slaps his head and looks around. "We can lock them up here!"

After freeing the dwarves and finishing a thorough search of the cellars, the Pathfinders return to the ladder and ascend back into the stables.

The sound of crickets in the night can clearly be heard as they pass through the horse stalls and emerge back into the open air courtyard under the light of the moon, high in the night sky.

Several footsteps can be heard and a woman clears her throat and advances from the northern section of the courtyard towards the central well.

The Razmiri priest is dressed in gray robes, wears an iron mask, and carries an ivory wand as she leans against the courtyard's well. She appears to be accompanied by a warrior who levels his crossbow at Ugnoth's chest while footsteps can be heard from the roof on the eastern edge of the courtyard and another thug can be seen leveling a crossbow of his own.

"In the name of the most holy living god, drop your weapons! I am Holy Ahendile, ordained priest of Razmir and arbiter of your fates. Submit to my authority, and you may well earn more merciful treatment."

The three emaciated, emancipated dwarves shirk back into the stables, wary of a melee that may ensue.

Updated Map

"And where'd the boy go?" Ramli suddenly asks, as if coming out of a wonderful daydream of relaxing with some beautiful woman in some far country full of wine, bread and olive oil, and frozen flavored cream. "If he was helping these dwarves, and was discovered..."

His voice trails off as he realizes the situation's even worse than he realized.

Also, I noted no one did a Sense Motive check earlier (back in Post 929). DC 24 is too high for Ramli, but if anyone else can get it, there could be useful info there.

"Ha! We're here on a mission of mercy, to free those you have wrongly imprisoned. Let us go and we shall forget this whole misunderstanding!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Foul woman! You have held honest and innocent travelers captive, stolen their articles of faith and devotion, starved and mistreated them and denied their freedom. By virtue of those crimes alone you are condemned....but allow us to remove these dwarves and pass unmolested, you shall be forgiven. Otherwise by all the forces of nature, on my life and by my quah we shall end you here and now!

Perform Oratory as versatile performance for Diplomacy 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 and as Inspire Courage 8/9.

If she does not let us leave peacefully, Initiative 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Sad Rock, wondering why the jerky mask woman is standing between her and scones for his beardpeople friends, draws his club and casts Shilleleigh.

"Time for pre-breakfast snack. Move away. Go find sconewomen!" Sad says, wanting to get back to resting, sleeping, and food.

Ha! We're on a mission of mercy--

Foul woman! You have held--

Time for pre-breakfast snack--

The masked woman cuts everyone short when she begins to hear a handful reasons she finds lacking as a reason to interfere with her machinations.

"Now, my faithful servants! For your god, for Razmir, end their pathetic lives!"

Crossbows begin to point and lower and fingers begin to squeeze triggers, but three of the Pathfinders are ready for the ambush.

Round 1
26 Sad Rock :
24 Alaric :
19 Damvorak :
18 Holy Ahendile :
17 Thugs :
15 Ramli :
5 Ugnoth :

Unfortunately, Ugnoth's inspire will go up on his initiative, as she cuts off anything other than outright submission.

Now Up: Sad Rock, Alaric, Damvorak

The Map

Round 1, Init 26

Already annoyed that his pre-breakfast is being interrupted by a shiny mask lady, Sad snaps and rages angrily.

"Time for breakfast!" Sad charges to P12, trying to clear a lane for others.

1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 2 = 24 to hit;
1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 damage.

AC14 after charge.

The Razmiri soldier's eyes go wide as Sad Rock's form descends upon him.

*click click click*

Struggling with his crossbow, at the last moment he looks up, expecting to see some towering rock-monster bringing a club down at him.

Confused, he only sees clouds and moonlight.

*crunch*

At the sound of breaking bones, he looks down and recognizes far too late the four-foot-something frame of Sad Rock and his club as it crushes several fragments of his ribs deep into his heart.

One thug down!

I know Twigs is without Internet, so here's his action. He appears to be in a chain shirt, so he has the movement to charge.

Sir Alaric nods at Sad Rock's bravery and success.

"Well done, Sir Rock! And now, for my turn!"

Swinging the familiar weight of his flail upward as he crosses the courtyard, Alaric then brings it down hard and fast at the masked woman.

Charge to R,10

Flail vs Holy A. (power): 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 1 + 2 = 11 for 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 11

However, in his zeal, the knight errant misjudges the night's long shadows and the Razmiri woman steps away just in time.

Now Up: Just Damvorak

Ugnoth will move forward 30' prior to his inspire.

Round 1, Initiative 19, Location: R19->L16

Damvorak charges (to L16) and tries to duplicate Sad Rocks brilliant charge against the other foe. Two handed, he brings his quarterstaff down on the guard's head.
Quarterstaff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 for damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

...and he misses - likely due to the doorframe getting in the way.

@Damvorak: Ah, the guard there is actually on the roof! I imagine you used your hand of the apprentice instead.

Round 1
26 Sad Rock : Charges, crushes first guard
24 Alaric : Charges, misses Holy Ahendile
19 Damvorak : Hurls staff at guard, misses
18 Holy Ahendile : Ray at Sad Rock, misses
17 Thug : Missed crossbow shot at Sad, reloads
15 Ramli : TBD
5 Ugnoth : Inspires, advances 30ft

Crossbow vs Sad: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 for 1d8 ⇒ 4
Ray vs Sad: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Damvorak hurls his staff at the guard on the roof, yet only knocks some roof tiles off. His attack throws off the man's aim as his crossbow bolt finds only the tiny roof on the well instead of Sad Rock's back.

Holy Ahendile stands firm, pointing an outstretched finger at the oread.

"You think you're strong, eh Rock-man? Let's see how you -- ooo-ahhh, blast you knight!"

The "priest" falters as well, as she steps away from Alaric and closer to Sad Rock.

Round 2
26 Sad Rock :
24 Alaric :
19 Damvorak :

Latest Map

Now Up: Ramli in round 1, Sad Rock, Alaric and Damvorak in Round 2.

"Quit now, while you still can, priestess. We have no desire to hurt you!" Ramli yells.

He quickly casts, an invisible suit of armor springing into being around him.

Cast mage armor

I imagine Ramli would've cast mage armor while in the cellar (at the very least in the hand-waved battle with the lemures). If you wish to play that it's already active and take another action in this combat, feel free to do so.

Round 2, Initiative 19, Location: P15

Silly me. Of course he’s on the roof. What a pain!

Damvorak attacks the roof dweller with his last hand of the acolyte until morning prayers.
Hand of the Acolyte: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 for damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

”Now get down here and surrender before I do that again!”

Bluff: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

Sigh... clearly not my finest moment.

Fantastic!

Ramli strides forward and sends a blazing dragon to explode in the sniper's face.

Creatures in the target square take 1d4 points of fire damage and are dazzled for 1 round (Reflex DC 14 half, a successful save negates the dazzled condition).

1d4 ⇒ 1

Round 2, Init GimmeScones!

Sad turns to face the woman who refuses to bring him scones *and* stands in the way of morning scones.

"Sir Cowlick help Sad," Sad indicates the flank on the other side of the masked woman.

Sad attempts to pummel her into submission when Alaric gets into position.

1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 12 to hit; (flank, bard)
1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13 damage. (bard)

Sad will remove one hand from his club after he swings.

AC 16

Edited for Bardsong.

+1 attack and +1 damage from Inspire remember....

Ugnoth will continue to Inspire 9/9 for free action.

He will move to attack trying for a flank if possible.

Earthbreaker 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 19
Damage 2d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 + 1 = 8

Reflex vs DC14: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Round 1
15 Ramli : Firework sniper for 1 damage

Round 2
26 Sad Rock : 5ft step, misses
24 Alaric : 5ft step, hits for 13 damage
19 Damvorak : Hurls staff at guard, misses
18 Holy Ahendile (-14) : 5ft step, points wand at self
17 Thug : Missed crossbow shot at Ramli, reloads
15 Ramli : TBD
5 Ugnoth : Advances, hits for 8 damage

Sad Rock's swing narrowly misses the masked woman but provides ample distraction for Alaric who steps up and drops the spikes of his flail deep into her shoulder.

"Curse you wretched, meddling Pathfinders!"

Pointing her wand at her fresh wounds, they begin to knit ever so slightly.

Damvorak's staff once again does little to find the crossbow sniper, and Ramli's firework does little except draw him some unwanted attention. Regardless, the thug's bolt goes wide and the Pathfinders still find themselves unscathed since the battle started.

No map update at the moment, use your best guess if you need to know where you are. Alaric will give Ugnoth the flank with Sad Rock though since he's kindly being GMPC'd.

Now Up: Ramli for round 2. Sad Rock, Alaric and Damvorak to start round 3.

Round 3, Initiative 19, Location: P15

Damvorak looks at the fight and wishes someone would help him with the roofer. Sighing, he breaks out a sling (move) and loads it (move).

”I know you’re all having fun over there, but if anyone has anything to get this guy off the roof, now would be a good time to break it out.”

Round 3, Init GimmeScones!

Sad swings again at the annoying woman. (He will move as necessary to maintain flank.)

1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 24 to hit; (flank, bard)
1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8 damage. (bard)

Sad will remove one hand from his club after he swings.

AC 16

Inspire Courage will end. Still swinging his earthbreaker.

1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15

Damage 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 6) + 4 = 11

Ramli fires wildly again at the archer, calling on the pyroclastic powers of his ancestors, but can only curse in frustration as he hits the side of the building.

Fire ray (ranged touch): 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10

As Sad Rock's club once again swings at the woman, her voice can be heard calling from behind the mask a single plea, "No, I'm too you--" *crunchcrushsplort*.

As the Razmiran crumples to the ground, the crossbowman on the roof holds up both hands, allowing the loaded crossbow to fall some twelve feet to the ground.

1d20 ⇒ 4

"Shee-it!" the man cries as he watches the weapon trigger itself despite his intent on surrendering as the bolt zips through Ramli's beard and into the side of the stable.

Nervously, he stamps out the latest firework smoldering in the hay covered roof and attempts to climb down with his hands up.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

At this, he is successful.

"Look, I surrender! Uh, sorry about that bolt, though. No hard feelings?"

We are out of initiative in the final combat! And yes, the BBEG had 19hp and 16AC. :)

On her body, you also find a potion of invisibility, a scroll of scare, wand of cure light wounds (24 charges remain) and a masterwork dagger. No quaffing and escaping for her today!

Ret-conning a little since Alaric was AFK for some stuff...

*Meanwhile back in the cellar*

Alaric looks around while the other Pathfinders question the dwarves.

Alaric Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Finding a discarded silver piece, the knight-errant picks it up, bites it to test its authenticity and tucks it away into his coinpurse.

And back to the present...

*In the courtyard of the Gray Revelation Inn*

From behind a partially ajar shutter, the three old wrinkly faces of the Grymble sisters can be seen watching the aftermath of the battle. You can all clearly hear as a deadbolt clicks shut on the door and Addas calls from within.

"Please! Don't hurt us! You've saved your friends - now begone!"

"Huh," Ramli says with a shrug as he pats his beard back into place. "I was sure they were going to be part of it. Just goes, to show you, sometimes kindness is returned with kindness, eh, friend Rock?!"

He punctuates his question with a slap on the oread's back. "That was fine work you did there, though I do fear it may have cost us some more scones."

He calls out to the dwarves. "Eh, you can come out now. We've got you safe and we'll have you back on your way to Mendev in no time."

The three dwarves hobble out from the stables and breathe in the cool, fresh air of the night.

"Let's get the hell outta here and get our arses to Mendev!"

After pausing for the briefest of moments in the courtyard, they begin to expeditiously make their way down to the Abacus and freedom.

"Please! Don't hurt us! You've saved your friends - now begone!"

Sad Rock looks shaken by the women's reception.

"Uh...can Sad have scones now?" Sad knocks on the shutters. "Uh...Sad want scones. Enough for beardpeople too."

Well done my brave companions. Now let us return home, there is much celebratory ale calling to us!

Ugnoth will bow respectfully to the dwarves May your ancestors watch over you on your further travels. I fear however you'd be happier traveling home with us...

Day Job Perform (Oratory) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Online Boon 1d20 ⇒ 3

Damvorak consoles Sad Rock, "I don't know that they're going to give us scones now. They're too afraid of us."

Damvorak takes out a bit of bread from his rations and gives it to Sad Rock, "Not the same I'm afraid, not the same at all..."

He gathers his gear and prepares to head to Mendev.

Boon Roll: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Very well done DM Panic. Thanks for running this!

Addas rattles her shutters at the request for scones.

"Begone foul monster! No more scones for you!"

You can hear Eugenia's voice respond to Addas.

"But, the handsome one was so skinny. Just a few more Addas?"

"I don't trust that rock-monster and his gory club. Did you see the way he was going at that river drake skull?"

"He had a river drake skull? I've never made jerky from river drake brain before, why didn't you say..."

The voices fade as the sisters depart deeper into the safety of their inn and our scene comes to a close.

** Back on the Abacus **

The crisp river air fills your lungs with a sense of freedom as the Abacus sails north towards Mendev with all the envoys safely rescued and aboard the vessel.

Metella winks at Ramli, knowing she's won his favor this week in a future trade agreement with the Society. Temel mumbles to himself about how he would've won that favor had he possessed more "assets".

Eventually, Sad Rock's river drake skull helm is licked clean and finally ready for donning. A bark catches his attention as goggie runs up from below deck and licks him on the face, tail wagging and enthusiasm clear on his face.

The captain chuckles and looks to you all.

"After we drop these envoys off, where is it to next?"