GM Blazej 0-01: Silent Tide (Inactive)

Game Master Zynete

While the attack doesn't hit, the thug shows no inclination to continue fighting in the state he is in. After a moment of debate of whether he could force his way out of the tower, he instead falls back to the corner.

The hound shows no hesitation as he charges after Taman and is immediately struck by his large blade. The dog collapses the ground but with Luralee's attention quickly stabilizes.

Round 4
Fifi Vanaash
Midge
Hskoro Tailfeather
Taman Hornraven
Luralee Worgbear
War Hounder Blue (4 damage, cowering)
Chou Wei
Nessian

Chou opens the door and goes straight in.

"Time to end this madness."

Open door, 5 ft step in, total defense. Saving my last parry for Nessian.

"You're taking the words right out of me you do-gooder."

Among the debris of the tower is a stairway heading upwards where Nessian stands strapping a shield to his arm. On same level as you are a pair of thugs waiting. Each are growling as they swing their saps threateningly. Every couple moments though they glance at stairs as Nessian moves down.

"Good boys."

Nessian finishes donning his shield and weapon, a flail with drill like spikes lining the weapon's end. His body is indistinct and has no defined edges, some magic that obscures his form at play.

Round 4
Fifi Vanaash
Midge
Hskoro Tailfeather
Taman Hornraven
Luralee Worgbear
Chou Wei
War Hounder Blue (4 damage, cowering)
Nessian
War Hounder Green (readied)
War Hounder Red (readied)

Moving onto the stairs will be difficult terrain.

Seeing as the guard in the tower has lost the will to fight, Hskoro rushes to join the rest in the main tower.

Spotting the dog down, he pays little attention as he enters the main tower and pushes past Chou to face the two War Hounders protecting Nessian.

He hisses at them before giving a reptilian smirk, "Begone you two or be taken down."

Double Move: 40'

Both of them whip their saps at Hskoro as he approaches and one even lands a solid blow on the armor, but even then it lacked the force to do any damage through the scale mail.

They still stand defiant, but look far more to their leader as they worry for their own safety.

Taman moves onto the stairs and attacks Nessian.

to hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (5, 2) + 6 = 13

confirm crit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 5) + 6 = 13

"This will teach you a lesson!"

Nessian Concealment 1-20 misses: 1d100 ⇒ 19

Let me know if you have additional modifiers that would affect this check against his concealment.

The attack hews through the edge of his blurred form and carves through a portion of the stairs. Nessian gloats despite how close to he just came to an immediate demise.

"Do you think I was just pawing around you were bashing in my doors? I have paid a pretty penny for magic to keep my head attached to my body! Heh, well someone else paid for it at least."

After ensuring the dog will make it, Luralee moves through the door and attacks the green scarfed guard...

Shillelagh: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 = 15...DMG: 2d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5, 6) + 4 + 1 = 16

The eagle swoops into the tower and pecks at the blue guard with his beak.
Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Midge hurries to the front door of the tower as fast as she can.

Double move!

Fifi runs towards the action to the best of her ability.
Run full-round action

"We meet at last, sinner! I'll say it again and never be tired from it. Throw down your weapons, and Sarenrae shall be merciful."-Fifi says while looking at the thugs.

Turning towards Nessian, she declares-"And you! If you care so much about your life, then surrender before Taman crushes you with his big strong arms!"

I recognize talking with no actions involved won't get me far. However, I do like the banter a lot!

Luralee's weapon brings down another of the thugs, but Nessian doesn't seem too greatly affected by the loss.

"You think I'm worried? On the day of my induction into my rightful place among the lords of Absalom? My men fight as pack and I'm the top dog! You are nothing but mewling kittens before the War Hounders! Come on boys! Hunt them down!"

Round 4
Fifi Vanaash
Midge
Hskoro Tailfeather
Taman Hornraven
Luralee Worgbear
Chou Wei
Nessian
War Hounder Blue (4 damage, cowering)
War Hounder Green (16 damage)
War Hounder Red

Chou walks up to the last nearby thug and takes a quick shot at his flank.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 Nope

"I wiw take cawefuw notes of your pack fighting stwategy... but I don't thing we'w be using it. It doesn't seem vewy effective."

The thug takes a quick swing at Chou before trying to make room between himself and the Pathfinders. He quickly runs his back in the wall and shouts obscenities as he tries to muster the courage to stand for the fight.

Thug Sap Attack vs Chou: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Damage - Nonlethal: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Nessian is booming with confidence as he swings his flail. With a quick twist he tries to catch Taman off guard. The gang leaders cackling between hoots and howls telegraphs his plans and the barbarian to detect the ruse and avoid the blow.

"Don't matter, the next one will get you! Come on men! Get in here and deal with these whelps! If you want to just sit back and hide, I'll hunt down each and everyone of you! I'll throw you and your entire lot into the doghouse!"

Feint Taman DC 12: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Attack Taman: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 - 1 = 9
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Round 5
Fifi Vanaash
Midge
Hskoro Tailfeather
Taman Hornraven
Luralee Worgbear
Chou Wei
Nessian (20% concealment)
War Hounder Blue (4 damage, cowering)
War Hounder Red

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"Hmm... usuawy a doghouse is not much biggew than the dog... fitting mowe than one pewson in a doghouse sounds vewy difficult."

"That is why it is going to be so uncomfortable the entire wretched lot who don't come to heel when their leader demands!"

With no where left to escape to, the rapier blow connects and the thug falls to the ground.

Round 5
Fifi Vanaash
Midge
Hskoro Tailfeather
Taman Hornraven
Luralee Worgbear
Chou Wei
Nessian (20% concealment)
War Hounder Blue (4 damage, cowering)
War Hounder Red (6 damage)

With her remaining move action since he fell, Chou will sheath her blade.

"Wew... comfowt won't be a pwoblem. To fit them they would need to be chopped up... so they would be dead. I don't undewstand why you awe so indiwect with you'we thweats. You could just say beat them up ow die. That's easiew..."

"You will not do that again!" rage

To hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
damage: 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (6, 3) + 9 = 18
Nessian Concealment 1-20 miss: 1d100 ⇒ 98

Midge's magical eagle vanishes.

Back at the main tower, Midge (five foot) steps inside. Unable to make it into melee combat, and with a difficult shot at any of her enemies, she pulls out a wand. With a flick of her wrist she points it at Nessian, causing a blast of magic energy to fly right at him!

Wand of magic missile!
Force Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Luralee moves around the room to get next to the red scarfed thug against the wall and swings her club at him...

Shillelagh: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13...DMG: 2d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5, 3) + 4 + 1 = 13

With no clear path towards her target, Fifi drops her guard, seeing Taman's mighty blows and looking a bit too much at his muscle-y back.

She shakes her head in embarrassment, and with fervor and zeal proclaims to Nessian-"The last of your men has been defeated. If you value your life above all else, then surrender to the Dawnflower's light! Take this chance to save yourself, or fall like a cornered pup to Taman's blade!"-her hair lighting up like a torch with new fuel and her eyes glowing yellow-ish white like the sun.

Spending standard action to Intimidate Nessian
Intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Luralee moves around the room to get next to the red scarfed thug against the wall and swings her club at him...

Apologies, I missed marked the last thug, he was knocked out by Chou, I understand options are limited, but you can change your action for the turn if you wish.

Nessian barely escapes Taman's deadly blow as it is deflected by an invisible barrier protecting his body, but ends up unable to avoid Midge's magical attack.

"Like Hell they have! Get out here now men!" Nessian bravado seems shattered as he looks for any sign of aid.

Round 5
Fifi Vanaash
Midge
Hskoro Tailfeather
Taman Hornraven
Luralee Worgbear
Chou Wei
Nessian (2 damaage, 20% concealment, shaken)
War Hounder Blue (4 damage, cowering)
War Hounder Red (6 damage)

no worries

With no one to attack Luralee waits for Taman to finish the man off

I suspect Hskoro's turn may be similar, if there is any action he can take though he can feel free to still take it (including going outside to check look for surprise attack, for example), but move onto the next round where there is a bit more room to act.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 - 2 = 6
Fall Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

With no sign of his gang, Nessian calls out and tries, very briefly, to push past Taman. It doesn't take him more than a moment how fruitless that effort would be and reverses direction up the stairs with another expletive on off his tongue. Escape at the forefront of his mind he rushes through the room and off the siege bridge. He tries to hit the ground with a roll, but in his haste ends up slamming face first into the earth. All the while he has little to say but obscenities not fit for reproduction.

During this he provokes from Taman.

Round 6
Fifi Vanaash
Midge
Hskoro Tailfeather (Can still take round 5 action if you wish)
Taman Hornraven (Can take AoO)
Luralee Worgbear
Chou Wei
Nessian (8 damaage, 20% concealment, shaken, prone, cursing)

Fifi takes the chance to sprint towards Nessian, with hope still in her eyes. "Last chance, Nessian. Surrender now..."-Fifi's eyes light up with heavenly fire, and her scimitar lights up too.

Smite evil towards Nessian.

"Or be turned to ashes."-the ifrit woman declares to the prone Nessian.

If Nessian does not surrender, Fifi will strike with her full might (nonlethal damage nonetheless)

With the two guards down, Hskoro continue to watch the battle between Taman and Nessian. Ready to join in if things go sour for Taman.

AoO attack:

to hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
damage: 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (1, 8) + 9 = 18
Nessian Concealment 1-20 miss: 1d100 ⇒ 9

Taman headed for Nessian.
"You can't run from me! Breathe your last breath!"

to hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
damage: 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (3, 4) + 9 = 16
Nessian Concealment 1-20 miss: 1d100 ⇒ 62

"You cannot hold me! I will remember each of you and come back with complete fury! Nothing will stop me from taking my place among the powerful in Absalom!" While he continues ranting as he tries to get up the attacks bring him down.

Yargos moves slowly to not get in the way. "Now we just need the codebook where ever he may have secured it."

The upper level of the tower is littered with various colored lanterns across the ground and the desk. A bridge extends outward to the exterior of the building with the intent of use during a siege.

Is Nessian dead or unconcious?
Fifi goes for looking for the thug that was cowering before. As she sees him running away and knows that she won't catch up to him in time to apprehend him, she decides it's best to leave him with a piece of wisdom.

"Stay in schoooool!"-she says to him with a loud voice, waving with a smile. Seems like Ifrit's zeal and fervor has died down and she's returned to the bubbly girl you met at the Lodge.

Fifi leaves the looking for everyone else, instead making sure no lives are lost. She goes through every corpse in the hopes of finding a thug still alive, and apply first aid to him if needed.

Stabilize: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

With Nessian down, Hskoro approaches him and starts to search him for the codex.

Perception DC10: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Hskoro removes everything that looks important on Nessian, including his weapon. "He doesn't have the codex on him. He does have some interesting items though."

Hskoro reveals to the others what he found on Nessian before he moves on to search for the codex.

Perception DC10: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Searching the tower, Hskoro finally approaches a desk and finds a hidden compartment that has the codex in it.

"Found it!" He holds up the notebook.

Nessian barely survived the final blow and, with some exceptions, most of the war hounders survived their own blows. The remaining conscious member looks back to hear the cry but doesn't wait around to see if another bird appears to attack him.

Yargos gladly takes hold if it and within a minute has the abort code. He asks for someone aid in sending the signal from the tower. It isn't immediately clear if it was successful, but the tower some of the lingering mist over the Puddles retreats back into the sea.

"The Silent Tide is once more a relic for the ages. Thank you all for helping me put right this mistake at so much risk to yourselves." Yargos carefully wraps the codebook once more offering it to Midge to safeguard. "If I'm ever need of aid, I know who I will be turning toward."

"Our mission is done. Lets take the codebook and Yargos back safely to the Venture-Captain to secure our mission."

Fifi ties all of them up with her rope, taking off any weapons and gold they have. She asks Taman to stand by in case they try to escape and wakes them up one by one, basically creating a leash that is holding a Thug Prisoner Line.

"Can we drop these off at the nearest garrison?"-asks Fifi to Hskoro, kinda embarrassed at the line she's gathered. "Wouldn't want them causing any more trouble. They must think about their mistakes and learn in meditation!"-she says while pulling at the 'leash'.

Assumed I could tie them up, wake them up and Taman's cooperation. I understand if any of those are not possible.

Midge helps Hskoro look for the codebook.

"You found it! Great!" Midge exclaims happily. She helps Yargos make the appropriate signals, and accepts the book with great solemnity. "Thank you for all your help, Yargos." she offers him a handshake and a big grin.

After she's put away the codebook she helps Fifi with her prisoner line.

"Sounds good! Are we missing anything?"

Then she narrows her eyes at the prisoners, "And don't try any funny business!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Content that the codebook is safe, Chou looks around the premise for the doghouse, and begins to take measurements.

Hskoro helps Fifi tie up the prisoners, especially Nessian.

"If they try anything, they will be looking for a world of hurt." He hisses.

Intimidation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"Don't move a muscle!" Taman said to the prisoners.

The animation that plays across their bodies are just as active, but none of them are showing any dedication to contest the party. Nessian along the way is always eyeing escape routes, but as soon as Taman, Hskoro, or Midge give him any sort of glare he backs down instantly.

The city guard takes on the line of prisoners after hearing their crimes. The guard thanks you for your efforts although few recognize the true danger the Silent Tide had posed and that you all had stopped.

Yargos falls back to settle matters with his friends and check their safety leaving you to complete your mission, which has taken you through the sunset until after dawn to complete.

Adril Hestrem greets you with a broad smile of a man who got a full night's sleep.

"You all took a bit longer than I was expecting. I assume you ran into more than a bit of trouble. Let me hear your report."

Hskoro speaks up. "First we head to take care of the Grain Silos from being poisoned, we then had to win the support of Grandmaster Torch by unlocking some chests. When we left his place, we had to stop the undead army spies from signaling the entire undead army to start invading. Finally we had to raid Nessian stronghold. Thankfully everything went smoothly."

"Oh... almost forgot. Before all that we had to rescue Yargos from drowning by some gang hoodlums."

Midge nods. "All in a day's work!"

Adril laughs rumbles through the room as he hears the report. "Seems you all got lucky today to have this land in your laps. It sometimes can take years for a Pathfinder to get a story this impressive. Make sure to get it down and I'm sure you will see a lot more recognition in the days to come."

"I'm especially impressed with coming out with the support of Torch, be careful though you didn't promise the shirt off your back though, because over the years he has shown he remembers debts and slights dealt to him."

"When you think about it, it's certainly awe-inspiring. I'm glad I got to meet you guys."-Fifi says while turning to the group.

The ifrit girl gets teary-eyed-"It was clearly the Everlight's wish to put you guys in my path. Thank you for...this. I've been living in Absalom for 2 years now, and all of that time I just didn't seem to grasp the concept of being a Paladin."

She wipes a tear off her face and continues-"But I know now. I know I may have looked like a scaredy-cat before, but I finally know what the Dawnflower wants me to be. She wants me to be a beacon, for those that need my light to clear their path. And I couldn't have done it without you."

She gives everyone the warmest hug imaginable and starts writing in her diary what she has learned in this adventure. Unbeknownst to the male members of the group, however, she does try to draw both Taman and Hskoro on the sheets of parchment. She pays no mind at the female members watching her write it down, but closes the book if the muscly pair ever get too close.

Chou consults her journal and adds a new set of entries under the heading 'Verification,' reading them out loud as she writes them.

1 - The subjects did not attempt to obtain access to the Puddles District residence of Expedition Specialist. Requesting waiver due to foreknowledge of Expedition Specialist's location.
2 - The subjects acquired ancient Taldan codebook from Expedition Specialist. Presentation of codebook to Expedition Assignee verifies requirement.
3 - Expedition specialist escorted to Expedition Assignee. Assessment of identification by expedition assignee verifies requirement.
4 - Subjects returned with remaining vitality. Requirement verified by inspection.

Finally she hands the journal to Adril. "Can you please sign here?"

Taman stands by the side and watches.

What a team!

Upon being presented paperwork Adril shows none of the exuberance he had been showing. After a moment of looking through the papers as though he were passed an infernal contract noncommittally scrawls on the page.

"In any case, get rest. If the call goes out for another mission you will need to be ready."