DrGabe's Pathfinder Society Game, Group C (Inactive)

Game Master DrGabe

Addressing Telurion: "Thanks for the invitation, but like Mifune, there are matters I must attend to before we depart for this mission, until the morrow everyone."

That said Nius grabs his staff and walks out to get ready for the journey.

Later in the evening while packing your things, you are summoned via another letter to the harbor to set sail on a boat to lead you to Irrisen. It leaves at dawn. The letter and its Pathfinder seal allows you free passage and reign while onboard the boat. After a couple of weeks, you enter into the mouth of the Rineflow River and then deep into the Lands of the Linnorm Kings and then later into Irrisen.
Once in Irrisen you are offered a ride along with a team of dogs into the middle of the wilderness. After traveling for half the day you see a camp in the distance. Your dog-team drivers bid you farewell saying their mission is now complete. Crossing through the copse of trees into the open snow covered fields you see a group of humans, along with a handful of what looks like goblin captives.
Upon seeing you, one of the humans approaches you with her hand extended, “Sverrir Lightfoot here. Glad to finally see some friendly faces. Well, here are your goblins. I hope your travel is swift and free of any problems. I see that you don’t have horses... that is good. Very good. Anyway, here is a map to help you get to Harvest’s Ends. Its the closest thing to a town around here, but its likely to be the easiest way to cross the Rineflow River and meet up with the extraction team on the other side.
Speaking of which, they are waiting for you in three and one-half days. Here is enough rations to get you that far.
As you can see, we are already packing up to move back into the mountains.”
She hands you a map which shows a clear trail. It details some places to camp at night as well as Harvest’s Ends and the final extraction point. Sitting at her feet in the snow is a bag apparently full of rations.
While you are talking with Sverrir, a group of chained, weaponless, and armorless goblins are led to you. While not covered in furs they appear comfortable in the ankle deep snow.
Sverrir reaches out with her hand, dangling keys in front of the party. “Well, they are yours now.”

Retcon post - I wanted also to buy a cold weather outfit and a winter blanket for a total of 8 gold and 5 silver, if it's ok.

Yoren somewhat reluctantly accepts the keys from Sverrir.

"Well met! My thanks. I guess."

"How much daylight do we have left, can you recommend a spot to make for by nightfall? And while were talking, are these little fellows liable to freeze at night? Will they need shelter, a fire? I suppose we'll have to feed them at some point."

How many goblins are there, I didn't see an exact number in the text.

Nius takes a look at the map to study the route proposed by Sverrir to determine how far they could go given no eventualities before having to set camp for the night. He will also take note of the current weather to try to anticipate any possible adverse change that could impact their travel before setting camp to take that into consideration.

Not sure which rolls are more pertinent, i guess for the map would be Knowledge (Geography) and for the weather Survival or Knowledge (Nature), so will roll all three just in case.
Knowledge (Geography) 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Survival 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Knowledge (Nature) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Clad in thick robes lined with some sort of animal fur, Mifune looked upon their prisoners with a grim countenance as he ran his thumb against the guard of his blade. As much as he hated the thought of leaving these creatures alive, let alone escorting them in for questioning, orders were orders. Kneeling down beside one of them, Mifune spoke to the creature with a low, dangerous whisper, though he meant it no harm.

"Listen, goblin. While this one may not personally enjoy the act of playing escort to your kind, orders are absolute. And as such, this blade..." Patting the katana strung through his robes, Mifune looked to the goblin he was addressing with a look of defeat hidden behind a mask of formality. "...shall do its utmost to ensure you and your kind reach our destination safely. We ask for one thing and one thing only: cooperation."

Attempt to make the goblins warm up to us (no pun intended)

Diplomacy 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Also retcon, I need to purchase a winter blanket.
Turning to Sverrir Lightfoot, "Thank you, one quick question, do they speak common?"

Sverrir points to a spot on the map showing you a mountain pass with two towers. With decent time you should be able to make those towers by nightfall. While not luxurious he tells you that they will serve for reasonable shelter.
Yoren, he points to a bag of rations which should be enough for all of you during your journey. Including the six goblins (one for each PC!).
Nius the weather remains cold and windy. Its just above freezing now, and you suspect that temperatures will dip below freezing at night. The goblins should be fine as long as they have a camping fire to keep warm.
Mifune, the goblins stare right into your eyes but dont make a move to defy you. After a moment one lets out a loud and long fart. The other goblins start to cry and flail dropping to the ground like a toddler.
The goblins do speak common as well as goblin. :)

Anything else before you leave Sverrir's camp?

Telurion is good to go :D

"I suppose that's all then. Is everybody ready? We should probably march with our best pathfinder out in front. Maybe three in front, three in the rear and gobbies in between?"

Yoren isn't really eager, but it's better to start sooner rather than later.

Good to go...with a nagging feeling that the goblins will begin to ask "Are we there yet?" >_>

"I guess i can help watch the goblins since i have little to offer in terms of survival skills."

Sighing in defeat, Mifune rose from his stance and moved away from the unruly bunch as he turned to Zondras instead. Giving a nod of approval to the Varisian's suggestion, the samurai kept an eye on the green-skinned sacks of trouble as he shook his head free of a phantom migraine.

"This one believes that it would be within our best interests to have someone watch our prisoners at all times...and perhaps keep all sources of fire away from them. Yes, that would be wise."

Nius looks at the goblins, then looks as the direction they are taking and then at the sky and says: "I like Yoren's suggestion. If everyone agrees with that formation, i will take one of the front positions, lets keep this goblins safe until we can transfer them. It will get more and more cold by the hour."

Nius is ready to go.

was reading back, and noticed Yoren's question was not answered, how many goblins had the party been charged with? Want to picture the marching formation more precisely.

Pulling his cloak around him Zondras nods in agreement. "Yes lets be off before we freeze in place."

Looking at the goblins Zondras speaks to them in the common tongue"Alright you goblins. You are traveling with us now and we all want this trip to be as smooth as ice....SO NO TROUBLE FROM YOU LOT. Follow us and do as your told and there will be plenty of food and fire, if not then we will let the snow and cold take you. GOT IT!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

wow, a crit form the first roll with the dice bot... i'm screwed for the rest of the adventure. Desna guide me.

I don't think these goblins will offer us much trouble, but then again... Better keep an extra eye on the pesky critters, they can be devious enough given a chance.

I am not a survivalist by any accounts, but I will gladly take up front alongside someone who is and assist in whatever way I can - Telurion adds.

Mechanics wise, I'll use aid another on Survival checks whenever needed/possible.

Jezebel takes position near the rear. "I suggest we keep these guys on a short leash. Some of you stronger ones might want to tie them together, and hold the lead end of the rope. We can secure them at night likewise with the lead"

"Sound advice. Then this one, Telurion-san, and Nius-san will take the lead. And Jezebel-san, Zondras-san, and Yoren-san? The rearguard, if you will."

DrGabe said that there were a total of 6 goblins. Formation I guess is Mifune, Telurion, Nius up front, 6 goblins in two rows of 3, and then Jezebel, Yoren, and Zondras in the rear.

Also, I'm capable of rolling Survival when needed for scavenging for food and trail-blazing.

With a clap on Mifune's shoulder, Telurion says: Sounds like a plan, Mifune..eh..er..SAN! while smiling openly at the half-elf.

At the beginning you make pretty good time and speed, but it doesn't take long before the goblins start to fight with each other, pushing themselves around and falling to the ground. After a few minutes of this, the parade comes to a halt with the Goblins yelling at each in a mixture of Goblin and Common.
Also, the wind starts to pick up and the temperature starts to dip to even more colder temperatures. Fort test please (DC 15- you may add bonuses from cold weather, survival, etc).

Mechanics-wise, your rolls and checks did very well. But it seems that diplomacy and intimadte don't last long in goblin culture!

"Even the coldest of winters in my homeland seem to pale in comparison to what we have faced today."

Shivering, Mifune pulled the folds of his fur-lined coat tighter as he fought to stave off the frigid winds. Turning to the bickering goblins, the samurai sighed as he stepped forward, speaking to them with a very formal, somewhat strained voice, like the tone of a father dealing with unruly children.

"Please. Direct your grievances to this one so that we might solve what causes you to raise such a din among yourselves."

Fortitude Save (+5 from Cold-Weather Outfit) (+2 from Survival) 1d20 + 4 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 5 + 2 = 17

Diplomacy (Against Goblins) 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Survival: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3 (No bonus for me!)
Fortitude: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Grumbling about the goblins ridiculous arguments, Jezebel pulls her cloak tighter about herself. and marches onwards, "Should we try and separate the blasted things or keep moving on?"

Fort save (+5 Cold Weather Outfit): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

"We could each take charge of one, but we must be doubly on guard against attempts to distract or separate us if we do so.

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Fort save: 1d20 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 5 = 14 (+5 cold weather outfit) (+2 if above = 15 or more)

Nius says trying to keep his voice heard above the wind: "Id rather we keep them together, is easier to keep an eye on them and shepherd them around and more importantly... protect them which is our most important task." with a tone of frustration he adds "Even if they drag their feet and bicker and fight... we must make them cooperate and keep moving, this weather will just keep becoming more harsher."

Nius had not addressed the goblins directly once, choosing to leave the others to try to keep them in check. But he looks back regularly to the goblins and the party members to see how the weather is treating them.

[ooc]Question, the goblins are chained individually? And bound together with a rope? If so, who in the group is holding the end of the rope?

Edit-Sorry after reading Telurion OOC comment I went and read the description of cold weather fort saves and how survival can add to it, and realized how i fumbled my roll! so subtracted the + 9 (surv skill) from the roll above, made a new roll and added a separate Surv check. If is more than 15, then add a +2 to the Fort Save. Sorry for that.

To add any bonus from Survival, I need to roll vs DC10 first right?

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 3 + 2 = 21
(cold weather outfit + bonus from surv)

I think that having us each take care of one individually may be more of an hassle than it is useful... And if any combat situation comes up, we will probably be risking being hampered by them, and also having them run at the worst possible moment...

Telurion walks up to the group of goblins, his sword drawn out:

Look here you annoying creatures, if you make this hard for us, I am not above smacking you around senseless! And if you keep it up, you may end up missing a finger or two! No one said you needed to arrive in one piece...

Intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Fort save (+5 Cold Weather Outfit): 1d20 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 5 = 13
Survival DC 15 - Gain a +2 bonus on all Fortitude saves against severe weather while moving up to half your overland speed, or gain a +4 bonus if you remain stationary. You may grant the same bonus to one other character for every 1 point by which your Survival check result exceeds 15
So assuming Telurion or Nius help me out:13+2=15
otherwise Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8...it is just 13..I told you the dicebot was gonna be out for me ><

Wrapping his furs around him even tighter Zondras curses the weather in Varisian. Why couldn't this have been a nice city job? No we have to trek out to the middle of nowhere to escort the goblins and see how long before my blood freezes. Ugh... Desna guide me.

With a worried tone, to no one in particular"Perhaps we should find shelter? Do we need to make camp to survive this?"

Miserable with cold he continues to keep an eye on the goblins. He is about to yell at them when he sees the half elf attempting to corral them.

Extending his assistance to Zondras, Telurion does his best in cooperating with the man, debating the best ways to protect oneself against the biting cold, but the weather is definitely getting worse, and the Varisian is not able to shield himself completely from it.

Untrained knowledge Nature to attempt and predict the weather: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Hmmmm, the weather will be... COLD! :D

I do not know Zondras, cannot put my finger on this weather... No idea if it'll go up or down.

Totally flubbed up that Survival bonus...forgot to roll against DC 15 for it.

Survival (DC 15) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

You all made your cold weather checks. Zondoras just barely!
After stiff words, the goblins settle down. They do ask for food. "Its been sooo long since we had food. Please feed us before we dwindle down to nothing but skin and bones. Bones are made for bashing, not for living in!"

The goblins can be chained how you like them. Even they realize that running away in this place would do them no good.

Nius look at the goblins almost with pity and says, addresing the goblins for the first time: "You will get a little bit to eat but you must eat while walking, if you are good you will get more once we set camp for the nigth, if you stall we freeze, frozen flesh is not good to live in either."

Then takes a ration from his backpack and divides it among the goblins reminding them: "Remember you have to keep walking so we can make camp and eat more."

This is an attempt of bribery with food
Diplomacy (untrained): 1d20 + 0 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 0 + 1 = 21

Attempt to determine how long will take to get to the towers and if we can make it safe or if is better to make camp now
Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 = 22

Nodding in agreement with Nius' words, Mifune reached into his pack and produced a single meal's worth of traveling rations, holding it firmly in his hands as he looked to the green-skinned rascals.

"My esteemed comrade is correct. But these rations are limited in quantity, so they must be taken sparingly. Do you understand?"

"Alright then, let's keep our current arrangement. Forward with you goblins, you can eat when we make camp. Don't slow us down again if you're hungry. Let's make for the towers unless we're certain we wont make it."

Let's go then.

Checking his weapons and pulling his furs tighter around him, Zondras keeps an eye on the goblins as they continue to walk.

Nodding quietly and continuing on, Jezebel reminds Mifune in hushed tones, "They are small like me. A package of rations is enough to two of them for an entire day, let alone serve as a snack."

Slipping back into position, Jezebel tries to strike up a conversation with a couple of the goblins, "So what is it like in the warrens? Are all goblins as feisty as you all seem?"

Nius is able to keep the goblins calm with food and calming words. A bit of food satiates the little blighters and they quickly get back on the trail and give you little trouble.
After another couple of hours marching, the sun begins to set and the winds start to pick up even more. As you consult the map, you see that you should come up on a mountain pass with two watch towers. It is marked as a suitable camping site.
Just as the map says, you come across the pass and see two ancient stone towers on either side of the path, adjacent to two vertical bluffs.
The towers are 50' tall and the path which had been wide, now narrows to only 20' wide.
Perception check.

"Charming".

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Yoren stares at the towers, wiping ice crystals from his face.

"We had probably better make sure they're clear. We could send at team to investigate while the rest guard our little friends."

"This is the camp site?"Zondras dishearteningly asks through chattering teeth.

Surveying the area he quips, "Well at least they picked a nice neutral color. White goes with everything they say."

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Nius nods at Yoren's words, stopping to take a look at the towers and the immediate from their current distance.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 = 26

Eyeing the twin watch towers, Mifune stood with the others as he furrowed his brow with a frown. Chewing quietly on some rations, the half-elf samurai rested his free hand against the hilt of his katana as he looked about warily.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Well... If its marked as a campsite, there must be a reason for it - why don't we all go and take a look? That way we need not separate, and taking our small cargo over here with us - he nods at the goblins - we make sure they don't run off.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 (If possible, assisting the Druid.) Helpful trait, +4 to Naius if aid possible

"I do hope at least one of the towers is open. Would be nice to be indoors as soon as possible."

Hearing Jezebel's suggestion Zondras perks up momentarily. "Now that is the best thing I have heard since we got to this cold forsaken land. We might even be able to get a fire going."

Lets move inside then. Telurion starts heading in the direction of the watch towers.

You were lead to believe (according to the map) that the towers were empty and a good camping site. However, most of you realize that the snow has been knocked off the ramparts (facing your direction). You get the idea that the towers are not as empty as you were lead to believe. You are currently behind some large bolders which gives you cover from the ramparts.

Nius said in a worried and hushed tone: "Wait!" Pointing to the ramparts. "We need to approach them carefully, they had been used recently, migth still be."

He looks at the party members and at the goblins and says:"Maybe we should split the group, some two of us stay here to guard the goblins and keep them safe while the other four of us take a cautious closer look."

"We must be prepared for the possibility that the towers are occupied and the occupants could be hostile. I'd rather not be dragging six prisoners along into a potential ambush."

Yoren looks at Nius. "That is exactly to sort of split I would have suggested. I am well suited to soaking up any arrows that may come frome the ramparts as we approach. Telurion wears sturdy armor and is already eager to approach. Any other suggestions?"

Grimacing at the prospect of approaching the two watch towers with little to no cover between them, Mifune adjusted the sheathed katana at his side as he looked to Yoren with a grim smile.

"This one has but this katana as a means of engagement. Therefore, count this one amongst those being included in the vanguard."

Are there no other paths except a direct one? I guess what I'm looking for is a path that'll let us get to the towers undetected by anything that might be up there.

You are absolutely right Nius. Looking closer it does seem that there may be someone inside after all...

After listening to the potential plan, he pipes in: I am not a fan of splitting up, it creates two weaker groups that will have an harder time in whatever comes to happen - we'll be diminished if there is combat up ahead, and whomever stays guarding the goblins cannot put aside that these wretched creatures have a penchant for nasty surprises, against outnumbered opponents...

Unless the group going ahead has some sort of means to get by unnoticed, that way it may pay out in the end, otherwise...