GM Bold Strider's PFS 00-17 Perils of the Pirate Pact (Inactive)

Game Master rpblue

“I have a mission for you,” says Istivil Bosk, the Venture-Captain of Daggermark in the River Kingdoms. After receiving the assignment from Venture-Captain Adril Hestram in Absalom, traveling for weeks across the Inner Sea and up the lengthy Sellen River, and with barely an hour to adjust to Daggermark’s sights and sounds, the Venture-Captain of Daggermark now paces back and forth across cramped quarters crammed full of maps, books, and adventuring gear.

“Your timing is perfect, friends,” explains Bosk, an elderly man with graying hair and a pinched, weathered face. He waves a parchment in his hand. “I received another letter just yesterday.” He holds up another stack of letters. “It’s from the Black Marquis—I believe his real name is Bazzak—the leader of a band of brigands surreptiously known as the Pirate Pact. In all of these letters, he claims to need our help and offers us The Memoirs of the Silver Brotherhood, a rare text—maybe the rarest—in exchange. The Society tried for years to track it down and now Bazzaks claims to be ready to give it to us. I’m sending you north to Deadbridge near the Echo Wood to meet this Black Marquis and offer him your help with whatever it is he needs. I want this book, and you’ll get it for me.”

And so the mission travels north along the Sellen River, to the aptly named village of Deadbridge, a rundown hamlet partially built on wharves. It is there, in a rundown antiquemanor house where stands Urdul Bazzak, the Black Marquis.

“I rule the Pirate Pact and with it the stretch of the Sellen River between here and Numeria,” proudly states the portly little man. “The waterways are the lifeblood of the River Kingdoms, so you must understand that any menace to the river is a menace to the balance of power.” The Black Marquis stops and quickly looks to his left and right before leaning in and continuing in hushed tones. “Unless someone deals with this threat soon, I could lose everything. Normally I would rely on my most trusted lieutenants, but …” Bazzak sits up, regains some composure, and resumes. “The book I’m willing to trade for your service—The Memoirs of the Silver Brotherhood—contains information about an Azlanti treasure vault deep within the Echo Wood. That’s where I sent my most trusted lieutenants. Only, on their way they were waylaid by spiders and abominations and only one returned alive. Lady Riverbane sent out another ship upon her return, the Hanspur’s Luck, to search for my men. The Luck hasn’t returned either.” Bazzak points to the only other person in the room, a raven-haired beauty standing in a corner. “Lady Riverbane is my most trusted second, and she will take one of my best ships and guide you back to the Azlanti vault. Rid the river of these monstrous spiders and their abominations, find the Hanspur’s Luck, and uncover the whereabouts of my men, and the book is yours. Do it quickly, do it quietly, and do it before the rest of the Pact realize I’ve sent my best men on fools’ errands that may have killed them all.”

Taicho quietly listens to Bazzak explain what needs to be done as he watches his companions reactions for clues on how to respond.

This seems like a rather straight forward mission. I wonder what he is not telling us.
Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 10

"Say more of abominations please."

Amon listens to the man's story, not quite sure on what to think of it all. Why is the Captain and his second in charge not with their crew?

We will help your crew for you

"Young man, you seem in a hurry! Let's calm down. Have no fear, we will see what happened in that... vault." says the bent-back old man to the Black Marquis.

Listen patiently for Bazzak to finish.

I wonder if this has happened before to any other ships?

"Sir, I would be honored to help you find your wayward crew. I do wonder if this sort of happening has occurred before?"

It is unprecedented, Paladin. Bazzak answers before turning to the Tengu. Abominations. Creatures of myth and legend who appear as nothing that has seen this landscape in thousands of years. My men didn't exactly stop and ask them their names...

After leaving the audience with the Black Marquis, they wander the streets of Deadbridge, but find nothing of interest. They eventually rendezvous with the Black Marquis’s ship: the Scrag Fisher, a 50-foot long, single-masted vessel rigged with a lugsail. When the Pathfinders arrive, Lady Riverbane and several able-bodied sailors are already on board preparing for departure.

Bazzak’s second in command serves as captain and guide to you on this trip. This dashing young woman is gifted with undeniable magnetism and a cunning mind. Behind her aura of proud confidence and resolve lies a dark viciousness that earned her the fearful respect of her peers, having lied, deceived, and murdered her way to the Black Marquis’s right-hand.

Lady Riverbane sees the Pathfinders board and they begin preparations to cast off immediately. Buckle down, boys. We cast off in ten. Might want to stow that scale mail in the hold. Hate to see you fall in and drown...

---

Since it left Deadbridge, the Scrag Fisher has been cutting a straight furrow into the lazy waters of the Sellen River, making good speed thanks to its industrious crew actively manning the ship’s sail and ropes. Deadbridge is already far behind when an exclamation rises. “Sail Ho!” One of the robust sailors points ahead while turning toward Lady Riverbane standing at the helm. “It’s a cog, Milady. And it flies no colors—should we tender these trespassers?” Looking at the incoming vessel, Lady Riverbane answers in a stern voice: “Nay! Not today, man. We have our mission. We’ll stick to it.” Without another word, the crew gets back to working the hawser and lanyards.

Being Taicho's first time on a boat, he watches everything intently, trying to figure out how it all works. He is particularly interested in the scene that plays out when the lookout calls out the unidentified merchant coaster ...

"Pardon Lady ... what mean 'no colors'?"

Papy Shayn holds on thigly to the ship's rail, mumbling:

"Sooner or later, we will all fall in the water, I can see that! I can see it!"

goes down and stows his gear as best as he can figure out. He also takes off his scale mail. Then comes back up next to Taicho holding the rail.

I can only guess how they "tender" the trespassers

"Do you get a lot of trespassers around here?"

Garon attempts to question the first mate, but he is knocked off balance as the two ships draw closer, the other craft’s pitiful state becomes obvious. With planks and riggings missing in places, sailors frantically move about the deck and appear to have difficulty steering their ship. As the two ships avoid collision and pass alongside each other, a shout rises—”Now!”—followed by a volley of grappling hocks from the other vessel. The Scrag Fisher is under attack!

The other ship is the Waverender—the name barely readable on the vessel’s verdigris nameplate. A dozen disenfranchised River Kingdoms corsairs sail this worn-down craft. The fight starts with the Scrag Fisher solidly secured to the Waverender by grapnels and ropes—a five-foot gap separates the two vessels.

Initiative:
Papy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Garon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Taicho: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Amon: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Sailors: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Initiative:
1st: Amon @ 10/10 HP; Taicho @ 9/9 HP; Papy @ 7/7 HP; Garon @ 13/13 HP
2nd: Sailors (#1; #2; #3; #4; #5; #6)

Amon begins to run across the ship as he leaps onto the railing, throwing himself onto the Waverender's deck. He draws his shortswords in one fluid motion as he fully defends himself against the onslaught as the rest of his group boards the ship.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

+4 to AC for AC of 20

Round 1 Initiative 20

Taicho immediately spring into action and fires his bow at the corsairs on the other vessel ...
Comp Sh Bow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 for Piercing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
... and rushes his first shot which sails harmlessly threw the rigging.

Suddenly very calm, Papy Shayn strides quickly with an astonishing dexterity and says to the nearer corsair the one near Amon and near the ship's rail

"Hahaha, I will currrse you with... misfortune!"

Will save DC 14

Initiative 14

Stand up and then draw weapon.

Repel the invaders! yells the first mate as she struggles with the ship's wheel.

Papy intimidates the closest pirate causing him to suffer from Misfortune.

Will: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Two of the invading pirates throw planks down across the gap and draw their weapons.

The other four surround Amon and lash out at him, attempting to bring down the counter-intruder.

Scimitar @ Amon-20 AC: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 2 = 13
Scimitar @ Amon-20 AC: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 2 = 8
Scimitar @ Amon-20 AC: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 1 + 2 = 22
Scimitar Confirmation @ Amon-20 AC: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 1 + 2 = 18
Scimitar @ Amon-20 AC: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 1 + 2 = 22
Scimitar Confirmation @ Amon-20 AC: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 1 + 2 = 12

Two of the attacks cut deep into Amon's flesh.

Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

Initiative:
1st: Amon @ 3/10 HP; Taicho @ 9/9 HP; Papy @ 7/7 HP; Garon @ 13/13 HP
2nd: Sailors (#1-R; #2-O-Misfortune; #3-Y; #4-G; #5-B; #6-V)

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Amon pushes past the man as he stands on the plank between the two ships. In passing he holds his swords into a defensive posture.

+4 to AC for 20 AC

Now that I have a better position to attack next turn

Round 2 Initiative 20
Taicho fires another arrow #1-R
Cmp Sh Bow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 for Piercing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Move Action Papy begins to cackle loudly.

Standard Cackling and giggling, Papy looks deep into the next corsair's eyes (Blue) and yells

"Currrse! Currse for everrrybody !"
Will save DC 14

Moves up on the plank and takes a defensive posture.

+4 ac since I don't have scale mail on ac 17 altogether

"By Iomedae's sword, come face the sting of my steel"

@Papy: Just so you know, Misfortune ends at the beginning of your turn as it is a one round duration. You need to Misfortune into a Cackle on the same round to make it last longer than one round. Since you used your move action, you couldn't have extended the first Misfortune.

Papy's first curse wears off of the corsair who just laid the plank as he attempts to curse one of the others.

Will Save: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Amon leaps over one of the pirates and avoids an attack as he and Garon reinforce the gangways onto their charge.

Taicho launches an arrow at one of the pirates and successfully drops him to the ground, screaming out in pain.

The rest of the pirates continue their assault on the Pathfinders, filling in the gaps.

Scimitar @ Amon-20 AC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Scimitar @ Amon-20 AC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Scimitar @ Amon-20 AC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Scimitar @ Garon-17 AC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Scimitar @ Garon-17 AC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

However, these inept fighters flail their swords around uselessly.

These guys seriously have no stat above an 11 or below a 10, lol.

Initiative:
1st: Amon @ 3/10 HP; Taicho @ 9/9 HP; Papy @ 7/7 HP; Garon @ 13/13 HP
2nd: Sailors (#2-O; #3-Y; #4-G; #5-B; #6-V)

Round 3 Initiative 20

Taicho draws his lg spear and moves up behind Amon to attack next round.

Having plenty of time to study the sailors movements Amon slashes both of his short swords at the man directly in front of him. Though he stumbles a bit as the two ships rock into each other.

Main Shortsword: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

Offhand Shortsword: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 1 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Studied Target (Move Action)- +1 Att/Damage

Thanks for the info, first time I play a witch :D

Move action Papy goes on cackling.

Standard action "What? It doesn't work? Then I should try with YOU aiming yellow ! Currse of misfortune!"
Will save DC 14

@Amon: Unless I am missing something, you can't Studied Target and full attack in the same round.

Amon sees how the pirates attack and lashes out at the one in front of him, but his studying doesn't seem to help.

Taicho draws a longspear and is ready to attack. Amon will provide soft cover giving you a -4 to hit the guy in front of him. Partial cover is granted to the other two in adjacent squares (-2 to hit).

Papy tries to curse one of the other pirates after his second attempt failed.

Will: 1d20 ⇒ 5

The pirate feels a sense of unease fall over him.

Initiative:
1st: Amon @ 3/10 HP; Taicho @ 9/9 HP; Papy @ 8/8 HP; Garon @ 13/13 HP
2nd: Sailors (#2-O; #3-Y-Misfortune; #4-G; #5-B; #6-V)

Attack the violet sailor

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Cleave: attack yellow sailor cleave attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
confirm if needed: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Cleave: attack yellow sailor [dice=cleave attack] 1d20+3

[dice=confirm if needed]1d20+3
[dice=damage]1d8+2

Sorry this was supposed to be placed under Garon's name

Garon cuts down the two pirates with his slashes. For future reference, you need to roll damage again for criticals.

The remaining three pirates lash out at Amon and Garon with their scimitars.

Scimitar @ Garon-13 AC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Scimitar @ Amon-16 AC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Scimitar @ Amon-16 AC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The two men miss Amon, but one of them is able to slash Garon across his exposed chest.

Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Initiative:
1st: Amon @ 3/10 HP; Taicho @ 9/9 HP; Papy @ 8/8 HP; Garon @ 7/13 HP
2nd: Sailors (#2-O; #4-G; #5-B)

Papy stops cackling and comes behind Garon, touching lightly his back.

"I'm behind you. Let me guide you."
Papy casts guidance on Garon. You have +1 on hit (to make it short).

Attack green sailor

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Amon spins his short swords about at the sailor, though the ships slam into each other dropping him to a knee.

Main Shortsword: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Offhand Shortsword: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

Round 4 Initiative 20 Long Spear
Taicho will attack the sailor on the right #5-B
Long Spear: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 - 2 = 8 for Piercing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
... the roll of the ship pitching him slightly off balance, he stabs only open air.

Garon fells the green sailor as the rocking motion of the ship keep Taicho and Amon from doing much of anything.

Scimitar @ Amon-16 AC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Scimitar @ Amon-16 AC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

The remaining pirates suffer much from the same fate.

Initiative:
1st: Amon @ 3/10 HP; Taicho @ 9/9 HP; Papy @ 8/8 HP; Garon @ 7/13 HP
2nd: Sailors (#2-O; #5-B)

jumps off the plank towards the orange sailor and swings sword at him.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Failing miserably

Round 5 Initiative 20 Long Spear
Taicho will press the attack ...
Long Spear: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 - 2 = 19 for Piercing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
... his long spear darting forward through the pirates defenses to draw first blood.

Papy laughs but whispers encouraging words at Garon's ear.

Guidance on Garon: +1 on hit. Maybe you should wait before acting ;)

I don't think a +1 would have helped with that roll papy... It was just a bad roll... nothing I can do about a roll of a 1 no matter what bonuses there are

I know, I'm just saying that it could have been useful if it was closer to the corsair's AC.

Amon steadies his fee as her whirls his shortswords in a flurry at the Orange man.

Main Shortsword: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Offhand Shortsword: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Yeah, I think you are right lol

A flurry of attacks by Amon and Taicho render the last two pirates unconscious, bleeding on the foredeck.

Captain Riverbane commands her men to search the boat for any supplies and to handle the survivors. Several sailors rush onto the opposing ship and carry back boxes of foodstuffs, clay jugs of fresh water and some light armaments. After pillaging the ship, the men begin to toss the enemy pirates overboard to their assured deaths after taking any valuable items they may have.

Status:
1st: Amon @ 3/10 HP; Taicho @ 9/9 HP; Papy @ 8/8 HP; Garon @ 7/13 HP

Walk across the plank back to the boat I came from.

"Thank you Papy, for the help. Amon are you going to be o.k.?"

no. If I could get some assistance it would be appreciated.

Amon pulls a wand from his pack and holds it out before him

"No problem, son. I was simply assurring our... victory." says Papy to Garon with a crooked grin.

He then takes the wand Amon is handing and use it on Amon and Garon.

Amon: Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Garon: Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

The Pathfinders resuscitate themselves as the pirates finish throwing the corpses and unconscious enemies into the murky sea.

Let's move people! belts out the First Mate. We got quite the haul in front of us.

The Scrag Fisher sails on after the altercation with the river thugs and does not come across any other aggressive boats that day. The next morning, low gray clouds smear the sky, and by midday tall trees leaning over the riverbank further obstruct the pale sun. A gloomy mood falls on the pirate crew as the ship enters Echo Wood. A mere hour before dusk, the sailors’ misgivings crystallize when the expedition comes across a barge trapped in giant webs.

The wind seems to come to a dead still as the Scrag Fisher approaches the wreckage of a hulking river barge. “It’s the Hanspur’s Luck, Milady—or what’s left of it,” grumbles one of the pirates. Like a large bee stuck in a spider’s web, the partially sunken boat bulges out of a mesh of sticky tangles, its deck slightly sloping abaft. Slowly turning the wheel, Lady Riverbane orders her ship toward the ensnarled derelict, and a minute later the Scrag Fisher’s moorings are secured to the Hanspur’s Luck. The captain turns around and says, “Here we are mates. That looks like a good place to start your investigation, wouldn’t you say?”

After a thorough investigation, you determine that the top deck of this bulky vessel holds nothing of interest. The Pathfinders must cut their way through thick webbing to reach the hatchway and staircase leading inside the ship. The hold is dark, full of spider webs, and its aft section is partially under water (up to 3 feet at the deepest end).

Status:
1st: Amon @ 10/10 HP; Taicho @ 9/9 HP; Papy @ 8/8 HP; Garon @ 13/13 HP

Amon: I suggest I keep your wand of CLW, so I can keep on healing. Is it ok for you?

"Hmm, it looks like a spider trap. But I can't see any of them. Strrrange! Living in the forrest, I know these creatures..."

Papy Shayn looks everywhere as if he were spied.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

"Perhaps the spiders found better hunting grounds and they left their homes here in their wake. But let us keep our eyes open just in case

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20