The Fish Bowl stands along the river atop a high stone base. Well-worn stone stairs ascend the stone base to access the temple above, but a chain has been drawn across the bottom of the stairs to block easy access. From the street, it is difficult to see anything occurring in the temple at the top of the platform. Only a few dim lights flicker up in the temple, and a narrow tower or lookout post rises above it.
From the tower atop the temple you hear the sheiking cries of children.
If there is such an option within 40 ft, this happens...
"Good plan, get in there and cause a distraction. I'll slip up the side of this building and check on the kids." He pulls out a coil of rope and grappling hook. Quickly tying them together he attempts to toss the hook up to a secure location.
Ranged Attack AC 5 - 2, 4 or 6 range modifiers:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Obviously missing, he pulls the hook back and tries again.
Ranged Attack AC 5 - 2, 4 or 6 range modifiers:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
With a success he starts climbing up, using the wall to brace as he goes. (I'll stop there with my checks, if there isn't even a way to do this then no reason to continue)
If there is no option to go up directly to the tower, this happens...
Khargrom eyes the building, looking for a way up the outside of the temple/tower. Not seeing anything he rushes in after his allies, I wish we had a better plan. Rushing in like this doesn't seem wise.
Khorgrom, there is a window on the lookout tower, but it is a little over 40 feet from you. It is closer to 95 feet.
You rush in to the Fishbowl. You step over the chain and up teh small hill before going down the stairs into the temple proper. There is a deep pool in the center of the room and two corpses, dressed as acolytes of Besmara lay on the ground beside the pool. There are also three creatures lurking on the surface of the water.
Map is up on the slides. Green squares are the corpses. I was lazy and didn't get tokens sorted for them.
LN Dwarf Rogue 4 | 2 Star Reroll 1/1, Mods: Trap Spotter (talent), Step Up (feat) | HP 38 (-0) | AC/Tch/FF 18/12/-- (Uncanny Dodge, +4 vs. Giants, +1 vs. Traps) | CMD (bullrush/trip) 16 (20) | F/R/W +5/+7/+4 (+1 vs. Traps, Evasion, +2 vs. poisons/spells/spell-like, +1 vs. Fire from Boon) | Speed 20ft | Perception: +9 (+2 traps, +2 stonework, +4 stone traps, darkvision), SM: +6 | Init: +4
K: Local or Dungeoneering:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Seeing the creatures threatening the bodies Khargrom quickly takes advantage of the surprise. He steps up, draws a Dart and whips it at the closest creature. "Have at ye beast!"
Crunch:
5-ft step, Move to draw a dart, Standard to throw it at Blue.
The party moves in and begins to assault the strange creatures. Wylka swings his glaive at the yellow tinged creature but misses. Khargrom has similar results with his thrown dagger as it misses the Blue tinged creature. Kent however has no trouble hitting the Red one with an arrow. In one shot he ends its existence.
Combat Round 1 - Bold May Act
Meirdrarel
Kent
Khargrom
Celewen
Wylka
Enemies (Red, Blue, Yellow)
Khellek
The creature has resistance to cold damage. They are known to have quite a strong grip and to squeeze their prey once that have grabbed it. Also they have poison
LN Dwarf Rogue 4 | 2 Star Reroll 1/1, Mods: Trap Spotter (talent), Step Up (feat) | HP 38 (-0) | AC/Tch/FF 18/12/-- (Uncanny Dodge, +4 vs. Giants, +1 vs. Traps) | CMD (bullrush/trip) 16 (20) | F/R/W +5/+7/+4 (+1 vs. Traps, Evasion, +2 vs. poisons/spells/spell-like, +1 vs. Fire from Boon) | Speed 20ft | Perception: +9 (+2 traps, +2 stonework, +4 stone traps, darkvision), SM: +6 | Init: +4
"Reef Claws, dangerous little buggers. Watch out for the pinchy's and the poison, plus don't waste yer time chillin' em. They come from the deep and shrug that stuff off. Looks like it's time for the ole hacky-slashy fer me." To match his words, he slips the black metal axe off his belt and moves up to one of the creatures, waiting for his chance.
Move to draw Battleaxe, Move 20 ft.
AoO if Blue goes after Kent:
Better of the two rolls (bit o' luck):1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 or Better of the two rolls (bit o' luck):1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Male Halfling | Cleric 1 / Wizard 1 |HP: 14/14 | AC12 T 12 FF 11 | F+4 R+1 W+7 | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +6 | CMB -1 | CMD 9 | Speed 30
"Poison?" Celewen shudders. Looking at his little sickle and the dangerous reef claws, the little cleric changes his mind about entering the combat and instead chooses to give the dwarf some Guidance
Guidance:
Duration: 1 minute or until discharged
The creature touched gets a +1 competence bonus on a single attack roll, saving throw, or skill check. It must choose to use the bonus before making the roll to which it applies
LN Dwarf Rogue 4 | 2 Star Reroll 1/1, Mods: Trap Spotter (talent), Step Up (feat) | HP 38 (-0) | AC/Tch/FF 18/12/-- (Uncanny Dodge, +4 vs. Giants, +1 vs. Traps) | CMD (bullrush/trip) 16 (20) | F/R/W +5/+7/+4 (+1 vs. Traps, Evasion, +2 vs. poisons/spells/spell-like, +1 vs. Fire from Boon) | Speed 20ft | Perception: +9 (+2 traps, +2 stonework, +4 stone traps, darkvision), SM: +6 | Init: +4
Fort Vs Poison + Guidance:1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13
Khargrom grunts as the Pincers grab onto him. "Just like that see, they're a bit grabby!"
At least it ain't getting after the others if'n its grabbin me, lessee if I can put a crack into 'er shell. He takes a slightly modified swing with his axe.
LN Dwarf Rogue 4 | 2 Star Reroll 1/1, Mods: Trap Spotter (talent), Step Up (feat) | HP 38 (-0) | AC/Tch/FF 18/12/-- (Uncanny Dodge, +4 vs. Giants, +1 vs. Traps) | CMD (bullrush/trip) 16 (20) | F/R/W +5/+7/+4 (+1 vs. Traps, Evasion, +2 vs. poisons/spells/spell-like, +1 vs. Fire from Boon) | Speed 20ft | Perception: +9 (+2 traps, +2 stonework, +4 stone traps, darkvision), SM: +6 | Init: +4
Ripping off the claws as they continue squeezing him after death Khargrom finally tosses them to the side, "damn buggers! I'm going to eat so many lobsters when we get outta here. HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT IDEA!!!"
Breath and adrenaline finally slowing he looks over his bloody arms, "eh... that ain't good." He starts looking through his pack and pulls out a bar of soap and a waterskin. He starts scrubbing out the wounds, "if'n nunya got any way to heal me up, this'll at least keep em from getting all nasty."
Oops, I thought I bought a healing potion for this guy. Apparently not!
The creatures must be wary, however, because in some regions, these abominations find their way to the dinner plate. Brave fishermen troll bays and coastlines infested with reefclaws, baiting the creatures with fresh meat and then harvesting their powerful claws with axes.
A search of the bodies of the acolytes reveals that each bears a rapier, leather armor, a scroll of cure light wounds, and other jewelry worth 45 gp. One of the acolytes is wearing the Besmara’s Bicorne.
You missed the DC to gain any knowledge Meirdrarel, but lets say you take 10?
Meirdrarel:
The hat gives off a faint aura of Transmutation. A longer examination reveals that it has the following properties.
This large pirate hat bears a skull-and-crossbones on the front. The wearer gains a +2 competence bonus on Acrobatics and Climb checks. If Besmara is the wearer’s patron, the wearer automatically floats to the surface of any body of water (at a speed of 30 feet) unless she desires otherwise; this does not prevent the wearer from falling safely into water or interacting with water in any other way.
LN Dwarf Rogue 4 | 2 Star Reroll 1/1, Mods: Trap Spotter (talent), Step Up (feat) | HP 38 (-0) | AC/Tch/FF 18/12/-- (Uncanny Dodge, +4 vs. Giants, +1 vs. Traps) | CMD (bullrush/trip) 16 (20) | F/R/W +5/+7/+4 (+1 vs. Traps, Evasion, +2 vs. poisons/spells/spell-like, +1 vs. Fire from Boon) | Speed 20ft | Perception: +9 (+2 traps, +2 stonework, +4 stone traps, darkvision), SM: +6 | Init: +4
Khargrom's wounds mend a bit and he lets out a nice sigh, "ah that feels betta, thank ye ser!"
Looking at Kent and Meirdrarel as they discuss the hat and their mission, "that's a bit cold ain't it fellas? Leaving a screaming kid upstairs? I don't think waiting a coupla minutes to check it out is gonna ruin our mission."
Khargrom heads upstairs to check it out. In case there are more threats, he tries to move quietly. As an afterthought, he pulls a dart out and hefts his axe in the other hand.
(Heroism active, +2 to saves and atk)AC 20 (FF:19); Fort +6; Ref +8; Will +5 (extra +4 vs sonic & language)(extra +1 when surprised/flat footed (included in FF))(extra +1 vs evil outsiders); resist cold/4; ; Init +1; Perception -2;(+1 cmd vs grapple)
Khellek pats Bessie and puts away the crossbow.
"Anyone still injured?" he asks, peering under his glasses.
"Those reefclaws could have been nasty." he adds as he looks at their bodies.
Would take ten now for a 22 on that knowledge check
He too examines both the hat and the retrieved dagger to see what he can tell of their properties.
The hat gives off a faint aura of Transmutation. A longer examination reveals that it has the following properties.
This large pirate hat bears a skull-and-crossbones on the front. The wearer gains a +2 competence bonus on Acrobatics and Climb checks. If Besmara is the wearer’s patron, the wearer automatically floats to the surface of any body of water (at a speed of 30 feet) unless she desires otherwise; this does not prevent the wearer from falling safely into water or interacting with water in any other way.
The dagger gives off a magical aura that you cannot place. There is something off about this dagger but you cannot work out what.
Climbing the tower you find a man and two half-elven girls cowering in the tower away from the Reefclaws.
LN Dwarf Rogue 4 | 2 Star Reroll 1/1, Mods: Trap Spotter (talent), Step Up (feat) | HP 38 (-0) | AC/Tch/FF 18/12/-- (Uncanny Dodge, +4 vs. Giants, +1 vs. Traps) | CMD (bullrush/trip) 16 (20) | F/R/W +5/+7/+4 (+1 vs. Traps, Evasion, +2 vs. poisons/spells/spell-like, +1 vs. Fire from Boon) | Speed 20ft | Perception: +9 (+2 traps, +2 stonework, +4 stone traps, darkvision), SM: +6 | Init: +4
Khargrom (in a totally reassuring manner while holding very sharp weapons in each hand) grins, "its okay there, we heard screaming and came to help. Those nasty overgrown lobsters are toast. You all ok up here?"
Diplomacy to calm them?:1d20 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 2 = 12
Sense Motive to read the situation?:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Male Human Cleric of Shelyn 3.1 | AC 17 (T 10/FF 17) | CMB +4 CMD 14 (FF 14) | HP 24/24 | Init +0 | Fort +4 Ref +1 Will +6 | Perception +3 | Speed 20' | Channel Energy 7/7 | Bit of Luck 6/6 | Dazing Touch 6/6 | +2 Concentration
Wylka approaches the children and the man, checking for wounds while trying to keep them calm. "Our dwarf friend is correct. The water monsters are dead and the occultist are no longer around to hurt you."
The kids settle down. You are able to coax the story out of them
The two acolytes left in charge of the temple decided to enact an impromptu sacrifice of a man named Josef and his half elven daughters Niana, age 9, and Frelinda, age 6 . Josef is married to a pirate named Redelia that cheated the Besmarans out of a vast treasure before fleeing the city. As they cannot punish Redelia, the vindictive acolytes decided to kidnap and sacrifice her family to some of Besmara’s favored sea creatures. The sacrifice went terribly wrong when the sea creatures escaped the pool, killed the acolytes, and chased Josef and his daughters up into the lookout post.
Male Halfling | Cleric 1 / Wizard 1 |HP: 14/14 | AC12 T 12 FF 11 | F+4 R+1 W+7 | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +6 | CMB -1 | CMD 9 | Speed 30
"We must ensure they get home safely." To Josef, he asks, "Do you live nearby? The danger is gone, but I'm sure the little ones would feel better with an escort."
They live nearby and you escort them home. There is an old school faction mission involving these NPCs which is why they are here. I wont flesh it out unless someone specifically is interested.
(Heroism active, +2 to saves and atk)AC 20 (FF:19); Fort +6; Ref +8; Will +5 (extra +4 vs sonic & language)(extra +1 when surprised/flat footed (included in FF))(extra +1 vs evil outsiders); resist cold/4; ; Init +1; Perception -2;(+1 cmd vs grapple)
"Now they are safe, we must proceed with our own mission. And get these items back to the Aspis. Then we can more on to the second part of the plan."
