GM Kyshkumen's PFS 1-51: The City of Strangers Part II (Inactive)

Game Master Kyshkumen

Lol that's fine, just better hope there aren't any more goblins.

"Wow, Findlefarb," offers Ferabras, "nice work finding the way to Collgardie's so fast! You've really got a way with people. And chickens, I guess."

He eyes the gnome's large, new rooster and says, "This one looks a little better able to take care of itself than the last one. I just hope it doesn't think you're a threat to its harem, eh?"

With the directions they've been given, he begins heading toward Collgardie's house.

Which district do we start in?

"Chicken!" Miyako hugs the rooster, nearly choking it to death. "You're my new best chicken friend!"

Miyako follows the others to Collgardie's place. Once there she knocks on the door. "Anyone there? We're here for business."

It is well past night fall when the Pathfinders reach Collgardie's place. Horis Collgardie's house is small but in good repair; judging by the decrepit state of the other homes in the neighborhood, this merchant friend of Drandle Dreng must be relatively well off. His home is made of a hodgepodge of brick and stone matching the city's walls. Several windows look out onto the thin balcony walkway some 60 feet above the city streets that serves as the access for this neighborhood, but all are heavily barred with the shades pulled. The house appears dark and quiet, even after Miyako announces the parties arrival.

Ferabras considers the quiet house before them a moment, looking up at its dark windows and the nearby wall. "If he's not at home, do we have any other way to find him? Maybe we could find his shop?" He looks in frustration at the closed door to the house and continues, "Though maybe Collgardie's in trouble, somehow, and we should check the house. I don't like the idea of breaking in, but if it's to help him, and the Society, it might be okay."

He turns to his companions and says, "What do you think, should we take a look inside? And does anyone have a quiet way of getting in?"

"We could kick in the door," Miyako suggests. "Or, if we want to be quiet, we'd need to pick the lock. Any of you proficient in lock picking?"

Great-grandfather: Well you shouldn't make such darn noise in the morning, girl! I'm sure they're aware of you now, if anyone's inside!

"Gramps think we've been noticed," Miyako whispers just loud enough for her companions to hear it.

Ferabras gives Miyako a puzzled look, then glances around to see if anyone unknown to him has joined their group. Gramps? Who?

"I can try to force the door," he offers, "but I bet Pillango could do it a bit more quietly. Care to have a go at it, Pillango? Maybe with a little blessing from Miyako?"

No posts from Pillango in 10 days, so I'm going to roll the Disable Device for her to move us along, okay? I'll assume Miyako quietly gives guidance. If my presuming this much bugs anyone, please let me know.

Pillango's Disable Device, Guidance: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 = 22

Pillango moves to the door and tries the handle first. With a soft click she pushes it open, " looks like it was unlocked", she says.

Miyako blinks. "What?"

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

She walks over to the door and quietly enters the building, carefully looking around to see if anyone else is inside.

Besides the dim shaft of light coming in from the open door the room is shrouded in darkness.

Map has been updated to keep track of which rooms you are in.

Bram finds himself unable to think of anything comforting to say to Miyako after the first chicken's demise. He keeps quiet in the city, then as they approach Collgardie's house. As the door opens, he pipes up again:

"Maybe it's best for me an' Ferabras ta go first? I can see in tha' dark, and I reckon he can too..."

With that, Bram steps farther inside, to the head of the group.

"Good idea, Bram," Ferabras says, "the dark doesn't bother me." He moves up next to Bram and looks around. "Wow, nice place. Let's take a look around and see what might have happend to Collgardie."

Ferabras turns and says over his shoulder, "It looks like we're in the living roo, though I can't see all of it because it wraps around a corner. There's a door right here by us. Maybe Findlefarb could make a little light, so the rest of you can see?"

Out of an abundance of caution, he draws his black-bladed greatsword and waits for the others.

GM Kysh - is the place as posh as the map makes it look?

Miyako has low-light vision so the dim shaft of light should suffice for her to see. Though she's pretending to be a human, and not telling the others she's not.

This place may have been posh back in it's day, now the items are worn and out of style.

Thank you for posting for me. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Pillango begins a stealthily cursory search of the immediate area, traps, goodies, etc...
Perc: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

No problem, I forgot you had said you would be gone - even though I'm in two games with you.

Pillango's search comes up with nothing unusual.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Assuming Findlefarb makes some light for the others:

Ferabras leads the way further into the living room, in order to see the whole space. Finding the double doors at the far end, he opens them and looks through.

As soon as Ferabras rounds the corner he sees a man sprawled out on the floor, a pool of congealed blood around the mans head.

Figured this might be what you were looking for so no need for the doors just yet.

"Demons' fire!" exclaims Ferabras, "this doesn't look good. I hope this isn't Collgardie." He kneels by the man and checks for signs of life, saying, "I don't know much about this, can anyone tell if he's dead for sure, and how long ago this happened?"

Bram hustles over to stand near Ferabras. "I'm no healer meself, but he sure don't seem too lively. Too bad we didn't arrive a bit sooner!"

It's always nice to know that in PFS you can travel for weeks or even months, only to arrive just a moment too late (or in the nick of time), just as the story demands!

Not caring how this man died, Pillango searches the body for clues towards his identity...and subtly for any goodies.
Of course if said goodies are of 'significant' consequence they would be shared...
Perc: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Slight of Hand: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

As the party moves forward to examine the body the doors to the other rooms burst open and four people armed with cestus' and wearing chain shirts come pouring out. "Returning to the scene of the crime. Big mistake, you will pay for the death of Collgardie."

Fidlefarb
Ferabras
Miyako
Armed Assailants
Bram
Pillango

Bold is up, Pillango did not find anything on the corpse.

"Sorry Ferabras, they just confirmed it's him..."

Miyako draws her rapier and attempts to stab the man that walked up to her. "Strangers! We wish you no harm, but I will defend myself if you draw too close! Explain to us why in the world we would return if we'd killed this man?"

Stab: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

"I missed you on purpose this time! Lower your weapons, or I'll hit you next time!"

"Stop!" Ferabras cries out, drawing his blade and holding it up defensively. "We did not kill this man! Miyako, don't kill anyone over this misunderstanding!"

Total defense, trying to stop the madness. And detect evil on the men, just in case.

Fidlefarb draws his weapon and stays behind Miyako, unsure of what to do.

"Even if you aren't murders and we aren't taking your word on that. You still broke into the man's house in the middle of the night. We'll have the answers I'm sure after we persuade you."

The man and woman by the entrance both attack Miyako.

Green: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Red: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

One of them connects leaving a nasty cut. While the other seems to be shadow boxing. Over by the corpse one of the men takes a swing and Bram while the other throws a heavy looking skull at Pillango.

Blue: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Yellow vs touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3 DC 11 Fort save or nauseated for 1d3 ⇒ 2 rounds

Bram takes a hit as well and the skull hits Pillango sqaure in the chest. The skull bursts open with a loud crack as spiders burst from it scattering all over Pillango and the area around her.

Fidlefarb
Ferabras
Miyako
Armed Assailants
Bram
Pillango

Bold is up, hopefully Pillango finds a chance to post tonight after a day at Gencon.

Bram takes a swing at the man who hit him.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage?: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

-Posted with Wayfinder

"They're trying to kill me!" Miyako replies to Ferabras. "They're not going to listen! We'll have to take them out!"

Bram takes one out with a single swing causing the man to hit the floor.

Fort: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Pillango struggles to keep her food down as the spiders crawl all over her.

Fidlefarb
Ferabras
Miyako
Armed Assailants
Bram
Pillango

Bold is up, I sent a PM to Fidlefarb but have not heard anything back. Maybe we will hear from him after GenCon.

Ferabras hears Miyako's words and rushes back to the door, sword held high. As he crosses the room and dodges furniture, he cries out, "Leave her alone! We've done nothing!"

Double move towards door, get into flank position with Miyako.

Miyako and Findlefarb team up with Ferabras after he moves over to assist them.

Miyako: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 7

Findlefarb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

They both lunge at the attacker with their raipers but fail to strike the target. Seeing one of their allies fall the thugs press the attack.

Red Vs Miyako: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

The other thug steps back out of flank and attacks Ferabras

Green Vs Ferabras: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Miyako and Ferabras narrowly avoid being hit. The one in the back of the room grabs another skull this time throwing it at Bram.

Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (1) = 2 DC 11 Fort save or nauseated for 1d3 ⇒ 2 rounds.

The skull shatters as it strikes Brams arm and he is covered in biting spiders.

Findlefarb
Ferabras
Miyako
Armed Assailants
Bram
Pillango

Bold is up. I forgot the skull striking damage so Pillango takes an additional 1d4 ⇒ 1 damage. Miyako is out of town this week and still no reply from Findlefarb.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Bram moves over to the man who hit him and flies into a rage, swinging his axe!

Raging Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 1 = 10

I'm betting that's a miss. With the 2 hp I lost, I'm at 7 real hp, but 9 with temp rage. Are the spiders a swarm? And can you move my token please? Posting from phone...

-Posted with Wayfinder

The spiders are more of a splash type effect with the main target making a fort save and taking an extra 1d6 damage.

@GM: I was back already, just didn't realize I was up >.< I can't remember seeing the update... :(

Miyako's face shows relief when Ferabras comes to her aid. "Ferabras! You've come to help me!"

"Let's make toast of these baddies!" she says, and points her rapier at the man in front of her.

"Tossing skulls around? Really? Is that what our fine constabulary has come to?"

Findlefarb looks for a skull on one of the thugs and approaches. "Come! I can't dare fight people who toss spider-filled skulls around! That's scary!"

Swap attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

If it beats CMD, then I have a skull and the thug has a chicken.

That is pretty funny, unfortunately the scenario is very specific about which ones have the skull weapon and neither of the ones near you have them. This would be fairly obvious so you can change your action.

What do they have? I'll take that.

They are using a cestus and have a dagger on their belt.

Dagger it is, then.

Bram's rage throws off his swing and he is unable to strike his foe. Pillango is still overwhelmed by the spiders and Findlefarb is unable to get the dagger from the man's belt.

Findlefarb
Ferabras
Miyako
Armed Assailants
Bram
Pillango

Bold is up.

Ferabras takes a deep breath, wishing he didn't have to do this, then swings his blade hard at one of the men threatening Miyako.

MWK Cold Iron Greatsword, PA, flank: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 - 1 + 2 = 21
Greatsword damage, PA: 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4) + 6 + 3 = 17

Miyako aims for the man in front of her, hoping her next attack will actually hit him. "Hyaa!"

Stab: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Ferabras takes out one of the thugs while Miyako inflicts a light wound on the other.

Seeing his ally fall the man in front of Miyako panics and tries to knock her aside to get out the door. This leaves him open for an attack from Miyako and Findlefarb.

Miyako AoO: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Findlefarb AoO: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Confirm: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Overrun: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Findlefarb gets a solid blow in as Miyako gets shoved to the ground. The man stumbles out on to the dark street.

The other one lowers his skull to the ground and puts his hands up. "I give just, don't hurt me. You can take what ever you want."

Bram comes out of his rage and slumps onto his axe heavily, using it to prop himself up. He speaks in a weary tone.

"We nay wanna harm ye. Least not permanently. We came to see our old friend Collgardie here. Came a long way, too. Do ye know what happened here?"

"And can someone use me wand a healin'? Got some bad cuts there."

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Certainly, Bram, I'd be honored."

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Findlefarb shakes the wand. "Hmm, it doesn't seem to want to come out..." He tries writing with the tip on his forearm before trying again.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"There! That should do it!"

"Whoa!" Miyako lands on her butt when the man overruns her. "Be careful, I'm a lady!"

Miyako gets back up and sheaths her rapier. She walks over to the man who surrendered. "Give me your socks. I will claim them as trophies, which will be your punishment for attacking us."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

"And while you're at it, yes, you should tell us what happened here. We just wanted to talk to Collgardie..."

Ferabras' eyes widen as Miyako asks for the man's socks, but he weighs in supporting what she's said, "It's true, we just came to talk to the man, and found him dead."

Diplomacy, Aid Miyako: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"Someone killed Collgardie and we were hired to deal with the killer if they came back or anyone else trying to loot the place." He looks at Miyako as if he did not understand her request.