Devil We Know, Part 1: The Shipyard Rats (T1-PFS) (Inactive)

Game Master Mari Clock

"Zinky? Shall we?" says the Warpriest, stacking up behind Zinky to prepare for his tender ministrations of the nearest door.

Assuming you open the door
First Mate’s Quarters: These finely appointed quarters contain a table, some chairs, bookshelf, and a few barrels, all of which have been screwed to the deck. A stack of papers on the table is from the ship’s former life as a slave ship for Qadira and contain manifests and records of deliveries throughout the Inner Sea. This room is dusty and dirty and doesn’t appear to have been used recently.

Zinkyudo gives the barrels a quiet knock to see if they're empty, and opens any that seem to have anything in them. He then grunts in frustration, muttering, "Where could they be? Are they even here?" More quietly, he adds, "Forgot to ask the auctioneer where the next auction would be, better get hold of that necklace or amulet for Amenopheus..."

As he mumbles, he moves to the other end of the ship and opens the door.

Crew Quarters: These simple quarters contain several recently slept-in beds and the dark lantern on the floor is hot to the touch, as if it were recently lit.

"Well, someone was here," Zinkyudo says as he moves toward the trap door. "Let's go take a look below, Lyndogwen."

He climbs down the ladder.

Lower Deck: This is where cargo would ordinarily be stored for passage, but aside from several empty barrels and a few broken crates, this room is empty of cargo. Instead, there are more than a dozen shackled slaves, most of them appear to be prominent Cassomiran citizens. There are also two monks there, they heard you coming and are ready for you.

Sorted Initatives
Nev
Monk 1 (Red)
Zinkyudo
Monk 2 (Blue)
Gwendolen
Blayne

The Monks heard you above, so they're ready for you, but your perceptions were kinda low, so they get a surprise round.

Monk 1 Red Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 191d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 with Stunning Fist

Monk 2 Blue Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 81d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 with Stunning Fist

Now it is Nev's turn.

Gwendolen did follow HawkMAN down, and her l33t sk1llz allow her to deftly dodge defiling dukes.

She summons holy power and prepares to...oh, wait, Nev's turn. Go get her, Nev! =)

Nev climbs into the hold and shoots the monk.

Pistol: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Status: 11/15 hp, stunned 1 round

Nev hits Monk: 1d2 ⇒ 2 and does 6 points of damage.

Monk 1 (Red) will flail a Flurry of Blows: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 121d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 71d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 151d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 to Zinkyudo.

Monk 2 (Blue) will flail a Flurry of Blows: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 131d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 51d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 91d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 to Nev for just shooting and landing a shot.

Zinkyudo drops his blow clattering to the ground and stands, reeling from the monk's first strike. The follow-up attack misses him once, but then the heel of the monk's palm strikes him hard in the chest.

No action this round, since this is the round he's stunned.

Status: 6/15 hp

Gwen curses her luck that they've run into matrial-arts masters instead of blade-wielding cuthroats like normal pirates would be.

The Blue is inside her range, so she winds up a blow at the farther away Red.

to hity: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

to hurty: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 = 11

Gwen's curses were enough that she took out Monk 1 (Red). It falled over.

Blayne is up, then Nev next.

Nev reloads his pistol and shoots the monk.

Pistol: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Still waiting on Blayne.

Blayne steps to the side to make sure he is clear of combatants and quickly casts a Command spell on the remaining monk "Halt!" hoping to end the combat with a living prisoner. He draws his rapier and prepares to engage the monk should his command spell fail to take effect.

DC for save is 14

Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Nev's second shot takes out Monk 2 (Blue).
You find (on the two Monks) two potions of cure light, a belt pouch, and you find Cestis's wayfinder.

Among the slaves are Orfeo Bozbeyli, the arrogant young nephew of Cassomir’s governor, and Creighton Nish, a former Andoren Eagle Knight who now works in Cassomir as a relics dealer for interests back in Andoran.

Cestis is not among the captives held here.

Blayne, Zinkyudo, and Nev hear a female voice on the top deck shouting, Where in Asmodeus’s chamber pot are my bloody slaves? Orcs! Front and center! Now!

Zinkyudo collects himself, shaking his head to clear it. He looks around and notes the bodies of the monks lying on the deck and mutters, "Wha' happen'? "

He stoops down to pick up his bow, then stands up quickly in alarm, "Someone's on the deck above us! And it sounds like someone in charge of this place. Let's go take a look. " Before he moves up the stairs, he asks Gwen to use his healing wand on him again, then offers it to anyone else that needs it.

CLW : 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW : 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Did Nev shoot the monk before I cast the spell?

Blayne steps over to Zink to check his wounds but sees that he has that in hand. Looking over at the captives he asks "Are any of you able to help us fight for your freedom?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Technically, you were supposed to be last in that round, and I wanted you to have a turn.

Oh. I get what you mean. Should the monk have halted before Nev shot. I'll roll the DC, and we'd have to see if Nev would have waited, since you didn't give any prior indication you were going to try to get the monk to stop, Nev might have still shot anyway.

Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

So the monk failed his will save, so he's halting.

Does Nev still shoot if the monk stops moving? Does he have time to stop?

Nev sees the monk stop moving and withdraws his pistol. He hears the voive upstairs, mutters "Eh, we'll talk to his boss," and shoots.

Gwendolen coughs a quick laugh at Nev's one-liner, then uses the wand for the dice-rolls indicated. She gives one CLW potion to Nev, and one to Blayne.

As Zinky moves to go up the stairs, Gewn puts a hand on his arm and says, "Friend Zinky, we have the advantage here, and should see to its good use. The stairs down form what is called a 'bottleneck', and if the enemy outnumbers us, it will restrict their advantage. Let us form up here, and let them come to us.
Good Blayne, if you would move up to the foot of the stairs, I will go to one flank, and Zinky can set up behind you.
Good Nev, if you could go about and free the guests of their restraints, perhaps to begin with Sir Nish, we will have more options for mobility. But take care that whence that door opens, join the archer on the firing line."

Gwen tosses the corpses out of the way and sets up a step away from the stairs.

@Blayne: Does your character need a shield? Gwen got a heavy wooden one from the druid. Why don't you use it?

Zinkyudo gives Gwen an appraising look, then says, "That sounds like a very good approach, Gwen, good thinking." He takes a position behind Blayne, asking, "You okay with being my shield, Caydenite? I know your type tends to leap into things a bit, but I don't want to make that decision for you."

Anyone else who needs healing is welcome to use my CLW wand.

Nev walks over to the captives and cuts their restraints.

As you wait, the female voice continues screaming for her "orcs" to come up top.

After all the slaves are freed, Gwen motions Zinky closer, and whispers to him. "Creep up these stairs, friend Zinky, and pop up they head to take a quick peek. If the situation is favorable, we might advance and come upon the enemy when they expect it not. If they already gather in strength, we may wait here, and destroy them as they come."

To Sir Nesh she says "Sir Nesh, I have a club, an' you wish to wield it. And we are looking for someone, the owner of this Wayfinder, know you aught of his fate?"

Mr. Nish looks up and answers you, The fellow that they took the Wayfinder from was never brought here. Not sure where they went. Those half-orcs never spoke in a language we could understand, but we did hear the name Luscilia a couple times.

Zinkyudo's amber eyes open wide in confusion as he tries to understand what Gwendolen is whispering. "If they expect it not...oh, take them by surprise!" he whispers in reply. "Got it. You sure talk funny. But I'll take a look. Or a look take I will, or something. But it sounds like she's on the top deck, so you guys should at least come up to the ballista deck."

Moving as quietly as he's able, Zinkyudo heads for the top deck, casting a glance over his shoulder occasionally to see if his fellow Pathfinders are coming along behind him.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Blayne follows Zink up the stairs taking Gwendolen up on her offer of a pilfered shield along the way. "Thanks Gwendolen. I'm happy to provide some cover for you 'Zinky'" he says with a smile as he passes her and heads up the steps. He works to make as little noise as possible. "I imagine all that bellowing for Orcs is going to make hearing us pretty challenging..."

Sneak: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

"Who would want orcs that badly anyway? Sounds like a bad actor from a blue light district actor in a bawd." Blayne whispers to Zinkyudo while looking over his shoulder into the balista deck ahead of them. "So what you you think of our fellow agent Nev? I know these folks are slavers, but I don't usually like to execute prisoners so casually." Blayne sighs. "Well, at least he appears to be a good shot."

Yelling you hear, coming from the top deck, “I’m bringing a crew in tonight and we’re sailing this thing out of here tomorrow. You better not be down there beating my slaves to death!”

As Zink and Blayne encounter no resistance, Gwen motions Nev to follow her and she climbs upward after them.

You all come up to the top deck, and you see a lady (a cleric), and what is obviously a zombie, on the other end of the ship.

The cleric, though she heard you, wasn't paying any attention and has her back to you, because she thought you were her "orcs" from below.

Those are all pretty horrible initiatives, party will go first, Zinkyudo, Blayne, Gwendolen, and Nev can all have a surprise round, so make either one move or one standard action, then Luscilia will turn around and realize you aren't her orcs, then we'll go into regular initiative, which would mean you all get to make your regular actions, so feel free to do both now if you'd like.

Nev follows Gwen up the ladder.

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

"Careful, lads, that's a quick zombie, unless I miss my mark," Gwen whispers as she strides forward. She adds, half smiling, "And can we at least try to take this one alive? Or at least leave enough of her for me to Stablize, okay?" Calling on the might of Iomedrae, she breifly places a glowing hand over one breast and mumbles "Mach Krieg!"

She brandishes her polearm and shouts "Your game ends here, witch! If you give up your overseers now I promise you will live to see the sunrise once more!"

Gwen places herself in the middle of the ship, ready for anything.

Surprise action to cast War Blessing on herself for +1 insight to hit. Move action to the middle of the ship. Readied action: Attack on approach.
FYI, I know we all know this, but there's been a ruling that, yes, you are your own ally.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 Would like to know zombie defenses, please.

Surprise round:
Zinkyudo takes a short step to the side to get a clear shot, considering the undead thing as he moves. He then raises his bow and fires a deadly-accurate arrow at the woman before she can react.

Longbow attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Crit damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (7, 7) + 6 = 20

Round 1:
Zinkyudo pauses an instant, thinking on what Gwen has said, that it might be useful to question the woman. "Right, take her alive," he says quietly. His next two arrows are blunt-tipped, and intended to knock her out rather than kill her.

Flurry with Longbow, Non-Lethal: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 - 4 = 6
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Flurry with Longbow, Non-Lethal: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 - 4 = 19
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Surprise round
Nev shoots the zombie.

Pistol: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Round 1

Nev fires at the zombie again.

Pistol: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Zinkyudo's surprise longbow attack does not confirm the critical, so she only takes 8 damage from that.

The 2nd flurry with longbow will hit, doing an additional 10, so 18 total from Zinkyudo.

Nev shoots the zombie in two rounds for a total of 7 points of damage, but you can see it doesn't appear to have any effect on him.

Zinkyudo's surprise longbow attack does not confirm the critical, so she only takes 8 damage from that.

Even flat-footed that doesn't confirm? Can we see what sort of armor she's wearing? Or anything else that might describe her, like a holy symbol?

Correct, the 15 does not confirm her flat footed AC. Description says she's wearing +1 half plate.

Earlier you determined a Druid following Groetus was holding some of the slaves in the Inn, you can guess that her holy symbol shows his symbol.

Blayne moves forward to engage the zombie and takes cover behind the midships balista. Once there he grasps his holy symbol and summons forth the holy power of Cayden Cailean channeling it outward in a disc to harm the zombie minion. "Begone foul spectre of what once was!"

Channel Positive Energy with Selective Channeling to avoid healing bad guys for 1d6 DC 12

Blayne, you have to roll the d6 to see how much you do.

sorry
channeling: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Luscilia screams, Groetus guide me! and will Channel negative energy: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4 to heal her Zombie.

Zombie moves up to Blayne and Slams: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 for 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 damage.
Crit Confirm Slam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 for 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Zinkyudo sees Blayne fall and mutters under his breath, "Damn, he was our best hope of making short work of that zombie. I hope he's all right." He takes a short step forward, then unleashes a flurry of arrows at the cleric of Groetus.

Flurry with Longbow, PBS: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Flurry with Longbow, PBS: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

The first flurry missed, but the second one strikes her and she falls down.

Gwen gasps as the cleric goes down. "Nooooooooooooooo!" she yells, thrusting harshly at the zombie.

to hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 6 = 13

Um, do I get my readied action to attack the zombie? Would it help if I put Readied actions in bold? I'll try doing that from now on. If I did get it, here's the dice rolls for it:

to hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

No harm no foul. That's gonna be a miss because there (was) a Yeh Lu Luh Whei Jian Guay cleric in the way giving him +4AC for cover.

Keep flyin' =)

Gwen, fret not, I did 10 hp of Jon-lethal, so she shouldn't be dead, just resting.