GM Endless Forms' PFS 02-23 and 02-24 Shadow's Last Stand Parts I and II (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

As Max swings his blade, the party hears a thump as the gnome's body falls to the ground unconscious.

Out of combat!

A while later as the invisibility fades, the party sees not a gnome but a grayish humanoid creature that seems almost unfinished with a narrow head, gaunt limbs, and a sinister, noseless face.

Investigating the playhouse, you find a dozen dressing rooms through a short corridor behind the stage. Each room has a piece of paper with a name scrawled on it tacked to the door where it looks like a nameplate used to be. One of the doors still features a gold-faced nameplate that says “Senlokto Boraminder”.

In the room on the desk is a piece of paper:

Yero,[/b]

[i]From what I ’ve seen of your most recent recruits and the plays, you are doing a splendid job as a stage director, but are failing me in our ultimate pursuit. Need I remind you why I hired you in the first place? There is no shortage of young “talent ” eager to appear on stage; ensure that as many of them as possible come under our influence. Only then can we truly profit on their sale.

The note is signed with a stylized rendition of a spider.

Furthermore, you can find with some searching a trap door beneath the carpet. The trap door opens to a ladder that leads down 15 feet to a crawl space measuring no more than 20 feet square. In one corner of the room is a pile of rags, beneath which lies the decomposed body of the true Senlokto Boraminder. In the other corner of the room lie scattered papers, including the deed for the Captive Audience, signed by Senlokto Boraminder, as well as papers providing the details of the recent renovations to the playhouse, some of them signed by both Ouidda and Senlokto.

Know. Nature 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

"This thing was a doppelgänger, not the real gnome," Alie exclaims as she searches the now dead body for any magic items.

As the group finds the trapdoor, she waits to allow the guys to go first. " ah, the real Boraminder. What can we make out from that note?"

Linguistics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

"Aha!" Maximo holds up the notes regarding the most recent renovations and points to Senlokto's signature. "This is a forgery!"

He then frowns. "But what is the Spider's interest in this playhouse I wonder? This other note indicates profiting from the sale of young talent. Is this some sort of slave-trade? Perhaps we should talk to the actors."

Are the actors still around?

"There's something else. If the Spider is deliberately using doppelgangers, who knows who else they've replaced? We need to report this to the Venture-Captain quickly...but watch him carefully when we give him the news. It also sounds like they're mixed up with the slave trade."

Ok, I'm back!

The actors are all lying in their rooms practicing their lines and seem strangely disconnected when you try to enter their rooms and converse with them.

Alie casts Detect Magic as they talk to the actors, hoping to see if they have been ensorcelled by an outside force.

Baz observes the disaffected actors, keenly.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32
Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Maximo sniffs at them, looks in their mouths, then checks the liquor cabinets.

Craft Alchemy for drugs?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Alie indeed detects a lingering enchantment aura and Baz notices the tell-tale signs of mind-control.

"Yeah, they've been magicked all right. We need to find a way to get it dispelled, so we can find out what is really going on here."

Maximo slaps one of the actors. "Wake up! The Theater is on fire!"

I got nothing really, but I'll try to use the threat of death, plus bardic fascinate to get their attention. DC 16

When Max begins to slap the actors around and shout at them, they instantly snap out of their trance. They begin to remove their costumes, wondering what they were thinking and why they thought they could be actors in the first place. Most of them were lowly citizens or laborers and can't remember what gave them the idea to take up acting.

"Well, it seems our work is done here." Maximo slaps his hands as if cleaning off dust. "Shall we retire for the night and visit Jarovar first thing in the morning?"

Alie checks all the actors to be sure they were not still charmed. Once satisfied the magics had been broken, she allowed them to go on their way. "I don't really see what else we can do here. At least we've done a good deed today, and all those people are now free again!"

Baz nods and stifles a yawn. "Agreed."

Sorry I've been so slow on this one lately; I'll try to pick up the pace a little. I was also just waiting to see if you wanted to do anything/where you wanted to go next.

The party finds a place in town where they can get some rest. The next morning it is easy enough to find Jarovar's Investments. Entering the building's lobby you find a crusty half-elf. "Whaddaya want? We're not open to solicitors and we're not taking on any new business."

As you approach the counter, you can tell that for as little regard as he has given to manners, he has given even less regard to personal hygiene.

Kilian nods once to the half-elf, then starts watching the doors and letting the others do the talking.

"I assume you are Jarovar? We need to ask you some questions about your business associates. We are running out of time, so forgive the bluntness, but we are looking for The Spider."

Diplomacy 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

Back in his disguise, Maximo supports Alie by fingering his monkey-handled whip and twirling a mustache. "Yes, there has been an incident at the Theater that should be reported immediately." To the authorities, of course.

Auto-aid diplomacy to grant +4 to Alie's roll (with the Taldor boon).
Bluff (if needed): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

When Maximo lowers his hand some of the black makeup from his mustache stains his fingers.

And Alie needed the aid!

Jarovar begins the conversation picking at his gnarly fingernails but instantly stands up straighter when Alie mentions the Spider directly. "Ummm, ah. . . " Beads of sweat have already begun to run down his grimy face as he thinks of how to respond to such a forward request. "Well, I, ah, look: I just got to the city from Katapesh last year and a business contact had told me I could rake in some gold in this city. They told me someone named the Spider was looking for someone to look after the money and resources to accomplish some illegal thing in this country."

"So you see, I'm, ah, I'm just a pawn! Please! I didn't even really know it was slave-trading at first, I was just told to be running errands for people who might be slave-traders. The real trading went on at the Theater and the Sailswift. I just transported the goods. I don't even know what the goods are, I swear, I was just the middle man."

"Look: I don't know how the Spider is. I only dealt with two people and both of them gave me the creeps: Senlokto Boraminder, the director who gives me the goods, and Ruovarn Krillis, the captain who takes the goods."

"Now please, let's not make a big ordeal about this. Let me go just this once and I'll sail right on back to Katapesh and get out of the muck of this city."

Alie looked at the others. Let him go, or not?

"We've dealt with Boraminder already and freed the actors/slaves. Other than the Captain, who else knows about this scheme you all have been running?"

"No one, I think. Maybe there's higher-ups, I don't know, I'm just a pawn."

"You lead us to meet the Captain, and I have no problem with you walking away. We are concerned with the big fish, not little guppies."

At the mention of the slave trade, Kilian's knuckles go white on the haft of his guisarme. "And don't come back unless you find another line of work."

"Alie has an interesting proposition." Maximo says, waving a black stained finger about. "Jarovar, you owe it to those taken in this vile plot to end further enslavement. Show us any evidence in your possession, then make your usual delivery to the ship tonight. We shall play the role of your slaves until a time appropriate for a dramatic reveal."

Search Jarovar and his place. Also detect evil on Jarovar, plus a sense motive to see what his true colors might be.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Baz stays quiet, but watches everything keenly.

Detect Evil!

Detect Lies!

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26

He is not evil nor is he lying. Searching his desk and person reveals no solid evidence; he was paid in coin under the table and never signed any documents. Jarovar agrees to the plan to sneak you to the boat tonight.

---

Later that day, Jarovar loads you into his cart and sets off for the docks. At this late hour, the briny sea air of Almas’s wooden docks is
void of the daytime crowds of crew members bustling about. Nearly a dozen ships are docked here, and several more are anchored in the calm waters further from the shore. One ship in particular still has lanterns hanging lit next to its gangway, a shoddy wooden plank that connects the old ship to the dock. Red letters scrawled on the side of the ship read “Sailswift,” and several cloaked men move to and fro on the ship’s deck with uncanny grace, shifting boxes of cargo about and going below deck occasionally.

As Jarovar approaches, several pale men nod to him silently and he stops pushing the cart as they approach. The half-elf backs away as the men take the covered cart and begin to push it up the gangplank and onto the deck of the ship. You can hear about five people on deck moving things about and talking softly to each other, mostly about mundane things.

"Your plan has worked perfectly, Alie." Maximo grins in the darkness of the cart. "Should we stay in character and hope the enemy reveals more of their plans, sneak below decks, or introduce ourselves now in spectacular fashion?"

"I say we move now. No telling what might be waiting for us below decks. Let's end this charade!"

Kilian nods in agreement. "Baz, can you get a look outside of the cart before we attack?"

Baz nods, and tries to take a peek outside.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

It is too difficult for Baz to lift the leather cover over the cart without attracting attention, so the party decides for a spring attack!

I'll give you guys a surprise round. Go!

When you pop up and get a good look at the crew, you easily spot the signs of vampiric heritage (they are dhampirs).

Kilian takes a quick step out and tries to upend C4, hoping that the dhampir's surprise will give him the opportunity to do so.

Trip attempt on C4: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Alie looks for the greatest collection of dhampirs and casts Deep Slumber on the gathering, trying to knock out several of the sailors.

Save Will DC 22 to resist

Baz pronounces judgement against the vampire-spawn and fires an arrow at the sailor to his northeast.

Activate judgement of Destruction (Damage +3). I assume you can do a swift and standard in the surprise round?

Attack, PBS: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 3 = 15

As the group decides on a frontal assault, Maximo drinks a couple alchemical substances. When the trap is sprung, he steps towards the closest dhampir and gives him one warning.

"Surrender now and be spared!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

A couple pre-combat preparations. Wand of expeditious retreat, Shield extract, and Mutagen.

Status:
AC 26
HP 54
Speed enhanced
Mutagen active (+4 str, +2 nat armor, -2 int)

Kilian leaps out and puts one of the men on the ground!

Alie begins casting a spell. 1 round casting time so you'll have to use up your standard in the first round to finish it. Weird rule.

Baz takes a stance and puts a bow in one of the crewmembers!

Max yells at the dhampirs but they don't look willing to stand down just yet.

---

Two of the dhampir crewmembers draw rapiers and move up to flank Alie!

rapier, flank: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 = 29
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

rapier, flank: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The one near Max takes a step over and draws his own blade, now flanking with his buddy.

rapier, flank: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

The one near Kilian tries to stand up (provoking from Kilian) and stab at Kilian (unless Kilian trips him again that is; CMD 18; if you trip him as an AoO ignore the attack)

rapier: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

The captain up top ducks behind the railing, out of sight for the moment.

Confirm on Alie:
rapier, flank: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 = 11
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Initiative:

1. Captain and crew
2. Alie, Max, Kilian, and Baz

C3: 15 dmg
C4: prone

You guys are up!

Good thing they're not all rogues, yeah?

Ah yeah, I forgot Deep Slumber was like Sleep and required a full round. As she was hit twice, I assume she risks losing the spell. Any idea what concentration check I have to make? She took 6 points of damage.

I can't trip on the AoO from standing, as they haven't gotten up yet. But they do take the prone AC penalty.

"Not so fast!" Kilian chops down at the fallen dhampir. Its return stroke skitters off of his breastplate.

PA w/guisarme to dhampir: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
PA damage, if applicable: 2d4 + 14 ⇒ (1, 2) + 14 = 17

Ah yeah, I forgot Deep Slumber was like Sleep and required a full round. As she was hit twice, I assume she risks losing the spell. Any idea what concentration check I have to make? She took 6 points of damage.

Concentration is 10+damage dealt+spell level

So I need a 19, I think. 6 points of damage and a third level spell. Modifiers are +7 for level and +6 for caster stat.

Concentration check 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24

Having given his warning, Maximo harvest his greatsword with arcane energy and enters the fight with a powerful slash at the dhampir facing Alie.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 2 = 15
Damage with Arcane Strike: 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (5, 5) + 14 = 24

Acrobatics to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Baz drops his bow and draws his scimitar, while circling behind Allie. Getting into a flanking position with Max, he slashes at a sailor.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Damage, Precise Strike, Judgement: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (5) + 3 = 14

@Kilian: Ah! I knew that, I don't know what I was thinking.

Kilian digs his weapon into the dhampir as the crewmember stands! That was your AoO, you still get a regular action.

After they have moved I think Alie can only hit one of them at a time. Let's see what happens if she puts it back where the captain is:

Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Alie puts the captain to sleep! Max swings and misses at one of the dhampirs near Alie.

AoO on Baz: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Baz moves around and slashes into one of the crew!

Initiative:

1. Captain and crew
2. Alie, Max, Kilian, and Baz

C1: 14 dmg
C3: 15 dmg
C4: 17 dmg
RK: asleep

Kilian is up!

Kilian hits the one that just stood up again, a solid shot.

PA on C4: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
PA guisarme damage: 2d4 + 14 ⇒ (3, 3) + 14 = 20

Kilian takes out one of the crewmembers!

---

The three remaining dhampirs do some fancy footwork to get themselves out of flank (for the moment) while still flanking you guys!

rapier on Alie: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 = 25
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

rapier on Max: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

rapier on Max: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Initiative:

1. Captain and crew
2. Alie, Max, Kilian, and Baz

C1: 14 dmg
C3: 15 dmg
RK: asleep

You guys are up!

Current HP 38/48

Alie moves back 5' and uses a magic missile at her attacker.

Damage 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4, 2, 1) + 4 = 13

Kilian dances back and spins, bringing his guisarme around in a lethal arc towards the flanking anchor.

PA guisarme to C1, incl. leaping attack: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 1 = 20
Guisarme PA damage to C1, if applicable, incl. leaping attack: 2d4 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3) + 14 + 1 = 22

Looks like that dhampir might have threatened a critical on Maximo.

"First blood is yours!" Maximo says after taking a minor wound. Setting his feet and bring up his sword, he tries to take another swing but gets caught in the rigging. "Oh blunderfarce!"

Power Attack: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 - 2 = 14
Damage with Arcane Strike: 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (4, 2) + 14 = 20