FS3: A Vision of Betrayal (Inactive)

Game Master Deane Beman

As Guido hears the voices on his compatriots headed his way he will stealth his way further along in the foliage. He's trying to keep some distance between himself and the others to come at the little lady from a different angle if things go awry.

DO I need another stealth roll or does the last one ride?

The kobold woman offers a toothless smile as the group parades by...she seems to not notice Guido; but Guido does spot a large crocodile hiding in the water. It eyes everyone suspiciously but makes no aggressive moves toward the party.

As you put the swamp behind you you hear the kobold ramble on in a sing-song voice as she returns to caring for her garden. You look over your shoulder and you think you see the plants dancing.

Nah...it couldn't be.

At long last you reach the sleepy fishing village of Pier’s End. After a long overland journey you are overjoyed at the promise of a warm inn, a hot meal, and a cold ale.

"I'll secure lodging for us after I replenish some of my supplies." Nester states. "Perhaps you might be able to ask around and find a proper ferry to Escadar."

Diplomacy and/or K: Local checks to find suitable passage.

Fosco takes a look around town and talks to some interesting people, but none quite as interesting as those within his own party. He spends some times at the docks and encounters enough salty types to make him mighty thirsty upon which he returns to the inn.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Kazmere joins Fosco in town as they look for a ferry.

Knowledge Local to aid another for a +4 bonus on Foscos's roll 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Fosco is able to learn a little bit about three of the ferry captains in town.

Darice Sumore is a surly young woman who never knew her father, although it is whispered that he was a Pathfinder agent.

Small Otti is a fat halfling who constantly states that his plump stature helps with buoyancy at sea. He is always looking for ways to make a little extra coin...most likely to finance his next meal.

"Crazy" Tanner is a disheveled, fish-smelling, and wild-eyed man who constantly talks out the side of his mouth while blowing thick gouts of grey smoke from an aromatic pipe. Tanner's skill at sea is unmatched, but so is his lunacy; take a boat ride with him and you might ride straight into a squall.

Fosco relates the information to his collegues and posits a question. "As it will, they are the only ones to be able to make this happen. Which do you think we should approach?"

Guido follows in Kaz's shadow.

Aid another w/ K:Local 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

The woman maybe...

Guido overhears a few conversations while walking about town.

"Crazy Old Tanner? Crazy like a fox I tell ya!"

"Darice...that poor girl. When no one's looking she stares longingly at that trinket her mum says belonged to her father. He was one of those Pathfinders so I'm told..."

"How 'bout that 'not so small' Otti! He'll cut his price in half for a mug of ale and a hunk of cheese!"

"I hear if we butter up the round one with a meal, he may cut us a deal. Har, har, that rhymed!"

I'd say we try our luck with the former Pathfinder lady Kazmere adds.

Darice looks at you suspiciously as you approach her ferry. "And what can I do for the likes of you?"

Fosco approaches the grumpy lady with a smile. "Good evening, we are looking to get passage to Escadar. I've heard you are excellent in your trade and we are looking for someone to get us there quickly and safe. Can you fit us into your schedule?"

Diplomacy, improve attitude:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Clearly expecting someone a little less charming you notice Darice's mood soften considerably...coming about as close to blushing as she ever has! "Oh...well yes I'd be happy to take you to Escadar. I usually charge 35 gold but, well, truth is I'm headed there anyway. If you can be ready by first light tomorrow I'll take you over for free."

"Free is a good deal. Let's take it."

"You are so very gracious. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. If we can be of some use during the journey, just allow us to do whatever we can to help. We will come bright and early so that you shouldn't have to wait for us one minute." Fosco is genuinely happy they have received such a welcome from the lass, and is glad to be of service. He will continue treating her very cordially throughout their trip.

Shortly after sunrise the next morning you arrive at Darice's boat. True to her word she takes you to Escadar for free...even politely refusing Nester's instance that he give her something for her trouble. You arrive at your destination shortly after noon and Darice bids you farewell as she heads out to take care of her business in town.

Escadar is the war port of Absalom, located on the Isle of Erran north of Kortos. It houses Absalom's navy and is strategically placed away from Absalom's treacherous Flotsam Graveyard. Furthermore, those nations intent on blockading Absalom must also deal with Escadar, for word spreads quickly, and Escadar's armada can come to Absalom's aid on short order. Along with the primarily military population, Escadar is also home to many gillmen (or Low Azlanti, as they call themselves). These amphibious humanoids have set up an embassy within the town, and it is with this organization the Pathfinder Society plans to trade Azlanti artifacts. The gillmen have agreed to meet the you at a waterside tavern called the Grindylow's Goblet.

The sounds of a busy tavern echo off the wooden walls of this unusual building. Resting precariously over Escadar's harbor, the Grindylow's Goblet offers an unequaled view of the water. In the bar's center, a thick glass aquarium presents a striking display. Within the tank, a coral statue of a goblin with the lower body of an octopus hosts a school of colorful fish that flit about the nooks and crannies of its tentacles.

"Best get this over with..." Nester says as he leads you into the tavern. After a few quick words with the bartender a messenger is dispatched and Nester sits down at a table near the aquarium. "They should be here within the hour. Anyone care to assist me as I inspect their artifact for authenticity? As skilled and experienced as I am an extra set of eyes would be appreciated."

Perception

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Apraise

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

I can try! Kazmere offers shily.

Aid another on perception for +4 bonus 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

After you've had the chance to have a few drinks two Low Azlanti, a man and a woman, enter the tavern. The male bears a delicately wrapped bundle of cloth and takes the seat across from Nester while the woman acts as bodyguard; standing directly behind her companion.

"Welcome to Escadar. My name is Shoalo and my associate is called Ahrmisa. I trust you had a safe journey?" While Shoalo talks he places his bundle on the table for inspection. Ahrmisa remains silent and stoic, eyeing the rest of the party suspiciously. "You've seen mine...now you show me yours." Shaolo's emotionless expression makes it difficult to determine whether or not the obvious joke was intentional. Nester offers the Pathfinder's artifact, at which Shaolo only takes a cursory glance.

Feel free to adjust your positions on the map.

Fosco was decent with people but he really wasn't a big fan of artifacts so he made room at the table for others. He did sit nearby and was enjoying some wine. The small halfling didn't imbibe too much though, there were likely some Aspis agents that would still like to see this not go down. If they didn't catch them in the harbor, they might try to interrupt this sale. He kept his eyes and ears out for suspicious activity. He wished that Splax could be with them, but decided he would arouse too much suspicion. Cerberus' tended to do that kind of thing.

Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

I'll Stair them down waiting for something to happend....

Nester closely examines the artifact. "Curious..."

Appraise: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

...clearly a forgery.

A fraction of a second later the sound of a glass breaking can be heard from behind the bar. Shaolo and Ahrmisa shield their eyes as the room explodes in a violent flash of light.

Guido: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Chak Chak: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Fosco: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Kazmere: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Nester: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Amazingly enough everyone manages to shake off the effects of the blinding light! This has never happened before!

Round 1
Chak Chak
Fosco
Ahrisma
Shaolo
Kazmere
Guido
Ulionestia
Shaolo

Map

Chak Chak & Fosco are up first.

I should have you roll for me more often.

Fosco hears the glass shatter and instinctively closes his eyes at the bright flash that comes soon after. Obviously they stacked the odds in their favor by making the bartender on their side. Fosco was ready for action. He began summoning in some infernal creature to defeat the offending spell caster.

Summon (standard action): Fiendish Eagle- next to the bartender.
Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage 1d4 ⇒ 2
Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage 1d4 ⇒ 2
Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Damage 1d4 ⇒ 4
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Crit Damage 1d4 ⇒ 2
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Crit Damage 1d4 ⇒ 4

Beman, You have Shaolo twice on initiative order. I think the bottom one should be Nester.

sword out 5ft step attack if i can...

Chak Chak takes a five foot step forward and slashes at the would-be artifact broker. Shaolo collapses to the ground as Chak Chak's sword strikes home.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13, Damage: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4) + 1 = 8

Ahrisma, eyes widened at the sight of her fallen comrade, charges at Guido at futilely attempts to run him through with her spear.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Round 1 update

Chak Chak
Fosco
Ahrisma
Shaolo - unconscious, bleeding
Kazmere
Guido
Nester
Ulionestia

Kaz and Guido are up followed by Nester & Ulionestia.

Kazmere watches Ahrisma charge at guido and sees an opening to strike. With an elegant spin he comes across and slices into her sideways with his scimitar.

Move, drawing as part of move and attack Ahrisma

Guido smiles as Ahrisma steps into the old one-two. Guido's knife hand strikes fly towards pressure points to cause crippling pain.

Left Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Non-Lethal Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Right Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 Non-Lethal Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Free Intimidate from Enforcer: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/skills/intimidate.html#_intimidate

Ahrisma, shaken by Guido's dazzling display of martial artistry barely notices Kaz's scimitar slicing deeply into her midsection. Moments later she joins Shaolo on the tavern floor.

Kaz's Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24, Damage: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Nester leaps up from his chair and pulls a sword from his cane! Clearly not the cripple he as feigned to be he moves face to face with the spellcaster who begins to cast a spell. Nester swings, hoping to interrupt her. Unfortunately he misses and the aquarium in the center of the tavern shatters, exposing a gaping hole in the floor that drops straight down into the water.

Nester AoO: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Round 2

Chak Chak
Fosco
Ahrisma - unconscious, bleeding
Shaolo - unconscious, bleeding
Kazmere
Guido
Nester
Ulionestia

The party may act in any order.

The halfling starts his movement across the room, kind of amazed at Nester's miraculous recovery. Something doesn't quite seem right about it, and he looks at him incredulously. It also seems strange about the aquarium. Fosco hoped they would at least be able to defeat their assailants, then they could deal with Nester afterwards.

Eagle Attack: (on Ulionestia)
Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage 1d4 ⇒ 2
Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Damage 1d4 ⇒ 4
Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage 1d4 ⇒ 3
Fosco's Sense Motive on Nester 1d20 ⇒ 4

Edit: Also, I was too far away for the eagle to get a full attack on the last round. Please just use the first attack from last round when determining her damage.

Guido moves next to Ulionestia and grabs the hand she used to defend herself with, swiftly transitioning into an arm lock.

Imp Grapple: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Yep...I'm pretty sure she's grappled!

While attempting to bat the eagle away, Guido manages to restrain the gillman caster. She hisses in protest.

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

if theres any body left... i'm move in for the kill... other wise i'll stair on in amusement at guido and ulionestia...

With Ulionestia restrained, Chak Chak moves in and renders her unconscious. You manage to find some rope and cloth napkins behind the bar and are able to bind and gag her while you figure out your next step.

Seeing that the threat has been neutralized Nester returns his sword to its carved scabbard...disguised as a cane once again. With a wink he says "I guess you've seen through my ruse. If you would...please keep it to yourself. You'd be surprised how advantageous it is to feign being a cripple in my line of work." He gives the Azlanti bartender a slight prod with his cane as he ambles passed her. "Now let us retrieve our artifact and bring this lump to the Azlanti embassy!"

Once at the Azlanti embassy you find that the Gillmen there are completely unaware of the activities of the bartender and her allies, and in fact seem a bit put off that you even brought it up.

Rather than travel back to Absalom on foot Nester books passage for you on a ship and even springs for luxury accommodations. You make your way back to the Lodge, and Drandle Dreng is glad you were not duped. He believes that the three gillmen were Aspis Consortium agents, and warns you that the Aspis Consortium is the greatest threat to the Pathfinder Society and that you should be ever vigilant against the organization in your ongoing careers.

You say your goodbyes to Nester and return to your rooms at the Lodge. As you lay your head down to rest you hear the crinkle of paper underneath your pillow. You slide it out and scan the details for your next assignment. Looks like this night's sleep will be your last good one for a while....