GM Henry's First Steps Part III PbP [Completed] (Inactive)

Game Master Signore di Fortuna

In the morning, Kargen wakes and heads down for some breakfast. The others find him sitting there, drinking some tea with only egg shells to show what else he ordered.

Garen checks in on Rees, who is taking one last check on the artifact before straightening his shirt. With a nod, he heads downstairs.

"We better get to the tavern a few minutes before the gillmen," Rees suggests. "Just in case."

Griffo stretches and burps after his big breakfast with all the trimmings "Ahh, well lets get going then." he says wipeing breadcrumbs from his spellbook before closing it and putting it in his pack. He climbs down from his stool and wipes some sauce off his cloak, licking his fingers.

Kargen finishes his tea. "Alright, let's get out of here then." He follows them out to meet with the gillmen.

Before leaving, Kurth asks: "By the way, who chose the tavern as a meeting place? The gillmen or us? I did expect we would finish our business with them directly at the embassy."

En route to the meeting place, he keeps watching out for consortium agents (or anybody else following the group).

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"This was the mutually agreed upon meeting place," Rees says, as you head out the door. "Neutral ground was favored for this matter."

The sounds of a busy tavern echo off the wooden walls of this unusual building. Resting precariously over Escadar’s harbor, the Grindylow’s Goblet offers an unequaled view of the water. In the bar’s center, a thick glass aquarium presents a striking display. Within the tank, a coral statue of a goblin with the lower body of an octopus hosts a school of colorful fish that flit about the nooks and crannies of its tentacles.
Two human servers busily provide food and drink to the tavern’s half-dozen patrons, and a striking woman tends the bar.

While you settle in, Rees asks the group a question. "Are any of you skilled in appraising items? I ask because it would be beneficial if we didn't rely on my eyes alone."

"If the item in question is pottery, then maybe. Otherwise, no."

Kargen shakes his head at Rees. "I thought that's why we brought you."

Edited

Are you saying that to Rees or to Kurth?

Garen shakes his head. "My skills lie more in the dispatching of unworthies to the next life than quibbling about the worth of some trinket..."

"Very well," Rees says, with a hint of disappointment. "Hopefully, my skills won't fail us."

I'll wait to see if Griffo can put in his two copper, but I'll move this along tomorrow.

Kargen takes up a position where he has f I'll view of the door to watch for any Gillmen coming into the Inn. He has his bow ready, but doesn't really expect any violence.

After a few moments, the gillman party arrives. Smaller and more low-key than your group, the gillman contingent consists of only two Low Azlanti, a man and a woman. The male bears a delicately wrapped bundle of cloth, apparently around the Azlanti relic, while the woman acts as bodyguard.

"Greetings, Pathfinders," the male says after taking a seat. "I am Shoalo and my companion is Ahrmisa."

Shoalo sits at the table and places his package before you. Ahrmisa stands behind him, silently eyeing you suspiciously. "Shall we?"

Shoalo asks Rees to place yourr item on the table for inspection and offers his as well. He takes only a cursory glance after Rees unwraps the artifact. With a quiet 'harumph', Rees takes a look at the artifact the Low Azlanti produced.

Appraise: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

"This is obviously fake! What are you trying to take us for?!" Rees declares loudly.

As Shoalo reaches for the real artifact, Rees takes his cane and knocks the gillman back. He quickly bundles the artifact and retreats. From the bar, a glass shatters, the gillmen close their eyes and a blinding light overtakes the tavern as the torches appear to spew forth fireworks.

Will Saves:

Rees: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Griffo: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Kargen: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Garen: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Kurth: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Rees and Garen are blinded for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 rounds.

Initiative:

Ulionestia: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Shoalo and Ahrmisa: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Kurth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Garen: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Kargen: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Griffo: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

The female behind the bar casts another spell, but only Garen avoids being tangled by the webs.

Reflex Saves:

Kurth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Garen: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Griffo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Kargen: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

The other two gillmen approach Rees with their spears and attack him.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Attack 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17; Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Ahrmisa pierces Rees side as he blindly clutches the artifact.

The bartender casts yet another spell, coating the table you are at in grease.

More Reflex Saves...

Kurth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Garen: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Griffo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Kargen: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

You all fall to the ground after slipping on the bartender's latest spell.

Round 1: Ulionestia, Kargen, Kurth, Gillmen, Griffo, Garen

MAP

Side Note: I hate cheesy tactic encounters.

Web and grease!
Griffo squirms in the web trying to slip free.
Escape Artist: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

I'm guessing that's not enough

Wow, some pretty horrible saves and quite an ambush.

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Ugh

Kargen struggles against the webbing, but when it appears he can't get himself free, he fills himself with Erastil's wrath, draws his spear, and tries to hurl it at the nearest gillman attacking Rees. "Garen, get to Rees and protect him!"

Activate Justice Judgement. +1 to attacks
Spear, grappled, judgement: 1d20 + 4 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 2 + 1 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Kurth enters rage, then tries to break free from the webs, and if successful he then crawls towards the bar.
CMB: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Kargen's spear nearly takes Ahrmisa off her feet, but he can see she is bleeding profusely and on the verge of death.

Kurth breaks the binding web and makes his way to the bar. Meanwhile, the gillmen continue to stab at the blinded Rees.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21; Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Attack 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22; Confirmation: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10; Critical Damage: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1, 8) + 3 = 16

Rees groans as he is slain by the gillmen and Shoalo grabs the artifact, turning towards the door. Griffo struggles in the web but cannot free himself.

Round 1: Ulionestia, Kargen, Kurth, Gillmen, Griffo, Garen

Garen carefully stands up and moves unsteadily toward the sound of Rees's voice, readying his spear.

Garen's Acrobatics: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Garen gets to his feet and falls back down, slipping on the grease. The bartender pulls out a wand and fires at Kargen.

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Round 2: Ulionestia, Kargen, Kurth, Gillmen, Griffo, Garen

Kurth gets back on his feet.
He is about to attack the bartender when he realizes that he is the only one who is neither bilded nor caught in a web.

So instead he curses, turns around, draws his sword, and runs towards the door to intercept the gillman with the artifact.

Kargen continues to fight his way out of the webbing.

CMB check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 Hopefully that's good enough

Kargen tries to stand and move out of the area toward the gillmen.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Whew. I think that's it for the round. Hopefully I can start actually doing things next round.

Kargen and Kurth make their way out of the web and grease and pursue the two gillmen who head towards the door.

MAP

Grey squares are the web, the green bordered square is the grease spell. The arrows indicate where the doors are. I decided to omit one set of doors.

Round 2: Ulionestia, Kargen, Kurth, Gillmen, Griffo, Garen

Griffo continues to attempt to worm his way free.

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Griffo breaks free of the webs.

You still have another move, Griffo. It's DC 10 Acrobatics to move through the grease.

Garen, still blinded, tries to get up again and move towards Rees's voice.

Acrobatics 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

huzzah!

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Griffo struggles out if the greased area and tries to make his way to the nearest edge of the webbed area.

" Curses, Curses! Git off git off git off! Uh grr. "

I believe it's difficult terrain so I can only move two squares.

Garen fails to free himself while Griffo tries to move out of the spell-affected area. The gillman behind the bar brandishes her wand again, firing at Kurth.

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Round 3: Ulionestia, Kargen, Kurth, Gillmen, Griffo, Garen

MAP

"Someone stop that woman!"

Kurth enters rage, charges at the gillman with the artifact and attacks.
Attack: 1d20 + 1 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 7 + 2 = 14
Damage: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (4, 4) + 10 = 18

12/17 HP; 11/12 rounds of Rage left.

(I hope charging is possible in this situation. Depends which gillman has the artifact, whether going diagonally from W11 to V10 counts as difficult terrain, and on how strict your definition of "straight line" is. If charging is not an option, Kurth will just run as fast as he can to intercept them.)

Yeah, that's a bit iffy of a charge for me to allow. I'll double move you though.

Kargen comes out of the sticky webs and for a second just looks at the two Gillmen standing over Rees' body. "How dare you! You will see the wrath of Deadeye for this!" he draws his bow and shoots at the one away from Kurth.

PBS, Judgement: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 20
Damage, PBS: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8

Kargen fells Ahrmisa while Shoalo turns to Kurth and attacks.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19; Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Round 3: Ulionestia, Kargen, Kurth, Shoalo, Griffo, Garen

Escape Artist check to move: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Griffo moves out of the webbed area and throws an Acid dart at the Gillman behind the bar. (U?)

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Griffo's attack shakes Ulionestia from her Magic Missile reverie as his acid dart makes contact with her.

Round 3: Ulionestia, Kargen, Kurth, Shoalo, Griffo, Garen

Garen tries to get up again and move towards the sound of the greatest commotion since he is still blind.

Acrobatics 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Actually, you are no longer blind, Garen. You may also make another Acrobatics attempt or crawl.

Garen may be occupied, so I'll retcon any other actions he may take.

Her face contorted in anger, Ulionestia fires off a magic missile at Griffo.

MM: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Round 4: Ulionestia, Kargen, Kurth, Shoalo, Griffo, Garen

MAP

"Kill him, Kurth." Kargen looks over to Rees' body and curses. He runs over and uses his Wand of Cure Light Wounds on the man.

Kurth attacks the gillman.
1d20 + 1 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 1 + 7 = 24
2d6 + 10 ⇒ (4, 4) + 10 = 18

Kurth dispatches Shoalo easily and recovers the artifact from the gillman.
All that remains of the group of betrayers is Ulionestia, the bartender.

Kargen, roll for the cure light wounds.

Round 4: Ulionestia, Kargen, Kurth, Griffo, Garen

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

Rees comes to, but, when Kargen indicates that the battle is still going on, he lays low.

Griffo steps to the right to use the wall as cover and with a short Incantation, fire another dart of acid at the bartender.

Step to Q20
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Griffo's spell deals more damage to Ulionestia, but she looks like she can continue the fight for a while.

Round 4: Ulionestia, Kargen, Kurth, Griffo, Garen

Ulionestia casts another spell, shattering the aquarium. She leaps over the bar and into the hole at the bottom of the aquarium, escaping into the water below. Rees stands, shaking with anger.

"Let's go to the embassy at once!" he says, seething.

Once at the embassy, Rees manages to keep his anger in check when mentioning the treachery at the tavern. The Low Azlanti assure you they did not know of the Consortium's plot and, to ease tensions, agree to search for Ulionestia and arrange transportation back to Absalom for you. They encourage you to spend the night in Escadar while they make arrangements.
In the morning, you return to the embassy and find out that Ulionestia was captured and interrogated. They reveal that there was no blockade in Absalom so they arranged for you to return by ship. They hand Rees a missive for Venture-Captain Dreng. Your voyage is uneventful and quite a relief from the past week.
Upon your return to Absalom, Dreng asks to see you immediately. Rees thanks you for protecting him and leaves you to return the artifact to the vaults. He assures you that Dreng will get the missive from the embassy.

When you see Dreng, he appears apologetic. "I am sorry we were taken in by such a ruse. Thanks to your cleverness and strength, we did not lose a true artifact to the enemy. The Consortium is the greatest threat to the Society and you should be ever vigilant in your ongoing careers."

Well, that's it for this session.