GM Henry Fortuna's First Steps (Session 1) [Group 2] [Completed] (Inactive)

Game Master Signore di Fortuna

"She is not the kind of person I associate with, even casually," Rodrigo says, deftly sketching Aesantiel's profile. "She is hedonistic and power-hungry. Anyone could tell you that."

He smudges a line and curses under his breath. "Forgive me. It has been several years since I last tried to paint a portrait..."

Elross gladly eats the roasted lamb instead of the rations. I guess I'll just save those for later, he thinks to himself as he watches Rodrigo. Picking up his ale, Elross leans in between Simon and Cedrick as says, "I think I'll go ask around the tavern and see if anyone knows anything useful about the Paracountess." Patting Cedrick on the shoulder, Elross turns to the crowd before him.

Diplomacy (Gather Info): 1d20 ⇒ 11

One trail ration returned back to equipment.

Rodrigo finishes his sketch, clearly unsatisfied with its quality. To the rest of you, it looks quite good.

"I'm sorry for wasting your time. Especially yours, young lady."

He packs up his materials and, with a small bow, make his way out of the tavern.

"Well, let's be on our way to see the paracountess then."
Simon puts forth, standing up from his spot at the table.

Master Rodrigo, I thank you for your time, and your company. If you are enclined, I would gladly sit further for you at the Pathfinder Lodge this evening. Now, however, is the time for us to pursue our afternoon obligations. Mine is not a well-trained eye, however I believe your sketch is lovely, especially given the conditions and the constraints of time. Thank you for a lovely lunch."

Aesantiel follows Simon's lead and stands to leave. She attempts to catch Elross's eye, and indicate they should head for the door.

Finishing his ale, Elross nods goodbye to the bartkeep and rejoins the group. "No useful information from these folks," he shares with the group, "maybe we should check out the Chelish Embassy." Elross takes a quick glance around for Rodrigo, but not seeing him asks, "How'd the painting turn out?"

Yes, let’s be on our way.

Elross, that was my mistake. She is at her home here in the Ivy District (she owns several). There is a Chelish Embassy though.

The group finds themselves in front of a magnificent gothic structure three stories in height. In front of a set of ebon lacquered (they love using that word in this session) double doors wrought with gleaming silver fixtures, a prickly brass cone hangs from a chain.

Elross raises his fist to pound on the door but looks to Cedrick, remembering the conversation outside the Temple of the Shining Star. Well, it's not a temple, (I hope) he contemplates, so knocking should be acceptable. Giving the door three pounds with his fist he announces, "In the name of the Pathfinder Society, open the doors."

The door opens and a young man dressed in loose casual attire stands before you. He looks at Elross with a quizzical expression.

"Most people just use the door chime," he says drolly, pointing at the hanging cone. "Judging by your looks, you must be the Pathfinders I was told to expect. The Paracountess has been waiting for you and she will answer any questions you have once we reach her quarters."

He motions for you to follow (as if that was unexpected) and he leads you through well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms, and a grand stairway granting a view of an elaborate study. You arrive on the third floor, in front of the door of Zarta's study. The servant knocks and announces himself then opens the 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 behind the desk, Paracountess Zarta Dralneen regards you with a wry smile, putting away a few papers before standing to address you.

"Aldor, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you and attend to your other tasks." She then turns her attention to you.

"It’s always so incredibly adorable when I see a fresh-faced 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 Cedrick.

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.

"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."

Cedrick looks a little uncomfortable when singled out by the Paracountess.

Simon senses Cedrick's discomfort and attempts to speed up the transaction.

"You are correct in the fact that we are here for an item that was loaned to you from our vaults. I'm not here for a debate on theologies and we must really be on our way. If you would please return this item we will be on our way an let you get back to..."

Simon pauses so as to not be drowned out by the crashing noises in the next room.

"...whatever it is you are doing in there."

"Part of ordering the world is honoring pledges. A loan is a pledge to return the thing loaned." Aesantiel remains focused on the Paracontess, and though noting the sounds from beyond the door, blithely avoids any distraction.

"Ah, yes, the trinket. It is a seven-lock iron case. I was trying to bypass the protection with little success. So, I would suggest not playing with it on your way back to Valsin. As for the noise, a servant is greatly misbehaving. You're going to have to deal with it in order to get the trinket," Zarta explains. She goes over to her desk and produces a silver letter opener shaped like a dagger from a drawer. "You may need this to get it to submit."

Servant? What kind of 'servant'?

"Nothing beyond your capabilities, I believe. Just an imp."

Knowledge(Planes) check, if you are so inclined.

Aesantiel states quietly, without heat, and in a neutrally reasonable tone, "It is your pledge. If it is your servant, then it is your duty to compel its cooperation. We have our duty to return the item to the Pathfinder's Society, however we are also charged with accurately reporting the circumstances of its retrieval. Arbitrary and gratuitous obstacles to our mission may, and rightly, be viewed as an attempt to violate your obligation to return what has been loaned to you in good faith."

no knowledge(planes) here

"I do not dismiss the veracity of your opinion, young lady. However, dealing with this servant is merely a complication in the task Valsin has given you and, while it is my servant, a refusal to do this for me is also a refusal to do what Valsin has asked of you. I have not refused to return the trinket, but I have not achieved any modicum of success in its study. Therefore, I am not in the wrong for still having it in my possession since the conditions of my borrowing it have not been fulfilled.
"It seems to me that would would prefer to show that you neither have the inclination or decorum to be a Pathfinder. I kindly remind you that I am your senior in the organization and I am sure Valsin has told you the same. These tasks serve two purposes: so that you may judge those whose orders you may end up obeying and that we may see the caliber of persons we may give these orders to."

Elross listens to the conversation but can't take his eyes off the door. His hand fidgets with the axe head in its' ring, while he tries to remember what an imp is.

Sure I'll give it a try, doubt it'll work
Untrained Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Aesantiel looks closely at the Paracontess, "I have not refused. I have simply informed you of the potential consequences of your actions, and clarifying usual and traditional obligations."
"You say that you have not obligation to return the item, but you show a willingness to do so. I can only infer that you borrowed the item for study, and are unwilling now to admit gracefully that your attempts at study failed, and are attempting to shift that failure to us."
"Your bluster and threats indicate an attempt to direct us from the clearest and most direct means to complete our obligation."
"The clearest interpretation is that your obfuscations and misdirections are the impediment that we must overcome."
"So again, I will impress upon you your obligations, and that your attempts at misdirection are an attempt to renege on those obligations. That is your prerogative. It is our obligation to report completely and accurately."
"So, will you fulfill your obligations and restrain your servant, or will you clearly state that your servant will assert your prerogative to not fulfill your obligations and return the item, and we must defeat it if we are to complete our mission? Either option is acceptable to us. We simply need to be completely clear in how we shall report your direction to us."

Cedrick looks from the Paracountess to Aesantiel, to the Paracountess, and back to Aesantiel.

Umm, quibbling over semantics aside, I see three options for us. First we could try to talk the Imp down, second we could beat it into submission, or third we could just try to grab the box and run. Opinions?

"A fourth option is that the Paracontess fulfills her obligation, has her creature stand down, and we remove the box peacefully. When we deliver it to the Pathfinder's Lodge, we report to all and sundry how tough the Paracontess was on us, but at the end of the day she was a loyal Pathfinder."

Cedrick cringes, anticipating the Paracountess's response, half expecting Aesantiel's head to suddenly be rolling across the floor.

Simon winces and keeps quiet, not wanting to get dragged into an argument between the two.

"If I could have controlled my servant, I would have done so. Don't take me to be so useless that I cannot manage my house. You really do not understand the complexities of the Pathfinder Society. Regardless of position, we all fulfill our obligations. This..." Zarta gestures at the door, "Is an unforseen turn of events. I am sure are familiar with unexpected occurences...or you will be I am sure."

Zarta frowns, obviously not liking to take a hostile stance. "Or is it that you are afraid and unwilling to master your fear?"

Feeling more and more uncomfortable by the noises coming from the other room, Elross looks nervously between Cedrick and Simon. Talhelm used to say that most devils are vulnerable to silver, he remembered. Taking a deep breath, he grabs the shield from his back and starts walking towards the Paracountess. "We don't have all day to argue the points," he says glancing to Aesantiel, "let's just take care of the situation at hand." Extending his hand to the Paracountess, he states, "If I'm not mistaken, Imps are weak to silver. So how about you give me that letter opener and we can resolve this issue."

Simon heads over to the door, grasps the handle, and waits for Elross to give him the signal to open the door.

She gladly hands the letter opener to Elross.

Hefting his shield in front of him, Elross waits for a loud bang on the other side of the door and nods to Simon. I will be doing an intimidate check for the surprise round if there is one, if not it will be my first standard action. Side note is the letter opener treated as a dagger or an alchemical silver dagger (for the purpose of attack and damage rolls)?

Intimidate Check(+8 for being medium vs tiny): 1d20 + 7 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 8 = 33

The letter opener is treated as a masterwork silver dagger.

You burst through the door and find the room in shambles. 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.

The imp is jumping on the bed, trying desperately to break open the box. You see that it is dented but otherwise unharmed. The creature pays no attention to you as you enter.

The Intimidate check will fail because it won't pay attention to you unless you force it to. I'm assuming you just burst through the door trying to be scary (correct me if I'm wrong and I'll amend this). For Diplomacy purposes, the imp is indifferent to you.

Cedrick pulled his bow as Simon prepared to open the door.

I take it you are voting for the second option.

A map, if it helps. I didn't add coordinates since it's a pretty small place.

Technically it was used as a demoralization, but I'll leave it up to you. If you allow it, the imp will be shaken for 4 rounds.

Elross circles to the far side of the bed, keeping his shield between himself and the imp. Noticing Cedrick's bow he says, "Make sure your arrows strike true, these things have thick skin."

Casting a final, withering glance at the Paracontess, Aesantiel follows the rest of the party through the door. "Elross, which elemental forces is the Imp subject to?"

"I only know about the vulnerability to silver," he replies, "but assuming he's from the nine hells, fire probably won't help much."

"Paracontess, it is your creature. Which elemental forces is it subject to?"

"None," Zarta answers. "It is only vunerable to silver or weapons of a good-alignment."

Elross, I'm going to say that the demoralize attempt does not work because the imp can neither see nor hear you clearly in its rage.

"so gentlemen, it looks basically humanoid. I may be able to slow it down. My thought is to hamstring it, otherwise assault it, and have someone make off with item. We then retreat from the room, shut the door in its face, and return to the Lodge. It's not much, but it's a plan. Any thoughts?
Although.. hrmmm.. wings. And they appear to be useful. Perhaps tangle it in bedsheets?"

"I suppose it's time to wrangle us an imp."

Initiative:
Simon:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Aesantiel:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Elross:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Cedrick:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Imp:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Simon, you're up.

Simon takes a 5 foot step into the room, draws his spear (move), and casts Bless(standard).

"May Sarenrae's light guide you"
Simon speaks aloud to the group, as he steps into the room and draws his longspear off his back.

The imp remains oblivious to the group and continues banging the box against the wall.

Elross, your turn.

Declaring a bit early, in the event I (player) am not around immediately after Elross's post. I'm pretty sure ours will be pretty independent actions

Aesantiel moves smoothly and cooly around to the side of the bed opposite Elross, gathers up a corner of the Paracontess's bedpread, and engulfs the Imp in it.

Status Round 1:
AC: 15 Conditions: none
Actions:
(move) to Imp, on left flank (opposite Elross)
(standard) dirty trick to entangle the Imp in the bedsheet. Yes, this provokes an attack of opportunity.
Attack roll:1d20 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 18 (base CMB, +1 for bless, +2 for flanking)

Holding his shield and the letter opener ready, Elross waits to see if Aesantiel's idea works.

Hold action until after Aesantiel attempts her dirty trick.

After Aesantiel pulls the blanket over the imp, Elross stabs with the letter opener. Hopefully I can stop this thing before it gets out, he thinks to himself.

Actions:
(standard)Stab the entangled imp with the masterwork silver "dagger"
Attack Roll: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 20 (Melee Attack, +1 for masterwork, +1 for bless, +2 for flanking)
Damage Roll: 1d4 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 - 1 = 5 (Melee Damage, -1 Alchemical Silver)

Cedrick moves into the center of the room, sets an arrow with a silver tip to his bow, and fires.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 - 1 = 2

Imp's AoO:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

As Aesantiel wraps the imp up in the bed sheet, it attempts to strike her with its stinger. It narrowly misses, to Aesantiel's relief.

Elross and Cedrick both strike the entangled imp and it cries out in pain.

Round 2 begins. Back to Simon.

Simon steps forward to assist Aesantiel with keeping the imp in the sheets.
Aid Another1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15(Bless)
+2 to Aesantiel's next roll.

Imp's Escape Artist vs Aesantiel's CMD (DC17):1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

The imp wriggles out of the sheet and flies up to the ceiling (out of melee range), perching on a rafter. Its wounds seem to begin closing up.

Elross.

Intimidate check (+8 for medium vs tiny): 1d20 + 7 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 8 = 22

Elross points the dagger at the imp and yells, "Don't make me come up there!"

Imp should be shaken for two rounds.

Flurry of Bows:
Attack: 1d20 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 16, miss.
Attack: 1d20 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 12, miss.