DoubleGold's PFS Feast of Ravenmore (Inactive)

Game Master DoubleGold

Do you know where we c'n be findin' de mayor?

In his Manor of course He tells you the building he is in.

Dunia waits for the rest of the party to finish any shopping they want to do here, or any flirting, though she'll scowl at that, before suggesting that they go visit the mayor's manor.
He should be knowin' de most 'bout any taxman come through here.

Yoshi nods his agreement.

"Let us be moving to the manner then."

As he passes through the town, Yoshi takes note of the festival preparations, and looks for events that may be fun to participate it. Still, his focus is on the mayor and he follows the directions provided.

Sajna agrees with Dunia. If anyone knows anything about the taxman in this town it will be the mayor.
"Let's see what this mayor has to say then."

As you all approach the Manor, a man steps out. Want do you want, my brother the Mayor is busy As he says with a very unfriendly voice. Don't you folks have better things to do than to pester the Mayor He says with a grumpy voice.

Sajna walks up to the rude man.
"Many apologies kind sir," she begins in a sweet tone.
"My friends and I are seeking an associate of ours who we believe was staying in this town. We would very much like to speak with your brother, the good mayor, as he may be the only one here who can help us become reunited."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
She smiles and tilts her head to the side, awaiting the man's response.

You want to see the Mayor, you have to beat me and my friends in a friendly battle, but don't kill us, or everyone will know, we won't kill you.
He picks up a scythe and four men pop out

init: 2 + 1d20 ⇒ 2 + (16) = 18 Dunia
init: 3 + 1d20 ⇒ 3 + (18) = 21 Yoshi
init: 1 + 1d20 ⇒ 1 + (18) = 19 four men
init: 7 + 1d20 ⇒ 7 + (11) = 18 Leonard, the Mayor brother
init: 2 + 1d20 ⇒ 2 + (8) = 10 Sajna
init: 2 + 1d20 ⇒ 2 + (8) = 10 Eli
init: 7 + 1d20 ⇒ 7 + (11) = 18 Galt
init: 4 + 1d20 ⇒ 4 + (12) = 16 Darvan

Map is up, the fight area is just below the town map. You don't have to attack or fight if you want to but we are in init. You can use lethal or nonlethal, but they made it clear they are attacking and are using nonlethal, or might attack lethal and finish you off nonlethal, either way they don't plan on killing you

Yoshi is up, then the four bullies, then Gult then the main bully, then the rest of the party

Yoshi pushes through the other pathfinders.

"This is what I was being hoping for!

He tries to trip the main bully.
trip: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
If successful, he follows up with a viscous stomp (NL)
attack,prone: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 4 = 27
damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

"Please be Bringing It On!"

He has up to three AOO, and will use them as required. Yoshi has a longspear so anyone moving (not 5' stepping) within 10' will attract an aOO. He will save one for the main bully in case he tries to rise.

AOO on movement-trip: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
AOO followup stomp: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 4 = 26
NL damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

If that first trip misses then he still has one up his sleeve in case of another movement attracting AOO
AOO on movement-trip: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25

And the AOO on the main bully if he tries to stand
unarmed, NL: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 4 = 16
NL damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

"I am liking this town more now!"

As Yoshi trips the bully he hits him hard, but he is still conscious.
The man next to the bully already in melee with Yoshi will attack and the bully to the right will move toward Yoshi only to get knocked unconscious. 1 Man down, upside down to signify this
sickle on yoshi: 0 + 1d20 ⇒ 0 + (2) = 2 but can't hit a thing

The other two move towards Darvan
hit: 0 + 1d20 ⇒ 0 + (20) = 20 on Darvan and crits
hit: 0 + 1d20 ⇒ 0 + (9) = 9 on Darvan but misses

The bully tries to stand, only Yoshi's punch misses as he must have some type of thick skin, or so it seems, but his shirt is long sleeved and his clothes cover his whole body, there is no way to tell what is underneath that shirt. He will trip Yoshi with his scythe hit: 7 + 1d20 ⇒ 7 + (3) = 10 but can't even hit him

confirm crit on Darvan: 1d20 ⇒ 15 nope dmg on Darvan: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

Dunia, Sajna, Eli, Galt, and Darvan are up

We do not have time for this he says as he loads a sling bullet and moves to get a better position.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

You aiming for the bully or one of his men? Big difference in AC

One of the men

Darvan draws and swings his enchanted scimitar at the nearest of the goons.

Move action: Draw +1 scimitar
Standard action: Attack the goon next to Darvan
Attack (+1 Scimitar, Nonlethal): 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 4 = 10
Damage (+1 Scimitar, Nonlethal): 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

As Eli hits one in the stomach, on the left and leave him with a tummyache, Darvan tries to bat one over the head with the inside of the scimitar where it is less sharp but he dodges as he sees Darvan's motions.

Just then the Mayor steps out of his manor with two of his men, none of them seem to have weapons on them. What is the meaning of this?! As he speaks in a loud voice.

Sajna, Galt, Dunia are up We are still in init, the Mayor has not put a stop to the fighting yet, and the men seem to still be wanting to fight, including that bully, the Mayor's brother.

Uthraed draws his bow and loads a blunt arrow. "I hope these wont kill him, maybe break a bone or two. We'll see." He draws the bow to his eye and lines up a shot center mass right at the loud mouths ribs and releases the arrow.

Longbow non-lethal: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 4 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

From what I read the blunt arrows can do non-lethal.

"We came here to discuss something with you, when this maniac and his friends attacked us!" Darvan proffers the bruise forming on his cheek.

Dunia focuses on Darvan and asks the spirits to calm him. No need to shed blood

Daze - Will DC 13

Galt knocks another man unconscious.
Others do stuff Combat over

The mayor yells All of you, stop this fighting at once! The two conscious men and the bully drop their weapons. The mayor continues My men, see to it that those five get punished The two Mayor's men go over to the two downed men and slit their throats, while the rest banned from entering the Mayor's house for 24 hours. The Mayor facepalms Did you forget we changed our policy years ago, no slitting of throats of downed men, we don't solve violence with more violence, we jail them for a week or two, while the conscious ones are just banned from my house. And if they die fighting, we'll they shouldn't have in the first place
bluff: 10 + 1d20 ⇒ 10 + (13) = 23

Sorry about my men and his men He says sincerely
I did not want anyone to attack or a fight to happen. Now want can I help you all with As he says in a nice calm polite voice.

Is there any time to interfere with the cold blooded murders?
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Dunia is outraged and interposes herself as much as possible between the mayor's killers and anyone else, snatching her ectoplasmic lash to hand.

Why de hell you slittin' dey throats in de first place?! What kinda' policies you tryin' to fool us you bin havin'?!

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Darvan nods to Dunia, then looks at the mayor. "You could start with telling us what it is you're trying to cover up. You're not fooling anybody."

SM: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Yoshi looks surprised at the bloodshed, but he has grown up in the fighting pits of the east, and these things happen sometimes.

"We were hoping to have an audience with you Mr Mayor..." he notes.

I was afraid they were going to reveal the towns dark past or the religion. But it's the past, I mean what do you all care? And religion is just religion. But it is still all embarrassing and I thought you would all think less of this town if you found out about the past and about the religion. They attacked you, and I was afraid they'd disobey other policies. I'm afraid to even hint to the town's dark past and religion, so I did what I had to do. I've also ordered my men to burn all the dead men's possessions, because I don't want a search turning up a dark past either. As you see a couple of men trail out into the distance getting stuff out of one of the houses and burning it in trash can outside, as he points to the men over in the distance pointing it out. If you go over, it will be so badly burnt, you won't recognized any of the possession as it is a fire that gets extremely hot within seconds and it will only take a minute for the stuff to burn to complete ashes.
Listen He says with a smile I'm trying to do the right thing by upholding the town's reputation, and the town's reputation means a lot. Now the festival is going to start in 15 minutes, so don't be telling everyone what just happened cause only we say it, if the town's reputation fails, people might not attend the festival, as well as many other things.

He takes a deep breath. Now I'm sure you'd all like to join the town festival when its ready and enjoy yourselves.

Dunia gapes at the man in open disbelief. De fes- You tryin' to get us to forget about all o' dis, an' enjoy ou'selves at de festival?! I think it's best you start tellin' us 'bout yo' 'dark past, an' yo 'religion' too. I'm guessin' it ain' Desna no more.

Knowledge (Religion) to see if I recognize the throat slitting as anything special: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Slitting the throat was not a religious ritual of any kind that you know of I'll make you an offer. Join us for the festival explore the town a little bit and get to know it. Come back tomorrow I'll let you know everything you want to know. I'm the Mayor, if I leave town people will know, so it's not like I'm running anywhere. You want to know, I'll get the information to you, but first I got to get know you first and trust you. Now let's talk like adults, obviously you are here for the festival or something else. What is it? He says "what is it?" in a curious voice.

"We are hear trying to be tracking down a tax collector who is being reported as missing. He is last being known to be heading here." notes Yoshi.

"I am curious that you are telling us town is having a dark past but not what that is. And also religion. I am seeing ruined church. Who is god of town these days?"

Sajna's relief at not having to fight the men is quickly replaced with disgust at the callous bloodshed. As the man gives his speech she is confused but when her companions see through his lies and confront him about what is going on she quickly catches on.
"I don't like this man, but perhaps we should play along? Maybe at the festival we will get a chance to ask some of the villagers if they know anything about what he is saying?"

Dunia looks at Sajna like she has lost her damn mind, then nods with a sigh.

Killing the mayor certainly won't make it easier to find Elias. Hopefully he's still alive...

Okay, I'm glad it is settled. Just remember, I did not slit their throats. And the tax collector info you seek will be answered tomorrow. You still have time to explore one or two more locations before the festival, what would you like to do or explore? Or would you rather chat with the Mayor longer? Or just wait it out for the festival

"Mr Mayor, who did not slit his brothers throat. Can you recommend to us an inn to stay in? asks Yoshi.

If there is time, Sajna would like to have a closer look at The Stones on the way to the festival. Perhaps they have something to do with the town's new religion or its dark past.

No, I wouldn't hurt my brother, even though he is stupid and I have to cover up his mistakes. He'll be welcome back to my house tomorrow. And yes, there's an inn He gives you the keys to an inn to rest for the night, or rather a cabin. It has no food, so that's where your trail rations come in handy, or you can buy some at the smithy, they have trail rations.

Before I move onto the stones, anyone object or would like to split the party? After all you can get things done faster by splitting the part =). Sense motive check on the DM tells you that info is true, but tells you to do so at your own risk.

"We are tracking down a missing man." notes Yoshi.

"In a town where unconscious people are casually killed and their possessions burned." he adds.

"I am thinking there is safety in numbers. Let us get food from the festival, but stick together."

"I agree, let's stick together."
"Oh, I noticed we passed by some old standing stones on the way up here from the village. Maybe we should have a look at them on our way back down to the festival grounds. They could hold a clue as to what the mayor meant by this place's dark past or mysterious religion?"

"I agree, we have a bit of time before the festival. I would love to inspect those stones first. "

-Posted with Wayfinder

Dunia nods, keeping a wary eye on any villager that strays too close.

Yoshi, his mood lightened by a bit of senseless violence is more than happy to join the group as it goes to look at the standing stones.

"I am am used to carring stones as part of my training. But none so big as these are."

The Stones
This large ring of black river stones and tall, stacked rock columns encompass an open-air amphitheater built against a steeply sloped sandstone outcropping. Stone benches sit nearby, while a misshapen wicker and corn-husk figure with mossy canvas wings looms over an altar stone at the far side. Religion checks here and whatever else you'd like to do

Sense Motive 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Being a believer and follower of the gods, the warpriest does not like the Mayor;s comments There are some things that can grow and fester in the darkness he thinks on the way to the Stones

Taking a look, he looks back on his religious training for inspiration and knowledge
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 KNOW REL

Dunia looks closer at the corn-husk doll. Looks Desnan with the wings..
Is it misshapen as in unevenly and poorly crafted? or with like a third arm that ends in a crab-claw or something?

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Sajna explores the ring of stones and walks over to the alter, trying to make sense of it all.
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Uthraed walks amongst the stones stooping every once in a while to examine them. "What an interesting arrangement," He thinks to himself.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

"Cute!" says Yoshi as he approaches the wicker construct.

"The children are making a dragon!"

Slanted stone pews interrupt overgrown weeds and flank
a central aisle terminating at a small raised dais. A stone
altar sits upon this stage, and a life-sized wicker and cornhusk
representation of Desna looms above, depicted in a
kneeling pose, her mossy canvas wings spread wide and
crawling with spiders. A DC 15 Knowledge (religion) check
reveals the unnerving feeling that this representation of
Desna seems strangely crude and untended, almost as if
it were more of an effigy than a proper object of love and
veneration

How su'prisin'. Dey ain' been keepin' up with proper devotions t' Desna Dunia comments drily.

The community here must have something against the goddess Desna. The temple was abanonded and now this. says the warpriest.

Seem to me dat whatever goin' on wit' de mayor, it ain' stoppin' dere. De rot goin' deep.

Anyone else want to do anything here before I push you onto the Festival