!GM PDK'S HELL'S REBELS (CORE PFS Book 1)! (Inactive)

Game Master Purple Dragon Knight

I am not out to kill specifically, just by using a weapon. There's a chance it can happen, but the foes are often using real weapons against us as well.

Fortunately, because this is fantasy and we are the "good guys" I'm not as worried about the morality of it all... :)

And saps are sooooo annoying with their nonlethal garbage! ;)

But yeah... NG, CG and CNs shivving Asmodeans is fine by anyone's standards I think, especially in the context of a revolution... and OOC, you've already been told these guys are contractors, so Notoriety won't be increased for lethal action here.

Just be aware that certain parts of the module will offer a reaction when striking against authority (which is not applicable in this case here) so if/when this happens, don't hate me! it's normal and par for the course.

The only time you as players should get worried OOC is if your Rebellion sheet's notoriety becomes too high (some amount of Notoriety is expected though! but stuff happens north of a certain more than median number)

@TeamGold --> VIRTUAL IN-MODULE LOOT (not to be confused with actual chronicle-sheet-granted loot)

-lockbox in the front office: contains red bearded dwarf's profits thus far from selling salt on the black market: 67 gp and 423 sp.
- BLUE: potion cure moderate wounds x2, mwk chainmail, heavy steel shield, composite longbow (+2 Str) with 18 arrows, mwk heavy mace, 28 gp
- GOONS: (studded leather armor, light mace, manacles, bronze Thrune pendant worth 30 gp, 4 gp) x6

Proposed Loot Use

Loot for selling
Masterwork Chainmail (300gp)
Masterwork Heavy Mace (72gp)
6x Studded Leather Armor (150gp)
6x Light Mace (30gp)
6x Bronze Thrune Pendant (180gp)
Total: 732gp

Currency
67gp
423sp
28gp
24gp
Total: 161gp 3sp

Shares: (732+161.3)/6 = 148gp 8sp 8cp

Merisiel would like to take 1x Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds, the shield, bow, and arrows. She will propose that they throw the manacles in the cart and sell the rest as per the above.

The bow will be useful as the only ranged weapon the pregen has is 12x dagger. The shield will be useful so that her standing AC increases by 2. She can drop the shield after any surprise round.

Thanks for crunching loot numbers Merisiel - greatly appreciated!

If you don't mind posting a running total of all loot so far in nearest gp worth, that would be cool for tracking purposes. I wouldn't bother tracking shares: just post the total virtual party loot in gp worth. When PCs wish to buy things off the party funds, they can just post it here in discussion and assume they got approval from the party to do so. If a given purchase is deemed a bit too much for a single PC, then the party can object to the purchase. As always, remember that these purchases from virtual party loot are temporary until the end of book 1 (i.e. the purchases are all wiped from your character sheets upon receiving your Chronicle Sheet)

Announcement: we have lost Geoclunicus, sadly. I would like to extend my thanks to him for joining us until now. We still stand at 5 players, which I believe is still above the design goal of 4 players for this adventure, so we are ok in my opinion - game balance-wise.

Andracar as always will recommend putting ~50 gp into the rebellion fund. Never hurts to have extra funds. Can hurt to have too minimal funds.

EDIT: Also sorry to see you go, Geo.

Yes Merisiel, thanks for tracking the loot! And I support putting 50 into the rebellion fund. Bribes, supplies, cake for the office party.

Kavor Doan might take a potion of CMW so he can have some reliable healing. There were two from before and two from here?

Rebellion Sheet updated: are you using the Recruit Team action with Forvian Crowe and his men? (success is automatic - it just count as one of your two Rebellion Actions for Week 2)

Yes, we will absolutely use that action.

For second action, I think we would want to recruit supporters again, to keep our numbers up and potentially rank up.

Excellent - will crunch numbers tonight.

I might have said do more Gather Information, but we can do that next week.

Leads to follow up on:
Bellflower Network
Lord Mayor Jilia Bainilus
Order of the Torrent
Sacred Order of Archivists
Old Silver Ravens base (and decoding Silver Ravens document)
Underground Religions (Sarenrae, Milani)
The tunnels, where they go, and possible saboteur

Anything else anybody can think of?

I think Jilia Bainilus is a priority, but if we can't find a lead on her, then maybe the tunnels. Old Silver Ravens base also sounds good to find. We think that was under the Silver Star, which burned down? And is right near the smithy?

In-game current time: towards the end of week 1
Recruit Team action: will be billed to week 2 Rebellion activity.
Reason: the battered freed work slaves need rest until week 2! :)

Leads:
Bellflower Network: addressed in intro doc
Old Mayor: addressed in my last Gameplay post
Torrent: no word as of yet...
Archivists: addressed in intro doc ref. Rexus parents
Old SR base+decoding: ongoing - each PC can try to help Rexus 1/week (if someone could compile who's tried already in week 1 that would be great; then whoever has not can give it a shot before I wrap up week 1)
Underground Religions: in hiding... some info in intro doc

Anything else: yes, investigate the fires. All of them.

Yup, will do a combined group loot tonight once I am back home. Been using a spreadsheet for it so far. Glad to know shares don’t matter, that also makes things easier. Though it’s fun having pocket money.

The leads summary is awesome! Thanks for doing that.

Liberating Forvian Crowe and his men, Rebellion Effects:
1) The successful coup increases the Silver Ravens's Notoriety Score by 1d4 ⇒ 3.
2) Forvian and his men spread the word in the next few days, and the Rebellion automatically gains 1d6 ⇒ 4 supporters at the start of Week 2's Upkeep phase.
3) The group automatically succeed the Security check to recruit Forvian and his men (Freedom Fighters)

REBELLION IN PLAY!

Upkeep Phase
0. Rexus Effect: Reduce Notoriety by 1.
1. Supporter Attrition:
Loyalty Check vs. DC 10: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Success - Rebellion only loses: 1d6 ⇒ 3 supporters.
2. Notoriety Maximum 100? No
3. Treasury Shortage? i.e. below Rank 1 x10gp? No
4. Increase Rank to 2? (i.e. 10 supporters or higher? yes: 11 supporters)
5. Deposits and Withdrawals? 50gp deposit by Demagogue Andracar

Activity Phase (3 actions)
1. Recruit Team (Freedom Fighters - Leader: Forvian Crowe; Manager: Andracar)
2. Recruit Supporters (Cost: Gold = min. Treasury value = 20gp) Loyalty Check DC 10 + Rebellion Rank 2 = DC 12, Laria Bonus +2: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13
Success, Recruiter Officer (Merisiel) Bonus +4: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 4) + 4 = 13 Total Supporters: 24
3. Gather Information (via Street Performers; Manager: Andracar)
Secrecy Check DC 15, Andracar Manager Bonus +6: 1d20 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 6 = 14 Fail

Event Phase
44% Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 29 Event Occurs!
Rebellion Event, Danger Rating: 1d100 + 20 ⇒ (91) + 20 = 111
--> DISASTROUS MISSION!! STREET PERFORMERS TOOK SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE DURING THEIR MISSION!!! SECURITY CHECK DC 20: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 [SUCCESS! THANKS TO THE INTERVENTION OF FORVIAN CROWE AND HIS WELL-RESTED FREEDOM FIGHTERS, THE STREET PERFORMERS ARE ONLY DISABLED INSTEAD OF DESTROYED!!!]

REBELLION RANK 2: TRAINING BOON!

Until the end of this scenario, each PC gains a bonus skill rank that can be immediately applied to any skill. This represents training the PC has gained through association with the increasing number of skilled workers and rebels who have joined the cause. This bonus skill rank can be applied to any skill, as if it were a bonus rank gained by earning a level in a favored class. It stacks with all other sources of skill ranks, but a character’s maximum rank in any skill remains unchanged; the PC can never have more ranks in any one skill than he or she has Hit Dice. Subsequent training bonuses can be applied to the same skill or a different skill, as the PC wishes.

Kavor Doan will take his bonus rank in Knowledge (Local).
I would put up an RP post but have a question - what is Kavor Doan's involvement in the above debacle? He doesn't manage either the street performers or the revolutionaries, but he does give a bonus to Security checks. Would he have been involved in planning or executing the rescue?
Also, do we need to replace Geoclunicus in the Rebellion? Can an NPC take his job?

I'm happy leaving Geo as the 'offscreen' Spymaster NPC. The whole Rebellion Sheet happens off-screen, so you don't need to put a RP post for Kavor for each event that may involve him, but you're certainly free to do so if you wish!

Treasury, June 10:
3407gp 8sp
-248gp 3sp 5cp
-100gp
Total: 3,059gp 4sp 5cp

I will need your 3 Rebellion Actions for Week 3 in order to complete Week 3's Activity and Event Phases. Here's the Upkeep Phase though (still requires gold)

REBELLION IN PLAY!
WEEK 3

Notes: due to Geo dropping out, I switched Merisiel from Recruiter to Spymaster and placed Rexus as the Recruiter (since his Cha of 18 means he can lead 4 teams for the Rebellion).

Upkeep Phase
0. Rexus Effect: Reduce Notoriety by 1.
0. Restore Disabled team by spending 20gp? yes 20 gp spent
1. Supporter Attrition:
Loyalty Check vs. DC 10: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Success - Rebellion only loses: 1d6 ⇒ 4 supporters.
2. Notoriety Maximum 100? No
3. Treasury Shortage? i.e. below Rank 2 x10gp? No
4. Increase Rank to 3? (i.e. 15 supporters or higher? yes: 20 supporters)
Increase Rank to 4? (i.e. 20 supporters or higher? yes: 20 supporters)
5. Deposits and Withdrawals? TBD Treasury at 60gp; min treasury at Rebellion Rank 4: 40 gp

Level 3 Rebellion: GIFT
--> admirers among the rebellion’s supporters supply gifts and tributes to each PC. At rank 3, the gift is a single potion worth 300 gp or less.

Level 4 Rebellion: TITLE OF "GUARDIAN"
--> While the title itself is largely just an honorific, it also coincides with the acquisition of a bonus feat or other benefit each PC has earned through a combination of training with rebellion members and self-confidence gained from the rebellion’s growing strength. With the title of Guardian at rank 4, each PC gains one of the following as a bonus feat: Alertness, Deceitful, Persuasive, or Stealthy. Will persist until the end of Book 2; will transfer to the next PC you use in Book 2 as well; you can change it later if you use a different PC for Book 2.

Activity Phase (3 actions)
1.
2.
3.

Kavor Doan would suggest that two of the actions be "Recruit Supporters", to keep our numbers up, and "Upgrade Team." Upgrading the Street Performers to Rumormongers will let us use the Spread Disinformation action to reduce our Notoriety.

He'll also support putting another 100 gp from the party treasury into the Rebellion treasury. As the Level 3 Gift, he'll take a Potion of Bull's Strength, and as the Level 4 feat he'll take Alertness.

The third action might be another try at Gather Information, or Recruit Team to get a third team (either Sneaks or Peddlers). Or, Upgrade another team. Can the Fushi sisters be upgraded to do a broader range of missions?

I think we're good with one recruit supporters, if we then upgrade team, can we spread disinformation this phase?

--> Fushi Sisters: absolutely! you can upgrade them! Since they are a Street Performers / Peddlers combo, may choose either 'Spread Disinformation' or 'Refresh Marketplace' as their Tier 2 action. NOTE: if one of your teams gain 'Spread Disinformation', that team gets a +4 bonus to that action due to Vendalfek's rebellion bonus.

Folks I'll be unable to post until Thursday. Feel free to keep the roleplay going in the meantime though! Please also finalize your 3 rebellion action choices. Ttyl!

I think we are agreed on:
1) Recruit Supporters
2) Promote Team (either the Street Performers or the Fushi Sisters)
3) Spread Disinformation to reduce our Notoriety

I think maybe we want to keep them as is, with the option of the variety later, and upgrade the street performers, but otherwise agree with Kavor's statements.

Activity Phase (3 actions)
1. Recruit Supporters (Cost: Gold = min. Treasury value = 40gp) Loyalty Check DC 10 + Rebellion Rank 4 = DC 14, Laria Bonus +2: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 2 = 28
Success, Recruiter Officer (Rexus) Bonus +3: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 = 8 Total Supporters: 28
2. Upgrade Team (Street Performers to Rumormongers - Cost: 50gp - Manager: Andracar, with Vendalfek assisting that team)
3. Spread Disinformation (via Rumormongers; Manager: Andracar, with Vendalfek assisting that team)
Secrecy Check DC 20, Team Bonus +12: 1d20 + 8 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 12 = 32 Success: Yes; Exceed by 10: Yes --> reduce Notoriety by additional 1d6 Notoriety Reduction: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9 pts. --> NOTORIETY BACK TO 0 PTS.!!!

Event Phase
20% Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 83 No event...

REBELLION RANK: 4 // MAX RANK: 5 // TREASURY: 70gp // MIN. TREASURY: 40gp // NOTORIETY: 0 // MEMBERSHIP: 24 // SUPPORTERS: 28 // KINTARGO POPULATION: 11,900

Sorry everyone, we've had a death in the family, so I won't be able to post until tomorrow mid-morning or so.

My sympathies Kranzer. Take care.

Are you ladies and gentlemen interested in continuing this AP? the lack of replies to Kranzer's last post here in the discussion thread seems to indicate you guys are not checking in very often.

I'm considering adding one player (divine or skills monkey, because to be honest, you guys are seriously lacking in those departments).

What say you?

My sympathies, Kranzer.

Yes, PDK, I am still here and interested on continuing. On gameplay I was just waiting for an Int or Survival check from Merisiel.

Would anyone joining at this time get a Chronicle sheet?

Oh never mind I see you botted the check. So now we are wondering if somebody back at the base can help figure out the mystery creature, or if we just go try to catch the killer. My bad.

Yes I think someone joining would get the Chronicle based on the 'big dungeon' not started yet. Heck, even the small prelude missions/encounters are not over with...

We might as well at least finish whatever book we are on and get our chronicles. I'm just moving along in the background waiting for instructions.

You're right Shrec, and I like Kavor's idea of consulting with NPCs in the long run. For this mission though, you guys don't need to: Kavor found some info which you can use to find who's behind these murders, but even without that info, you guys can also come up with ways to ferret out who is responsible. Don't overthink this...

I am here also, but this week I am in training at work rather than working so I have no time there to check and have to do so at home instead.

Hey everyone. I had several different family related emergencies happen this past week, and some that will happen in the near future and I don't know when everything is going to shake out. I'm really sorry about this, I hate to do this, but I'm going to have to pull out of all my games. I don't want to promise to be back next week, etc. and then not be able to make that promise. So, without knowing when I'll have a moment to update, I need to discontinue the games I'm in.

Sorry about this everyone. You all are fantastic.

@Kranzer: that's too bad!! I really enjoyed your posts. Real life comes first, I understand. I will issue you a partial completion chronicle when I do the chronicles at the end, so it won't be a total loss for you. At the end of the current combat your PC will be considered out of the scenario.

On a related note, this game is officially part of Gameday VII folks - therefore, I will need to seek replacement players if more of you drop. We currently stand at 4 players so we're fine at the moment.

When we get close to the end of Book 1 I will ask you to roll off for a boon so do check this discussion thread occasionally! ;)

In support of the above, I would like to (softly) request that we all step up our posting to get there sooner. You are all doing great, but I now have a good grasp of your play styles and thus, I will also make an effort to keep the posts coming faster, and I will make a few more assumptions on how you would react as a party instead of waiting for your explicit approvals on minor issues.

Reminder for me to do the Rebellion adjustment this weekend for the Devil Nursery's heroics...

After you recovered the child’s body and turned it over to the tieflings (none recognized the body—he was, as it turned out, a homeless urchin, one of dozens who prowl Devil’s Nursery), word spread.

At the start of each of the next three Upkeep phases of the rebellion, 1d6 additional supporters join from Devil’s Nursery!

REBELLION IN PLAY!
WEEK 4

Upkeep Phase
0. Rexus Effect: Reduce Notoriety by 1.
0. Devil's Nursery friends! Supporter boost 1 of 3: 1d6 ⇒ 5
1. Supporter Attrition:
Loyalty Check vs. DC 10: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Success - Rebellion only loses: 1d6 ⇒ 4 supporters.
2. Notoriety Maximum 100? No
3. Treasury Shortage? i.e. below Rank 4 x10gp? No
4. Increase Rank to 5? (i.e. 30 supporters or higher? no: 29 supporters)
5. Deposits and Withdrawals? TBD Treasury at 70gp; min treasury at Rebellion Rank 4: 40 gp

Activity Phase (3 actions)
1.
2.
3.

What should our three actions be for this phase? I would suggest Recruit Supporters and Gather Information for two of them.

I agree with recruit and gather (x1), pondering if we want the 3rd to be spread disinformation or whatever it was that reduced our notoriety.

check your notoriety... :P

Yeah, Notoriety is at zero.
Maybe Promote Team. If we get the Advisors team to Tier 3, they can be Cognoscenti and help us with Knowledge checks during the Activity Phase.
Unless somebody knows of an in-tier PFS Core Bard we can get to join the party.

I'll move this along tonight in 8-10 hours; you still have chance to debate this. If upgrading/recruiting teams, be careful and watch your Rebellion Gold: the upgrading happens in the activity phase 'AFTER' the upkeep's withdrawals/deposits phase... so in essence you need money in bank before the recruiting/upgrading otherwise you start the next week underfunded and shenanigans ensue...

Our party treasury is still doing quite well. From our party loot of 3,059 gp (as of June 9), have we spent anything other than 100 into the Rebellion Treasury?
I would say put another 300 gp into the Rebellion Treasury.

Added 300gp to Rebellion. I will do the Recruit Supporters, Gather Information and Upgrade Team actions later today.