GMG's PBP: Silverhex Chronicles (Inactive)

Game Master Magabeus

“She’s a few hours up the Dagger River. She never was good at hiding places, and she liked to brag too much about where she’d been and what she’d found. Bragged too much. Looked down on people,” he trails off, then says, “Hells, I can draw you a map.”

You follow the map he has drawn and see a halfling and a bald human harassing a female half-orc in front of a cave! At the sight of you the human sneers "We will deal with your bodyguards first, and then we will be back for you."

He takes a potion from his belt and drinks it. His muscles are bulging and it is obvious the potion increased his strength.

If you want to retroactively prepare yourself for combat that is fine.

Initiative
Ashwell
Lyn
Krieger
Relas
- - -
Half-orc
- - -
Halfling
- - -
Hanlin
Palomia
- - -
Human (+4 STR)
- - -

The Foreigner calls out to the half-orc, "Ulisha, you are a tough woman to find. You've made a few enemies, including the Vessels Between."

He advances toward the thugs, drawing his greatsword as he moves. "Come, human, let's dance."

Readied Attack vs an opponent who approaches within reach: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 232d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1) + 4 = 6
Crit?!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 102d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 = 9
Drats! A crit now would have been so epic. Especially after snake eyes on my damage dice.

"Um Palo? Maybe...maybe you'd better try that shielding spell on me again before I go over there..." Relas says nervously as they watch the half-orc's muscles become even more muscley than before.
______

Relas will Delay until Palomia's turn comes up.

Ash moves forward to 10' behind The Foreigner. He readies an action to cast Daze on the musclebound warrior when he approaches within 30'.

Would someone move me please? Will DC 13 to resist.

Got you moved!

"Oh, come on," Linria sighs forcefully. "Burn off your testosterone and let's talk about this like civilized people. Or maybe take a nap first and you'll feel right as rain?"

Ready an action to Slumber Hex when the half-orc comes within 30 feet

Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The pathfinders prepare for the inevitable attack. The half-orc that they are trying to save moves towards them and starts to chant, inspiring them all to greater heroics. The halfling does not care a bit and sends an arrow towards Palomia, hitting her!

Initiative
Inspire courage +1
Relas
Hanlin
Palomia 6/10 hp
Ashwell - readied daze
Lyn - readied slumber
Krieger - readied attack
- - -
Human (+4 STR)
- - -
Half-orc
- - -
Halfling
- - -

Lyn, I assume you readied for the human moving closer

Hanlin prepares himself for the likelihood of things getting ugly. He produces a small glowing flame in the palm of his hand as he urges Sunny forward.

As negotiations break down he pats Sunny on her sticky back and urges her forward "Lets go girl! Things are about to get sticky!" He doesn't seem to see the irony of the statement as he wipes his hand off on his trousers. Produce flame as prep then Double move up.

The happy go lucky slug Sunny glides forward to get a better look at the action..or maybe all that moss by the cave...

"Ow! You s#*&%@#^%$&!" Palo howls as the halfling's arrow slams into her shoulder. "We'll get you for that! Relas, go get him for that," she continues as she calls forth a shielding spell to protect her companion from harm and then moves forward a bit, lest she fall too far behind the others.
______

Casting Shield on Relas and then moving to her current map position!

"Oh Palo, not in front of Sunny and Sayra," Relas winces at his summoner's foul mouth. He races forward and closes the gap between himself, Kriegler, Hanlin, and Sunny, hoping that a unified front might make the two ruffians think twice...
______

Relas double-moves up next to Hanlin!

Will vs daze: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Will vs slumber: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Arrow: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 + 1 = 5

Palomia and Relas follow the examples of their companions and move forward. The human charges the Foreigner, dodging Ashwell's spell. The Foreigner is quicker than the human and his sword slashes down, hitting the man. Lyn was also prepared and just when the man was about to strike at the Foreigner he falls asleep.

The halforc continues to chant and moves closer to the pathfinders. The halfling fires an arrow at the foreigner, hitting him just were his armor does not provide protection.

Initiative
Inspire courage +1
Relas
Hanlin
Palomia 6/10 hp
Ashwell
Lyn
Foreigner 6/11 hp
- - -
Human (+4 STR) - asleep, 7 damage
- - -
Half-orc 2 rounds inspire
- - -
Halfling
- - -

The Foreigner acknowledges Lyn's and Ash's taking down the human with a respectful nod.

He ignores the pain from the arrow's wound and advances on the archer. "You would be wise to surrender."

If the halfling does not surrender, then the Foreigner attacks.
He swings his greatsword back and around and down at the halfling.
Attack + Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 112d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 5) + 4 + 1 = 14
VC Shirt Attack Re-Roll + 5 Stars: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 + 5 = 17

Not particularly inclined to allow the halfling to continue pelting Palo and the others with arrows, Relas moves up and circles around slightly before closing the distance. He aims a bite at one of the halfling's legs...

Attack vs. Halfling (Bite): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

...but small fry seem harder to catch in one's jaws!

While Relas and the Foreigner attempt to bring the halfling down with brute force, Palomia moves up and attempts to skewer her foe with a well-placed bolt...

Attack vs. Halfling (Light Crossbow; Into Melee): 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 2 - 4 = 7
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

...which sadly flies much too high to hit!

Seeing the big 'gunz' fall asleep and the halfling quickly surrounded, Hanlin heads over to Mr Muscles and liberates any weapon he had in hand when he took his nap... "Keep a close set of eyestalks on him Sunny!"

Apologies, DM, but I've kind of forgotten. Is there an enemy nearby that I haven't tried to Daze? I've burned about the rest of my spells!

The sleeping barbarian awaits the psychic coup de grace! Epic!

Ashwell, this is a new day, so again: new spells. You haven't tried to daze the halfling yet.

The Foreigner is aided by Desna's smile and almost cleaves the Halfling in two! The little bugger refuses to give up though and spats through bloody teeth "To fail the guild is death, We won't give up!". Palomia and Relas try to hit the Halfling, but it seems Desna's attention was at the Foreigner.

Hanlin kicks the human's nunchaku away. The gnome also spots a crossbow and removes it from the man's belt before he can wake up.

Initiative
Inspire courage +1
Ashwell
- - -
Human (+4 STR) - asleep, 7 damage
- - -
Half-orc 2 rounds inspire
- - -
Halfling, 14 damage
- - -
Relas
Hanlin
Palomia 6/10 hp
Lyn
Foreigner 6/11 hp

Ash tries to Daze the halfing, upset at his earlier lack of success.

Daze DC 13 Will to Resist! Thanks, DM!

Oh dear. Did I forget to post here? I think I was missed last round.

Lyn grins with satisfaction as the human goes to sleep and Hanlin disarms him. "We'll see how tough he is once he awakens. If he awakens, of course." She attempts a spell similar to Ashwell's.

Daze on the half-orc, DC 14 Will

My apologies Lyn, I did not realize that you had not posted! The half-orc is your ally, retargeting it to the human.

Will Halfling: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Will Human: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Arrow: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 22
Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

The Halfling stubbornly refuses to give in to the onslaught of spell and sword. The human wakes up, but does not make any move. The halforc continues to chant and seems content to leave the actual battle to you. The Halfling fires another arrow into the Foreigner!

Initiative
Inspire courage +1
Ashwell
Relas
Hanlin
Palomia 6/10 hp
Lyn
Foreigner 1/11 hp
- - -
Human (+4 STR) - 7 damage
- - -
Half-orc 3 rounds inspire
- - -
Halfling, 14 damage
- - -

Ash targeted the halfling and decided to show the others what happened when the psychic was crossed. It was time to crush his mind!

Mind Thrust I damage 1d6 ⇒ 2

DC 14 Will for half.

With the savage scars on his chest exposed, flushed with adrenaline, the Foreigner steps after the halfling, the grim sweep of his greatsword seeking an end to the archer's threat.

"Relas, let's flank the little @%$&er and finish the assassin once and for all."

Readied Attack with Flank + Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 152d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6, 1) + 4 + 1 = 12

Halfling will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Ashwell casts a spell while the Foreigner manages to miss the tiny assasin...

Initiative
Inspire courage +1
Relas
Hanlin
Palomia 6/10 hp
Lyn
- - -
Human (+4 STR) - 7 damage
- - -
Half-orc 3 rounds inspire
- - -
Halfling, 15 damage
- - -
Ashwell
The Foreigner 1/11 hp

"Okay!" Relas calls out as he steps up next to the halfling. "Oh, I'm gonna eatcha, gonna eatcha because I like eating little annoying pests," he says with what might pass for a grin before trying to sink his teeth into the halfling...

Attack (Bite; Flanking, Inspire Courage): 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

...but catches only air!

S***, I need to do something and fast!

As the halfling continues ducking, dodging, and shrugging off everything they throw at her, Palomia steps forward and begins chanting. Her magic culminates with a flourish of her hand as she gestures at the halfling's weapon!
______

Palomia will attempt to cast Grease on the halfling's bow! DC 14 Reflex save or she drops it.

Lyn sighs. "I wish the little jerk would just stay put already!" She takes out her yellow and black light crossbow, The Wasp's Sting™, and aims it for the halfling.

Light crossbow, melee: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (12) - 4 = 81d8 ⇒ 8

When the arrow lands in the grass in front of her, Sayra turns and looks up at Lyn, her lip caught on her bottom teeth as if to mockingly grin at her master.

Keep that up and next time, I'll aim for you instead!

Lyn, you've got Krieger's wand of cure light wounds. Feel free to use it, if anyone needs healing.

Lol, the dice hate us!

Hanlin keeps his flaming hand at the ready as he walks around to flank the tough guy with Sunny. "Stay down if you know what's good for you buddy!"

Readied produce flame touch attack if he does anything besides lay there. I'll also roll an AOO for myself and Sunny if he causes one.

The slug eyes the large man with lust.. or hunger.. or just a blank mindless stare.. who knows? Blloooppp blorpp...

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Acrobatics Foreigner: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Acrobatics Relas: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 5 = 13
Attack (Bite; Flanking): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

The Halfling is very resilient and avoids all attacks. The human thinks he is also that good. He attempts to stand up and gets hit by Hanlin's sphere and Sunny's tongue. With the slug's spittle on his face he goes down again.

Ulisha stops chanting "Sorry guys, I can chant some more for you tomorrow!"

The Halfling tries to tumble away from the Foreigner and Relas, while he easily dodges the human the eidolon sees right through the attempt! Relas jaws snap shut on the halflings leg and won't let go. The small humanoid falls limp!

Combat over!

The halforc rushes to your side and heals your wounds, using a combination of wands and spells.

"Thank you! I am so grateful that you came to help me with these assassins! They said they were hired to kill me!"

Relas releases his grip on the halfling, letting him drop to the ground with a soft thump. He looks up at the others.

"Um, you didn't really think I was going to eat him, did you? That'd be gross! I'm not a real jungle cat you know...I just look kinda like one."

"Thanks for the healing," Palo nods as Ulisha mends her arrow wound. "And yeah, we met this guy in town and he admitted that he sent assassins after you. I'm still not really clear on what you did exactly to piss him off but now that you're safe my level of caring on that point is basically down to zero."

"That was a very near thing. We appreciate your healing, Ulisha."

The Foreigner examines their fallen foes. "These assassins were more determined than would seem warranted by the offer of mere gold. Why did they fear failure more than death?"

Raising his waterskin, the Foreigner slakes his thirst.

"We've followed the leads in your journal. We've been to the mausoleum in Gralton and to the mists in the Forest of Veils. We've dealt with the Razmiri priest in Allenstead, retrieved alien artifacts from the Numerian borderlands, and harvested arachnids outside Daggermark."

The Foreigner crosses his arms and gives Ulisha a hard look. "We've earned at least an explanation from you, including the reason for your interest in Silverhex."

After Hanlin and Sunny show muscles Magee what's up, including a weak extra kick at the end just in case, Hanlin takes her reins and heads over to the half orc with the others "Quite the wild goose chase you sent us on, it better have a good reason! Not to mention be worth it..."

"I understand that the Daggermark assassins pay for failure with their lives. So even if you let them live, they would be killed by their tutors for accepting to kill me."

She pulls out a silver sickle from her bag "Don't blame me for being curious and following my diary. But to make it up to you I will let you buy Silverhex at a discount."

Ashwell shot a crooked eye at the Pathfinder. [i]Im not sure about that one,[/b] he thought, as he tried to judge the treaty of the story.

Sense Motive 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

"But, um, why do we want to buy the Silver Hex? Sorry, guys," Lyn turns to Palomia and The Foreigner, "But my own hexes seem to have affected my mind's clarity somewhat. Why would I want a Silver Hex?"

Sayra sneezes suddenly and looks at Lyn sideways.

What? Did I miss something? OH! Right.

"... The Society wants that thing. What would it cost us, Ulisha?"
____
Because not taking advantage of a pun when it presents itself is just not something I'm capable of...

Returning after a few private moments behind some nearby shrubbery, Krieger absorbs the half-orc's explanation of Daggermark assassins' code of conduct.

These killers fear their leaders and the recriminations of their fellows more than they do their targets. This Daggermark assassins guild merits further investigation. And their activities and clientele need careful monitoring. I'll include these recommendations in my report to the Society.

Krieger addresses the half-orc, "Ulisha, your Silverhex is a fine weapon. Can you tell us more about it? The offer of a discount will appeal to some. The knowledge you've acquired about the Riverlands will be of even greater value to the Pathfinder Society."

Palomia offers a sniff of disdain as she considers the weapon. "Yeah, I'd like to know more about what we're possibly buying before we actually buy it. You know, buyer beware and all that - no offense. At first glance it does look like a nice weapon for someone skilled with blades, though."

She looks at Krieger "Err, who are you good sir?"

Upon seeing that the other pathfinders seem to accept the newcomer she answers Palomia "Silverhex is an ancient silver sickle. It has the capacity to store a single spell that can be released on a hit. I will give the Society a discount of 2000 gold pieces, which is almost a quarter of it's value."

"Well...that *does* sound pretty cool," Palo responds. She looks at her companions. "What do you guys think?"

Hanlin asks to have a look at the sickle, being trained in its use. "Its a bit big for me but it DOES look like a fine blade. Do you have any documents about its history? Pathfinder's need history and a story to go with such a fine weapon. I'm sure if we had that combined with the discount we may be able to convince those up the ladder that its worth buying!"

Great weapon for a druid, not sure about one with 6 strength though...

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
"A quarter of its own value, eh?"

I'm sure it's the finest quality silver and it is ancient, but really? 8,000 gold pieces for that?

Linria sizes up Ulisha, trying to get a read on her honesty. "How do you figure it's worth as much as that, Ulisha? As Hanlin said, maybe you can tell us more about its history. It is something of an antique, isn't it?"

"I discovered the sickle in a collapsed stone circle here in the riverlands.

Do you see these engravings on the blade? Those engravings were used millania ago, as I am certain one of your experts could confirm. Unfortunately most druids are not exactly known for making a paper trail. A weaponsmith can probably also confirm that the smithing style is ancient, and a wizard might have something to say about the way the enchantments are laid on the blade."

She waits for a moment "But I am willing to join you and come to the nearest lodge to talk to one of your officers if that is what you want"

Krieger nods in approval. "Ulisha, you have much to offer the Pathfinder Society. Please do accompany us to the lodge and speak with our venture officers. We also invite you to consider joining the Society. There is always a need for capable field agents."

Krieger extends his hand in friendship. "What do you say?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

"It's really not a bad gig," Relas adds helpfully. "The pay is good and you get to go to all sorts of neat places!"

Hanlin nods along with Krieger as he starts to get Sunny's packs and saddle adjusted for the trip home. "The Society would love to take a look at that sickle and talk to you too of course. They are very inviting of those with weird quirks as well as the usual suspects!"

He smiles and does his best to hop on Sunny for the ride back Handle Animal Push: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14. Sunny however is having none of it and 'side slithers' away, leaving Hanlin on his backside on the stone. "Oh fine then. You want your week's vacation too then I take it?"