GM Black Powder Chocobo's PbP Case of Missing Persons (Inactive)

Game Master Black Powder Chocobo

I don't know about you but that is beyond anything I can do. Maybe someone back in town would be able to assist.

"Oh that... he's been like that for years!", Fiffernetter exclaims. "Golly, I have tried everything I could to get him back to his senses, since he is a lousy conversationalist like this. But gosh darn it, he didn't get aaaaany better.", she pouts. "Maybe though, he'd get better if you got him back together with the other half that left wearing his real body and you undo the ritual that switched them!"

Fiffernetter then gets a stick and starts drawing in the dirt, with a pair of stick men used for Lofton and presumably Venza. "Undoing the ritual is reeeeeeal easy! All you hafta do is is tie the two of them together with vines and throw them into a source of pure water, then sever the vines to break the link!"

She looks at the blank, yet smiling face of Lofton. "Well, at least he's still happy in case you can't do the thing." Fiffernetter then gives Nijena one last hug. "Okays, he's all yours as promised. Ta ta!" With that, the small gerbie frolics back into the forest.

What does the party do?

take him back to Lofton?

"Thanks madame!" Zarzuket bows to the gerbie. "Come along Pip. We should head back all..no?"

Int check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Int check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Since we know what to do then, let's go ahead and call the Venture Captain in.

Activate raven token with brief message attached.

About five minutes after the raven is sent out, it is returned with a missive from Pentulegro:

Please return Lofton to the Woodsedge Lodge, where we can keep him safe and honor our word to Venza to get him to safety for the information.

The party makes their way through the forest and is about 30 minutes away from the Lodge when Pentulegro's voice can be heard in everyone's head.

Pathfinders! The fake Alois Lofton has been arrested and 'tried' by the Gardeners! He is scheduled to be executed at sundown! Please rescue him from the Woodsedge Jail!

It is currently 4pm, leaving the party only 3 hours to prepare and head to the jail before the execution commences.

Alright party, what do you do?

No chance to regain spells... f$%&

I've got a wand of infernal healing if anyone needs it. I'm not sure how useful I can be with only one shocking grasp left but I am up for trying.

boop myself

I'm out of spells too. Did she give us anything to help?

Unfortunately yes. this scenario is a bit cruel there... mostly because that battle was incredibly rough on you guys.

And no for other help. You do have some time to plan which will be your best weapon, and you have made some other contacts that may be able to assist you with your planning, if you seek their help.

Also, don't forget that Pentulegro did give you a few supplies; 3 doses of oil of taggit, 2 potions of invisibility, an elixir of truth, and a lesser silent metamagic rod.

Erevan puts a hand to his blade.

"I have little to add aside from the finest swordsmanship this side of Andoran. It would be nice to have some spells for backup, but I'm sure it will be enough," he says.

Maybe have the two potions of invisibility passed out so we can get in better position?

I think we should stock up on some potions as well

You do have time and can make some purchases from the Lodge for supplies. What do you wish to pick up?

I'd like to get scrolls of eagle's splendor, osbursing mist, protection from evil, grease, summon monster II, invisibility (2), and bulls strength

As a swordsman, I doubt there's much I could pick up that would help for me. Hopefully, the casters have wands or other backup to help in the fight.

Done Zarzuket!. That'll be 825gp! Any other purchases? I should be able to move forward with the next map tomorrow morning.

lets ask the guard if she knows about the jail or can get us in there?

The party decides to get some intel from Ottavia. They catch her just as she is leaving her post, and she thus requests everyone follow her to her favored haunt, the Drunken Morlock.

After the group explains their plight to the guard, she sighs. "That is one pickle you are in. I can tell you about the place, but I can't help you more than that." She then leans in to whisper, "If word got out I helped you all with a jailbreak, it'd cost me my job, and only that if I am lucky."{/b]

Continuing in a low voice, she starts going over the prison. [b]"So there will be up to a half-dozen guards at all times with a high-profile execution like this happening. The entrance will likely have a couple of them posted to make sure no one gets through without legitimate business... I can help you that much at least. But after those guards will be the Keeper of the Logs, who notes everyone who comes in. They also have to check any notes asking for a prisoner's entrance or release, too. "

"Around the corner to the right will be the office for the prison officer in charge of the place... Raevelin Harlowe. Luckily, with such a major event happening, she'll likely be sticking to paper inside unless the alarm is given. Just past her office will be the portcullis that blocks off the cellblocks. A guard is stationed there with a key to the winch."

"So the last thing I can do is I can get back into my guard outfit and walk you past the Keeper of the Logs, but only if you can find a nonviolent way to break Lofton free."

Map updated to reflect the intel Ottavia provided! For reference, the entrance is on the bottom left portion of the map.

Finally, for purposes of a non-violent plan for the breakout, this is using the 3 phase process: A setup phase where everyone needs to decide what they are doing to prepare for the event, an action phase where you execute the plan, and then... the something else, which will be determined based on how the first two parts pan out. In all phases, you will have to make a skill check based on what you are doing, although good RP'ing or use of boons/expenditures can give you bonuses.

what about if we pretend Pip is a new prisoner? We get him to the back of the cells? Hope the prison cell where Lofton is then feed him a potion of invisibility? Anyone have disable device?

Interesting idea... not sure how Pip will handle it. It does give meanother idea too, but let's see what everyone else contributes!

I'm definitely replacing my CLW and CMW potions. I might other stuff depending on the plan. How does Pip work exactly? Specifically how do you recall him and how well does he work separate from you?

If we can pull him back pretty easy, then we should have someone invisible go in with him. That way we also don't have to worry about him being caught with the other invisibility potion on him. Of course then how does everyone get back past the portcullis?

I have a +2 to DD but no tools. My stealth also isn't great at a +3. Anyone else better built to sneak in?

I recalled him after the fight with the troll. And it takes a standard action to dismiss him. Eidolon I got some invisibility scrolls that I can use on the party too.

I got an eagles splendor potion too to boost my CHA. Maybe we can bluff our way past the guards at the portcullis?

if the GM allows it we might be able to get tools in the 2 hours we have?if you have 100 gp you can get masterwork tools

Not bad ideas for sure. And yes, Ottavia can sell you some confiscated MW thieves' tools if need be.

I'll buy the tools. What about if we got something to cause the guards to come back into the back area while we slip out via the hall?

For example, some kind of bomb/firework that we set off in one of the cages after we get the guy and go invisible. That way when they go to the back, we can try to slip by... The problem is if we bump into people in the hall. Maybe have colorspray ready lol

So the plan is to slip in, use Pip as the reason to get back in there, then have Lofton chug the invis potion before setting off some kind of distraction to make your escapes. Is that correct?

I like the plan!

What is our distraction of choice?

if things go bad then maybe we can cause a distraction?

Sorry... local con ate a lot more of my time! Should be good by Monday

Guess the party will plan on the distraction when it comes up!

In either case, each person needs to make either a Disguise or a Bluff check to pose as a guard. Pip can also make a roll to aid anyone, but doesn't count as a success.

Zarzuket puts on the guards uniform and casts eagle splendor outside the range of the guard station.

bluff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

I can cast invisibility on anyone that wants to sneak past the guard station with us

that foul gnome has the gall to drag me back

bluff aid zarzuket: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Nijena changes her armor a bit, puts some dirt here and there, just to look like a local guard.
Disguise: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Erevan does his best to blend it, already looking a bit like a guard.

bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 12

I will allow the invisibility as an auto pass for 1 person, perhaps our magus who hasn't posted :)

With Pip in tow, Nijena, Zarzuket, and Erevan lead the way with Ottavia following along for support. Arkynn tags along invisibly and hopefully quickly!

"We finally found the peeping tom that's been spying on the mayor's wife.", Ottavia mentions to the guards outside of the prison. "Bout bloody time.", one mentions, opening the gate for the party to enter. "Wait, why are there four of you for just one old man?", the other asks. Ottavia pauses for a second before replying, "We need this many to make sure he doesn't just randomly drop his pants." The guard then nods in agreement. "Right, nobody wants to see that."

With that, the party is escorted in. The keeper of records right inside looks up and asks, "Who is the guilty party and the person's crime?"

"Pip, pervert.", Ottavia quickly answers, trying to leave little room for any rebuttals. "Right-o. Tell Sarrel cellblock three."

Ottavia then nods to the party and departs, leaving the others to move forward on their own. The group then leads forward, although they are aware that the keeper looks intently on the party.

At the end of the hallway, a lone guard blocks the portcullis to the cells behind him. "Oy, where's dis blighta goin'?", he asks.

What does everyone do/ask?

Zarzuket replies "Ottavia has him" He points to Pip "For being a peeing Tom. Said cellblock three"

bluff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

this had better work

using reroll

bluff reroll: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

don't know if I can aid (above) with Diplomacy?

Pip turns to the guard. "We don't want an issue sir. We'd just like to move along without any trouble."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

OR just bluff?

aid: 1d20 ⇒ 11

If I can get the invisibility, it would be much appreciated

"Like they said...we're here for the guy in cell block three," Eravan says with bravado.

diplo aid: 1d20 ⇒ 18

"Ahh, right-o!", the guard almost too comfortable sending an old man to a cell. He takes a key from his pocket and inserts it into the side of a winch that now loosens. He then cranks in several times, lifting the portcullis door to the ceiling. "I'll await, mates."

The party is now in the cell blocks. The sole prisoner is on the right side. His eyes widen as the party approaches. In a loud whisper, he tries to contact the group. "Yo! You guys! Get me outta here! I ain't any use to you dead!"

"Shaddup, blade-bait! Yer gettin' offed today so just live wit it! Ha ha ha!", the portcullis guard shouts, although he now looks intently towards the cellblocks after "Lofton's" outburst.

Your goal is to slip 'Lofton' the invisibility potion... so you will have to either distract the guard, sleight of hand it to him, or do something else that will work towards that goal.

Erevan tries to distract the guard so someone else can hand the prisoner the potion.

"Friend...tell me the plan for the execution..."

bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Zarzuket buts in near Erevan to distract the guard.

"Friend you know these guards can't spill their secrets"

bluff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Pip tries to distract the guard by being truthful.

"My dear guard I hope the execution is the gnome in the guards uniform right there!" He points towards Zarzuket with a nod of his head.

Diplomacy/aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

While Pip aids Zarzuket's attempt to distract the guard, Erevan's initial question does little to get his attention.

Nijena and Arkynn, can you salvage this?

I will try

"Hey, mister. A brave man like you will of course not do something unlawful, am I right? Look what I have here. That's the freshest oil I purchased only a few days ago." Nijena opens a bottle of oil of bless weapon. "Smells good." she says with a smile. "I'm using it almost every day, when I have to fight daemons. This is what I do with the aid of my god." The paladin closes the bottle and puts it back into her pocket. She starts to begin a verbal journey through her past adventure life.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

no...

I like the RP which would give you a bonus.... just not high enough of one. Hopefully Arkynn can do something awesome!

The bottle will have a note that says "drink me when door opens"

sleight of hand: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

insert expletive here

Ready an action for if the guard comes this way

I don't suppose Pip could punch somebody and start a ruckus in that direction?

I can have Zarzuket kick him not TOO hard, if the GM will let me

Arkynn moves to hand Lofton the invisibility potion when it happens.

She butterfingers.

With an audible 'clank', the glass hits the ground, amazingly not shattering. Still, the others fail to distract the guard well enough for Arkynn to retrieve the potion and the guard asks, "What's that?", as he approaches the vial.

Does Pip want to jump into some kind of action?

Pip pushes back at Zarzuket and shouts.

"Stop mishandling me you SHORT idiot!"

bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 16