GM Endless Forms' Core PFS The Life and History of Grandmaster Torch (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

Zax continues to slowly feel his way forward, hoping he'll eventually be able to see his enemy.

Will Save!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Zax's eyes finally clear! Now I have you...

Umaga, moves forward, once more. His armor restricting some his movement, he instead decides to just throw his spear at the bastard of an enemy.

spear: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

"AHAHAHAHAHAAAAA Get'em Umaga! HAHAHAHAHAHA"

Zax is finally able to see the assailant just as Umaga digs his spear into the man. Wymund only backs up a step and tries to heal the wounds, despite Hingle's spell hitting him in the process.

concentration DC 14: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

clw: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Initiative:

1. Wymund Pratt (0 dmg)
2. Hingle, Pierre, Zax, Brak, and Umaga

You guys are up!

Angered by the way he was blinded by the presumably evil man, Zax calls upon his god to aid him to Smite the enemy! Activating Smite Evil, because he's angry.

Coward! You will face me now!

Longsword: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 2 = 19 for Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 7

"MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA the part about my hahaha my beard. That's the best part!"

2 rounds left

-Posted with Wayfinder

Umaga, moves forward while drawing his new longsword from its sheath. He takes a swing, not caring about how effective he is with it.

PA cold iron longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 for damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Will: 1d20 ⇒ 9

You know, I think I saw a seat over here... Pierre says as he feels confident the enemies are attacking his friends. So he stumbles around blinded until he finds a chair and relaxes for a second, hoping this blinding glitter will go away.

The glitterdust will last a maximum of four rounds so I think you've got one round left.

Pierre tries to take a seat and enjoy the sounds of the fight as Umaga and Zax dig their blades into the tricksy bard.

Initiative:

1. Wymund Pratt (13 dmg)
2. Hingle, Pierre, Zax, Brak, and Umaga

Hingle is up!

"And then... HAHAHAHA... Then I tripped!"

Making those concentration checks doesn't seem to be a problem, Hingle laments. Time to try a different tack, I think...but I'll need to be closer to do that...what is it Brak always says? Besides hahaha, of course. Oh! Yes! Darn these short legs!

Hingle double moves toward the caster.

"Don't HAHAHA trip HAHAHA on *MY BEARD* either Hingle HAHAHA!"

The Shadow Lodge sympathizer pulls out his rapier and begins speaking inspiring words to himsefl.

Initiative:

1. Wymund Pratt (13 dmg, inspiring)
2. Hingle, Pierre, Zax, Brak, and Umaga

You guys are up!

Assuming my counting is correct, this is the last round of the spell. "HAHAHAahahahahaha." Brak's laugh turns quiet and sinister. "You'll pay for that you spoony bard."

More words? Zax will try to take the man down in order to silence him.

Longsword: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12 for Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9

Brak is still rolling around on the floor laughing and Wymund casually sidesteps Zax's swing.

Initiative:

1. Wymund Pratt (13 dmg, inspiring)
2. Hingle, Pierre, Zax, Brak, and Umaga

Hingle, Pierre, and Umaga are up!

Pierre lounges in his chair while the party fights. "This should wear off soon..." he says to himself. "I hope. "

-Posted with Wayfinder

Umaga Moves to hopefully gain a better advantage, takes another swing at the annoying enemy.

Move diagonal-right to eventually set up a flank.
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 111d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Pierre sits back to listen to the fight while Umaga stabs but misses.

Initiative:

1. Wymund Pratt (13 dmg, inspiring)
2. Hingle, Pierre, Zax, Brak, and Umaga

Hingle is up!

Hingle moves up and delivers a color spray. (DC 15 Will)

Will: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Wymund averts his eyes from Hingle's colorful blast and instead stabs at Umaga!

rapier: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6
damage: 1d6 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 + 1 = 1

Initiative:

1. Wymund Pratt (13 dmg, inspiring)
2. Hingle, Pierre, Zax, Brak, and Umaga

You guys are up!

"Who's laughing now?" Brak stands and moves menacingly towards the soon-to-be-dead trickster.

Zax gives it another go at the man!

Longsword: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 2 = 22 for Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 7

Don't take your eyes off of the fight!

Umaga, easily deflects the puny attempt to stab with a rapier. He than sidesteps to flank with his ally. He than swings as hard as he can. His sword digs past the futile armor the enemy wears and slices a gaping wound in the man's rib and lung area. Blood spills forth.

If you are going to attempt to stab me, be prepared to defend yourself you miserable person!

PA cold iron longsword, flank: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 2 = 27 for damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

crit? PA cold iron longsword: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 = 22 for damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

I believe that the glitter has now expired, so I will act as if that is the case, otherwise Pierre continues to lounge in the rear.

Seeing his eyes return to normal, Pierre quickly blinks away the lingering bright spots in his vision as he scowls. "Time for a little retribution, f~!#er." he spits venomously as he closes the gap between him and the man after casually standing up.

His mace and sickle are at the ready.

Hingle casts grease on the man's rapier, hoping he will drop it. (DC 15 Refl)

He then steps aside to give Brak a clear lane into the fray.

"Teehee" Brak's white teeth fill the crack in his midnight black beard.

Zax and Umaga finally catch the man off-guard and quickly take him down!

Out of combat!

As you search his body, you easily discover from his journal and notes that Wymund Pratt is a well-known, up-and-coming Pathfinder. Pratt was supposed to be on an expedition to Arcadia that left months ago but instead it seems Pratt fell in with some agents of the rumored Shadow Lodge.

The papers on the stage are supply lists and a list of code names and dates. There is also a list of cities on one sheet: Absalom, Sothis, Kaer Maga, Oppara, Whitethrone, and Almas.

It seems the intrigue here in Kaer Maga might go deeper than you thought...

And that's the end of Part I! I will get chronicles out tonight and maybe give a day or two for purchasing and possible leveling before starting Part II.

Hmm, it seems our investigation is not complete. Let us take this information and rest up while we can. I feel the need to train in order to prepare for what might be ahead of us.

IIRC Zax will hit 3rd now. Nope! After Part 2 he'll be 3rd.

"aye. I don't like a mess in my house. Let's see this through."

Thank you sir, as always. No level up for me so I'm good asap.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Ooh! More intrigue! You know, I cannot forecast to you the nature of Kaer Maga. It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps by delving deeper, we can find a key!

w00t! Many thanks, EF!

Hingle will level to 3, but it doesn't matter all that much because Sorcerer. :-)

Annnnd, I'm an idiot. I have six chronicles so I am going to be 3rd level. Sheesh. I'll update tomorrow. Any suggestions for a feat? I'm thinking the basic Weapon Focus but I didn't know if a paladin should be thinking of something else.

Thanks EF! Brak is still 2, but does our APL change enough to hit the 3-4 tier? Just downloaded the chronicle, and ready to go!

I too am an idiot. I'm level 3. Ready to go...

Yes, everyone should be level 3 now. Umaga was already 3 because he squeezed in a game elsewhere during the hiatus.

No purchases, need to save up. Picked up Improved Bull Rush, (because I'm a CORE dwarven fighter and it seemed apropos.)

Before delving deeper into the web of scum and villainy, Brak takes the time to explore Kaer Maga a bit. Much of it shocks him, though he makes mental notes here and there of things he'd like to purchase, and things he'd like to learn.

Pierre will be updated soon. Been super busy with interviews this week plus visitors from other countries making their appearance. (Friend in from Hungary for a few weeks.)

I'm ready to go. Picked up Weapon Focus and enchanted my weapon.

Pierre stays in the odd town for a few more days after the completion of the mission, unsure of what this means for the Society. At least he has the company of Miss Feathers and her friends to assuage any fears he may harbor about the possible traitorous Shadow Lodge.

Ok, so we're moving up to the 3-4 tier then. Excellent, let's get started!

You wander a Downmarket street a few days after the events at the theater, when suddenly the street is empty of residents, the choking mass of humanity and monsters suddenly remembering they had something better to do. Standing about you in a loose circle are six burly men carrying cudgels and a seventh man, skinny and bedecked in robes and jewels, his right hand in a pouch on his belt. All of the men stare intently at you.

“Dakar says you owe him a favor,” says the skinny man in robes. “You’ll need to come with us.”

You have little choice but to agree with the familiar routine of putting silencing bags on your heads and being carted about for at least an hour before being dragged from the wagon, marched through
small streets or large hallways, and then stopped. At this point, the bags are removed and you find yourselves in a nice club or private residence with carpeted floors, potted plants, slaves waving fans, and a giant backlit screen along one wall. A shape, decidedly vague in outline, can be seen behind the screen and a voice speaks.

“You owe me a favor, little Pathfinders, and it’s time to
pay up.”

Dakar then goes on to inform you, "The two largest political entities in the city, my Commerce League and the golem-making Ardoc family, have decided the reign of the Shadow Lodge within our walls is at an end. Both the Ardocs and myself see this problem easily solved by the Pathfinder Society: you must track down the Shadow Lodge, find its headquarters, exterminate its members, and rid the city forever of the meddlesome organization."

Quite a large favor, no matter how justified it may be. What information do you have that could aid us in ridding the city of this evil organization?

"If this will repay the debt, then it will be done. Any hints, o' Massster of Secretsss?" he asks, hissing a bit when he pronounces the title before winking at the shade.

Hingle's eyes open wide. That's quite a favor indeed! So...where do we start?

"Next time, can you make the bags block out the smell too?"

Brak looks at his companions, Aye, they're right, but this is going to be a lot of fun methinks.

"Aye, it's a big favor, but I think we're all on the same page. I just have a few questions first."

Brak holds up a calloused thumb, "One, promise me we're even after this."

He holds up his index finger, "B. Any leads on finding them?"

He adds his pinky finger for three, "Third, can you deck us out a bit, or give us some help? IT is a big task."

"I see this as an exceedingly fair proposition. After all, it is your organization that started this mess and it only seems right that you should clean it up. And I am letting you use this act of self-preservation and promotion to pay off your debt with me! Quite generous, I would say."

Before letting you interject, Dakar continues. "I will not give you anything more than the generosity I have already shown. Furthermore, I have no knowledge of the Lodge’s whereabouts. But enterprising little Pathfinders such as yourselves should have no problem tracking them down. You might try Downmarket or the Meatgate—lots of eyes there may have seen something." From behind the screen you see Dakar wave his hand in dismissal, causing the guards to come up with the bags once again. "Good luck, Pathfinders." Dakar offers before you are taken away.

---

You might try searching the city for information with Knowledge (local) or Diplomacy. I'll detail who you talk to and what you find later.

Sighing after the meeting ends, Zax realizes the party's position and quietly accepts the terms of the agreement. Upon arriving back in the city the paladin starts asking about for information.

Diplo: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Hingle will ask on his own (or help out Zax if the GM prefers).
Diplomacization: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Umaga, sniff the inside of the bag. At least it's not as bad home. Too many people, not enough outhouses

Umaga, stares daggers into Dakar's annoying body.

Ugh, this guys is such a pest, why can't we take his fat ass out?

Fine, have it your way Dakar. But should we fail, that's your fault for not amply providing us to succeed. Not to mention, this "Shadow Lodge" will still be up and running in "your" little town. So you can blame yourself if "your" mission goes south, KAY

With his peace said, he unhappily goes with the bag, and takes a deep breath once out of it. When on the streets, he tries the best he can to help in locating any possible leads.

aid diplo: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Pierre thinks that he could ask around at any bar or market, but thinks back on his previous connections.

---

The Galtan man saunters up to the muscular 'woman', hawking the wares of her girls on the streets of Kaer Maga. "Miss Feathers! It seems that I may have need of your information network once more. Do the words Shadow Lodge mean anything to you?" he asks of the woman who has been giving him room and board for the past few days.

"Oi, just because we're Pathfinders doesn't mean we're peoplefinders!"

Still, Brak canvasses around, mostly acting as color commentator, but he DID spend some time about the city after our last foray. He seeks out dwarves, being the most reasonable of all races, and tries to get a bead on where some erstwhile and errant Pathfinders might be operating. Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18 Not at home to check for relevant boons.