GM Erich's The Many Fortunes of Grandmaster Torch - Outpost 2018 (Inactive)

Game Master Thereus, Silver Crusader

The group thus moves on - actually only a few hundred feet - until they reach Tandir's warehouse in purple. The hollow sounds of "business" proceed from inside, audible even to passers-by such as yourself. There is a closed main door, but the smallish windows on it suffice for a clearer view of activities within.

Raynor whispers, "It appears the man is being the victim of extortion... I am ready to fight to defend his honor. What say you?"

Raynor gets ready to cast a spell from a scroll and awaits the decision of the party, also allowing the sneaky types to do position themselves...

Khouri tries a bit of the food offered by Nergi but isn't impressed at the spicy Kelish fare.

When the group hears the argument from inside, Khouri nods his agreement with Raynor. "Aye, extortion is an abomination in the eyes of Abadar. Trade should be free. That man deserves death or worse. I say we punish him justly."

The dwarf fingers his axe, ready to leap into action when the door is opened.

"A great idea!" Smarmy adds, nodding enthusiastically. "And later, once we're gone, when the others come back for payback... I'm sure they'll work it out."

"Based on what I have seen in this city so far - We don't know if the man has any honor to begin with. Still..."

Nergi walks up to the houses. "Which building are they in?"

Or are there windows we can use to peek in?

"Their fight is of no concern to me, only the statues. Join this squabble or not, I will support you so long as we accomplish our task."

They are in the SW building, just the door but it has windows on it, as you can somehow see in for the spoiler. Go ahead and place yourself where you want to be when the door is opened by one of you.

As Bo and Khouri near the warehouse, Bo can spot two more ruffians lounging casually inside. Khouri opens the door to their surprise.

Belal Al-Sarif lets go of Nasir’s collar and looks at the your group warily. In passable common he speaks. "This shop is closed, private business meeting."

Smarmy casually works his way around the far side of the nearby building, letting the others draw all the attention.

"Private meeting? no Sir. More likely extortion from the sound of it. Whatever agreement you originally had should stand, and changing the terms along the way is not legal. I hereby stand witness to this and will now detain you until proper authorities have arrived. We have an Abadaran priest present here to attest to the severity of the pending charges. Until then, I recommend you stand down, disarm yourselves, lay on the ground facing down with your hands behind your head. NOW SIR!"

"Extortion? You know nothing of our ways, foreigner! But I'll soon teach you!" Belal laughs indignantly as he draws his dagger and goes straight for the closet foe.

Belal vs Bo: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Belal damage: 1d4 + 1 + 3d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (1, 1, 3) = 7

Round 1 - Full Round - Bold may go
Belal <Red>
Bo Goh -7 hp
Raynor
Smarmy
Yellow
Orange
Nergi
Khouri - 1 hp

Any square with boxes in it is difficult terrain

Flurry: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 251d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 2 = 15
Flurry: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 111d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 = 10

With stoic indifference, the monk snaps off two arrows into the nearest enemy before taking a step back for the others.

posting from my phone. Can someone move me right 5' please?

Are there other ways to gain access to the building? Or is it just the one small door at present?

The front door is rather mundane for a warehouse, there might be larger doors in the back. No other windows are visible.

Raynor pulls out a scroll of divine favor and casts it on Bo Goh Twang!

He gains +1 luck bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls for 1 min.

Raynor, Divine Favor is a personal spell, you can't cast it on someone else.

Seeing no way to get to the conflict, Smarmy decides to let it play out, instead working his way quietly around the side of the building, to see if there are any opportunities there.

Will move around the side, see if there's a 2nd way in

Fast Stealth: 1d20 + 11 - 5 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 11 - 5 - 1 = 23

Raynor, I'll assume you cast that upon yourself

One of the monk's arrows strikes true. The two thugs further in move to protect their leader. Nasir slides down behind the counter, evading the swings and stray arrows.

Smarmy slinks to the back of the warehouse and can see two large cargo doors.

Round 1 - Full Round - Bold may go
Belal <Red> -15 hp
Bo Goh -7 hp
Raynor
Smarmy
Yellow
Orange
Nergi
Khouri - 1 hp

Can the folks up first in round 2 go, or want us to wait for Nergi and Khouri?

Khouri attacks the first guard out the door, swinging hard in the name of Abadar. "This sacrilege of misdealing must end, and end now. Attacking strangers is no better."

Khouri Waraxe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Dmg, if hit: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Red gets a turn first, but if you need to post actions for next round go ahead and I'll work them in at the proper time

Handle Animal +16 :: Autmakes DC 10 to 'Attack'

bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 for 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 P/B/S damage.

Ride +10 :: Autmakes DC 5/10 to 'Guide with knees' and 'Fight with a combat-trained mount' :: Raynor guides Phranklin in a 5-foot step to the northwest after Phranklin's attack.

Raynor attempts to skewer the extortionists in self-defense.

+1 Lance, main attack, flank: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 14 + 2 = 29 for 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18
+1 Lance, iterative attack, flank: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 2 = 22 for 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17

atk: BAB 7, STR 5, Power Attack -2, Mounted 1, Divine Favor 1, Fate's Favored 1, Weapon +1; dmg: STRx1.5 7, Power Attack 6, Weapon 1, Divine Favor 1, Fate's Favored 1

Khouri is unable to back up his words with his waraxe, and Belal retreats to the relative safety of the warehouse.

Round 2 - Full Round - Bold may go
Belal <Red> -15 hp
Bo Goh -7 hp
Raynor
Smarmy
Yellow
Orange
Nergi delayed
Khouri - 1 hp

The monk sees the man attempting to block the doorway, but considers the entire battlefield. Find the man. Talk to the man. FIND the statues. They must be inside! "We must get beyond the portal."

Flurry (PBS) vs Yellow: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 171d8 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9
Flurry (PBS) vs Yellow: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 291d8 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13

Does not provoke Point Blank Master.

Sorry about the delay, folks. Easter was a bit busier than usual. Back at the helm now, however.

Nergi seems disappointed with the situation as she moves towards the fray. She draws her blade on the way, but complains under her breath:

"Every damn time I am sent to retrieve something in a peaceful manner, it turns into a fight. If it's not cultists, it's devils, weird tentacle monsters, mummies...", she swings:

+1 Rapier, Cold Iron, vs Yellow: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 231d4 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

"... or plain old thugs. Sometimes I think I would fight less in Mendev."

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Smarmy ducks around the back, trying to be as quiet as possible, and immediately goes to work on the door.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Well, unless it's not locked I suppose. =)

Nergi moves forward between the two buildings to strike the thug at the door and with near simultaneous thrusts they both draw blood. Bo Goh uses the melee fracas to finish him off with an arrow then steps forward to fire around the corner at the other thug, piercing him as well, and he drops to the ground with a sickening thud.

Raynor, feel free to redo your action seeing no foes in sight.

Smarmy finds the back entrance unlocked and prepares to open it.

yellow AOO vs Nergi's movement: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
yellow damage vs Nergi: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Round 2 - Full Round - Bold may go
Belal <Red> -15 hp
Nergi -7 hp
Bo Goh -7 hp
Raynor
Smarmy
Yellow -18 hp <unconscious>
Orange -13 hp <unconscious>
Khouri - 1 hp

+1 Lance, main attack, flank: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 14 + 2 = 29 for 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18

Ride check for Fast Dismount vs. DC 20: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22 Success = Free Action to Dismount

Vaulting off his saddle, Raynor gives his mount the 'Down' command [Free Action to Handle Animal +16 vs. DC 15 --> Automakes] and enters the building and tries to spear the offending parties involved in this dispute!
Using same roll as above, but changing modifiers, Raynor will attack the bad guy inside the building:
Attack, not mounted, no flank: 13 + 14 - 1 = 26 for damage unchanged of: 18 = 18

Thrusting his lance across a stack of boxes, Raynor finds the leader's shoulder quite malleable. A look of horror crosses not only Belal's face, but Nasir's too.

Round 2 - Full Round - Bold may go
Belal <Red> -33 hp
Nergi -7 hp
Bo Goh -7 hp
Raynor
Smarmy
Yellow -18 hp <unconscious>
Orange -13 hp <unconscious>
Khouri - 1 hp

As soon as Raynor notices the man going into physical shock, he reiterates, "ENOUGH! SURRENDER AND THROW YOUR WEAPONS AT YOUR FEET!"

With the henchmen out of the way, Khouri shoulders into the room, stepping up to the fool Belal, and swinging at his with his waraxe, despite the warning call from Raynor, but in his haste to undo the trade pirate, his attack misses.

Khouri axe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

With Khouri's swing going awry, Belal spits outs "I'll be back! You can count on that!" grabs his limp shoulder and trips through the boxes to the warehouse door, whipping it open to reveal the sneaky dwarf and cold stare waiting for him outside.

Round 3 - Full Round - Bold may go
Belal <Red> -33 hp <withdraws>
Nergi -7 hp
Bo Goh -7 hp
Raynor
Smarmy
Yellow -18 hp <unconscious>
Orange -13 hp <unconscious>
Khouri - 1 hp

No time to draw a weapon...

As the door opens in front of him, unexpectedly, Smarmy does his best to look surprised!

"Oh my... are you alright?" he cries, with mock concern, at the sight of the man's wounds. "Here, let me help you out of there!"

Feint: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31

As he moves aside to let the man through, under the pretense of assisting him, instead he bashes him with the flat of his shield.

Shield Bash: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18, 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 plus 3d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 3) = 11 sneak attack. (If the feint worked)

Combat over as that was just.. too appropriate.

Smarmy's shield connects solidly with Belal's chin, and the poor man goes down without even a whimper. From the corner of his eye, Smarmy can see the two men that were following earlier approaching carefully from a distance, but as they see Belal fall, they stop -- shake their heads, and quickly disappear back into the maze of the city beyond.

Inside the warehouse, Nasir curls up into a fetal position "Ah! Take whatever you want, if you're the new protection you certainly are.. proficient!"

Belal himself has a couple of potions, a magical dagger and armor, and a pouch with 200 gp, his thugs just have mundane equipment and a few gold pieces.

Raynor checks the bodies of the fallen for a pulse and breathing.

Heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

As he does so, he answers Nasir's question. "Fear not, Sir - we are not here to extort you. We are here to recover one of the four stolen Osirian statues, however. A thousand apologies for the mess. You have my help if you need it in any way. Would you happen to know the whereabouts of the other statues? we have uncovered leads from other parties in the city, but fresh information is always appreciated."

Raynor begins his search of the premises.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Smarmy quickly snags anything valuable-looking off the downed thug leader while hauling him inside so he's not laying out on the street attracting attention.

"I think he bumped his head." He says, innocently. "Clearly scared by your most efficient assault."

He doesn't seem to be paying much attention, not as concerned with the man's well-being as he lets on, instead glancing around at the shop with a curious eye.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Though quickly dismisses it, when he sees nothing of note.

Perception: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 27

The monk steps in the room, his mind trying to put order to the chaotic scene. As he steps behind the counter, he notices a discoloration in the wood. That should all be the same. He brushes his hand against the wood, unexpectantly opening the hidden cache of goods. As he sets the reclaimed statue on the counter, he turns to Nasir, "Did you know there was a bag of money here? A small fortune really. You should keep this hidden away. By the way, the neck on this horse is too long."

The halfling walks around performing rites above the bodies of the thugs. Casting Stabilise on all of them.

She drags the two remaining bodies inside, and looks at the merchant: "I suggest you contact the authorities and have these thugs arrested. They'll come to, eventually, and will probably be out for blood when it happens."

She looks around the room, and notices the statue on the counter next to Bo. "This is our mark?", she asks and points at the giraffe.

Nasir Tandir slowly rises as the group searches the warehouse. As Bo pulls out the statue, he answers Raynor.

"No, my good sir, I know of no other statues, I purchased this one as a gift for my granddaughter." Nodding to the handfuls of platinum that surround it, he adds. "That is the bounty of good business sense... and my life's fortune."

Responding to Nergi, he incredulously continues "No, no, no...I couldn't do that, they are the authorities around here. Well, local street shahs -- to be exact-- for the local thieves guild. You...you are not here to replace them?"

Nergi determines from a failed stabilize that Belal is dead.

Obviously - you need to take the stolen statue, but you also need to decide if you are taking his platinum as well...

If I'd spotted it, I totally would have pocketed some! Alas, I failed the check, and others saw it, now such things are difficult =)
Stupid lawfulgoodnicks!

Find the man. Talk to the man. FIND THE STATUES.

"Who did you buy this from? I am here for this horse statue, and to find the others like it. " Bo scoops up the worn leather pouch full of coins and hands it to Nasir. "Like I said, there is quite a bit of money there. You should be careful with it." Convinced there are no other leads here, the monk leaves the building.

Bo waits to hear who bought the statue from before departing.

"Have a good day Sir. Apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused. I wish you prosperity and fruitful relationship with the new shahs."

3rd location please.

The halfling shakes her head at the notion of thieves guild being the authority in the area and sighs.

"This place is truly lawless... Let's carry on, I suppose."

Tandir's face shifts from fear to anticipation to relief, as you only relieve him of the strange statue.

I purchased it only just recently from a broker, a man named C'haim, I think. If you happen to see him again, let him know I'm in need of another trinket for my granddaughter. Praise the dawnflower for your mercy."

His face returns to anticipation as you leave him in the warehouse with the dozing thugs.

------------------------------

Wandering about the Overmarket, you focus your search on seeking out Viraj Arpani, the man with bells on.

No more than several hundred feet from the warehouse, you hear those bells in the distance...

Picture Added

What Torch said was true—he is unmistakable. Sitting on the rim of a fountain, the man appears to be contemplating the contents of a small intricately carved wooden box. The many pouches of his flowing, bell-covered robes bulge with various small items, and wands and rods stick out from odd folds.

Under his arm he casually carries an item wrapped in shipping linens but by its shape it is almost surely a statue.

"Good day, sir," begins Khouri approaching the man with bells on. "It's a very nice package you have there, and it seems it woudl go a long way to completing a set we are establishing. Any chance you'd part with it?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

"Indeed Sir. My dwarven associate here always approaches potential transactions with clarity of intent so as to offer truth and trust as opposed to misdirection and hidden agendas. With that said, may I perchance still inquire as to the meaning of these bells - other than the obvious fact that they are... very audible... from streets away in fact - before we proceed to discuss business? they are... fascinating..."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Smarmy sidles casually around the far side, as the others engage the strange bell-covered man. He ponders the box, and what valuables might be inside, then all the bulging pockets, then the linen wrapped item under his arm, torn.

Would it be possible to sneak one of the items off of him, whilst he's engaged? Not the linen wrapped thing that looks like the statue, given its the current object of interest.

So the chest maybe? Or one of the wands or rods?

I'll let the GM decide what might be most tempting. Though I'm sure the goodnicks will disapprove if they see him do it, or he gets caught! =)

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

If he gets caught, he will of course, try to bluff his way out...

I am assuming everyone heals one way or another before this encounter...

"Be gone!" A wary Arpani shouts out as you approach. "I have important business to attend to!"

As you all get closer (Smarmy with the sneaky rear pincer action), he pulls out a wand and warns "I am a powerful magician and certainly not to be trifled with!"

Arpani chants and moves his fingers in intricate arcane patterns. His form loses substance and turns to a wispy cloud, but as it does, the bundle under his arm begins to vibrate, crackle, and grow. His eyes widen as his body resolidifies and the statue bursts out of its wrappings, seemingly absorbing the arcane energy from Viraj’s failed spell. Linen, strings, and little bells skitter across the pavingstones. On the ground now, the statue continues to grow, taking on the form of writhing, giant centipedes.

As the centipedes materialize, the crowded market empties quickly as dozens of merchants and customers flee in terror.

Round 1 - Full Round - Bold may go
Raynor
Bo Goh
Centipede <Yellow>
Centipede <Red>
Centipede <Orange>
Viraj Arpani <Blue>
Khouri
Nergi
Smarmy

"Arpani, you fool! you can't cast spells near the statue!" says Raynor, as he pulls a vial of antitoxin and drinks it.

Know, Nature (untrained): 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1

Having no idea what they face, the monk unslings his bow and mutters a quick incantation. Casting Gravity Bow.

Sense Motive for first stinger attack AC: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 27