GM Silbeg's "Murder on the Throaty Mermaid" (Inactive)

Game Master Silbeg

Sidestepping falling bodies, mast, and a Lort, Finarin repositions for a better shot at the remaining elf.

Move so as not to be obstructed

Finarin shouts, "Sylvan Words"

If the elf does not surrender

Shortbow Attack W/ Arcane Pool Point & IC: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 16
Shortbow Damage w/ Arcane Pool Point & IC: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

Thanks for the crit DM - should have you do all my rolls

Finarin moves around for a better shot, but unfortunately, it seems he needed the stress of the impossible shot to pull it off! Trying to miss his friends while hitting the final aquatic elf causes him to miss.

Using Intimidate to demoralize is a standard action, FYI

Still to go: Amaranti, Ibid.

looks like we might get a 4 round combat done in 2 days? Amazing!

After watching his last arrow sail wide of its mark, Ibid winces slightly, whether from roll of the vessel upon the sea or frustration at his shot it is unclear. In the brief moment when the floor is leveled between pitching starboard and port, the old man has another arrow knocked and loosed from his bow in the blink of an eye.

attack(comp. longbow): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
damage(+2 comp. longbow + point blank + Miro's song): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
dim light miss change: 1d100 ⇒ 23

Amaranti looks about him, and sees the battle is practically over. Keeping the elf at lancepoint, the summoner lowers his voice to a growl. "Surrender. Live."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Ibid's arrow strikes home this time, hitting the previously uninjured elf in the shoulder.

The elf screams out, "مرو، گول کان گندگی!", as he spits at Amaranti.

Karshaiga stabilize: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 (stable!)
Elf2 stabilize: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13 (stable!)
Elf1 stabilize: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5 (bleeds!)

Combat Tracker: Throaty Mermaid (round 4-5)
=> Finarin
=> Cyrus
=> Ibid
=> Amaranti
=> Miro
• Elf 3
=> Lort
x Karshaiga (stable)

Status:
Karshaiga: -3 out of 13hp
Amaranti: 10 out of 17hp
Elf 1 dying (19 damage)
Elf 2 stable (18 damage)
Elf 4 stable (23 damage)
Inspire Courage: +1 to hit, +1 damage.

Fine, Let me introduce you to the ferryman then. Cyrus says, voice dripping with condescension.

Attack, IC: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 = 26 for Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

His sickle slices up through the air and Cyrus' shoulder muscles brace for the inevitable impact, expecting it to give as it cuts through its target.

"Hey, my turn!" wails an upset Lort, careening recklessly down the stairs (sorry, on my iPhone, no map update possible). Reaching the bottom, the incensed warrior brings his sword around in a vicious sideways arc. The blade rushes towards the foul-mouthed elf, spraying blood along the railing as it goes.

Attack, as above: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 1 = 22
Damage, as above - honed: 2d6 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 9 + 1 = 13

"Fie! I only tapped him," Lort admonishes himself at the less than stellar wound he left on the elf. Remember this is still battle, take your time. Ha! Oh Lort, don't kid yourself.

Cyrus take a cut at the elf, causing him a serious wound in the thigh. This is followed up by a bellowing Lort, whose overhand chop almost cuts the elf in half... As he grumbles about a glancing blow.

As the final elf falls, Captain Veane throws open the door, and bellows out "What in Besmara's name is going on out here? Aquatic elves? Attacking MY ship? What is the meaning of this?" He kicks one of the elves, but finds him unresponsive.

"You are a cleric of Kurgess, if I am now mistaken? Why don't you channel your god's healing power, so that we might question one of these attackers, and find out what they had hoped to accomplish, before we finish them off, and throw their corpses overboard as a warning to any others that might attack us!" He says to Lort.

Karshaiga stabilize: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Karshaiga is now at -4hp.

While Captain Veane rails on, Miro makes his way to the Ambassador's cabin to check on him and his bodyguard. A sea elf attack didn't seem likely to be coincidental.

patience, miro. Patience. Karshaiga is still dying, and there are players yet to be heard from. ;)

Arrrr...I wish I could help with the eidolon, don't you have to have some rejuvenate spell for them? I've never played a summoner, or even looked at the class.

as I understand it, cure spells will work. Rejuvenate are just better.

Ohhhh. Well in that case...

Miro hurries up to Kaisharga, casting a minor spell of healing upon the serpent.

CLW: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Who does he think he is? Ordering me around like that! Lort crinkles his face, and prepares a rage filled retort, Oh, yeah...

"Aye, Captain," Lort changes tack just in time, "But before we heal them back to consciousness, best to get some rope and tie them up. Would you mind ordering one of your crew to bring some while I stop these invaders from dying before we can question them?"

As he listens to the captain's reply, Lort kneels in front of the elf he just downed and mutters a prayer in the divine tongue of the gods:

"§†Åßḯլḯȥэ" (stabilize)

Unless prevented from doing so Lort will repeat the process on the other elves.

Assuming the captain turns away from Lort at some point.

Lort quickly interrupts whatever he is doing to whisper to Cyrus, "Sneak off and check on the ambassador. I've got things up here."

Cyrus, kneeling down with Lort to help as he stabilizes and preps the attackers for interrogation, nods as he mentions the ambassador.

He moves towards the stairs, and in all of the commotion, slips down to the deck below to check on the bodyguard and his charge.

Stealth, if necessary, to slip below unseen: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Kaisharga's serpentine body spasms as Miro's healing power streams into it. Slowly it rises it's head, wondering what had happened. Recognizing Miro as the source, the eidolon stares him for a moment with those eerie eyes, and then nods.
"I. Thank. You." it moves it's jaws, pronouncing each word carefully.

Satisfied, o' master?

The old man begins to help Lort restrain the unconscious elves, after slinging his longbow diagonally across his body. As his hands move to wrap and bind the cords around the limbs of the elves, Ibid tries to analyze their aquatic nature to determine possible sources of origins or nationality. As the young rogue moves to slip from the room, Ibid speaks aloud, hoping to keep the others focused on securing the elves.

"Captain Veane," the old man begins. "Have you seen elves such as these before? Do you know of their origins?"

If there is any knowledge check to determine aspects of the auquatic elves origins, Ibid has a +7 (+1d6) to all knowledge checks.

As the Pathfinders try to stabilize as many of the elves as they can (two have already died), Cyrus tries to make his way to the stairs, only to be blocked by First Mate Marzack Mallick coming up the stairs.

"Captain! I was making a sweep of the ship, trying to see if there were any other invaders! There has been murder most foul! Someone has killed the Ambassador!!"

"What?!?! Where is Thanzeril?" without really waiting for the man to respond, Lort barrels down the stairs screaming, "These invaders aren't going anywhere, come on!"

Lort will run past (or barrel over) anyone trying to stop him from getting to the ambassador's room.

Cyrus, stopped before by the First Mate, follows the hole made by Lort, sprinting downstairs to see the scene for himself. His guard is up as the adrenaline from the attack hasn't quite worn off, and the shock of the news sends the urgency level right back up. His eyes are peeled for anything as he follows his large companion down to the ambassador's room.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

I wasn't sure if you wanted to roll the perception checks and things for us like GM Damo did, but I rolled it here to be proactive. If its a crappy roll, feel free to re-roll it for me ;)

Disappointment fills Fianrin face. He slips from the commotion to inspect around the ship looking for a way that the elves have boarded the ship insert GM roll. After investigating the area, he turns to the captain,

"Captain, I am most ... surprised at your lack of defenses, or a .... watch out for that matter. These elves have quite easily boarded your ... vessel and if not for the ... bravery of my companions, more would have perished. No, no one likes to be told what to do ... but Captain, this ship needs to be locked down. No one on or off the ship, and watches in ... pairs. I trust that you are able to execute these .... suggestions"

roll for duchery?

"Let's move it, Cyrus!" yells the big half-orc as he (hopefully) hurries past the first mate on the stairs. Maybe he's not dead, maybe I can get there in time to save him... no way did I spend three months on a fücking boat at sea only to fail now!

Lort surveys the room with Cyrus, but only after praying for his god to heal the ambassador first (whether the ambassador looks truly dead or not, just in case):

”כµຈົ້э լḯğ‡† ₩φµກ∆§” (cure light wounds, sacrificing bless)

Flurry of GM activity!
(Finarin: Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13) Finarin easily notices several ropes and grappling hooks leading up to the aft deck, where the elves had climbed up.

Captain Veane reacts even faster than Lort, flies down the stairs, past the stunned looking Thanzeril, and through the now open door.

This finely decorated cabin contains a brightly colored Qadiran rug, a small bookshelf, several storage trunks and barrels, and a modest bed. Lying face down on the ruffled, blood-soaked sheets rests the body of a tall, golden-haired elf in elegant bedclothes, his face covered in an intricately carved wooden mask.

Captain Veane leaps toward the bed, turning Sephriel over and feeling for signs of life. Finding none, the captain shakes his head and looks downtrodden at the corpse. Mallick, standing outside the door, calls in to the captain, saying offhandedly that the Mordant Spire elves will have his hide for failing to deliver Sephriel safely. As the words sink in, Veane pales and turns to the PCs with a look of pure terror in his eyes. The fear passes quickly, however, and his expression shifts into one of pure rage.

"You’re the only ones on this ship I don’t know well," he says, pointing accusingly at the PCs. "I’m not taking the rap for this, by Besmara, and neither is my crew. It might not be fair, but when we get to the Mordant Spire in three days, it’s you who’ll have to answer for Sephriel’s death!"

With that, he storms out of the cabin and up the stairs to the main deck, Mallick close on his heels, leaving the PCs alone in Sephriel’s cabin with his lifeless body.

Lort then casts his healing spell, regardless of whether he ambassador is dead or not. It does not appear to have any effect, in fact, it does not even discharge when he touches the body. Dead bodies are objects, not creatures, and Cure Light Wounds is Target creature touched.

Lort is standing there, with a Cure Light Wounds primed...

"I'll kill that captain and all the crew myself before taking the blame for this," says Lort, deadpan, completely serious and perhaps a little too loudly, "Now, where is Thanzeril?"

Lort exits the room to address the stunned elf, "What happened here? Where were you when I shouted about the battle above?" There is no accusation in Lort's voice, only calm curiosity. If Thanzeril wanted the ambassador dead, he didn't need the distraction above to do it.

**EDIT** Cyrus'd again! Lort will discharge the CLW on the first wounded friend he sees and will be careful not to touch anyone until then.

Finarin helps check out the body of a dead elf. As he has not seen the elf face (hidden behind the mask), he assist others in determining if this is an Mordant Spire elf, or an other race of elf. I can make the primary roll if appropriate, or assist another Ibid?

Then Fianrin turns to his comapion, ' We need to determine if anyone left this boat. Thoughts?"

"Unless anyone here can breath under water like those aquatic elves," Lort begins, "The only way off this ship would be using one of the life boats. It should be easy to check to see if one of those is missing. Even then, though, we're likely too far away from land for one of those to be a viable option for escape. This ship would seem to be as good a holding cell as any."

Mediocre intelligence, but high wisdom. At least, that's how I'm hoping it comes across.

Once Thanzeril has answered, Lort will inspect the body to determine the weapon (or at least damage type) that killed him. If possible, he'll take 20 on any perception (+8) and heal (+6) checks that are required.

Two checks needed... 1) Knowledge Local
Kn: Local: Finarin: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Kn: Local: Miro: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Kn: Local: Ibid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
He is definitely a "regular" elf, not an aquatic elf. Once his mask is removed, he seems a quite ordinary, with a look of peaceful sleep on his face. There are over a dozen deep gashes on his back.

next, heal. Lort primary (because he tried to heal), and Finarin assisting, since he has 'spoken'
Heal: Finarin aid: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Ibid or Miro aiding: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Heal: Lort: 1d20 + 6 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 0 = 26

Lort can discharge his CLW on Amaranti or Karshaiga... the only two that are hurt.

"Unless anyone here can breath under water like those aquatic elves,"

"Yes, but the aquatic elves could have jumped off the boat with the elf, and used a potion or two ...

Thanzeril looks distraught when Lort questions him.
"It wasn't me! I failed him, but I didn't kill him! Tears can be seen in the Mordant Spire elf's eyes.
Amaranti: Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Cyrus: Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16
Finarin: Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2
Ibid: Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Lort: Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Miro: Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

"I am sorry! It has been so long since I have been home... felt the touch of a woman... I couldn't help myself!"

With that, Thanzeril collapses to the floor, sobbing.

As an FYI - while the cabin that Sephriel was in had windows, there were small, and sealed. It is highly unlikely that anyone would have been able to use them as a way in or out.

Cyrus has seen dead bodies before, and the scene before him does not phase him, other than the crushing realization that their mission has failed, and they have let the society down.

So much for impressing Sheila... At least I still have that poem I am writing for Sirena...

He doesn't say much, but does understand the urgency of the situation. He immediately begins a detailed search of the room, assisting Lort in the inspection.

Perception, Aid Another: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

After the room inspection is over, Cyrus offers his thoughts when only his companions are nearby.

I might as well not pretend in a time like this, but you, Ibid, are the king of the proper journal. So here are my thoughts so far.

So what do we know? Thanzeril was apparently with Azuretta. If their story holds, that rules them out. The Captain was in his quarters, and theoretically would have had to go through the battle in order to get to the ambassador's room. It may still be possible there is another way for him to get to this room without us seeing, but I would say this puts him low on the suspect list. The rest of the crew is right across the deck over there, a mere 40 feet away. They all had ample time to pull this evil deed off.

"Ibid, see any tracks leading in or out?"

"I was indeed down here when the battle started," Lort responds to Cyrus as he finishes his inspection of the ambassador's body. He relates the result to his friends.

"Worry not, Thanzeril, we all have needs," says Lort, turning back to the distraught bodyguard, "I just wish you'd asked me to stand in for you while you did the deed. At least now we have our first suspect. If that's where you were, she has an alibi as Cyrus points out, but the coincidence of your distraction simultaneously with the aquatic elf attack is too much to ignore."

CLW healing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Lort heals Amaranti before turning to the rest of his companions.

"So, who would like to collect the whore?"

**EDIT** Additional stuff...

"We're also looking for a dagger. While the weapon is extremely commonplace, perhaps we may notice a crew member with a missing dagger, or one with recent blood on it." Lort thinks for a moment, "To stop them from hiding evidence, we'd best talk to the captain about anchoring the ship and detaining the crew. We can perhaps tell her we are prepared to attest to his innocence and cooperation in all of this, mitigating against his potential problems with his employers. Any slick tongued volunteers?"

Cyrus looks immediately to Miro as Lort finishes his thoughts.

"A prudent suggestion, good Lort. I would be happy to try to speak to the Captain about an All Stop while we sort things out. I don't know if his mood will allow for such things, though. My question is, does the door look forced? Thanzeril, was the door locked when you left your post?" Miro cocks his head inquisitively at the former bodyguard.

"We can handle this stuff later, Miro, probably best for you to see the captain immediately!" Lort suggests, as strongly as he can while still remaining friendly, "I'm going to head over to their quarters to see if I can find anything amiss."

Lort strides over to the crew quarters and (if the door is locked) knocks loudly.

"Yes, Miro, the door was locked. Sephriel always kept the door locked. I would need to ask for access to the room. I cannot believe that I failed in this mission!"

"We're days away from land, good Lort, another five minutes won't hurt anything and will give the Captain time to calm down. If someone else would question Thanzeril here while his mind is still fresh, I will gladly go." He thinks about it a moment, then shrugs. "And check under the mask, to be sure it is him."

Assuming there is a volunteer, Miro will stride towards the Captain's cabin, usual cheerful demeanor gone. Not only had they failed their mission, but they were now engaged in a potentially dangerous game of shipboard politics with Captain Veane. Brow furrowed, he knocks on the Captain's door.

"Maybe ambassador been killed earlier. Murderer get out when fight start?" Amaranti thinks aloud, then turns toward Thanzeril: "When you last see ambassador?"

"The kill was fresh," says Lort, mostly to Amaranti, "It happened when the battle was raging, not before. The killer must have escaped briefly before we got here... which is why we need to detain the crew as quickly as possible."

With that, Lort continues on to the crew quarters.

Sorry... have to intervene here. I understand exactly what you are doing, and why, but we have to do a little railroading here. Will make things a lot easier in the actual investigation.

Miro scampers up the captain's cabin, as Captain Veane and First Mate Marzack just finished talking.
Veane obviously notices the halfling, but does not directly ackmowledge him. In a stentorian voice, clearly heard in the main hold location 5-7 "Tell those Pathfinders they can talk to my crew tomorrow, Marzack, and no sooner. You all need your sleep if Ulamon is right, and a storm is coming. They ain't goin' no where, and neither are you. We are a full three days out from port."

Miro: Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23. Miro gets the idea that the Captain wants everyone to hear that.

"And get them to clean up those corpses on my deck! If they have to question them, then question them. Then I want their throats slit, and their corpses thrown over the sides as a warning for any other water elf assassins that might try again!"

"Aye, aye, Captain!" replies Marzlack, who turns to Miro.
"Slip, come with me, before your friends do anything to get themselves thrown off this ship with the assassins."
(in case you didn't know, "slip" is a Chelish raial insult towards halflings, who are usually slaves in Cheliax.)

Marzlack quickly goes down the stairs, and sees Lort making his way to the crew's cabin. "Lort! Belay that action! The Captain says you'll have time in the morning!"

Miro listens in on the conversation, getting the impression that the Captain will not bend on this matter he turns to start walking back. He bristles as much as a 3 foot tall man can when called 'slip', but keeps his face neutral. Tensions were high, and he would not add to them by reacting to the personal insult.

Miro walks swiftly alongside the First Mate, joining his friends. "It seems like they are expecting a storm soon, friends. Did anyone indeed confirm that this IS the ambassador?"

"Well, this is his ship and I will comply. However..." Lort angles his voice towards the grate, speaking perhaps even louder than Captain Veane, "If this delay gives the cretins who murdered our charge enough time to clean up their tracks, he can fûcking well take the blame for this when we get to Mordant Spire!"

Lort climbs the stairs, locates and throws the two dead elves into the water.

"Let those two be the warning," Lort yells before, grabbing the two trussed up and unconscious water breathing elves. He hefts one over each shoulder, "But these two are our prisoners! If you want to kill them in cold blood you'll have to kill me first and then you'll have that to explain as well!"

Once downstairs, Lort takes the unconscious elves into Sephriel's cabin. Making sure they are secure, Lort makes sure Amaranti and Kaishgara are close and then channels positive energy and heals them with his wand until they wake up.

CM to tie up: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Channel 1: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Channel 2, only if needed: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Cure light wounds (wand), only if needed: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Cure light wounds (wand) 2, only if needed: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

I assume only Thanzeril can confirm that the elf in the mask truly is Ambassador Sephriel...

"This is my ship, and my word is law here!" bellows the obviously irate captain of the Throaty Mermaid. He takes a deep breath, perhaps realizing he's pushing too hard. "But, if you want to keep 'em alive, then you all can sleep on the deck, and you can use your cabin as a brig. Just keep 'em tied up and quiet. Best keep 'em knocked out so they ain't gonna be no trouble. Unlike you all."

He yells out, "Azuretta, get your ass in my cabin, now!", storms into his cabin, and slams the door shut.

Some quick inspections of Sephriel's room, the door, and the area around.

Amaranti: Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (9) + 0 = 9
Cyrus: Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Finarin: Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Ibid: Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Lort: Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Miro: Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Ibid: Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13