”Raynard Milton” | Male N Elf Magus 5 | HP 38/38 | AC 22, T 15, FF 17 | CMB +1 CMD 16 | F +5 R +8 W +5 | Init +8 | Perc +2 SM +0 | Speed 30ft | arcane pool 6/6 | Active Conditions: None
"Guys, I have wand for healing if someone needs it but I can't use it!"
”Raynard Milton” | Male N Elf Magus 5 | HP 38/38 | AC 22, T 15, FF 17 | CMB +1 CMD 16 | F +5 R +8 W +5 | Init +8 | Perc +2 SM +0 | Speed 30ft | arcane pool 6/6 | Active Conditions: None
Raynard take his wand and tries to use it on Robbin and Wheeler.
”Raynard Milton” | Male N Elf Magus 5 | HP 38/38 | AC 22, T 15, FF 17 | CMB +1 CMD 16 | F +5 R +8 W +5 | Init +8 | Perc +2 SM +0 | Speed 30ft | arcane pool 6/6 | Active Conditions: None
”Raynard Milton” | Male N Elf Magus 5 | HP 38/38 | AC 22, T 15, FF 17 | CMB +1 CMD 16 | F +5 R +8 W +5 | Init +8 | Perc +2 SM +0 | Speed 30ft | arcane pool 6/6 | Active Conditions: None
Conditions: Wheeler - 11 dmg;
Ninnic - dmg;
Raynard - dmg;
Red - dmg;
Green - dmg;
Robbin - 1 dmg;
Cortland - 17 dmg; out of the game unless player returns;
Blue - dmg;
Cyan - dmg;
Gorak - 1 dmg;
Once again, everyone, I'm sorry for how delayed this game has been. Welcome to the finale.
I've left Cortland upstairs, and wounded, for now. If it turns out that his player is available and wants to continue playing I'll add him in (and we can assume that he was healed up while you were all upstairs).
The pathfinders assemble at the bottom of the wooden ladder in a mostly bare corridor. A few crates can be seen against the south wall but otherwise the scene is empty. And quiet. Too quiet, given the hullaballoo that has recently unfolded upstairs, and the fact that one of their enemies came down this very same ladder just short moments ago.
Raynard opens the nearest door and Wheeler steps through, sword at the ready. A long wooden table sits in the center of the room, surrounded by chairs. Covering the surface are several maps and diagrams. A hand-drawn, poster-sized map of Ilsurian is nailed to the north wall. However, there is no time to really examine these details, for just beyond the door another one of Monchello's lackeys waits, sword at the ready. As he strikes, the other doors on the corridor also swing open, and the pathfinders find themselves in the midst of an ambush!
The Green-clad foe who was waiting just behind the door stabs Wheeler, leaving him grievously wounded!
Just across the hall a similar-looking foe with a Red bandana opens the door and steps forward, short sword at the ready.
Down the hall, two other doors open and two skulks step out. The group recognizes one of them as the blue-garbed one who recently escaped from their grasp upstairs. He looks as though his wounds have been healed.
Their foe from earlier in the day, the black-clad Borvius Monchello, is nowhere to be seen.
”Raynard Milton” | Male N Elf Magus 5 | HP 38/38 | AC 22, T 15, FF 17 | CMB +1 CMD 16 | F +5 R +8 W +5 | Init +8 | Perc +2 SM +0 | Speed 30ft | arcane pool 6/6 | Active Conditions: None
Conditions:
Wheeler - 15 dmg; unconscious; prone; weapon dropped in square; dying;
Ninnic - dmg;
Raynard - dmg;
Red - 10 dmg;
Green - 5 dmg;
Robbin - 1 dmg;
Cortland - 17 dmg; out of the game unless player returns;
Blue - dmg;
Cyan - dmg;
Gorak - 1 dmg;
Raynard strikes Red, leaving him wobbling on his feet.
Red promptly steps back 5' through the open door from which he came, holding his side in pain.
Green, on the other hand, attempts to finish the job against Wheeler.
short sword:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 dmg:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Wheeler attempts to parry the blow but unfortunately his luck is against him for now, as the brave swashbuckler is knocked unconscious from the blow.
Conditions:
Wheeler - 16 dmg; unconscious; prone; weapon dropped in square; dying;
Ninnic - dmg;
Raynard - dmg;
Red - 13 dmg; unconscious; prone; weapon dropped in square; dying;
Green - 5 dmg;
Robbin - 1 dmg;
Cortland - 17 dmg; out of the game unless player returns;
Blue - dmg;
Cyan - dmg;
Gorak - 1 dmg;
Robbin-bot moves up 5' and punches at Red but narrowly misses with his first punch...
Robbin-bot, flurry unarmed strike:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 dmg:1d6 ⇒ 3
... however his second punch just connects, and the blow is enough to send the already wounded Red tumbling unconscious to the floor.
Cortland on perma-delay unless his player returns.
The Blue skulk draws and throws a dagger at Raynard...
dagger:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
... but he misses badly; he then steps backward 5', waving his short sword menacingly in his other hand.
The Cyan skulk steps forward 5' and also draws and throws a dagger with his free hand at Raynard.
dagger, 2nd range increment:1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 4 - 2 = 16
... he too misses, though just by a hair, and grips his short sword a little tighter in anticipation of what may await.
Wheeler stabilization check:1d20 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (5) + 1 - 3 = 3one more point of dmg to Wheeler.
”Raynard Milton” | Male N Elf Magus 5 | HP 38/38 | AC 22, T 15, FF 17 | CMB +1 CMD 16 | F +5 R +8 W +5 | Init +8 | Perc +2 SM +0 | Speed 30ft | arcane pool 6/6 | Active Conditions: None
Green steps over the unconscious body of Wheeler and swings at...
target, N 1, R 2:1d2 ⇒ 2 ... Robbin.
shortsword:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 dmg:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
... badly wounding the tengu monk.
Cyan targets G 1, R 2:1d2 ⇒ 1
Cyan hurls another dagger, this time at Gorak...
Dagger:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
... but it bounces harmlessly off a wall.
Just as it appears that the pathfinders are gaining the upper hand against their foes, a new enemy - a familiar one - appears! Borvius Monchello, who they last saw in their battle at the Manor house, appears around a corner and strides down the hall, a longsword in one hand and a short sword in the other. "So, pathfinders, you didn't have the sense to clear out of town?!? Or let the dunce of a sheriff "arrest" you all and leave that way? Fine, there's more than one way to "solve a problem." And you have become a problem, no doubt about it, and this time I'll handle you my own way! Say your prayers and prepare to die!" With that, he swings at Raynard...
long sword:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 dmg:1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
... opening a gash in the magus' side!
Wheeler stabilization:1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 1 - 4 = 8Wheeler takes 1 more point of dmg
”Raynard Milton” | Male N Elf Magus 5 | HP 38/38 | AC 22, T 15, FF 17 | CMB +1 CMD 16 | F +5 R +8 W +5 | Init +8 | Perc +2 SM +0 | Speed 30ft | arcane pool 6/6 | Active Conditions: None
Extracting his greatsword from the corpse of Brovius' minion, Gorak rounds on the newcomer with a wide smile. His tophat flashes from blue, to cyan, to purple, and then back to red as he laughs.
"Fancy meeting you here, Sir! Tis' my pleasure to assist you"
Cyan steps forward 5' to flank Raynard and stabs at him with his shortsword.
shortsword, flank:1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5
But seeing his fellow skulk bleeding to death has clearly upset him and his attack goes astray.
Monchello also attempts to take advantage of the flank on Raynard...
longsword, twf, flank:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 dmg:1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 shortsword, twf, flank:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28Uh oh CRIT CONFIRM? shortsword, twf, flank:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16Whew! dmg:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
... Monchello hits the magus twice, on the second blow just narrowly missing his gall bladder. Even so, Raynard teeters on the edge of consciousness!
Then Monchello steps backward 5' to get out of the flank.
Gorak, Ninnic, Raynard, and Robbin are up! Raynard, note that you are at 0 hp so you can only take a single move or standard action (as well as swift/immediate/free as usual) and any standard action will most likely cause you to take another 1 point of damage and drop you unconscious.
”Raynard Milton” | Male N Elf Magus 5 | HP 38/38 | AC 22, T 15, FF 17 | CMB +1 CMD 16 | F +5 R +8 W +5 | Init +8 | Perc +2 SM +0 | Speed 30ft | arcane pool 6/6 | Active Conditions: None
Conditions: Gorak - 1 dmg;
Wheeler - 18 dmg; unconscious; prone; weapon dropped in square; dying;
Ninnic - dmg;
Raynard - 18 dmg; unconscious; prone; weapon dropped in square; dying;
Red - 13 dmg; unconscious; prone; weapon dropped in square; stable; Green - 13 dmg; unconscious; prone; weapon dropped in square; stable; Robbin - 8 dmg;
Cortland - 17 dmg; out of the game unless player returns; Blue - 28 dmg; unconscious; prone; weapon dropped in square; dying;
Cyan - 2 dmg;
Black (Borvius Monchello) - 14 dmg;
Ninnic's bolts of force continue to wear the villain down.
Raynard courageously spends his last bit of strength to slash at Monchello, wounding him again before the pathfinder collapses at his feet.
Note that you can't attack around a hard corner so I've moved Raynard 5' to the north (5' step). Since Raynard becomes helpless after attacking, this square is now available for Gorak or Robbin if they wish to get toe to toe with Monchello. The square that Robbin is currently in, however, can't attack Monchello due to the hard corner.
Cyan steps forward 5' and tries to soften up the hulking half-orc that is harassing his master...
short sword:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
... but his aim is off.
Monchello himself is looking weakened, but determined. He swings with both of his weapons at Gorak.
longsword:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 dmg:1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 shortsword:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25Uh oh CRIT CONFIRM? shortsword:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 dmg:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Although Monchello doesn't quite remove one of Gorak's lungs, both of his blows strike home, leaving the brave half-orc teetering on the edge of collapse.
Beginning of Round 5
Wheeler stabilization:1d20 + 1 - 6 ⇒ (6) + 1 - 6 = 1Wheeler takes another 1 point of dmg
Raynard stabilization:1d20 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 - 1 = 5Raynard takes another 1 point of dmg
Gorak, Ninnic, and Robbin are up! Gorak, note that you are disabled (i.e. at 0 hp).
Robbin changes opponents and attacks Cyan the Skulker and adds a bite attack at the end because he is frustrated at fighting ineffectively. He realizes that he is letting the stress of the situation get to him and needs to focus.
With an anguished gasp, the bolt of force from Ninnic's wand sends Borvius Monchello - seemingly an esteemed citizen of Ilsurian, but in fact its leading crime boss - sends him clattering to the floor, unconscious and dying.
Robbin's punches and bite wound the last skulk, but with his boss lying on the floor he has no further appetite for combat, throws his sword to the ground, and begs for mercy. "They made me do it, they made me, I tell you..."
Gorak, near collapse, stands ready to defend against any further threats but, thankfully, the pathfinders have emerged victorious!
Monchello has some healing potions stuffed in his pocket and with them the heroes can save their unconscious friends from bleeding to death.
A search of the underground lair beneath the warehouse reveals ample evidence that Monchello was the leader of a growing crime syndicate, one that had begun with smuggling operations - rooted in his existing transport business - but was quickly diversifying into narcotics - such as those the skulks appeared to be addicted to - and outright thievery. Furthermore, documents in Monchello's desk reveal his nefarious plan to frame the carnival's sphinx for the gang's misdeeds - of course never realizing that the sphinx was an elaborate illusion - and, later, once the pathfinders' investigation proved troublesome to him, his plans to in fact frame the pathfinders themselves, culminating in the gruesome murders at the Braeton estate and the effort to make the Braeton children believe that "Robbin" and his comrades were responsible.
The sheriff is quite pleased to receive all this evidence and promptly locks Monchello and the surviving members of his gang up to await trial.
Mistress Delisen and the other members of the Carnival are equally thrilled to be exonerated and they assure you all that you will always have a home in the Umbra Carnival!
And thus concludes Murder's Mark! Please feel free to post any concluding roleplaying and also if you have any questions about the overall storyline I'll be happy to answer them now. I will note that the "mystery" aspect of this story was tough to figure out, not only because of the extended lapses in gameplay (for which, once again, I apologize), but also because at quite a few points you all missed clues due to some low skill rolls (or, in at least a couple of cases, you even got misleading clues because your skill rolls were ok, not quite high enough to get the actual clue).
I'll get the chronicles posted but probably not until the weekend (Thursday is the first day of the semester for me so I'll be pretty busy until then). Please check and make sure that I have all your info for your chronicle sheets (day job, etc.) and also let me know if you want to check any Faction Card box and need an adjudication in relation to that.
Once again, thanks to all of you for playing. This was far from what I consider my usual standard of GM-ing but I hope you all still managed to have fun.
Once all the thread tying is done, Robbin pipes up, Holy Special Delivery, P.F.s! We must hurry to get the letter to Captain Dreng's Granny on time. We've wasted much time here and nearly gotten ourselves detained in the process. Robbin can not seem to get out of this town fast enough.
Indeed, when the Pathfinders arrive at Madame Dreng's doorstep to deliver the birthday card, they quickly learn that she is not nearly so fond of him as he seems to be of her, as she chases the entire group off with a rolling pin that she wields with seemingly legendary proficiency!
