GM Endless Forms' PFS 01-29 The Devil We Know Part I: Shipyard Rats (1-7) (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

Assuming, of course, that Killian slays rat #3.

Oswin steps around Baern to attack the rat in front of Killian, hoping to free his allies for an assualt on the druids.

Longsword: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Kilian hits the third rat so hard it stops existing; there's no blood, no gore, no fur, nothing. In fact, he hit it so hard it never existed. All memories of the rat are wiped from those who ever came across its path and like a rippling wave the effects of its nonexistence will continue to change history and the future forever.

Oswin then steps around and injures the other rat.

Upset that their pets have been killed and injured, the druids advance on the aggressors!

#1 clubs Baern: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 6) + 2 = 9

#2 clubs Oswin: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 6) + 2 = 12

#3 clubs Oswin: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 3) + 2 = 10

Initiative:

1. Baern and Alie
2. Rat ACs
3. Kilian and Oswin
4. Druids

D1: 8 dmg
D2:
D3:
R2: 8 dmg

Baern and Alie are up!

Alie focuses on Druid 1, and again casts a spell, hoping to incapacitate the caster.

Cast Hideous Laughter Will DC 20 to avoid.

Current status: 32/35 HP. 6 1st level spells cast today. 3 2nd level spells cast today.

Baern holds until after Alie again.

I'll post this now. Obviously, if the rat knocks me out, we can adjust.

Oswin tries to quickly bring down the rat to give Killian more room to maneuver.

Longsword+bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Kilian hits the third rat so hard it stops existing; there's no blood, no gore, no fur, nothing. In fact, he hit it so hard it never existed. All memories of the rat are wiped from those who ever came across its path and like a rippling wave the effects of its nonexistence will continue to change history and the future forever.

Since when did Killian learn the weave for balefire?

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Alie tells a funny joke and the first druid drops to the floor laughing. Bearn kicks his club away as he steps past and cuts down the second druid.

The lone rat attacks Kilian:

bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
DC 11 Fort save against disease

Oswin then finishes off the rat.

Initiative:

1. Baern and Alie
2. Rat ACs
3. Kilian and Oswin
4. Druids

D1: 8 dmg, prone and laughing
D3:

Kilian is up!

Kilian steps up and tries to trip the third druid, but instead (I think) entangles his guisarme in the furniture and has to drop it to avoid falling over himself.

Trip attempt on D3, incl. bless: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 1 = 12

Kilian easily trips the other druid.

Perhaps against better judgement, the druids decide to swing from the ground.

D1 swings his shield at Baern: 1d20 + 2 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 - 4 + 2 = 1
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

D3 swings his club at Baern: 1d20 + 2 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 - 4 + 2 = 7
damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 5) + 2 = 10

Initiative:

1. Baern and Alie
3. Kilian and Oswin
4. Druids

D1: 8 dmg, prone, club disarmed, no shield bonus
D3: prone

You guys are up!

Given that I rolled a 1, I don't think I managed the trip.

"Put down your weapons, before we are forced to kill you," Alie threatens.

Intimidate 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

The laughing druid can't attack but must make a save for laughing.

Baern swings at the druid still armed.
Scimitar: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

-Posted with Wayfinder

@Kilian: oh yeah! Didn't notice that. If it weren't a 1 it would have tripped, lol.

Forgot hideous laughter was still going. He didn't hit anyways.

Baern swings and hits the druid. He drops his club and both men stick their hands up in surrender.

Out of combat!

Kilian keeps his guisarme at the ready in case they try anything, but leaves the talking to the more charismatic party members.

Oswin sheathes his sword and puts his sheild down for a moment, then moves to tie the hands of the druids who surrendered. Once done, he speaks to them.

"It would be wise for you to tell us everything that you know about these kidnappings. As a servant of the Inheritor, I can assure you that as long as you cooperate you will face justice. I think you'll like that better than a swift end in this light-foresaken place."

"So spare no detail. Why are these people being captured? Where do you take them or sell them? Are they any others of your band down here?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

"We are looking for our friend Cestus. We need information about his whereabouts."

Aid Another Diplomacy 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

Baern kicks away the other's club and starts wiping down his blade. "Talk now and you may even forgo the harsh interrogation process."

Diplo Aid: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

One of the sputters out, "Dalirio is down in the Rat's Nest." he points to the door. "That Cestis person is down there. Dilario's got months of supplies stored down there, ready for the war. He takes the slaves down deeper into Cassomir's Locker and sells them to the derros. He's got deals with them."

"The war?"

"The war?" Baern echoes.

"The war," Alie echoes the echo.

"The war," the druid confirms. "Dalirio's got some allies in the Darklands and he's been brewing up chaos and anger with the kidnappings. It's only a matter of time before he strikes and takes what's rightfully his. Groetus will protect us, you'll see!"

"Oh, and, uh, you should probably watch out for that swinging axe when you open the door." the other druid adds.

"Now that is what I'm talking about. Thank you for cooperating so fully. We'll tell the authorities that you cooperated. That will be a chip in your favor, I'm sure."

Do we know where The Rat's Nest is?

My guess is through the door he indicated when he said the name.

"I don't think Groetus will not be in any position to help you when we are done with him. Your fate lies in the hands of the law."
Player failed their Knowledge (religion) check...

"A swinging axe by the door? How do we disable it?"

Psst--Groetus is the demigod they worship. I don't think this adventure is that high a tier....

They point you to a switch under a straw pallet that will disable the swinging axe.

Moving through the double door and down a hallway, you arrive in a larger chamber. Tall vaulted ceilings disappear into darkness high above as candles and torches barely illuminate the lower reaches of this room. Along the north wall are three cell doors, thick wooden affairs bracketed by solid steel bracings with small, six-inch-square windows set high in them. Enormous crates, barrels, and sacks of goods are stacked neatly in the southwest corner of the room. The floor is clean granite, etched with a wavyline pattern that permeates throughout the entire room; the design even climbs the walls and disappears into the vaults above. A rat-shaped chalk drawing dominates the floor in the center of the room, clearly depecting a dire rat leaning forward as if to pounce. Thick wooden doors in the east wall lead to a set of steep stairs beyond.

A man stands in the room with an undead servant tending to him. "Come to start the war?" he asks.

Initiative:

1. Oswin, Baern, and Alie
2. Undead
3. Kilian
4. Dalirio

Oswin, Baern, and Alie are up!

"Seems like it," the little gnome mutters. Alie tries to incapacitate the human by using her favorite Hideous Laughter spell.

Will DC 20 to resist. 4th second level spell of the day.

Know Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Baern activates his Judgement to smite the foe. Sword now counts as magical and good for DR.

He then casts a spell to heal his wounds.
CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Oswin would dfinitely cast Bull's Strength beofre entering a room with known hostiles. Can we pleae retcon this?

Oswin charges across the room, drawing his sword as he goes. He slashes at the undead creature, calling on Iomedae to grant him a special favor. He tries to remember what he can about the creature on the way.

Know Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

+1 Longsword, Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 31
Confirm?: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 14

Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 9
Crit damage?: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 8

+2 for Bull's Strength added to attack and damage; +2 for charge; +2 for A Sure Thing trait - only works against evil foes, but undead always are. AC 23 until start of next turn.

Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Alie tells another joke and the Groetian cleric falls to the floor laughing.

Baern declares a judgement on the enemy and heals himself.

Yes, retconning Bull's Strength is fine with me. I knew we were close so just wanted to push it to the final fight.

Oswin moves up to the huecuva and cuts a deep gash across its decomposing body. It does not like that so it returns the attack on Oswin:

claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
DC 12 Fort save or diseased

claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
DC 12 Fort save or diseased

Initiative:

1. Oswin, Baern, and Alie
2. Huecuva
3. Kilian
4. Dalirio

D: prone and laughing
H: 14 dmg

Kilian is up!

Kilian trots up behind Oswin and tries to hook the huecuva's legs.

Trip attempt on huecuva: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

That was a huecuva trip attempt there, Killian. Thank you...I'll be here all week. Try the veal and tip your servers.

Kilian puts the undead creature on the ground!

Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

The cleric continues to laugh from his position on the ground.

Initiative:

1. Oswin, Baern, and Alie
2. Huecuva
3. Kilian
4. Dalirio

D: prone and laughing
H: 14 dmg, prone

Oswin, Baern, and Alie are up!

If you guys finish the huecuva Kilian can take his action too.

Oswin swings his sword down at the prone abomination.

"For the good of all who live under the light, I smite thee, foul creature!"

Longsword + Power attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 13

"Smite" in layman's terms, not paladin terms... And Alie, that joke was just too PUNNY for me! XD

Don't quit your day job, Oswin ;-).

Oswin finishes off the undead creature!

Initiative:

1. Oswin, Baern, and Alie
3. Kilian
4. Dalirio

D: prone and laughing

Baern, Alie, and Kilian are up!

Baern charges forward, sad he missed his chance to smite the undead thing. He swings at the prone fella.

Scimitar: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11 vs Prone AC
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Alie will delay her action, readying to cast a spell if the druid breaks free from her enchantment.

Alie will delay her action, readying to cast a spell if the druid breaks free from her enchantment.

He already failed every save he gets. One save once the spell is cast, then once on his next turn. Since he failed that one, he's laughing for the duration with no more saves.

Stupid website going down.

Baern charges in but misses! Alie delays maybe

Initiative:

1. Oswin, Baern, and Alie
3. Kilian
4. Dalirio

D: prone and laughing for 3 more rounds

Kilian is up! Alie may come off of hold whenever she likes!

Is he carrying anything in his hands? If so:

Kilian prepares to strike at the fallen priest. "Drop your weapon and surrender."

Guisarme PA, if he doesn't: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
PA damage: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (4, 4) + 7 = 15

He has nothing at the moment.

The man's laughter becomes hysterical at Kilian's suggestion. Kilian then lays his weapon into the man.

That actually nearly does him in and I realized that with three rounds left of him doing nothing but laughing you guys can just take him out and I'll call it for Oswin's sake.

I'll get chronicle sheets out as soon as possible but we'll do some RP wrap-up before we start the new one.

Yay! Great job everyone. Thanks, DM! Take you time and I'm ready for part two when you are...

Ready for Part 2 as well. Though if we don't start till tomorrow, I'll have a 5th level option for our local game day, hahaha.

Baern looks around for signs of the Pathfinder comrade. (If we already found him, I apologize. A lot on my mind as of late.)

Kilian pauses to clean his guisarme. "Those Darklander allies the druids talked about--we'd better let people know about them."

"Well done, everyone. How anyone can be mad enough to actually worship Groetus nearly defies my understanding. It is well that we ended this threat. But I agree Killian, the derro threat is one we'll want to report back to our superiors in the Society. Let's make sure we free everyone here first, though."

Oswin helps Baern look for Cestis and any other people still held captive. He will free whoever he can and help stabilize any wounded.

Half of the crates in this room are marked with gigantic red X’s, painted on with a wide brush. The supplies include flour, grains, sugar, coffee, tea, dried goods, and so on—everything the cult needs to supply its operations. The citizens held captive in the cells to the north thank you profusely for helping them and tell tales of dark- or gray-skinned humanoids with enormous gray eyes who came frequently to negotiate with Dalirio before buying a handful of captives and taking them from the room. Where these creatures took them, the captives don’t know. Among the captives, however, is the missing Pathfinder agent Cestis, who is badly beaten but nonetheless alive.

Defeating Dalirio has not ended the derro threat in Cassomir-in fact, Delirio, despite all his blustering to the contrary, seemed to be a rather small player in the plots that are unfolding deep beneath Cassomir. For now, however, the more brazen kidnappings have stopped and you have restored some semblance of peace to the city. How long that peace will last is unknown.

Ok, that does it for Part I! We'll probably start Part II tomorrow because I will be at our local mini-con all afternoon. Maximo will be joining us.

I'll set up the campaign now though.

Part II

Gameplay and Discussion threads are both open. I'll close this campaign down once everyone checks in over there.