GM Lorenzo's #9-16: Fallen Family, Broken Name (Inactive)

Game Master Lawrence Smith 2

Makoa and Kifah begin looking around the out post.
Makoa Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Kifah Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

"Watch out the spider webs are huge. Hmm what is that over there...", Kifah sniffs too close to the webs and begins sneezing. "Careful girl. Look some rotting packs...with coins inside...hmmm and some strange tracks

Makoa begins studying the tracks. Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
He flicks his chain out at the ready and begins looking around. Careful, an ettercap is lurking.

"An ettercap? What's that?" Karayan asks while he tries to stay clear of the webs.

Makoa squats down, examining the tracks he spotted, and he tells his companions that they were made by an ettercap.

Karayan wonders if anyone knows anything about such creatures.

As you search the ruins of Outpost Buckler, you hear a quiet, excited chittering from within the former Hellknight command center. You snap your fingers at Serge, who was busy following the flight a pretty monarch butterfly, and you point to the mostly rotten door to the building.

Map & Images

Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Marcie confirms Mokoa's diagnosis on the tracks "Yup, he's right, but who the hell knows what an ettercap is. Not me!" She adjusts her buckler and draws out her sap, ready for action in any case.

Anyone else care for that scroll of heroism?

Serge turns and looks at the tracks, then moves towards the rotten door, greatsword at the ready. "Careful. Perhaps the ettercap lies within? Whatever an ettercap is."

"I fear I also know nothing of ettercaps," Shikaree says apologetically.

Probably the heroism should be cast on one of our frontliners, I think it'd last for 30 minutes.

Know(Dungeoneering): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Makoa thinks for a moment about the ettercap,"It is an aberration, a hideous creature that walks upright like a man with a face of a spider." Makoa readies his chain and shield. "Its hands are sickle-shaped claws", he continues looking around.

Kifah senses her masters tension and begins sniffing around for the enemy.

"Marcie, can you try to cast that scroll on Serge? Otherwise I can attempt it"

You only need to make a caster level check at DC6 (it is assumed to be a wizard's scroll in PFS)

"Me? Heck ya I can try. What could go wrong?" She pulls out the scroll and casts a spell, reading it over. "Oh ya, sweet stuff this is. Perfect for you Hun." She smiles, but it comes across as a bit of a leer...

She begins reciting the words expertly. "Who'd have thought Dwarves wrote scrolls, this is easy!"

Caster Check, DC6: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

"My thanks, Marcie. I am feeling much more prepared for this ettercap now." Serge then opens the door. Emphatically.

The worm-eaten slab of wood falls aside easily to reveal a cluttered and rank-smelling hall. Rotten parchment scraps, worm-eaten carpets, and disintegrating furniture hint at a decaying Hellknight command center, a fact confirmed by the rusted remains of armor and ancient standards adorning the walls. A rusting iron statue of Asmodeus lies toppled to one side against a wall.

Amongst the debris are the skeletal remains of five humanoid bodies. Two still wear rust-fused Hellknight armor, while three others are covered in molding, rotten leather. Surrounding these aged corpses are the remains of their goblinoid killers; it’s clear that everyone was slain in a vicious fight.

However, Serge takes in all that with his peripheral vision, because he's more focused on the hideous aberration near the center of the room. The creature stands over six feet tall and must weigh at least 200 pounds. Strands of webbing cling to its wicked claws, and its mandibles glisten with a moist, purple ichor.

Map & Images

Round 1
Bold may act.

Serge
Torgrin
---
Ettercap
---
Karayan
Shikaree
Marcie
Makoa & Kifah

Serge and Torgrin, you're up!

(Serge and Torgrin, the +2 damage bonus applies for you even if Shikaree hasn't gotten a chance to act yet!)

Marcie peers in from around the corner "Well, guess that's prolly an ettercap eh? Looks friendly..." She smirks.

"I don't know what I expected," Serge grins at the ettercap, his brow furrowed. "Let us see how quickly we can dispatch this filthy creature! Ragathiel, lend me your might!" The single wing on the hilt of the greatsword begins to glow in shimmering red flames, and Serge pounces forward, swinging his blade down and through the creature's gut.

Greatsword, PA, SS, Heroism, Smite Evil: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 262d6 + 12 ⇒ (5, 5) + 12 = 22

Serge calls upon the General of Vengeance and enters the erstwhile Hellknight command post. Advancing on the ettercap, the paladin brings his greatsword thundering down on the aberration.

Map & Images

Round 1
Bold may act.

Serge
Torgrin
---
Ettercap (-22)
---
Karayan
Shikaree
Marcie
Makoa & Kifah

Torgrin, you're up!

"Marcie, it is 'probably', not 'prolly'"

Torgrin rushes in, although not sure why. "Whoa, he is a big boy!" Seeing the massive strike from Serge. "So, not talking then." then slashes out with two quick attacks.

Primary Attack, Slashing: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Primary Attack, Slashing: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Torgrin follows Serge into the stone building, spots the ettercap and moves in swiping at the creature with his claws.

Staggered by the fearsome blows, the cornered ettercap tries to bite Serge, but it only manages to chip a fang on the paladin's gorget before it collapses to the flagstone floor.
Serge 1, Torgrin 2: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Bite vs Serge; Damage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 71d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Map & Images

Victory!

The unconscious ettercap lies at your feet, a pool of blood flowing along the cracks of the stone floor.

(What do you want to do with the slowly dying creature?)

You take a minute to search of the room and find the Irrica signet ring on Dremlut’s remains. It’s encrusted with dirt but still retains its magic.

"Can someone stabilize it? It did not choose to be born like this and to be fair it did not attack us, we came bursting into it's house and attacked it."

Karayan then turns to the ring, assuming someone will take care of his request.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Karayan cleans the ring with a handkerchief and then slips it around his finger. "Wearing it will shield us from the Irrica devil. Shall we return to Almas?"

"Nice ring, good craftsmanship." Torgrin starts shifting things around looking for anything else of interest

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

"Well not much else around here."

"I can appreciate your compassion Karayan but when Serge called upon his convictions to smite evil, his blade landed true. What say you Serge."

Makoa studies the ring for a moment, Linguistics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 and Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12, "I wish I had taken more time understanding magic. Maybe the VC can help."

Kn (Religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Serge sheathes his blade and looks down at the corpse. "Karayan, to offer even an evil creature forgiveness sets you above many others. It appears it has made this place its home after finding it abandoned for so long."

He paces a circle around the ettercap. "Very well. It is as you say. We attacked it in its home, so let us leave it here the way we found it." With some hesitation, Serge tends to the ettercap's wounds.

Heal to Stabilize: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

As he gets back up from working on the creature, he has a look around the room, and notices the coins. "And it appears we've found their treasury." He points to a stash of old Chelish coins.

You examine the ring and surmise its function, if not the full extent of its mysteries. Karayan slips it on a finger.

In a display of extraordinary mercy, Serge stabilizes the wicked ettercap, leaving its fate in the hands of the gods.

Searching the ruined Hellknight command post, the paladin also discovers a sizable hoard of old coins.

The silence is broken, when a woman’s voice calls from the outside, "Explorers! I am Pava Irrica, and I believe you have been traveling across Isger, collecting my family heirlooms. However you’ve come by them, I am willing to forgive and forget as long as you turn them over to me peacefully. You can walk away, and I’ll not get the authorities involved. Now come out and sheathe your weapons."

Map & Images

Karayan looks at the others "What say you? I think that after all these years she has no claim anymore on these items. I also really don't like her tone of voice. Nobody speaks that way to me anymore!"

I do not like her tone.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Rather than sheathing his weapon, Serge takes out his greatsword again. "Under whose authority do you make this request?" He calls back. "We are no thieves. We have been formally tasked by the Pathfinder Society to retrieve these relics, and our intention is to return them as requested. You may join us as we return there, and make your case to our Venture-Captain directly."

Serge looks nervously at the others, especially Torgrin, who he hopes is able to get a better look at who else may be outside through use of his oozy form.

"I agree with my companion. Petition the VC once we have completed our mission." Makoa's chain slides down his hand into a ready position."I DO NOT take orders from a chelish noble. Try and take them here and YOU are the thief."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"Marcie, it is 'probably', not 'prolly'"

"I'm Prolly gonna kick yer ass if ya correct my grammar again!" She huffs. "Lemme know if you need me ta translate that." She twirls her sap in her hand, tapping out a few ominous tones on her drum as she does.

She watches on as Serge gives the Ettercap mouth to mouth and chest compressions. If he's willing to do that for THAT, imagine what he's do for a fine Dwarven Lady..

Marcie spins around as she hears the woman call from outside "Yer a bunch of thieves, followin' us around tryin' ta steal abandon'd trinkets. Maybe Serge's right, come back and lay yer claim at Pathfinder 'eadquarters with us."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Torgrin sees Serge's look and guessing its intent attempts to find a small opening along the side or back of the building to move through and starting low to the ground stealthily get a peek at the origin of the voice.

if I find an opening

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Of course...just...of course

Even without being able to see the woman and observe her expression or body language from inside the old command post, Serge suspects the woman probably has no intention of ensuring the party's safety.

Using honey and vinegar respectively, Makoa and Marcie attempt to parley with Pava. Their efforts fail to convince even themselves. Though they can't yet see the woman, her low, mirthless chuckle conveys her obvious smirk. "Come now, there's no need to forestall the inevitable."

Torgrin looks for a crack in the walls he might be able to slip through, but the command post was well constructed, and has no opening other than the broken down door.

Marcie begins playing her drum Seems like a good time to have some entrance music if I do say so meself! The rhythm is low and slow, just how she likes it.

Inspire courage!

"After you Serge, seems she wants to do the dance of swords and shields."

Serge opens the door and steps outside to face the woman, his two handed blade held in one hand and lowered - for now. "Let us talk this out. There is no need for violence."

When Serge finally shows his face, Pava Irrica holds up her, "That's far enough. Now, tell your more bashful compatriots to come out and join us."

Map & Images

(As depicted on the map, everyone still appears to be inside the former Hellknight command post.)

Marcie heads outside, continuing to place her drum with a menacing cadence "Ya know, best you all just scram if ya don't wanna play nice. I ain't go time fer thieves!" But her threats don't seem very strong.

Intimidate vs Pava: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Makoa and Kifah come out of the building ready for battle, "Hmmph are we still pretending to employ human diplomacy. I was certain it was time for orcish negotiations." Makoa and Kifah assume Bull animal focus (+2 str) and Makoa casts Magic Fang on Kifah

"That's far enough, stay back!" Pava warns you, as she adopts a bare-knuckled fighting stance. "Keep your distance!"

All eyes turn at the sound of sharp bang, as an angelic warrior, wings stained black, shears through the air to perch on a crumbling wall of the outpost ruins roughly equidistant from you and from Pava. The figure in tight leather armor wields a longbow. Her merciless dark eyes dart around the courtyard at the assembled face-off.

"Ah, I see the Irrica family line isn’t entirely wiped out yet," she observes, "And facing off for a fight! You mortals make such tepid entertainment. But I am merciful. Give me the fragments you’ve collected and I’ll let you all live."

Pava scowls at the winged creature, "You serve the Irricas, devil; I know you cannot harm me. Now you lot, quickly, give me the ring, and I’ll command it to spare you." Her men-at-arms look nervous, trembling in their studded leather armor, composite longbows shaking in their grasp. They have rapiers sheathed at their hips.

Map & Images

So, what do you want to do?

Shikaree has been largely quiet throughout, listening with concern to the traded words... the agent edges to the door after the others.

Kn Planes: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

The nagaji's shoulder's slump. "I do not know what manner of fiend that might be, but I am not sure we are strong enough to fight it, friends. It is strange to me that a devil should need such as ourselves to grab these relics, yet.... I cannot say with any certainty.

"I do not wish to die before I have even gotten my name into the Chronicless," Shikaree says sadly. Then, the nagaji brightens. "But I would at leasst go down with brave and noble allies, should we choose to fight.

"Devil, what say you to Pava's words? Has she any control over you? And Pava-- how do we know you are even who you claim to be? There is much trickery in the world."

Karayan holds his hand up high, so that the light of the sun catches on the ring.

"I don't think you can hurt us devil, not with me holding this ring. As for you Pava, feel free to come to the lodge in Almas to present your case. We will return the items there. You will need to seek out Venture Captain Brackett, he is the one that gave us this assignment."

He turns to the others "Ready to go?"

Marcie watches the devil, or angel, or whatever that thing with wings is, land "Ain't you one for fancy entrances!" What in the hells is that thing...

She focuses particularly on the bow "Flies around on wings and shoots at Dwarves with a bow? Put me in the camp that ain't f!@!in' with her!" Marcie moves up to be as close to Karayan and that RING as possible. "Like 'e said, we're taking this stuff back to the VC, if ya wanna duke it out with 'im then show up. But be sure to have yer paperwork straight. Bastards are pretty serious about their paperwork."

Marcie sticks to Karayan like glue, preferably on the opposite side of that winged devil and her bow.

Pava Irrica rolls her eyes, "If you won't take my word for it, perhaps the erinyes devil vouching for me is sufficient, nagaji. There's no need for me to kill you, just hand over my legal inheritance."

She turns to the mesmerist, "I'm not familiar with any 'venture-captain' Bucket. However, I'm confident my claim will stand up in a court of law. Let's take this matter before the local magistrate."

The erinyes seethes, when she sees the ring upon Karayan's finger. "If you're so confident, why not attack me, and test the ring's protective qualities?"

The devil scans the faces of those who've crept out of the ruins. "Verily I say unto you, if you hand over the ring and other items to me, I will abide by the agreement and not harm you. I will simply return to Hell, finally free of mortal entanglements."

The erinyes rises to her full height, wings outspread, and longbow bursting into flame. "Refuse me, and you will earn my eternal enmity. Refuse me, and I swear that I will exact my vengeance upon you, if not today, then someday in the future."

You recall the words of Venture-Captain Brackett in his last letter.

Choices, choices... You can attempt Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate checks to try to convince Pava to agree with handing over her inheritance to the devil. You can accept or refuse the offer made by the erinyes. Or you can attempt to settle the matter with sword and spell...

Torgrin whispers to the group, "The captain gave strict instructions to not let Pava have the ring and thus control over this creature, but we also cannot let this devil possibly free in the world, I assume it is lying about returning to hell. Karayan, you can attempt your silver tongue, but I fear we will need Serge's silver before long."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

We have made our point. We will now be leaving this place, with the ring. If you hinder us you can taste steel, although we prefer that it will not come to fighting.

A weighty decision, so I'll wait till everyone chimes in.
Torgrin: Keep the items, don't give them to Pava or to the erinyes.
Karayan: Keep the items, don't give them to Pava or to the erinyes.

Serge scowls at the devil. "I have not given in to a devil's request before, and I do not plan on starting this day. We were tasked with returning the ring, and that is what we will do. We will go now, and you will simply stand here and watch us walk away. Or you may decide to try and stop us." He holds his sword up threateningly. "In which case I will exact my vengeance upon you."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Shikaree is less confident than the other agents in their ability to survive the fury of a devil, but edges closer to the others, especially Karayan holding the ring.

"We were given a task. And clear orders. We must carry them out. Fight us, and you make enemies of the Society itself... we are few, and inexperienced, but the Society has people who could stand up even to great monsters. We will not be frightened off our task."

Keep the items

Marcie remembers things a bit less strictly than the others... "No way we're givin' this ring to you Pava! But I could be MAYBE convinced that it would be in our best interest to return it to its rightful owner... If she could guarantee our safety and her leaving this place for good!"

Leaning towards giving the stuff to the devil. Flying with a bow doesn't sound good for our health.

A Weighty Decision

Torgrin: Keep the items, don't give them to Pava or to the erinyes.
Karayan: Keep the items, don't give them to Pava or to the erinyes.
Serge: Keep the items, don't give them to Pava or to the erinyes.
Shikaree: Keep the items, don't give them to Pava or to the erinyes.
Marcie: Give the items to the erinyes.
Makoa: ???

"I don't particularly want the ire of a devil but will back the majority. The VC's words make me think we are safe and I don't mind letting him sort it out. However Irrica if you try and take the property we are not recovering on your behalf then you are a thief and thieves will be dealt with."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

The erinyes regards each of you with her merciless gaze, memorizing your features. Her voice is cold and flat in her fury. "I will have my revenge," she vows.

"Until we meet again, mortals." The fiend takes flight, black-stained wings carrying her away.

Pava Irrica breaks the silence. "I will take what is rightfully mine." She raises her fists and commands her men-at-arms, "Slay them!"

Map & Images

Round 1
Bold may act.

Shikaree
Serge
---
Pava Irrica (Readied Action)
Purple
---
Makoa & Kifah
Torgrin
Marcie
---
Pink
---
Karayan

Shikaree and Serge, you're up!