GM Dak - PFS First Steps: I, II, & III (Group 2) (Inactive)

Game Master Dakcenturi

*hack* *cough* *spit* "Excuse me." Jirani looks at the bright phlegm he coughed up. "Next time, maybe we just fight our way through the Consortium, huh?" He manages a meager smile, before he starts breaking down the tents.

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

"Ooo dearies, you all don't look so well. I there anything I can do for you? Dnt overdoit, Tam. Your mother will kill me if I let you get sick."

Tamarie coughs and coughs, until she falls asleep from exhaustion. She tries to move as little as possible, as she lets Malik and her auntie take care of her.

"I believe... *cough* I have already *cough* a sickness of *sneeze* sorts..."

1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 - 1 = 14

I believe Johender got the disease as well. Also you can make Heal checks untrained.

Malik, seeing Tamarie suffering, and feeling the effects hitting him as well, tries to help her first. "This place is bad for all of us." he grumbles.

Heal with Guidance 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Jirani/Malik -1 Wis Damage, Tam/Malik Healed +1 Con Damage

You begin packing up camp to continue moving on, although much more slowly with some members falling ill. As the morning progress Tamarie seems to be the least effected while both Jirani and Malik seem to be having further issues. Finally, getting things packed up you continue on your way through the trail. As you progress through the bog, the thick rolling fog begins to disperse. Despite the increased visibility, this area of the swamp is still difficult to travel in, as the muck and vegetation thicken further. Around midday you find a large log rests across a dirt path, standing five feet tall. A moldering wood door covers one of the hollow ends of the log, and a makeshift mud chimney emits a thin wisp of blue smoke. From behind the crude house come the sound of someone humming an off-key tune.

I'm confused about the -1 +1. Are we suffering 1 Con damage and healing 1 Wis damage?

From a nights rest you heal 1 temporary ability damage. You and Tam had -2 con. From failing your fort saves you and Jirani both took -1 Wis. So you are currently at -1 Con, -1 Wis

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Do I see anything else?
What check is it to determine the song?

"Stop", Tamarie whispers. She then indicates her ear, and points to the log.

1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 - 2 = 15

Perform (Sing) to identify the song

T10 of 17 to identify the song

Olik hears the notes of a song on the breeze even before catching sight of the dwelling before them. Cocking his head to one side to tries to identify the tune and then asks Tamarie, "Can you see anything of interest? Seems the kind of place one might live to be away from it all, for good or ill."

"It could also be a small troll's home. Be careful up there. You never know what's out near this bog."

"That humming brings to mind a tune about nature. I don't recall the words but I believe it's usually sung in draconic oddly enough. Well I suppose the options are to announce ourselves, slink up or go around. Shall we say hello?"

"Going around might not be the best idea, since there's an alligator lurking there, looking for a bite to eat. But if you want, we can indulge it."

She listens to the song, but nods when Olik implies to call out.

"You wouldn't know draconic would you?"

Malik, looking a little flushed, peers at the log hut. "If they're not hostile, I say we say hello and see if they're friendly." he says.

"No I'm afraid I don't speak it."

Seeing some agreement to making their presence known Olik then calls out, "Hello there!"

Johender climbs up onto the log and calls out in Draconic.

He looks back at the party. I told them we're merchants.

Bah ninjad :P, Updating.

As Olik hails whatever is on the other side of the log you hear something screeh out "मेरे बच्चे! घुसपैठियों मेरे बच्चों को चोट करने के लिए आए हैं! सुरक्षित रखें उन्हें जबड़े स्नैप."

Moments later the alligator starts to move out of the water toward you and you hear chanting from behind the log. As this is happening Johendar moves up closer to the log and speaks to the creature behind the log at which point she speaks out once again "स्नैप जबड़ा पकड़ो. इन घुसपैठियों नहीं हो सकता है. अपने यहाँ उद्देश्य क्या है?" The alligator pauses it's advance near the edge of the water.

Anyone that can communicate with her (Speaking Draconic) can make a Diplomacy check to help diffuse the situation.

Round 1 (If it happens)
Tam, Tess, Enemy 1, Jirani, Alligator, Malik, Johendar, Olik

"Hold on, hold on. We are just merchants passing through the area when we heard your pleasant melody. A couple of us recognized the Draconic tongue, if not the tune. We don't want any violence here."

Diplomacy 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Tamarie has her bow in hand, arrow nocked and is ready to shoot at the alligator before it can attack (or come any closer).

She whispers to anyone not speaking in Draconic:
"Snakes with legs.. Yuck!"

No more diplmacy?

We would like to pass through peacefully if you are not interested in barter.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Olik would love too but he's just hearing a bunch of hissing going on. OOC though I support a diplomatic effort before making new boots :)

"Johendar, what's she saying? Let her know we mean no harm, else we wouldn't have announced ourselves. Just want to pass through, maybe share a fire for a bit."

The alligator still waits by the side of the water as the voice continues speaking in Draconic "बहुत अच्छा, मैं इस तरह से कई आगंतुकों नहीं मिलता. क्या आप मुझे मेरे दलदल के माध्यम से आप बीतने के अनुदान पारित रूप में बहुत सावधान किया जा रहा है, मेरे बच्चों को नुकसान न करने का वादा करते हैं."

Johender turns back to the party. She's granting us passage. Ware your passage! We cannot harm her children. He turns back to the voice and begins to speak in Draconic again.

Malik waited with baited breath while the negotiations progressed. When the results were announced, he sighed and readied himself to move on.

"Yes, we mean you no harm. Same for your children. Once we pass through, we will trouble you no more, ma'am." Tess adds to Johendar's words as she waits to be sure everything is hunky-dory before proceeding through the voice's territories.

Jirani shrugs as the negotiations continue. "Are her children alligators? We won't bother them if they don't bother us," he whispers.

A small kobold wearing the skull of an alligator pops it's head up from over the log. She points around to the south of the log.

"आप अपना कीमती बच्चों को परेशान नहीं करते तो यह है कि जिस तरह से जाओ. वे बड़े होते हैं तो धीरे मैं आप उन्हें नुकसान नहीं हो सकता."

Tess echoes the kobold's message. "Stay over here and we should be okay."

She turns back to the kobold. "Good luck to you and your children in the future, ma'am.

Johender nods in agreement with Tessara and carefully walks around the south side of the log.

Olik gives a brief bow towards the kobold and follows the others.

Percepetion check to watch for any traps along the path we're taking : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Once the party has put some distance between themselves and the kobolds home Olik says, "Well done you two."

Tamarie follows, but keeps a sharp eye out, and her bow at the ready.

"He'd better not be lying!" she whispers.

Malik whispers a prayer of thanks as the party circumnavigates the Kobold's home, looking forward to arriving back in civilization.

Yes nice job!

You find your way around the log and back onto the path, leaving the kobold you notice a patch of green-flowered thistles near her fallen log
house, and she goes back to busily hunching over each plant, speaking in draconic to them as if she were praising a small child for good behavior.

You continue on the path from the map and as dusk sets in you find yourself coming out of the swamp and into open plains obviously getting closeer to the coast. You estimate that after resting for the night you will likely reach Pier's End after midday tomorrow.

"Good to have a clear view of the sky again." Olik says looking around. "I'd guess this will be our last night in the wilderness for this trip anyway. Same watches as last time then?"

"Sounds like a plan to me."

Something is obviously troubling Tamarie. If asked about it, she says: "We got away from that crazy kobold only because we spoke Draconic.. What happens when someone comes along who doesn't have keen hearing and doesn't speak some ol' and strange tongue.. Maybe we should have ended its existence..?"

"Without Johendar and Tess it may well have come to blows but I don't know that the creature had evil intent. It seemed content enough to let us pass once we made our intentions clear. That's probably more than most would do if six well armed strangers appeared outside their secluded home. As for others who might come along, if they can survive the bugs and muck I'm sure they can handle themselves." he finishes with a chuckle.

"Exactly, Olik. No reason to be rash, Tam. That kobold if evil, had no evil intentions for us. It wants to be left alone, much as we all do sometimes."

Malik nods. "I'm inclined to agree with Tessara and Olik. And besides, why waste resources on something unnecessary." he says.

You hunker down for the night everyone trying to get some rest, some still not feeling to great with a fever and nasty cough. Through the night there is no incident but this is the first night in the last several days it's been comfortable sleeping.

Malik/Tam You heal 1 Con damage, Jirani you heal 1 Wis Damage, So currently it should only be Malik with 1 Wis damage I believe

Waking up in the morning most everyone's fever has subsided but Malik and Jirani still have a bit of a cough. Tamarie seems to be all better after the good nights rest. You take time to pack up camp and have breakfast before starting out on the last leg of your trip.

"Rise and shine cupcakes. The end of our journey is in sight, and I'm looking forward to a warm bed and a strong ale... Hell, maybe even someone to warm that bed after that strong ale.. hahaha"

Tamarie is in a good mood, and helps everyone clear the camp and get ready, while whistling one of the tunes that Olik no doubt taught her.

Olik is happy to see Tamarie in better spirits and that everyone seems to have weathered the worst of the swamp-sickness.

"I agree. I've enjoyed much of our trek, minus the bugs and muck, but it will be good to see the inside of a tavern again."

Malik nods. "I'm inclined to agree with Tessara and Olik. And besides, why waste resources on something unnecessary." he says.

"Good point, as well, Malik."

As they wake on the last morning of the journey: "Yes, I feel more clear-headed today. Still a lot of drainage in my throat. A good meal will clear some of that. I hope we have an evening to it before we must meet with the Low Azlanti. Though, in truth, I don't know that I'll be able to relax fully until we've brought Mr. Rees and the new artifact back to Absalom."

"Speaking of artifacts, Mr. Rees, are you able to tell us about the one that we are delivering? The stories of discovery helped draw me to the Pathfinders."

Malik looks a little better, but he is still not his usual chipper self. He didn't even use the opportunity to take advantage of Tamarie's comment. "How far to the sea?" he asks.

Rees goes into detail about the artifact explaining it is a cylindrical tablet with ancient Azlanti writting on it, some sort of cypher key as far as the Society could discern but without the matching cypher they haven't been able to decode it. The relic that the gillmen offer is of much greater value than a cypher they can't decipher or use so the Society decided to trade it for the new artifact.

Heading off the walk is easier, much easier than the last several days and soon you start to smell the ocean air. After a few hours you reach the town of Pier's End. The sleepy fishing village of offers a warm inn, a hot meal, and a way is where you will find a way to cross to the Isle of Erran. Spending some time asking around you find three captains capable of ferrying you to Escadar.

Basic description below from info you have gathered, before speaking to them.

Darice Sumore is a surly looking young woman, but if her sea-weathered face were softened, she could be considered pretty. Not excessively freindly she still knows her way in the sea. It's rumered her father was a Pathfinder who she never knew, but she carries a trinket of his around her neck at all times.

Small Otti is a fat halfling who constantly states that his plump stature helps with buoyancy at sea. He enjoys his coin, but even more so loves his food and drink. He's much easier to haggle with if treated to some fine food and drink.

Crazy Old 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. He is fit to yelling at the sea, accusing it of being an unfaithful mistress and talking about how things were better when he was much younger. The townsfolk all think he is crazy, but none of them deny his abaility at sea.

After finishing a warm meal and listening to a bit of local color Olik looks about the table the group is sitting at and says, "So which captain shall we see about booking passage with? This "Old Tanner" seems an interesting sort and for all his quirks the locals seem to respect his abilities."

"Ugh, naturally you'd pick the stinky one," Tess groans. "We could always try one of the better smelling ones first, before deciding," she suggests, hopefully

"Ha...well a man who smells of the sea must make his living from it eh?"