GM Bold Strider's PFS 00-07 Among the Living (Inactive)

Game Master rpblue

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."

“I 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.”

dot

A slight man in a worn and dusty overcoat furiously scribbles notes in a small notebook as the Venture-Captain explains the mission.

Hey, I've been to Oppara once. They have a great library there, with an impressive music history collection. I even made a friend there... well, sort of.

Bevek seems to be in a good mood, at least until VC Petulengro gets to the part about attending the opera. At the first mention of actually attending the performance, Bevek starts shaking his head.

Opera? Singing? Oh, no, I don't do singing. No. Nonononononono........No!

This draws a deep frown from the VC. Spotting her look, Bevek sags his shoulders and issues a deep sigh. Fine. I'll go to the opera. But I'm wearing my earplugs.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 Bevek has never heard of this Wuthers character.

dot

A tall man of orcish heritage sits quietly while listening to the Venture Captains briefing. He is dressed in a long black coat and wears a tall brown wizards hat on his back is a rather new looking great axe. At the mention of the Pathfinder Wuthers he tries to recall what he knows about the man.

Know Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Ahh that's right he's already made a name for himself in the chronicles.

After the briefing he speaks up, "Do we have a name for this cleric of Irori? Or was he only referred to as the cleric of Irori in Wuther's leters?"

We only know of the man as a cleric of Irori.

"Seems like a rather large over site for one that has made a name for himself in the chronicles. We will do our best to locate Wuthers and if needed help him secure this find of his."

diplomacy (Gather Information): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Brewslee listens, for the most part to the VC but he isn't really able to recall much of anything besides the location of each tavern in each city he has visited.

His ears perk at the mention of going to an Opera House and singing. I shall sing a rousing song with them He proclaims, probably more vocal than necessary in such a small room as he begins to sing very off key.

Not noticing that the rest of the group is holding their ears and cringing yhe finishes the song. We shall inveshtigate thish and do not worry....*Low rumble of a burp as he covers his mouth* we will not embarish you or the society...

Diplomacy - Gather Information: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

"Hmmph." Shu's comment is ambiguous and could mean interesting or boring or I have gas. Or he might have just been clearing this throat. Short even by the standards of his race, Shu is an old Tien gnome. He wears a simple hooded hanfu made from a material of the deepest black that contrasts strikingly with his white beard. His eyes are oddly mismatched with one slightly larger than the other.

A squeak comes from next to Shu, where his familiar, a white monkey, sits mimicking his master.

"I have read some things of this Wuthers boy. Orphan, yes? Abandoned on steps of Pathfinder lodge. Made big name for himself by running faster than stupid monkeys." An angry chitter comes from Shu's white companion, which Shu responds to with a few choice words in Tien before turning back to the VC.

"So we go to opera and sneak off to find boy. Anything else you want while we are there? Silverware, candlesticks? Hehe." his laugh is a little crazed and it's hard to tell if the last words were a joke.

”No moah of that tawking rlion and that bookshop!”, Mu Ping's voice carries in before he does, ”Oppella opela foh stupid heads!”. Suddenly he realizes he had followed the old gnome directly in the VC's chambers and it was all too late to pivot back out. "Crlap".

"Grleetings?", the native inflection of the Tian Xia people precedes a venerable human stepping into the room. The man has seen better days, his skin is gaunt, taunt and dark, much like the skewered grilled lizard he's snacking on. Grey robes of monastic traditions states his general neutrality on philosophical matters.

He flicks the remains of the garlic treat away; rests his cane and straw hat against the wall introduces himself to the VC and others. "I am Mu Ping. Rleporting foh duty." (Either someone needed a quota filled at the enlistment station or his application was misdirected from the Napfinders.)

Gob stands up and straightens his coat before looking over his fellow pathfinders. I can see how you have lost your patience over the years Master Zey. With a toothy smile the half-orc says, "My name is Gob and I was part of a hand selected group of pathfinders trained by Aram Zey in the formerly lost art of Thassilonian sin magic. From the sounds of it we need to hit a high end tailor before he head to this opera house. Unless anyone has further questions for the Venture Captain.

lol

-Posted with Wayfinder

Though the House of the Immortal Son has a reputation for opulence and excess, it never turns away anyone with any obvious amount of money or fame. Pathfinders are a source of great discussion in Taldor and the nobility love to read of their exploits and adventures. You are allowed to attend the opera for free (regardless of how they’re dressed), but anyone wearing less than a courtier’s outfit and 50 gp or more of jewelry suffers a –2 penalty on all Charisma-based checks when dealing with any Taldan nobles throughout the scenario.

Among the Living, the title of the opera the PCs attend, debuts the night they 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.

You reach your seats a few minutes into the beginning of the opera. As you look on stage, you see a 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.

One disapproving glance at his companions (particularly Mu in his courtier's outfit) convinces Shu that someone must look respectable, and he doesn't trust anyone else to be able to pull it off. He arrives dressed in the traditional tien courtier's outfit, which makes him look a little like an embroidered silk tent with a grumpy gnome's face poking out the top.

Add a courtier's outfit with jewelry to the purchases list - 80gp

Gob stops by a high end tailor and gets a full nobles outfit along with 100 gold in jewelry. It's about time I upgraded my attire, think I might wear this all the time. He also leaves his great axe behind as it would not be proper to take such a large weapon to an opera.

While he does not know much about the performance he gives a light applause as the dancers finish their performance. As the loud noise shakes the building Gob looks to his fellow pathfinders as if this may be their chance to search the opera house.

Added clothing purchases for another 175. Also fixed character sheet for a feat error and added new purchases.

"Bah. I have seen better acting from one-legged beggars." Shu grumbles at the performance, but frowns as the actors exit the stage. "Hmm.. maybe a good time for privy?"

Shu gets up from his seat, looking around.

Brewslee also purchases the courtiers outfit and jewelry for 80 gp

Brewslee snores loudly as he is passed out during the majority of the opera. He awakens slightly when everyone begins applauding. Once the loud gongs go off and the entire place goes silent Brewslee the stands straight up and begins clapping vigorously before looking to his companions sheepishly.

"Smelry xipishis!", Mu scowls at the Long Haired Freaky People and their way too loud concert as he shifts with discomfort at the tien formal ware. He nudges the others and follows Shu into the lobby, "Hoi, intamission, rlet's go find temple."

Mu Ping and Old Shu hop up to head to the bathroom, but just then the doors leading into the Opera House crash open and a horde of zombies floods in, immediately attacking any nobles too shocked to run as well as the Pathfinders. One of the zombies shambling towards the Pathfinders is clearly a bugbear, while the rest are human.

Don't have access to the PDF atm. Will update tomorrow morning.

Remember it's a 1 square=10 feet map.

Good reminder. Those maps bother me. How hard is it to add extra lines?

I can add the extra lines if you give me an image.

crash open and a horde of zombies floods in

I thought this was a joke :P

Now this is unexpected, if I recall zombies are...

Know Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

"They are slow moving and take damage from slashing better then stabbing or bashing."

Map updated thanks to GM Kush!

Initiative:
Gob: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Bevek: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Brewslee: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Shu: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Mu: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Bugbear: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1
Zombies: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8

The crowd shrieks and starts to scatter as zombies invade the rows of seats. The aisles and rows are all considered difficult terrain.

Ignore the pink outlined zombies!

Initiative:
1st: Bevek; Shu
2nd: Zombies (1; 2; 3; 4)
3rd: Brewslee; Gob; Mu
4th: Bugbear

"殭屍!"

Shu gets out a scroll and casts the spell upon it.

mage armor

Forgot Bevek was on vacation.

Bevek is passed out in his opera chair, his earplugs cancelling out the sounds of both the terrible opera and the zombie invasion.

The zombies trudge forward. Two of them lashing out at the sleeping man and at Brewslee.

Slam @ Bevek-13 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Slam @ Brewslee-14 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Total Damage:
Bevek: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Brewslee: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Initiative:
1st: Bevek @ 8/16 HP; Shu
2nd: Zombies (1; 2; 3; 4)
3rd: Brewslee @ 11/17 HP; Gob; Mu
4th: Bugbear

After being struck by the zombie Brewslee stumbles around the room towards Old Shu as he produces a wand. Would you mind ushing thish on me

It is my wand of mage Armor

Provoke AoO through movement
Mobility adds +4 to AC making it 21 against AoO from movement
Panther Style- retaliate against an AoO with a free unarmed strike

AoO Panther Style reaction strike: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Gob instinctively reaches for his great axe only to remember he left it back at the lodge. Ok don't panic, remember a follower of Nethys is always armed. With a few quick gestures mixed with a few words Gob launches a frigid blue ray at one of the zombies attacking Bevek.

Ranged touch vs blue: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 = 20
damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
+1 from point blank

Mu grabs his emergency potion of mage armor and downs it like an energy drink and says to Shu with utter sarcasm, "Uh, maybe empuhlor wanna back away?..."

5' step

AC 21

It is difficult terrain, Mu. Going to add some area for not difficult terrain.

As the zombies move, the aristocrats and royalty scatter around the room, trying their best to avoid the zombies, trapped in the room by the seemingly continuous amount of zombies staggering into the room. 5' of non difficult terrain exists around the zombies and 10' exists around 'specialty zombies'. You have a feeling that the radius will keep increasing as more people die or escape from the zombies.

Slam @ Brewslee-21 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Brewslee moves away from the zombie and it lashes out at him, but Brewslee easily sidesteps the attack, sending back one of his own. He lands a solid blow, but it doesn't seem to do very much. Gob is able to smack it with his Ray of Frost however.

The Bugbear zombie moves forwards and throws its javelin at...

1d4 ⇒ 3

Old Shu!

Javelin @ Shu-19 AC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

The javelin pierces the gnome's leg, wounding him.

Initiative:
1st: Bevek @ 8/16 HP; Shu @ 24/33 HP
2nd: Zombies (1 @ 4 damage; 2; 3; 4)
3rd: Brewslee @ 11/17 HP; Gob; Mu
4th: Bugbear

Where do you want me to act in the initiative? Don't see me there. Will you let me have a round 1 action after the fact still?

Seeing the horde of zombies crash in and hearing Gob call out about slashing weapons, Malachite reaches over his shoulder and draws his temple sword advancing on the nearest of the undead minions (Red Zombie) he swings the blade two-handed looking to separate the head from the shoulders of his foe.

Mal Temple Sword, 2 hands: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

So we are considered to be in difficult terrain because of other patrons! Should that give us a soft cover bonus for ranged attacks?

"Don't tell me what to doaaaah!" Shu cries out as a javelin heads his way.

Accepting Brewslee's wand, he quickly waves it at him. "You are protected now! Get them!"

Shu dives for cover in the seats, but his head pops back up with a sharp look at the younger monk. "Wait, are you drunk??"

Hmm... looks like Bevek is running late from getting back from his vacation.

@Malachite: I will put you in at the top of the round with Bevek and Shu. First round is wasted, but your posted action will count for this round.

@Rah: Good point. See below.

The bugbear zombie's javelin misses Shu by a few feet and impales a fat Chelaxian noble who was cowering behind the gnome. The man lets out a dying gasp like a pig before falling limp on the floor.

Malachite wakes up from his light nap and lashes out at one of the nearby zombies with his temple sword, putting some serious hurt into the undead menace.

Bevek jumps up and stabs at the zombie with his favorite weapon, his short sword, after being awoken by the unpleasant feeling of a zombie ripping into your flesh.

Short Sword: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage: 1d6 - 5 ⇒ (4) - 5 = -1

However, his attack doesn't seem to damage the zombie at all.

The zombies then retaliate, attacking the men in a blind hunger.

Slam @ Malachite-16 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Slam @ Bevek-16 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Slam @ Brewslee-21 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Slam @ Mu-21 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Total Damage:
Malachite: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Mu: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Malachite falls unconscious from the savage undead beating and Mu isn't feeling that great either.

As more and more people die to the undead horde, the crowds begin to thin.

Initiative:
1st: Bevek @ 8/16 HP; Shu @ 33/33 HP; Malachite @ -1/9 HP
2nd: Zombies (1-Blue @ 4 damage; 2-Red @ 7 damage; 3-Yellow; 4-Green)
3rd: Brewslee @ 11/17 HP; Gob; Mu @ 25/35 HP
4th: Bugbear

Brewslee looks incredulously at Old Shu and then at Mu Ping. You know. Now that yoush mention it Mu here doesh sound drunk doeshn't he?

Brewslee then sways into a bench as he slams past the two zombies tring to regain his balance. As he does his guirsame swings around towards the bugbear as he finally stops himself, mostly propped up by his weapon.

Provoke AoO through movement
Mobility adds +4 to AC making it 21 25 against AoO from movement
Panther Style- retaliate against an AoO with a free unarmed strike

AoO Panther Style reaction strike: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Mwk Guirsame vs bugbear: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 = 8

Gob draws a wand and with a quick flick activates a spell. He then holds open the right side of his formal coat and says, "Gir why don't you deliver that spell to our fallen friend over there." In answer to his request a tiny bat flies out from Gob's coat and lands over on Malachite.

Bat familiar delivered infernal healing as a touch spell. Malachite heals 1 and will continue healing 1 per round for 9 more rounds.

"Ow! Dead fingahs!", Mu panics in the undead swarm, then screams like a banshee and flails his tri-sectional cane about like lunatic, "Go back to Shyka!".

5' step to south of green zombie and attack, spend 1 Ki for extra Flurry

Sansetsukon Flurry 1 of 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 @1d10 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Sansetsukon Flurry 2 of 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 @1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Sansetsukon Ki Flurry: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 @1d10 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

-Posted with Wayfinder

ooo! threat on flurry 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 @1d10 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

-Posted with Wayfinder

Brewslee charges the bugbear zombie, drawing attacks from the human zombies.

Slam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Slam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Slam Confirmation: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Much to his surprise, one of the zombies savages his arm as he runs past. His retaliation against the zombie misses by a mile as does his attack against the bugbear.

Gob casts an Infernal Healing and sends the magick through his familiar to heal his downed compatriot. @Gob: I can't find anything about using wand charges through companions. Do you have any text that says you can do that? "If the master and the familiar are in contact at the time the master casts a touch spell, he can designate his familiar as the “toucher.”" When you use a wand, you aren't actually casting a spell, just activating the wand. It will work for this, but I'm inclined to say that you actually need to cast a spell for this to work, unless you have text somewhere that says you can. Closest FAQ I can find.

Mu relentlessly assaults one of the zombies with his sansekuton, delivering three massive blows, but sadly only two of them connect and they do significantly less than what he thought they would.

The bugbear zombie lashes out at the monk in front of him with his morningstar.

Morningstar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

The morningstar connects with the ascetic's face, crushing his cheekbone and jaw, rendering the man unconscious and bleeding out on the floor of the opera.

Malachite heals slightly from the spell cast by Gob and regains consciousness.

Initiative:
1st: Bevek @ 8/16 HP; Shu @ 33/33 HP; Malachite-Prone @ 0/9 HP
2nd: Zombies (1-Blue @ 4 damage; 2-Red @ 7 damage; 3-Yellow; 4-Green @ 13 damage)
3rd: Brewslee-Bleeding Out @ -3/17 HP; Gob; Mu @ 25/35 HP
4th: Bugbear

@GM: I am fine with that ruling. I am a little fuzzy on how that works as well. Given that the spell comes from the wand and not me I agree with it not working that way. I will change my previous action to drawing the wand from my belt and moving into range to deliver the spell.

Uh oh, not good

"Back up you fools! Dead boy heah tougha than horse meat!", the monk/cook shouts at Shu and Bevek, "I needa swod! Get me a swod!!".

unconscious Malachite has a temple sword

"You hit harder!" Shu yells back at Mu, and in a flash of smoke he vanishes!

A moment later a ball of flame flies at one of the zombies.

Vanishing trick, sneak attack with produce flame spell-like ability.
Ranged Touch on yellow zombie (with PBS and Invis bonus): 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 11 Wow, that roll is terrible. Hopefully all the bonuses are enough
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7

Suddenly back conscious, Malachite still lies prone in the middle of a zombie fight. Feeling around in his belt pouch for the potions, he is relieved when he finds them unbroken. He fumbles out his healing potion, holding the vial in his hand for now, planning for when his strength returns a bit more.

No Standard Action since at zero hp. Move action to draw forth potion of CLW, but not drink it yet.

Looking at my post I realized I didn't mention that Shu is visible again, but a little further away. His position is correct on the map.

Seeing his last attack prove ineffective, Bevek decides to try something else. Dropping his sword, he pulls a dagger (cold iron) out of a wrist sheath and slashes at one of the zombies (the red one).

Dagger: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

Malachite’s eyes flicker open and he sees a horde of zombies ravaging the orchestra. One of the cellist is swinging his instrument in a wide arc to keep the zombies at bay, but it is only a matter of time until he succumbs to the horde.

Malachite grabs a potion from a pouch, too weak to drink it right away.

Bevek sees that his short sword does nothing against these monsters and tries a dagger. He lands a brutal blow against the undead, but sadly it still doesn’t do much.

Shu produces an orb of flame in his hand, disappears from sight. He appears only seconds later as the orb of flame flies across the room and incinerates one of the zombies that entered with the Bugbear Zombie. Another orb appears in his hands.

The zombies lash out at the closest living, conscious creatures they can find.

Slam @ Malachite-16 AC: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 4 = 16

Slam @ Bevek-16 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Slam @ Mu-21 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 

Slam @ Mu-21 AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Total Damage:
Malachite: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Malachite is knocked out by a zombie’s boot smashing into his face as the undead shambles towards the healthier Gob. His potion rolls out of his hand sadly.

Initiative: 

1st: Bevek @ 8/16 HP; Shu @ 33/33 HP; Malachite-Prone @ -10/9 HP
(9 rounds of IH left)
2nd: Zombies (1-Blue @ 4 damage; 2-Red @ 10 damage; 3-Yellow @ 15 damage; 4-Green @ 13 damage) 

3rd: Brewslee-Bleeding Out @ -3/17 HP; Gob; Mu @ 25/35 HP 

4th: Bugbear

Yay! It took. Had so many issues trying to get this posted.

Also, I missed this in my posting, but drawing an item provokes. Just for future reference.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Stabilize check: 1d20 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (19) + 1 - 3 = 17

Brewslee looks to be pretty battered but his bleeding has subsided for now.

Gob turns and fires another ray of frost at the yellow zombie.

ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 = 21
damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"If you want his sword come get it. We'll clear the way."