GM Evil's First Steps Part 1: In Service to Lore (Inactive)

Game Master Steven_Evil

Kaeldra is puzzled by this odd room and the peculiar way the man seemed to know something he did not care to share with her companions. Her usual neutral facial expression shows her confusion and distrust of the situation. She looks around the room with scrutiny before turning her attention to her companions attempts to investigate the odd assortment of objects.

"This has been a very strange assignment so far though the instructions were straight forward. Something is afoot here."

Nothing happens when Amba places her key in the steel chest, and when she places it in the red lacquered chest, it opens easily. The chest contains a key in the form of a jeweled scepter!

Perception Amba: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Perception Huckleberry: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Perception Kaeldra: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Perception Seleena: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Perception Jidai: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Perception Toa: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Amba and Huckleberry hear an audible click in the ceiling, and can see a key drop from a tiny slot in the ceiling as soon as the chest opens! It's then apparent that a mechanism in the chest is attached to the key.

Hearing a sound from the ceiling, Huck'll startle, load and level his rifle at the ceiling, seeing it is a key he'll put the gun back down, "Thought we be unda attack there fer a sec, just a key though,"

Jidai takes the jeweled scepter key they had found in the red lacquered chest, then uses it on the remaining chest. Or on all the chests if we have more than one left we still haven't tried.

The jeweled scepter key doesn't fit any of the chests.

Amba doesn't worry too much about the illusionary chest anymore. She's used to not 'getting' all kinds of magical things that seemed trivial to others.

After she works the key, she points at the ceiling with a triumphant "Hah!" She immediately climbs on the table or any of the chests, to try and grab this new key. "It must be important, of it was hidden up there. Could any of you help me to reach up there?"

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It really doesn't say if the table is immovable or not, so I'll say you can easily move the table into a position and easily get the key down yourself.

Helping stabilize the table for Amba, "Good call Amba, seemed like an outta-place spot fer a key,"

Seleena watches her companion retrieve the key. [i]Seems we are almost done here[ooc]

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Amba climbs down and tries the key on the remaining chest.

Sorry, short post to keep things moving.

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Just to clarify, the steel chest?

Ah, yes.

Amba ignores the copper-banded chest, since the others had indicated that wasn't even real. She tries the chest from the ceiling on the last chest, the cube of solid steel.

Amba Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Amba goes to put the ceiling-key into the steel chest, but notices something just isn't quite right about it! There's a trap attached to the locking mechanism!

Without a way to disarm the trap, Jidai takes a step back to let someone else handle it.

"There is no one who can deal with traps? Anyone?" Seeing how no one volunteers, Amba ushers the others away from the box. "If this is a test, let us hope that it is not lethal. You would think they would not go that far ...although you never know with Oririani."

Amba braces for impact, and turns the key despite the trap.

Amba Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Minutes: 3d20 ⇒ (10, 11, 1) = 22

When Amba opens the trapped chest, a bright flash of blue light erupts forth, bathing the ranger and radiating out into the room, temporarily blinding everyone for a second or two. Once everyone's vision returns, they are greeted with a... strange... sight.

Amba is now bright blue! All of her skin is blue, but her gear and clothing seem to be unaffected.

There is a silver lining though, so to speak. Your prize is in the chest! Scrolls containing maps and notations, all bound in a decorative ribbon. With that finished, you use the jeweled scepter key on the door, and are greeted by the servant who locked you in there in the first place. He looks you all over, smirks at Amba, and ushers you out quickly, saying that Amenophus is no longer available, due to him being extremely busy all of the time. With that task finished, it's time to pick your next one!

The blue skin is only temporary, Amba, and was a test by Amenophus to see if anyone would be able to bypass his trap, and who wasn't... His reasons, however, are his own...

Amba stands stunned at the flash of light, then blinks when he eye sight returns. With open mouth, she inspects her hands and arms. She's silent for a moment or two, then bursts out in high-pitched laughter. "Haha, it is as I said. You never know for sure with Osiriani," she exclaims when she's done laughing.

She picks up the roll of scrolls and hold them in her hands when they exit the room, wearing her blue skin like a badge of pride. "Well, that was good fun. This round of chores for Venture-Captain Valsin does not turn out so bad, huh?"

Before they exit the manor, she carefully stores the scrolls in her backpack. "So, where do we go next? The closest from here is the Ivy District, to Paracountess Dralneen. I am curious to meet her. I've heard... stories."

Startled by the flash, "Ahhhjjj, ha, ah, hah, yer blue,"

Slingin' his rifle, "Well, let's get ta goin' ta the Paracountess," He'll adjust his gear, grab the dead snake and roll it up and put it in backpack, "Snake's good eatin', make a nice snack,"

Seleena smiles at the blue-skin trap and follows the party to the Paracountess.

Jidai smiles Amba kindly.

"I am reminded of some lore taught in Unbinding the Fetters, a reference to a servant of Irori with blue skin called a Smurf."

She smiles again and follows the others to the paracountess.

Alright, that's a majority vote for the Paracountess. I'll update tonight when I get home from work.

Amba gives Jidai a puzzled look. "A servant of Irori with blue skin? Like an angelic being? Called a smuurf?" She looks skeptical. "Well, it could be... What do they look like?"

Sorry for the absence. Will update tonight. I've been really busy with real life.

Arriving at Paracountess Zarta Dralneen’s townhouse  in  the  Ivy  District—one  of  several  homes  the  noblewoman  keeps  around  Absalom— you  come  upon  a  magnificent  gothic  structure  three  stories  in height. The ebon lacquered double doors wrought with  gleaming silver fixtures greets you, a prickly  brass cone hanging from a chain serving as the door  chime.  Moments  after  ringing  it,  a  servant  in  loose  casual attire opens the door, greeting the Pathfinders  as if expected. If questioned, the servant remains quiet,  only responding when pressed, and then with only a few  simple words: “My mistress will answer any questions  you have once we reach her quarters.” Led through well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms,  and a grand stairway granting a view of an elaborate  study, you finally arrive on the third floor of the  house, at the door of Zarta’s personal study, which lies  beyond  her  bedroom.  Knocking  upon  the  door  and  announcing his presence, the servant opens the darkly  stained wooden door.

A large intricate carpet dominates the marble floor  in  this  sitting  room.  A  chaise  sits  along  the  north  wall and a desk spans the southeast corner, its chair  positioned with its back to the southwest corner of the  room. Three comfortable chairs are positioned around  a  small,  low  circular  table.  Sitting in the chair behind the desk, Paracountess Zarta Dralneen regards you with a wry smile, putting away a few papers before  standing to address the hopeful Pathfinders.

“Aldor, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you and attend to your other tasks.” She then turns her attention to the group. “It’s always so incredibly adorable when I see a freshfaced batch of Pathfinders. I mean, look at you scrumptious little teacakes. I could eat each and every one of you up. Well, maybe not you.

Zarta points at Amba, still bright blue.

I assume this isn’t a pleasure visit since most of you are terribly overdressed for that manner of occasion, so that must mean you are here for that trinket Valsin has been nagging me about. Seems I can’t get that man around these parts anymore...

She gestures, sliding her hand down her body and widening the gesture to sweep out and across the room as if her home were a secondary thought.
On the good side, he always sends me all the precious new recruits... Many think we in Cheliax serve and worship devils, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, we use the creatures for their power. They serve us and we sculpt their power in our own interests. The world must come to terms with the order of things. People need to know their place and operate accordingly. It is the only way to make order from this world. Too many people stretch too far beyond their station, making waves and eroding the true order.”

As the paracountess talks, a cacophony of booms and  crashes sounds from beyond the room’s west door. She  sometimes pauses at an extended eruption of these noises  before continuing with the conversation. If asked about  the  neighboring  ruckus,  Zarta  explains 
A  servant  is  greatly misbehaving. You’re going to have to deal with  it in order to get the trinket.

She goes over to the desk  in  her  study,  opening  a  drawer  and  drawing  out  an  exquisite silver letter opener shaped like a dagger (treat  as a masterwork silver dagger). 
You might need this to  get it to submit... she offers with a sly grin.

Also, bear this is mind after you recover the trinket and are on your way back to your Grand Lodge: The trinket you were sent to recover is a box locked with seven nigh-unpickable locks. I tried, and failed, even with magic. Failure only resulted in pain for those attempting. I would not attempt to do so yourself... Any questions? Any... requests?
She asks the last part with a sly grin.

Amba is suitably impressed by the gothic mansion, but there's something about the place that has here on guard. That servant seems afraid. Would he be in slavery to the Paracountess?

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

As they are led before the Paracountess, Amba gives her a critical look. The fact that she's being dismissed because of her blue skin doesn't help. She keeps her mouth, though, realizing that they are in the presence of a woman with influence in the Society. Also, she can't help but admire the woman's boldness, even as the Chelaxian spouts the propaganda of her homeland. I wonder if they have started believing their own lies yet...

The loud sounds coming from the adjecent room have Amba craning her neck occasionaly, wondering what the sounds are. She looks worried as the objective of their mission here becomes clear, and the Paracountess's choice of words are enough to cause Amba to snap out. Any admiration she may have felt moments earlier is already gone and forgotten.

"A servant misbehaving?" she quotes with emphasis. "Get it to submit? "It"? Another of your servants, like the poor man who brought us up here?" Her voice reflects anger as she speaks, without Amba even meaning to. "And why would we need such a dagger for that? I'll have no part in this!" She crosses her arms under her breasts and meets Zarta Dralneen's gaze in defiance.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Seleena gives Amba an appraising look. She appears to start to move, but then stops.

I don't think Seleena has any qualms about this task, but she will wait to see how this conversation plays out.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Looking around at the extravagant room and the gaudy fixtures, Huckleberry'll whistle, "Phew, we dun got nuttin' like this back home in Turtleback Ferry,"

Listenin' to the briefin', "Aye, ya just got sum knuckle'ead givin' ya trouble? We'll take care o''em fer ya,"

Zarta laughs.
My dear, you're going to need that dagger! It's not exactly a regular servant, you know...

She chuckles more as she leaves the room, leaving you to your task.

Amba huffs in indignation at being dismissed like that. However, with the Paracountess gone, there's really nothing else to be done. "You all do not agree with her, do you?" she berates her companions. "I am going in there, and tell this that it is going to be OK. He does not have to put up with this!"

She paces across the room - leaving the dagger at the table - and opens the door.

Seleena quietly takes the dagger and follows Amba's lead.

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Jidai listens to the paracountess, but does not seem very impressed with the woman.

She calmly looks toward the next room.

"Perhaps we can reason with it," she says. "If not, I am sure we can get the box back."

Zarta gestures toward the door leading to her bedroom.
Also, please, if you see anything you... like... in there, don't hesitate to ask me about it...

She smiles before turning back toward her work.

Zarta’s bedroom is decorated in the colors of Cheliax— ebon black and crimson red. Silk, rare woods, and carefully carved marble compose every bit of furniture in the room. Goose down now litters the room, covering almost every surface and the silken shreds of the cushions that contained it lie about like flayed skin . A post on the massive screened bed is snapped in half, collapsed on the bed and drawing the screened curtains into a ripped slope of formerly fine cloth. Vials of perfume and crystal jars of other cosmetics sit smashed on the marble floor around the dresser. A prominent fixture in the room, a large “X” made of stout wood sits along the west wall, complete with leather shackles and chains. A table sits to its left strewn
with various items intended for pleasure, but outwardly resembling implements of pain.

It appears that there are no other people in the room, but then you see the lox box you were sent to retrieve, as it flies across the room and smashes into the wall! Unharmed, it falls to the floor, but looking at the direction it came from reveals a small, squat devilish looking creature. It ignores you, lets out a screech, and moves to pick the box up again!

Please place your tokens in the yellow square in the order that you entered the room in. Also, please fill out the perception and initiative text boxes for me so I can roll for everyone at once. Sorry for the spotty updates, I'm in the process of a 400 mile move, job transferring, and all the lovely stuff that goes along with it. Hopefully things are calming down some soon.

Looking around the room, eyes lingering on some of the more out of place items, finally acknowledging the small, squat devilish creature,

"HEY, stop er ya gunna get a wuppin!"

He'll load his rifle with a regular bullet.

Amba snorts at seeing the wooden fixture and its accompanying instruments, but isn't really in a state of mind to comment. She's taken aback at the lack of any 'servant'. The sudden appearance of the small devilkin leaves her dumbfounded, as she realizes that the situation isn't quite what she assumed. "Oh..." That realization is suddenly followed by another insight, which has her laughing out loud. "All that grant talk about being in command, and not being under the yoke of Hell. And here she is, needing us to deal with one of the fiends. It is a good joke, and the joke is on her. Hah!"

With that off her chest, Amba focuses her attention on the fiendling. "You!" she challenges as her hand reaches up for the hilt of her sword, "we're sending you back where you belong!"

The Imp doesn't heed either person's words, and picks up the lockbox. It starts howling in anger and slamming the thing into the bed, sending wood chips flying everywhere from the force of its blows.

Given the opportunity, Amba releases her sword from its scabbard on her back, as she approaches the imp. "Your time here is done, foul fiendling. Say goodbye..." With that, she swings at the squat creature.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Huck'll level his rifle and fire at the creature as well, assuming Amba doesn't destroy it outright.

"No place fer ya here, demon,"

Attack - Cover + PBS vs Touch: 1d20 + 6 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 - 4 + 1 = 6 Goodness at least it wasn't a misfire
Damage + PBS: 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

"blasted hunk of junk," He'll bang on his rifle a bit before reloading it.

Seleena follows Amba and then hands her the dagger. "This might work better, sister."

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Round 1
Amba
Huckleberry
Seleena
Jidai
Kaeldra

Kruevus

When Amba swings, she lands a solid blow, but her blade skips off the Imp's tough skin! Huckleberry's shot goes wide! The imp turns to you, dropping the box and brandishing its claws!

You'll regret that! This isn't any of your business!

Party Up!

Huckleberry will move so the creature doesn't have cover and level his gun and aim as carefully as he can at the red-winged creature.

Attack + PBS - Melee vs Touch: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 - 4 = 12
Damage + PBS: 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"Blasted rifle," He'll bang his gun on the ground a bit.

Seleen hesitates, waiting to see if Amba takes the offered dagger.

Amba looks downright insulted at the suggestion that the Chelaxian's letter opener might be better than her own Elven blade. "This was gifted to me by my tribe. I am proud to wield it!" With that, she swings again, hoping to break through its tough hide this time.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

I might be on the side of anti-metagaming here, but Amba seems to me to be on the stubborn side...

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no problem. FWIW I don't see it as metagaming to use the item that we were told would help.

Seleena steps onto the bed and tries to give the demon a cut with the letter opener.

That's true, that we were told it would help. However, considering the source of the information, Amba isn't all that keen on following that piece of advice. ;)

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Jidai enters the room and tries to strike the small creature with her fist, but it proves incredibly quick.

Unarmed strike attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 61d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

You find your attacks are just barely more effective the second time around, with Amba's blade skipping off the Imp's thick skin, along with Jidai's punch. Seleena finds a bit more luck with the silver letter opener, but Kaeldra's launches a magic missile that makes the beast howl in pain!
Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Kruevus attacks Amba with his claws and an otherworldly screech!
Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Dex Damage: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Fort DC 13 Negates Dex Damage

Round 1
Amba-(4)Blade skips off the imp's hide again!
Huckleberry-Shot goes wide again!
Seleena-Stabs effectively!
Jidai-Punch is blocked by thick hide!
Kaeldra-Magic Missile!

Kruevus-(8)Attacks Amba!

Round 2
Amba
Huckleberry
Seleena
Jidai
Kaeldra

Kruevus-(6)

did he attack Amba or Seleena?

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Amba. I put the wrong name in the recap but had the damage allocated correctly. Issue fixed. Thanks for catching it.

Reflex save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Amba lets out a suppressed bestial snarl at seeing her attack thwarted again, and sneaks a jealous glance at the dagger that Seleena wields. No, that would just prove that harlot's right! With renewed zeal she strikes at the imp again.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

--

If that also doesn't damage the creature, she looks at Seleena's dagger again. "Give me that," she says as she holds her hands out, obviously reluctant to actually take the dagger.

Huckleberry will load an Alchemical Paper Cartridge into his gun and then fire,

Attack + PBS - Melee: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 - 4 = 15
Damage: 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"Damned imp," Huckleberry'll take a step forward.