GM Dodo's 7-22 Bid for Alabastrine (Inactive)

Game Master TheSuperDodo

As the Pathfinders begin their journey from the Arch, Alaric finally answers Melea's question: "Thurismund is anger of me. Excuses. He is my anger. After carnival, when all bodies found, I see how bad I am. And... What's word... Pointless. How pointless all I did was. I fell. Thurismund rise. Rose. Thurismund rose. Excuses."

***In her chambers***

Nutter.

***Along the bridge***

"Melea stand down you are quite obviously scaring the poor thing."

Alaric's first instinct is to rush to the woman's aid. His second, and Thurismund's first, is to stop, put a hand up for everyone to hold and call out:"Pathfinders, wait!"

Just because you're a nutter doesn't mean you can't occasionally be correct. But why is he just standing there? Exsuberia I can understand being lazy--and at least he's out of the way, but this man is obviously a fighter so why not fight?

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

... Slowly, the phantom begins to separate from his master as Alaric cautions in a low voice: "This. It can be trap. Bridge good for trap. And eyes are dark. Good to hide in. Please wait for Thurismund."

"Oh? Well then."

Manifesting Thurismund in ectoplasmic form. Give me a minute.

"Honestly. Will this take long? And the rest of you out of the open!"

Thaia has her musket in her hands.

At the warning of his party mates, Bambang takes a while to scan the area. While doing so, he concentrates within and pulls forth the power to see magic auras from his fraying headband.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Cast detect magic. Psychic spell so no external signs of casting.

"Ma'am, we are no thieves. We are just travellors, and would like to help." At least some of us.

"Ya think I'm scaring her?! I just came over to help, and you're the one with that - whatever it is - out!"

She must think I'm a fool - Thaia, maybe that dwarf too, if this is a trap. I know it could be, but until we're sure, this woman may need help. If she is deceiving us, though, I'll show her the error of her ways.

"Sorry 'bout her," Melea says soothingly to the dwarf. "Now, what exactly happened here?" As she asks, her eyes scan the valley.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

"Trap?", the dwarf yells. "How dare you! Point your weapons at me and accuse poor me of being a bandit!"

She sobs some more then speaks again.

"If you actually do want to help, drop your weapons at the edge of the bridge and then come here."

As they watch the strange event unfold on the bridge, Lutorinus, Thaia and Bambang notice that the area behind the debris is surprisingly dusty; it seems most of the wreckage has been lying here for multiple weeks.

A link to the map is now available in the short description. Feel free to relocate yourself anywhere on the southern mountainside.

Bambang stops approaching the dwarf any further, seemingly due to her words. He mutters under his breath, audible to his party only. "I apologise for my hastiness. It seems your caution was justified. The area around the wreckage is covered in dust, and seems to have been lying here for weeks. I would surmise that this is a trap that bandits, including this dwarven maiden, have laid out, to entrap travellors like us."

Bambang concentrates and psychically contacts the spirit within his sword, drawing forth its energy to coat itself with acid. expend one mental focus point to enchant his greatsword with corrosive

"Sure, we'll do that, ma'am. But perhaps you could in return let us know why you've been crying over wreckage that has been lying here for weeks?"

Thurismund steps forth from Alaric. "I smell trickery. There are few things that piss me off more than trickery. Alaric... Let us remember the Carnival of Tears" he barks, eager to get into a fight.

Alaric, following in his Phantom's path, hears the words uttered by the dwarf and studies her demeanor.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Melea doesn't want to believe this version of events, but would any good follower of Old Deadeye let an unfounded emotion make such an important decision? She instead decides to inspect the dwarf's demeanor for herself. While doing so, she steps back behind her party mates, signaling Galilah to advance slightly.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

"I'm very sorry if this is true, all of our suspicion would be terrible," Melea calls over the bridge. But you will need to elaborate, truthfully, in order to make us believe you."

I put a mini for Galilah on the map, a picture of my very own kitty, and realized I need to put in her stats! Will do so shortly.

Lutorinus will attempt a sense motive as well.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

I do love a good spot of trickery, but I am nobody's fool.

Trying to speak so only his party will hear, "Bambang is correct, recent wreckage does not accumulate that level of dust. Be on your guard."

As far as positioning, I would like to remain near Thaia or any other ranged character if possible. I clearly half-assed my online profile and didn't include his crossbow *facepalm*

Somewhere in the Asmodian rectory a group of disciples are hanging out and playing with a crossbow one of them had been carrying for Lutorinus. "Cool huh?" "Yeah!" TWANG! THUD! "Crap!" "Someone find some wood grain spackle!"

The dwarf groans.

"Alright, they're onto us! Attack!"

Initiative Order:
(Bold can act.)

Alexander, Alaric
Archer 1, Bandits, Fowrah
Melea, Thurismund, Thaia
Archer 2
Lutorinus, Bambang

Two sword-wielding men climb from beneath the bridge and stand next to Fowrah, the dwarf. They are ready to attack, but Alexander and Alaric are readier.

Alexander sighs heavily.

"See? That's what altruism gets you..."

He then takes out a small handful of ground mica from a belt pouch, mutters an arcane incantation and throws it at he dwarf and her two friends.

Casting Glitterdust, hitting the dwarf and bandits 1 and 2. Will DC 17.

Alaric begins to sing a long mournful song. It tells of cruelty, deception, and impotence. The song is ... Well. It could be better, but something in it calls out. One could just let the emotions within overwhelm you. Let the Rage take control.

Raging song! You can get bonuses if you want to!

The sparkling dust flashes in the enemies' eyes, but one of the bandits manages to resist the spell's effect.

Fowrah Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

"Ah, damn those spellcasters", the dwarf yells. She then turns her head towards your end of the bridge and runs towards you, a dagger in her hand. The bandits try to follow her...

Bandit Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

...but the blind one fumbles to the earth, crying in anger and nearly dropping his longsword.

Now on the ground, the bandit manages to wipe off the blindness, but Fowrah still cannot see.

Initiative Order:
(Bold can act.)

Alexander, Alaric
Archer 1, Bandits, Fowrah
Melea, Thurismund, Thaia
Archer 2
Lutorinus, Bambang

"Deceivers!" Melea yells as she nocks and fires an arrow at the dwarf. "Galilah, take them down!" The leopard flies forth at the same target.

Arrow vs. FF: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Bite, Charge vs. FF: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Trip: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Is Galilah not taking the bonus from Raging Song?

Thurismund's eyes flash with a red coruscating energy. "YOU'LL PAY FOR THE BLOOD YOU'VE SPILT YOU PIXIE WORSHIPPERS "

Slam, PA, Raging Song vs Mook #1: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 1 = 20
damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Totally forgot about that. That's +1 damage right there. Will do.
Also, you probably noticed, but you've leveled up in the last round ;)

Dammit.

Can't do much with the map on my phone. I suggest trying Google Slides. I used what you are using and liked it fine but Slides is awesome. I harrange everyone about it. ;)

Thaia moves to the space northwest of Alaric and draws a bead on 1.

mwk musket (precise, point blank, range touch, through cover, pass on rage this turn): 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 13
BOOM!: 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"God's sakes you lot, get the Nine Hells out of my way!" She yells at all the people standing at the base of the bridge, getting in the way of her getting a better angle.

The blind dwarf doesn't notice the arrow coming in her direction and takes a hit, losing her footing as the leopard leaps at her and takes her to the floor.

The bandit next to her regains his sight just in time for a slam from the phantom. Thaia's bullet catches him in his chest and he goes down with a cry of pain.

From within the northern giant dwarf's left eye, a crossbow bolt comes flying towards Thurismund...

Crossbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15, Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

...and hits the phantom, but to the bandit's horror, doesn't seem to disturb him.

Initiative Order:
(Bold can act.)

Alexander, Alaric (Round 2)
Archer 1, Bandit 2, Fowrah (12 damage, prone.)
Melea, Thurismund, Thaia
Archer 2
Lutorinus, Bambang (Round 1)

Alaric moves up behind the animal companion, still singing his tale of betrayal and death.

Weee, 0 BAB. Maintaining raging song

Thank you for leaving the path for me to charge!

Bambang feels an mysterious overpowering rage swell up from within him. Not understanding the source but fully embracing it, he charges down the bridge on a path left clear by his party, and he chops down on the dwarf lying on the ground with his mighty greatsword that is dripping with acid.

greatsword, rage, charge: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 14 dmg, rage, corrosive: 2d6 + 7 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 1) + 7 + 1 + (2) = 16

Doh! Wonder if that would hit her when she's prone... Talia, one more obstacle in your path! :)

Lutorinus sighs at the zeal of his compatriots and seeing that the battle appears to be almost over, casts a minor spell to aid Thaia.

I suppose their eagerness means there is less for me to do.

"Asmodeus demands more," he says as he taps her on the shoulder.

Guidance, +1 to attack, saves, or a skill check once in the next minute.

The crossbowman is hidden in the statue's eye's shadow, so Alexander fires an orb of frigid energy at the bandit lying at the edge of the bridge. The spell hits its target, freezing his heart and killing him on the spot.

Bambang charges forward at the dwarf no longer hidden by her ally, and his sword comes down on her neck, chopping it off cleanly.

Even though all his allies on the ground are dead, the archer fires a bolt at the scary-looking leopard...

Crossbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21, Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

...delivering quite a painful blow to her back.

Initiative Order:
(Bold can act.)

Alexander, Alaric, Bambang, Lutorinus
Archer 1
Melea, Thurismund, Thaia
Archer 2

"Oh, you are DEAD! No one hurts Galilah and escapes my wrath!"

Melea becomes very, very angry, and fires off an arrow at the archer if possible.

Arrow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The leopard, meanwhile, runs back to the aasimar, knowing it can do nothing more for the time being.

Lutorinus sighs at the zeal of his compatriots and seeing that the battle appears to be almost over, casts a minor spell to aid Thaia.

I suppose their eagerness means there is less for me to do.

"Asmodeus demands more," he says as he taps her on the shoulder.

Guidance, +1 to attack, saves, or a skill check once in the next minute.

Did he just touch me?

spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Well, I suppose that's alright then.

Having decided that throwing the tiefling from the cliff will not be necessary, Thaia reloads using the bridge's rail for cover.

"Don't just stand there, man! Take cover!"

Thurismund moves forwards defensively. "I'm coming for you fae-lover. Coming up there to shove those bolts STRAIGHT DOWN YOUR THROAT!!!"

You can fire at the archers, but they have cover. You may attempt to climb the stone face at a climb DC of 15.

The western archer takes another shot at the phantom running towards him.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12, Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

The bolt flies quickly and forcefully, but Thurismund dodges it with ease.

Initiative Order:
(Bold can act.)

Alexander, Alaric, Bambang, Lutorinus
Archer 1
Melea, Thurismund, Thaia
Archer 2

Ah! Bambang is not good with range combat. And he's bad at climbing (what with full plate and all). And he hasn't tapped himself with wand of longstrider yet.

Continuing his charge, Bambang runs straight down the bridge towards dwarven statue.

full round action to run, 20x3=60 ft

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 5

"We need to be able to see the bandit! Malea stand still for a moment. I have an idea..."

Alexander reaches into Malea's quiver and casts Light on one of her arrows.

Oh oh, Bambang is under the dwarf statue's nose. That's cover bonus, right? Haha!

Alaric moves on up, his sad complaint half-way done.

Seeing what Alexander has in mind, he moves up to behind Malea and casts the same spell. Guidance

"May Asmodeus guide you," he says with a slight smirk on his face as he taps the aasimar.

The archers watch anxiously as the party prepares their masterplan, and one of them attempts to interrupt it with a bolt towards Alaric.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21, Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

The bolt pierces the skald's armour and stabs him painfully in the arm.

Initiative Order:
(Bold can act.)

Alexander, Alaric, Bambang, Lutorinus
Archer 1
Melea, Thurismund, Thaia
Archer 2

"I know what I am about to say runs contrary to Pathfinder Society standard operating procedures, the one that says that first thing you should do regardless of environment, potential for collateral damage, whatever is when that you become aware of the word swarm being bandied about you should automatically withdraw a highly toxic and unstable chemical amalgam from your trousers and throw it, but to be direct we could just leave circle back and attack them on our terms." She sighs heavily realizing that, on the whole, the party will be completely, illogically adverse to the idea. "Honestly, the Society encourages the sort of foolish, woolly thinking that leads people to rush to the rescue of perfectly sensible bushwhackers. Wait just one tick!"

She shouts up to the snipers. "YOU! YOU IN THE DWARF HEAD! HOW MUCH ARE YOU BEING PAID? AS YOU CAN SEE FROM YOUR FINE VANTAGE POINT YOUR COMRADES LAY DEAD OR DYING AT OUR FEET AND MY HULKING, BARELY-LITERATE, FOREIGN FRIEND BOOMBOOM IS COMING TO KILL YOU! I DON'T THINK HE UNDERSTANDS COMMON WELL ENOUGH TO STOP IF YOU ASK HIM TO ONCE HE ARRIVES, SO IT MIGHT BE BEST FOR ALL INVOLVED IF YOU WERE TO THROW YOUR WEAPONS DOWN NOW, AND SURRENDER! THE FIGHT IS OVER, AND YOU ARE TRAPPED UP THERE! SO WHAT SAY WE END THIS CIVILLY, AY?"

intimidate (to influence - normally this takes a minute to accomplish, but if they drop out of rounds to consider the offer before we rush them... Thaia can sit here all day threatening them.): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

"AND ALARIC, FOR THE LORD OF LAW'S SAKE WILL YOU STOP BEING PERFORATED! HEALING COSTS COIN!"

I am a terrible person.

That's cover bonus, right? Haha!

The 21st 'something better'. ;^)

"I'M GOING TO PULL YOUR ENTRAILS THROUGH YOUR A~$+~++ FOR THAT YOU MANGY HALF-BREED! THE GODS WILL WEEP AT WHAT WILL REMAIN ONCE I'M DONE. DON'T LISTEN TO THE PAINTED DITZ BACK THERE; STAY WHERE YOU ARE, I'M COMING FOR YOU!"roars an apoplectic Thurismund as he rushes to the statue's face and begins to climb.

Climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Alaric will respond on his turn. :D

Thurismund fails to find a good point to latch onto the stone face, but Thaia's reasonable threats and the sight of a mad phantasmal warrior charging towards them are more than enough to make the snipers drop their crossbows.

"Alright, we surrender! But please, leave us alone. We won't hurt you any further."

The second one, who apparently knows the end-of-combat rituals of the common Pathfinder, adds: "And don't strip us of our clothes in search of goods. You can have the weapons if you want, but you won't find anything else. It's been a bad week for business."

End of combat, unless you still want to tear these guys apart.

"And that is how we conduct business in Egorian." Thaia says
smugly.

" "And don't strip us of our clothes in search of goods. You can have the weapons if you want, but you won't find anything else. It's been a bad week for business."

"So it's business is it? Tell us about your employer, and perhaps I will have my entity resource person contact you about your résumés. Otherwise, I doubt you'll be in any condition to conduct much business." Thaia smiles cheerlessly.

"The closest thing I had to an employer was Fowrah down there", the bandit shouts. "Whatever we managed to earn is on her, but don't hope for too much."

Thurismund roars, a decidedly inhuman sound, as he scrambles to find purchase on the dwarf's face. The sounds dies off as Alaric slowly reincorporates him into his being. "Is nice of you to pay for heal. For healing. Excuses." Thurismund gone he continues: "But is no need. I heal myself."

Bluff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

The smile on Alaric's face turn into a full-on grin. Clearly, he thought he made a rather punny joke at Thaia's expense as he gives both Melea and Bambang a wink that isn't as inconspicuous as it could have been.

Thaia perforates Alaric with her glare. Or musket.

Oddly, this is the second time I've run into a game where half-plus the party was of a 'type'. This time the type is 'Right Bastards from Cheliax', the other time the group consisted of two paladins (one of them mine), a cleric, and whimsical gnome sorcerer all dedicated to Shelyn--'The Shelyn Scouts'. Yes, completely different from this game. ;)

Visibly pleased with himself, that he came through the ambush unscathed without a single ward or personal spell, Alexander surveys the carnage.

"We should take anything of value, and perhaps bring these bandits with us to the nearest authorities. Not only is it the proper thing to do, but there might a bounty out on them as well."

Melea, too, considers picking up the tiefling and throwing him from the bridge, but decides to wait at least until they are out of danger. Upon the bandits' surrender, she expends the fiendish spark of guidance as soon as possible in calming Galilah down so she can treat her wound.

CLW: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Being the most experienced Pathfinder, Alexander is the first to go ahead and loot the bodies.

Each of the bandits has a potion of cure light wounds, a longsword, a crossbow with 20 bolts, a chain shirt, a heavy steel shield and 8gp. Fowrah has 3 potions of cure light wounds, masterwork studded leather armour, 5 daggers, a single masterwork dagger and 50gp.

Boomboom! With Alaric's war rage still coursing through his veins, Bambang seriously considers charging back across the bridge at her, but thankfully, Alaric ends his song, and Bambang shakes off the rage.

"Alright, we surrender! But please, leave us alone. We won't hurt you any further."

"I rather think you meant *we* won't hurt you any further. Rather too late for your employer, though, it seems." He nods towards the body of the dwarf.

Catching Alaric's wink, Bambang nods back in return and returns with a smile. Even though he does not find it that funny, he appreciates the dig Alaric made in Thaia's expense. Stepping between her glaring at Alaric, Bambang gives her a bow. "Milady, I trust that your frequent use of your boomstick has not too adversely affected your hearing? So it could be that the Minatan names are too challenging for your tongue. If so, you may just call me Bang." pronouncing it "bung" He says this with a straight face, but you somehow sense that there is a dig somewhere.

Think I haven't mentioned it. I chose an authentic Indonesian name, and it's pronounced Bumb-Bung. (And I just know that Thaia would start calling him bum. :) ) Bambang means "knight" in Indonesian, but "Bang" is a form of address for an elder brother or cousin, boyfriend or husband. :)

Bambang then makes his way to the dead bodies, particularly that of the dwarf. His harsh exterior cracks somewhat as he examines his handiwork. Pulling off the dwarf's cloak, he wraps her head together with the body, and carries off the bridge. Turning to the party, he says "Come, let us at least clear this bridge of their bodies."

@Thaia, considering that this mission involves negotiating with a bunch of stuck-up nobles, hardly surprising that characters of similar nature are drawn to it like flies. :)

As Melea leaves Lutorinus' side to care for her leopard, his smirk is still prevalent, "Everybody has the choice to reject His favor. Strange, nobody does..." He is suggesting that if it bothers you so much, roll a will save ;)

"We should at least look over the survivors for what they have. Healing and unique items are at premium. Alexander is right, a bounty would be most appreciated after dealing with this insolent lot."

Lutorinus then pulls out a wand, "Would anybody like to benefit from my healing?"

Once healing/looting is done, Lutorinus is ready to leave

Heh, I didn't think Guidance had one, but turns out it does. Maybe next time I'll roll, but probably not. Just roleplaying.

If you are all ready to leave...

The rest of your journey down the Path of Commencement is short and uneventful. The mountain pass opens up, revealing the well-maintained southwestern border of Druma. A golden framed signpost stands by the road, and half a dozen men in black coats march towards you. One of them approaches you, his hand raised.

"Greetings, travelers; I am Colonel Hachren of the Mercenary League. What business do you have in Druma?"

"Hello, we are here by order of Trade Prince Aaqir al'Hakam of Qadira, to meet a Temel Passad. These papers-" Melea hands over the documents the team was given, "-should cover everything, or so I'm led to believe."