Dungeon Master S's "Among the Living" [CORE] (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Dot here and please read and post in the Discussion Tab. Looking forward to it!"

A week ago, you were seated in the main hall of the Grand Lodge of Absalom, waiting for the arrival of Absalom’s newest venture-captain, a tall, dark-haired and olive-skinned Varisian woman named Eliza Petulengro. Renowned for her composure under pressure and the author of more than two dozen Pathfinder Chronicles entries, she appeared in the hall suddenly, a stack of chronicles in her arms, and looked you over before speaking.

My greatest pupil, Pathfinder Bodriggan Wuthers, has gone missing. He followed a cleric contact back to Wuthers’s home city of Oppara to work on a massive dig beneath the House of the Immortal Son, Oppara’s famed opera house and once temple to the dead god, Aroden. That was a year ago. He sent monthly reports, hoping to see their publication in a chronicle, before all contact dried up a few months back. I’m worried something has gone wrong, and the Society has a vested interest in the artifact he was researching and seeking. We want you to travel to Oppara and find Wuthers. We’d like to know exactly what he was seeking, too, since he neglected to inform us through his monthly correspondence. He hinted only that the cleric of Irori he was working with told him the object was the world’s greatest ‘living’ artifact—whatever that means.

have a few tidbits of information to pass to you before you go: the House of the Immortal Son is nearly impossible to access. It took Wuthers months and countless bribes to get where he did. For you, I have a much simpler idea. Go to an opera, wait for an opportunity, and then exploit it to find Wuthers and his dig site.

Be sure to wear something festive—the Taldan nobility are arrogant on their best days and if you arrive at the opera dressed like that,” she waves her hands at you, “they’ll surely lose your tickets or regret to inform you that the opera house is oversold.

Go and report back to me directly upon your return
to Absalom.

magic dot

Since it looks like you're going low-tier and I don't want to unbalance anything, (plus I can catch the next game), I'll bow out and let the player who is waitlisted play. However, I'm certain you guys will have a great time!

Another Time Ragnar! I'll un-check you from the thread.

Finn glances down at his worn armor, and jingles his few remaining gold coins.

"I'm afraid I have no appropriate clothing. I expected travel and adventure, not hobnobbing."

Accosted on his way to port by a Pathfinder scrive informing him of more work to be had in the Grand lodge, the survivor of the Blakros museum shrugs and makes his way to the Venture Captain's briefing. A tall hulking half-orc with scale armour over dark gray robes, a trident in hand and shield slung over his shoulder enters the chamber. Dark war-paint still stains his face though it is somewhat blurred.

When she finishes he gives a sharp derisive laugh.

"Hobnobbing in the Opera? How my Captain will laugh! Sure, I got some reward from my last job, whaddya think is suitable? What does Wuthers look like so we can identify him?"

The burly half orc, smelling subtly of sea water leans back in his chair and crosses his arms, waiting for the others.

"I'm SURE you can find a clothing store between here and there." The venture-captain speaks genuinely, where most officers would have sad that condescendingly. Eliza looks like she belongs with nobles, hobnobbing.

After listening the mission briefing Spencer looks down at his friend. "Well Bear, looks like we have to get you dressed up. I bet a new shinny collar will do the trick." The dog lets out a low growl in disapproval. "Well if you don't want to dress up I may have to leave you here." With that the dog gives a begging wine. Petting the small shout dog Spencer turns to the Venture Captain. "Are there any cultural taboos in Oppara about dogs?"

Spencer will spend 30 gold for a Courtier's outfit and 5 gp on a nice collar for Bear.

"With all due respect Captain ... I don't think the problem is actually 'finding' [sarcasm/] suitable attire"
Nelphaell holds up a similarly 'light' purse to emphasize his words ... and smiles to take some of the bite away ...
Courtier dress is quite expensive; At least what I do have is clean and well kept.
Maybe we could add just a dash of color from some entertainer's costume
... that wouldn't cost too much.

"You don't need to look like a king, just look like other people clean and dress you, if you know what I mean."

Listening to the briefing is a stout halfling with an axe strung across his back. He wears a helm and his shoulders are covered in thick furs which are matted from long wear and likely rough weather. He wears no armor though and the light blue coat he wears bears the emblem of Shelyn across his chest.

At the mention of looking a bit more appropriate for the opera, Lod looks down at the bear skin draped across his back and nods in agreement. "Indeed. The Lands of the Linnorm Kings doesn't offer many opportunities for opera but I quite enjoy music so I am looking forward to the excursion!"

He makes a small bow with his fist on his chest. "My name is Lod Flaxseed, a distant relative of the Venture-Captain in Cassomir. He has been making contact with all of the disparate Flaxseed clans and I was one of the first to come to his aid and join the Society. It is good to meet you all!"

Lod clears his throat and asks Eliza, "Can you tell us anything more about Bodriggan Wuthers? What about the history of the House of the Immortal Son? If it used to be a temple, surely he must have found some holy relic I would guess."

On the way to Oppara, Lod will purchase a noble's outfit with the appropriate jewelry and signet ring. Although he's a bit rough, he is very excited about this opera, being a paladin of Shelyn and all.

Samildanach rolls their eyes at the venture-captains comments before gettingnout of the chair she has no idea of the real world he thinks to himself as the Quartermaster gets their things ready. He had wished he had listened to the captain when he spoke of infiltrating noble parties and then remembers the faded and worn kohl on his face.

"Right, yeah what Lod said then we best be off, Oppara ain't the shortest of sea journeys."

Will purchase a courtier's outfit in Oppara and make sure to bathe before going".

The party (in some cases begrudgingly) makes their way to a bath house and a tailor. The juxtaposition of arms and silks stands out not at all in the crowds of Oppara.

You are supplied with tickets, and your entry paid. For those of you who dress the part (wearing jewelry/clothing in excess of 50 Gp) are treated normally. If any of you slum it, you're looked down upon as sullying the setting.

Among the Living, the title of tonight's opera, debuts this very night that you visit the House of the Immortal Son.

It’s an epic tale of a lone Ulfen warrior named Victory who sails to the ends of Golarion, crashes off the edge of the world, and finds himself in a gothic paradise where he falls in love with the undead queen of a jungle kingdom. It’s melodramatic, over-acted, gaudy, and tasteless—just the sort of affair Taldor’s wealthy screams to attend.

Waiting on Bullwhip to check in before continuing, though banter is always okay.

Spencer scans the crowd as they arrive at the opera house. Not seeing anyone bringing dogs to the show he turns to Bear. "Well boy you may have to wait outside. We can try to get you in but these Nobles don't seem to be the dog loving types." He pats the dog on the head.

Let me know if Bear will be let in. Spencer will also store his big weapons back on the boat or in his room at the Inn. He will have concealed on him his dagger, club and sling with a few stones.

Bear will DEFINITELY have to wait outside.

PMed our last player. I'll give him a bit of time to jump in before advancing.

Pulling at the clothes in obvious discomfort, his holy symbol of Gozreh the only connection left to the bathed, combed and well dresses half-orc. He somewht reluctantly leaves Trident, shield and armour in their cabin aboard the ship before making his way through Oppara his face showing mild disgust for auch wasteful opulence.

"We seem the most ill-fitting crown here, I hope this darn opera is worth it and the artefact more so. So Lod, the linnorm kings eh? Fearsome raiders ive heard about the lads and lasses up there, not crossed blades with em myself, whats it like?"

Weapons are allowed, they had just better be polished.

Waiting on Bullwhip to check in before continuing, though banter is always okay.

Spencer scans the crowd as they arrive at the opera house. Not seeing anyone bringing dogs to the show he turns to Bear. "Well boy you may have to wait outside. We can try to get you in but these Nobles don't seem to be the dog loving types." He pats the dog on the head.

"Why not wear 'im loike a stole?"

The party (in some cases begrudgingly) makes their way to a bath house and a tailor. The juxtaposition of arms and silks stands out not at all in the crowds of Oppara.

You are supplied with tickets, and your entry paid. For those of you who dress the part (wearing jewelry/clothing in excess of 50 Gp) are treated normally. If any of you slum it, you're looked down upon as sullying the setting.

"'Ey don't scrub me beard so much! Oi loike de taste av it!"

Among the Living, the title of tonight's opera, debuts this very night that you visit the House of the Immortal Son.

It’s an epic tale of a lone Ulfen warrior named Victory who sails to the ends of Golarion, crashes off the edge of the world, and finds himself in a gothic paradise where he falls in love with the undead queen of a jungle kingdom. It’s melodramatic, over-acted, gaudy, and tasteless—just the sort of affair Taldor’s wealthy screams to attend.

"Oi swear de Ulfen rip us aff at every go!"

Bullwhip buys huge gaudy rings that could double as brass/glass knuckles under the right circumstances (signet ring 5 gp, plus 100 gp in gaudy jewelry), and a purple and gold Katapeshite potentate's outfit (200 gp) complete with curly-toed slippers and crowning royal turban. He also hires a palanquin with four bearers as well as a trumpeter to announce his presence, a pair of menials to fan him with axebeak feathers and peel his grapes and maybe an attractive female animal handler in a skimpy slave Leia outfit with a decorative liger to complete his ensemble (maybe take Bear too). Call it 50 gp to rent the whole thing and make it look right. (Wealth has been updated.) Hidden amid the finery and pillows are his axe, shield and little bow and arrows. If we don't have one he spends two prestige points on a backscratcher of cure light wounds which he can use scratch those itches he could not ordinarily reach. Activation phrase: "Ahh. That's the spot."

And yes, I changed Bullwhip's avatar to reflect his change of cleanliness and demeanor.

As yet another twirling dancer in a brown costume festooned with bright pink, flowing silk scarves spins across the jungle set at the front of the stage, the orchestra reaches a screeching crescendo that crashes the entire opera to a halt. The dancers stand quietly for a moment, breathing heavily and listening to the scattered applause across the obviously bored Taldan audience. Suddenly, a sound like a thousand gongs shakes the entire building to its very foundation and the audience murmurs in a mixture of delight and fear. The actors and orchestra, however, flee the stage, disappearing behind the curtains.

Moments after the gong, the doors leading into the theater crash open and a horde of zombies floods in, immediately attacking nobles too shocked to run. They're coming in from various doors, and before you can formulate a plan, the doors behind you burst open with a quartet of erstwhile noble zombies looking for an easy meal!

Baddies: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8
Nelphaell: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Samildanach: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Finn: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Spencer: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Lod: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Bullwhip: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Round 1:
Finn: Go
Samildanach: Go
Lod: Go
Spencer: Go
Baddies: TBD
Nelphaell: TBD
Bullwhip: TBD

Hopping over to the next row of Benches, the Half-Orc Pirate is quick to react, seeing the scourge of nature befouling the grand opera house Samildanach raises his holy symbol aloft.

"By the power o' the Stormfather, return to your drowned depths!"

He cries as his god's energy smites the Zombies.

Channel energy, DC 12 will for half: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Think i can get all the zombies from there.

Nobles rush to and fro. Their screams of panic far outweigh the danger. Nevertheless, the Pathfinders calmly enter the fray. Samildanach acts as the conduit for Gozreh's will.

Red: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 FAIL
Blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 FAIL
Black: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 PASS
White: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 PASS

The zombies recoil from the symbol, now turning their attention to the half-orc!

Round 1:
Finn: Go
Samildanach: Channel
Lod: Go
Spencer: Go
Baddies: TBD
Nelphaell: TBD
Bullwhip: TBD

Finn moves toward the zombies, drawing his sword and giving it a twirl before coming down with a two-handed chop.

Attack on White: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Finn's slice is so powerful that the zombie's head flies into a fleeing nobleman. His scream is EXTREMELY high pitched. After the head stops he finds some faux courage and kicks it, claiming "I shall save you!" to a panicked noblemwoman.

Round 1:
Finn: ATK
Samildanach: Channel
Lod: Go
Spencer: Go
Baddies: TBD
Nelphaell: TBD
Bullwhip: TBD

Spencer kneels down near Bear. ”Ok boy, you stay here and I’ll be back after the show.”

handle Animal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Seeing the dog not wanting to listen Spencer pulls out his rope and ties it Bears collar then attaches it to the nearest fixed object. ”I said stay here!! Sorry boy.”

-----------------------

Spencer is quite enjoying the opera until the zombies ruin the play. Grasping his wooden holy symbol he strides standing shoulder to shoulder with Sam….. the Dread and sends a burst of holy energy out.

Channel Positive Energy DC 10 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Practically before the will of Gozreh subsides, Deadeye's stern presence is felt. The moonlight of the Hunt washes over the zombies:

Red: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 PASS
Blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 PASS
Black: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 FAIL

Hell of a scenario to have two clerics!

All three zombies look like their magic is going to give out soon.

Round 1:
Finn: ATK
Samildanach: Channel
Lod: Go
Spencer: Channel
Baddies: TBD
Nelphaell: TBD
Bullwhip: TBD

Phew! Sorry for the delay, busiest day in a long time. Trying to get as much research/lab work done over spring break as I can. Grad school blows.

Lod feels guilty bringing his large worn axe into the opera so he leaves it in his room, bringing along only his daggers and magical supplies.

At the sight of zombies he jumps out of his seat. "Good work, you seem to know how to handle undead." He pulls a wand from the inside pocket of brand new Taldan-style noble robes and casts a spell on himself. "And I was really starting to enjoy the show too, they were just getting to the good part..."

mage armor

No worries. My school is a weird hybrid of a few different levels, I can relate, besides, your research is important! (Meanwhile I just teach science and run races to raise money.)

Lod prepares to engage, calling forth magical defenses. The zombies advance, one closing with Samildanach, the other two bringing fists to bear on Finn

Blue Slam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 DMG: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Red Slam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 DMG: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

The zombies pound on the man. Dropping him. Stabilize

Round 1:
Finn: ATK
Samildanach: Channel
Lod: Protection
Spencer: Channel
Baddies: ATK
Nelphaell: Go
Bullwhip: Go

Round 1
Nelphaell draws his Great Sword and moves to attack the blue zombie near Finn ...
Great Sword: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 for Slashing: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 6) + 2 = 14
... and gets tangled up in the theatre seating instead of hitting his target.

Your research is important!

Well that's debatable, lol.

Leaping from row to row upon the seats comes Bullwhip! 10 ft over difficult terrain toward black.
+1 waraxe (power attack): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Nelphaell gets tangled, but Bullwhip follows up with a swing that sends the zombie tumbling, never to move again!

Round 2:
Finn: Go
Samildanach: Stabilize
Lod: Go
Spencer: Go
Baddies: TBD
Nelphaell: TBD
Bullwhip: TBD

Stabilize: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Finn continues to bleed aggressively.

Round 2:
Finn: Bleed
Samildanach: Go
Lod: Go
Spencer: Go
Baddies: TBD
Nelphaell: TBD
Bullwhip: TBD

SeeingFinn collapse to the Zombie assault, Samildanach calls upon Gozreh to staunch the man's wounds.

cast Stabilize on Finn

With Finn safe for the moment, the party takes a split second to look about. At this point you're the only people left in the theater. It's certainly trashed from the fleeing nobles.

Round 2:
Finn: Bleed
Samildanach: Stabilize
Lod: Go
Spencer: Go
Baddies: TBD
Nelphaell: TBD
Bullwhip: TBD

On his turn:

Bullwhip looking a bit more like crazed King Lear charges forward a short sovereign in pointy toed slippers and an unraveling turban scrambling over the rows of seats and calling out to his entourage.

"'Ey you lot move de palanquin in front av dat dure! Keep dat liger under control! Someone git me sum grapes! Me gob is dry. An' you 'orn player, soun' de charge!"

+1 waraxe v blue or red if blue is down and neither has moved over much (power attack): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Spencer moves up into the melee drawing his dagger trying to get the zombies attention. "Foul Undead Attack Me!!!"

Spencer tries to make the zombies choose him while Bullwhip winds up for a mighty swing!

Round 2:
Finn: Bleed
Samildanach: Stabilize
Lod: Go
Spencer: Prep
Baddies: TBD
Nelphaell: TBD
Bullwhip: Will hit

When this is all, over Bullwhip will have one of the women peeling his grapes hand Spencer his backscratcher of cure light wounds (Activation phrase: "Ahh. That's the spot.")

Lod leaps down the aisle and to the zombies as fast as he can!

Double move.

Spencer's display works, as the zombies come after him as Lod moves in!

Blue: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Miss
Red: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 for DMG: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

The zombie hits him hard with a fist to the sternum, nearly knocking the wind and bluster from the man.

Bullwhip takes the miss and uses the chance to drop a third zombie.

Round 2:
Finn: Bleed
Samildanach: Stabilize
Lod: Move
Spencer: Prep
Baddies: ATK
Nelphaell: Go
Bullwhip: ATK

Round 2
Nelphaell swings again ...
Great Sword: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 for Slashing: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 2) + 2 = 10
... and seems to get caught up in the drapes ...
Stupid zombies ...

Some noble woman screams as the drapes she was hiding behind are torn away.

The zombie, however, remains.

hard to format next round, PCs who can go, feel free.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Having left his weapons back on the boat, knowing a trident was no weapon for the hoity toity Taldorans, Samildanach moves forwards to the remaining zombie and activates Gozreh''s blessing coating his empty fist in solid wood. He takes the chance to punch the rotten corpse in the jaw.

Wooden fist: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 for damage: 1d3 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7

Samildanach hits hard enough to kill a man, but the zombie's dead body absorbs most of the blow... Looks like a gentle breeze will destroy it now.

Round 2:
Finn: Go
Samildanach: SMACK
Lod: Go
Spencer: Go
Baddies: TBD
Nelphaell: TBD
Bullwhip: TBD

Finn lies on the floor.

Lod flicks his wrists and his fingernails distend into long draconian claws! He tries to tear at the zombie!

claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Lod's claws come from nowhere and cut deep into the zombie's neck. Just as the undead monster is about to go down it shudders for a second. Screams from the last of the nobles nearby echo in the theater.

Then, just as if it were a scene in the play, the zombie falls and the screams stop...

Out of combat.