GM Silbeg's PFS: Eyes of the Ten (Inactive)

Game Master GM..Silbeg

That it! This was the last straw! This Cale is going down.

” Cale! You monster! I know you have this Man's beloved hostage! That how you do things! You are the définition of selfish Evil! Galt will be better without you!

“Teko” don't worry. We will save this person. By the power that Erastil gives me, i will do whatever I can!”

Gaétan will takes the sky with the horse it have a spellcasting of 14th right? high to don't be hit by melee but also area spell. He aims at Cale’s head.

i suppose that flame arrow would have been cast. And i do not have access to computer. Mobile don't work for moving token.

first attack: 1d20 + 29 - 6 ⇒ (11) + 29 - 6 = 34
dommage: 1d8 + 16 + 1d6 + 1d8 + 24 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 16 + (6) + (1) + 24 + (3) = 58
second attack: 1d20 + 29 - 6 ⇒ (1) + 29 - 6 = 24
dommage: 1d8 + 18 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 18 + (1) = 24
Third attack: 1d20 + 24 - 6 ⇒ (17) + 24 - 6 = 35
dommage: 1d8 + 18 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 18 + (1) = 26
Fourth attack: 1d20 + 19 - 6 ⇒ (3) + 19 - 6 = 16
dommage: 1d8 + 18 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 18 + (6) = 26

"Welp, guess it'll be the hard way."

Koraq moving up to the closest bugbear and delivering a powerful boot to the head that seems to ignite on contact!

Swift Action Exploit Weakness @ BB: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18 +2 to hit if it worked

PA Stunning Vital Strike Flaming Axeboot to the head: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Damage on hit: 4d6 + 16 + 9 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 6) + 16 + 9 = 39
Fire damage on hit: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 2) = 7
If it hit, that'll be a DC 21 Fort save or stunned for a round

Géatan potentially hits with the many shot and the third attack.
Miss chance on manyshot, high = hit: 1d100 ⇒ 76
Miss chance on third hit, high = hit: 1d100 ⇒ 34
And with just one pair of arrows, Géatan shows that he only needs one shot to take down a high profile target, as Cale drops to the ground unconscious.
Attack 2 is a natural 1, but 3 and 4 could hit other targets if you want to redirect them somewhere else

Meanwhile Koraq exploits a common bugbear weakness, although from his punch these seem stronger than normal bugbears. Not strong enough that they can't be punched, but they're not dropping from that hit.
Fort save for Bugbear 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
That bugbear was really not expecting the flaming boot, and stands there in shock.

So recap so far - Cale takes 58 damage and drops, Géatan has two attacks in limbo, Koraq deals 44 damage to Bugbear 2 and bloodies it, and we have a Ralph that needs to come out of delay. And then shenanigans? Have I done enough shenanigans this scenario?

What is Teko's reaction Geatan's words? Does he reply? Does he react to Geatan shooting down Cale?

I think Geatan and myself will want this information before deciding what to do.

the rest will be at the wounded bugbear.

"Only that? I only need to shoot once?" says with incrudility Géatan.

"All the rest of you, surrender. The crazy wizard is down! We won't hurt anyone more if we are not provoke. "

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Teko looks upset at Cale falling unconscious and is really nervous, but shows no signs of backing down.

Also, the other two arrows will hit in the bugbear, dropping him unconscious as well.

"If you're not backing down, then Geatan's wild speculation was obviously off the mark. Also, if you're not backing down, you really only have yourself to blame for this. If you survive this attack, I suggest you surrender. We did after all come here wanting to talk."

As Ralph speaks, he activates his mantle of the blackrider to tap on Baba Yaga's power. (Boost my INT by +4) The air around him crackles with black energy as he begins his chant.

"Crimson lord who rules in Fire,
Molten prince of soul-aflame,
Render unto me thy burning wrath and
Bring forth for me a dazing inferno!
Rubicante Breath!"

DAZING heightened x2 empowered intensified fireball: 21d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 6, 6, 3, 5, 6, 5, 3, 5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 2, 5, 2, 6, 5, 5, 4) = 90 DC27for half, dazed for 5 rounds if he fails

Using preferred spell and my metamagic rod, sacrificing contingency to cast. Bugbear 1 will be included in the blast because I can.

Okay, a couple of things:

First, that's not how Empowered works. A CL 14 empowered fireball would roll 14d6, find the result, then multiply that result by 1.5. You don't roll 21d6.

Secondly, you can't put a 6th level equivalent spell through a lesser metamagic rod. The spell counts as a 3rd level spell or a 6th level spell, which ever is worse for the caster. That means that it counts as a 6th level spell for putting through a metamagic rod.

Lastly, if you're going to spontaneously cast a spell, then it takes a full-round action to cast if you put metamagic on it. (While the Core Rulebook doesn't directly cover this for obvious reasons, it does cover clerics spontaneously casting cure spells and druids spontaneously casting summon natures ally in the section on metamagic feats at the beginning of the feats chapter.) This is a problem in this instance because you delayed your action from a surprise round, so you only have a standard and a swift/

Preferred spell allows me to cast spontaneously without increasing the casting time.

Benefit: Choose one spell which you have the ability to cast. You can cast that spell spontaneously by sacrificing a prepared spell or spell slot of equal or higher level. You can apply any metamagic feats you possess to this spell when you cast it. This increases the minimum level of the prepared spell or spell slot you must sacrifice in order to cast it but does not affect the casting time.

As for the empowered rod, I've encountered table variation on this, but I can see the logic. Let's take away the empower then. Then main purpose is to try to daze him. To assist you, the first 15d6 of that roll adds to 61.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what a natural one while looking at rules looks like. Don’t know how I missed that.
Teko Ref Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Okay, and with him failing that save and being dazed for 3 rounds (5 rounds? I don’t know how heighten spell and dazing spell interact and I don’t feel like looking it up right now), I’m calling this. He’s got hit points and AC, but not surviving three rounds from Koraq and Géatan hit points and AC. Both bugbears are unconscious, but the archers will surrender when they see that both the major players in this encounter are taken care of.

You can see that there is an exit out the other side of the cave.

To be fair, usually the default rule is that spontaneous metamagic increases casting time. I have a feeling Scotty will not permit us to kill the incapacitated Teko though.

If he surrenders, Ralph would rather disarm him and try to ask him where the Red Raven is. Also, he'd remove any magic items (apart from his armor) that might be used offensively or aid him in escaping. I imagine the first thing we'd do would be to ask Koraq to hold him while Ralph took away his sword and ring, then checks him for other magic items that might help him escape. Then he'd try to identify those items. I am curious to see if my suspicion about the ring was correct - it seemed odd to me that when faced with imminent combat, a warrior would fiddle with his ring rather than have his hand on his weapon.

Once he sees that his spell has dazed the armored warrior and that the others have lost their will to fight, Ralph calls to Koraq to hold down the warrior whilst he flies in to help (1st round of daze). Once Koraq has held the warrior down, Ralph will kick away the warrior's weapon (or just leave it sheathed - did he even draw his weapon?) and prise the ring from the man's finger (presumably with help from the other stronger guys, ring removed in 2nd round and weapon in 3rd round) , as well as any headband, helm, cloak, necklace or other ring that can be easily and quickly removed, and finally starts scanning him with detect magic for more obscure magic items that might enable him to escape.

I suppose if he does have a magic item that could help him escape, I might need to pick from a list at random. If Koraq is unable to hold him for some reason, we could have Koraq hit him for non-lethal dmaage until he passes out in the last round of his dazing, then slowly check him for getaway-magic items. Will we need to do this or can we assume we capture him successfully?

If he doesn't try to or manage to escape, Scotty do you want to do the talking? I think you have the best chance of getting info out of these guys. I think the key things to ask would be:
1. Red Raven's location
2. Why he didn't return
3. What lies beyond the cave exit
4. Why they did not respond to the pass phrase

Ok, ignore the earlier post, can we just assume Koraq knocks out Teko with non-lethal damage whilst he is dazed, and then Ralph identifies his magic items and removes the dangerous ones and ones he can use to escape (including his weapons), and then either Ralph revives him with infernal healing or someone else uses a more palatable means of bringing him back to consciousness? Or if he is carrying any healing items, we can use his own items on him.

And after all of that, Scotty or Ralph can try to get some information out of him.

After the quick melee, Koraq uses his skills to quickly incapacitate the immobilized Teko. "Well, that sure simplifies things, though either these guys went rogue or something's up with our Magenta Magpie or whatever he prefers."

Ralph is able to identify most of the items on Teko pretty easily, but the ring seems elusive. I need a spellcraft check for that one.
Other gear on Teko:
- +2 full plate
- +1 heavy steel shield
- ring of protection +2
- amulet of natural armor +1
- cloak of resistance +1
- +2 keen longsword

Ralph takes little interest in Teko's other items, but is surprised to find that the ring's properties take significant effort to discern, and spends a little more time examining it.

Assuming the ring is one of the first items I identify, I'll add my mantle INT bonus to the roll.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 23 + 2 = 44

Gaétan rides toward Cale and the hobgoblin hurt by his arrows to restock them.

and that the difference a fireball of a ordinary wizard and one of the society.

"Thank you for you surrender," says the Erastilan to the galtans. "We will make sure to return almost all of your posession when our sword is returned. It has the same value for us that your guillotines.

I know also that my behavior is confusing. But what do you and your families need those days? Food? Crops? "

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First, here’s a description of the ring.

-----

The two archers listen to Géatan’s questions, then one opens its mouth, seeming rather unsure about himself. “He came through the portal a little while ago. We saw him go up into the keep above, and he seemed really pissed. Yelled at us that no one was to come through the portal. Don’t know why though. Must have taken him forever to get back from the attack.

“And I thank you for your offer, but with us moving into Montrose Keep and all that, it’s been really good for us. We’ve been fine! Things are looking up and Galt hasn’t looked better!”

We just wanted the sword!!!!!! Just the sword! And now he have search the city to restore himself. He don't think of us! You little...

The archer sighs."Really. It like i am in Thornkeep. I suppose that you, ravens, protect the neighborhood from criminal and other gangs and they reward you with a tax?"

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"I wonder if this keep is held under Red Raven's name or his alter ego. At least those guys aren't too agonized about Geatan shooting down Cael. Guess even his own guys didn't like him."

Just want to clarify one thing. The ring description says "the phoenix bound within the chambers inhabited by the agents of the Red Raven". Does this mean that there is an actual phoenix imprisoned here by the power of the ring that the ring calls out, rather than summoning a phoenix through a normal summoning spell? Can I also confirm that the ring grants the wearer complete control of the phoenix, or at least enough control that it won't attack us if I call it out?

One more thing. Is Cael stable, bleeding or gone-to-Pharasma's-boneyard dead?

The archer that’s been talking to Géatan cocks his head when he hears of Thornkeep. “Thornkeep? Isn’t that in that lawless area? The lake kingdoms or something like that? No no no no no no. We’re not a mob. We take from the rich and give to the poor! And we enact true justice across Galt!”

-----
The answers to both questions are in fact yes. Cale is dying, but not so far down as you can’t get to him. (He has some con, just not a lot.)

Ralph puts on the ring and says the command word to call the phoenix from its imprisonment. Fire starts shooting up from the ring, hitting the top of the ceiling. Full bolts of flame hit the ceiling and stay there, waiting for more and more to make their way to the ceiling. Over the course of a couple seconds, the fire gets faster and faster until it’s a giant stream of fire and the hanging flames coalesces into the shape of a gargantuan* fire bird.

The bird lands on the ground next to Ralph and bows its head. “I SEE I HAVE A NEW MASTER. ZALIEX, AT YOUR SERVICE.”

Ralph finds himself having to resist the urge to break out in "evil-overlord laughter" upon being greeted as 'master' by such a powerful creature. But his good sense and discipline prevail as a better plan forms in his mind.

"Nothing so grandiose, Zaliex. I am Ralph Cauthorn of the Pathfinder Society, and my associates here are Scotty McBride, Koraq Dragonclaw and Geaton Emond. I simply called you out because I could not pass upon the opportunity to see in person as fabled a being as your kind are."

He does in fact take a moment to marvel at the immense and powerful being before him, as well as take mental notes about its physical characterisctics.

"Such amazing and prodigious fire! Such an incredible life force! EXQUISITE!"

I think I will also be inserting Zaliex into some of my future fireball incantations!

"I have a few questions, and I think some of them you might be very happy to answer.
1. How long have you been known as 'the Raven Spirit'? How long have you been under the control of the Red Raven?
2. What do you know about the murder of Teppin Montrose?
3. What do you know about Adril Hestram and his plans, especially those against the Pathfinder Society? This one is a long shot.
4. The Red Raven was supposed to return to us with an object he stole from us, but has not returned to us as he had agreed. Do you know where he would have gone or the best way to find him?
5. Would you prefer to be freed, and if so, how do I free you from this place?
6. What do you intend to do if I free you? Where would you go? If you are free to go anywhere you choose, I would be very happy to offer you a place to make your lair.
7. Would you be so kind as to tell me about the abilities of your kind - purely for academic reasons. I fancy myself something of a scholar, and a scholar of the arcane above all."

I don't need you to spell out the answer for question 7. It's for role-play purposes only to justify Ralph's excessive knowledge arcana modifier.

I think questions 5 and 6 should allow Ralph to keep the paladin happy and still get some measure of satisfaction against the Red Raven. Mwahaha!

The phoenix patiently waits for Ralph to finish asking his questions before responding.

“I HAVE BEEN KNOWN AS THE RAVEN SPIRIT SINCE THE RED RAVEN HAS MOVED IN A COUPLE DAYS AGO. WHEN THEY CALL ME, I TAKE A FORM CLOSER TO THAT OF A RAVEN. IT MAKES THE NAME MAKE MORE SENSE.

“I DO NOT KNOW WHERE I WOULD GO AT THIS POINT. I SERIOUSLY DOUBT THAT ANYONE CAN UNDO MONTROSE’S BINDING. THE RED RAVEN SAID THAT HE WOULD WORK ON IT, BUT HE’S BEEN UNDERSTANDABLY BUSY. I USED TO RESIDE IN THE WINDSWEPT WASTES, BUT I DO NOT KNOW WHERE THAT IS IN RELATION TO HERE OR EVEN IF I WENT BACK IF THE PLACE HAS STAYED RELATIVELY SIMILAR ENOUGH THAT I COULD GO BACK. I WOULD CERTAINLY TAKE SHELTER FROM THOSE WHO COULD HELP ME CONTROL MYSELF AGAIN AND OCCASIONALLY HELP THE RIGHTEOUS OF THE WORLD.”

Gadammit! So even if I break the ring the phoenix can't leave...

"Well, he still left you bound to follow his orders through this ring, and even went as far as to rename you after himself rather than use your real name, didn't he? " Ralph replies casually.

"Zaliex, I will give you one order only," Ralph adds as he takes off the ring and flies up to the phoenix, holding it out in the palm of his hand. "Take your freedom."

"I do not know if I have the power yet to undo the magic that binds you here, but know that I will not forget you as I grow in power. I intend to purchase a small island off the coast of the Isle of Kortos, near Absalom, and establish my tower there. Given time, I can also conjure and shape stone as I see fit, and would be able to make you a home on my island if you wish. If nothing else, I can assure you that you will be able to see the sun as you please, unlike this drab place, and given time I can fashion you an abode of your choosing. It should be relatively quiet and secluded that you should be able to enjoy peace, yet not so far from people that you cannot visit the peoples of Golarion if you desire."

"When I return to free you, that offer will remain open if you choose, and whether it is to be your permanent home or one of several homes will be up to you. In the mean time, know that the Pathfinder Society and Ralph Cauthorn are your friends."

knowledge arcana to learn what magic is required to release the phoenix: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (19) + 28 = 47

Worst case, probably something like Freedom or Wish. Maybe a limited wish.

This might require a GM call. If the binding is limited to the physical limits of the cavern when the binding was cast, then if I made a passage out of the cavern using multiple castings of stone shape, then suppressed the binding using an antimagic field, Zaliex should theoretically be able to walk out of the confines of the binding, and thereafter be free of it. Based on my knowledge arcana check, would that work?

"Scotty, Toraq. Please help me stabilise this crazy elf."says Géatan.

"Unless, "turning to the " merryman"."You wish that this freaking psychopath go away. He seems to not have the same ideal as you.
Servants are most of the time poor don't you think?"

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The phoenix says “YOUR TERMS ARE MUCH MORE AGREEABLE.” He quickly snatches the ring from Ralph’s hand, and swallows with it with a powerful gulp. You can’t see anything happen, but Zaliex’s face gives of an expression as if he was in great pain, but after a couple of seconds, he relaxes again.

“I THANK YOU FOR THIS. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT MAY BE MANY WEEKS BEFORE YOU ARE ABLE TO GET ME OUT OF THIS CAVE. WHERE MONTROSE LACKED IN MORALITY, HE MADE UP FOR IN SKILLS WITH MAGIC. KNOW THAT I WILL NOT FORGET THIS.”

Studying over the binding that is currently on Zaliex, it is clear that the plan of antimagic field + stone shapes could work on getting him out of the cavern. However, it’s also pretty clear from studying the binding that Montrose was working with experimental magic, and that there are a bunch of additional dweomer signatures that you’re not sure of. One that you are sure of will give Zaliex a permanent negative level every round he’s outside of the cavern.

-----

The archer that’s been talking to Géatan looks aghast. “No, I wouldn’t want Cale dead! Cale’s… useful. And he takes care of things… and… the Red Raven likes him! Well, at least he tolerates him.”

-----

Scotty, Koraq, you guys around?

"Bloody hell," Ralph mutters as he realizes the effect that the additional bindings have on Zeliax. "Montrose certainly took pains to ensure that it would be difficult for you to escape. I can bypass the physical and dimensional bindings, but there are additional bindings on you that will drain your life energy if you leave the confines of this cavern. Theoretically a Death Ward spell or an antimagic field should allow you to stave off that binding for short periods of time and see the sun again, but I will need a little more time to research how to do the the binding permanently. But I shall see to it that it is done. Until then, I should be able be able visit and free you for short periods of time when no other demands on my power present themselves, as well as let you know of my progress in finding a way to free you permanently."

From my knowledge arcana check, is there ANY way to free Zaliex short of a Mage's Disjunction spell?

Once we're done with Zaliex, Scotty might be able get some info out of Teko. If not, we should be good to proceed, I think.

Is Cael carrying his spellbook? Looking through his spellbook will be next on my agenda once I finish speaking with Zaliex. I'll also try to identify what gear he is carrying.

Yeah, sorry, weekends are usually my low times, more so after this Friday! Albeit, Ralph and the phoenix is their own little tale :)

"Heh, so much for that sauna.", Koraq jokes at the predicament. "Though I'm glad you were able to do something; being controlled sucks, even if for good reasons.", the half-orc winking jestfully at Ralph once more. "Alright, I'll stop.", moving before Ralph could consider any form of snark back.

Koraq listens in on Geatan's conversation with the archer.

Autopass the Sense Motive "Yannow, Geats, this guy is talkin' up bout his boss." Turning to the archer, Koraq continues. "Look bub, no reason to feign likin' your boss. Most people don't, and not like he's gonna hear you in his current state."

My precious retirement plan... :(

"Contrary to what the Red Raven thinks, I do not keep others imprisoned without justification or for personal pleasure. In the Raven's case, he created the need for his imprisonment all on his own, and had only himself to blame, even if he refuses to. And you are all witnesses that I offered to free him several times if he would only cooperate in undoing the harms he did to our Society, and if he had cooperated from the start he would have been released far sooner. Zaliex's case is entirely different. In Zaliex's case, he appears to have been imprisoned for no other reason than that Montrose wanted a powerful pet guardian. They are completely different situations."

Ralph addresses the grunt that Koraq has been speaking with.

"If you are able to stop Cael from bleeding to death, you may do so. I do not have that skill. What I do want to know is where the Red Raven has gone and why has he delayed in returning. Tell us what you know and speak truthfully, and no harm will befall you."

GM, I still hope to get answers to the questions in my previous post. I am checking Cael's items and spellbook for unpleasant surprises or spells I want to copy, and whether my knowledge check allowed me to discover methods other methods to completely free Zaliex even if I can't access those methods now.

Ralph looks like a better man that i was thinking.

"I love so much that that Cale pays for what he have done. But his death could create an enemy to the society. But let's say that for some reason he awokes in a Osirian prison without his spellbook and pouch. That will be okay right? You would have peace for a long time or... Hey Ralph do you have still this spell I didn't like?"

heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

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Quick notes because lesson planning for tomorrow took way longer than I expected and I'm super tired.

Mage's disjunction is certainly the brute force method of doing it, but you're looking at large amounts of experimental magic thrown in there. They could all go away harmlessly, or some of them could have triggers on dispel. Who knows?

That is not to say that there is no way to proceed - you would certainly recognize bits and pieces about what's going on. Enough at least to start researching - it would be better if you had Montrose's notes about what was going on with Zaliex, but you feel like you could spend some time in some good libraries and make some headway. It's just going to take time.

Cale's gear is crap. Just a bracers of armor +2 and a chime of opening. He doesn't have a spellbook because he's a sorcerer.

The archer looks at Géatan and Koraq for a moment. "Welllllll... I mean the Red Raven might not be happy... but it would probably be for the best."

Well I'll be... an elven sorcerer?

Ralph wonders whether to laugh or to lament on principle when he discovers that Cael is a sorcerer.

"No spellbook and no spell component pouch... I do believe I have been mistaken about how this elf accesses his arcane magic. WHY IN THE NINE HELLS WOULD AN ELF ABANDON EVERY ADVANTAGE IN WIZARDRY GRANTED BY HIS ELVEN HERITAGE TO PURSUE THE INFERIOR ARCANE PROFESSION? Well, at least it explains his otherwise inexplicably stupid behavior... Honestly, had he in fact been a wizard his stupidity would have been an embarrassment to the profession."

"But I would not be so hasty to send him away. I perceive his very existence to be a detriment to Galt and Red Raven's precious revolution, but if Red Raven wants to keep this hindrance by his side, I couldn't care less as long as he does not inconvenience us. On the other hand, as a matter of pragmatism, I would avoid antagonizing Red Raven further. We have already seen his tendency to throw tantrums, and with his connections even a child's tantrum could cause us inconvenience. Unless Scotty's principles require that Cael be apprehended, I am content to leave him where he is."

Don't be quick to forget Ralph's alignment. Ralph recognizes the value of doing good to those who he thinks positively of, and he generally thinks well of truly altruistic people and beings. But he is not himself altruistic. He is first and foremost a pragmatist. Right now, he simply sees no value in doing anything positive or negative to Cael.

Looking directly at the archer, Ralph quickly adds, "just be warned that if you rouse him to wakefulness before we are done here, I will also not think twice about putting him down again as efficiently as I can, and if that means potentially killing him, I would not lose sleep over that either."

"Now, about Red Raven, where has he gone and why has he not returned?"

Mage's disjunction is certainly the brute force method of doing it, but you're looking at large amounts of experimental magic thrown in there. They could all go away harmlessly, or some of them could have triggers on dispel. Who knows?

That is not to say that there is no way to proceed - you would certainly recognize bits and pieces about what's going on. Enough at least to start researching - it would be better if you had Montrose's notes about what was going on with Zaliex, but you feel like you could spend some time in some good libraries and make some headway. It's just going to take time.

I suppose this means spending time after the scenario to do more research before I can find a way to free Zaliex, as it is beyond the scope of the scenario?

"Yeah Ralph... But Cale must pay for what he have done. It may be childish or even Calistrian but I must feel that there must be consequence in this world."

Géatan draws a pen and put mustache on Cale's face.

"Anything you want that I add?"

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"Well if we're gonna get childish...", Koraq offering to put various crude drawings along Cale's face.

Afterwards, Koraq stretches his arms and motions the party on. "Well, we sorta freed a phoenix and took care of the first wave of defenders of Mr. Raven. Let's continue this mess of a report."

"Yup"

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Yup, freeing Zaliex completely is outside the scope of this scenario.

The archers point to the passage in the back as an answer to Ralph's question. They start snickering at people drawing on Cale.

I'll add what's up the cave tomorrow, hopefully after I fix the keyboard on my laptop. I'm currently in that week that happens occasionally where everything goes terribly and piles on each other.

A thin, winding passage leads up a steep incline from the massive cavern below to a dead end that is clearly the obscured side of a secret door. The door stands ajar just a crack, but appears to be built into the altar of a small private chapel. Light from stained glass windows above the altar suggests that you’ve reached the surface. Within the secret door, on your side of the chapel, a rough red cloth cloak and the headdress of the Red Raven hang from a wooden peg in the wall. A basin of water nearby is tinged red and a fresh pot of red paint sits next to the basin.

The secret door from the tunnel leading down into the Raven’s Roost opens into the false facade of an altar in an austere chapel dedicated to Abadar, Master of the First Vault. Numerous lit candles flicker from shelves built into the whitewashed walls, which extend thirty feet to end in what must be some sort of spire or steeple. The upper walls of the structure bear huge stained-glass windows. From the light illuminating their colorful scenes it’s clear you’ve emerged onto the surface. Two huge double doors on the far wall, about 20 feet away, stand open just a crack, revealing a sliver of the courtyard beyond. Several figures throng the yard, jeering and yelling. Inside the chapel, though, all is quiet.

Assuming someone quietly checks out the jeering and the yelling outside.

More than a dozen angry Galtan citizens throng the narrow courtyard of the keep, crowding around a tall wooden guillotine erected on the far end. Four tall, gaunt human men wearing long gray coats and armed with sturdy halberds patrol the angry Mob, keeping the peace while at the same time cheering along with the bloodthirsty crowd. Howls of “off with his head!” and “death to the noble traitor!” emerge from the loud din of the rabble. A richly garbed man wearing an absurd hat festooned with ribbons and badges looks down on the crowd from atop the courtyard wall, unfurling a scroll and preparing to speak. As the crowd shifts to reveal the guillotine, the focus of all the anger becomes clear. Kneeling in the mud, his neck exposed to the guillotine’s blade, is a dark-haired human man dressed in familiar red leather armor. Next to him, neck also exposed to the guillotine’s blade, is a blond-haired human woman dressed in solid green robes.

“Aric of Halvon,” screams the hat-wearing man atop the courtyard wall. “You stand accused as an enemy of the Red Revolution and a sworn foe of the People of Galt. By my decree, you are required to grant us the magical password that grants access to Montrose Keep, so that the ill-gotten gains of your evil nobility can be distributed to the good people of Galt!”

"No... Don't say we have to..."

The archer ajusts his quiver.

"Ready to fight the mob? Remember their attention is fickle"

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"Idea. We could pass as the red raven and his merryman who have open the place for the people with Alric help. What do you think "Cale"?"

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"Or we could just convince they should feel ashamed.

Or just don't gives a crap. This is not our business. Even if we could have help in his capture."

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Just to confirm, is that red armor familiar because we last saw Red Raven wearing it?

Geatan, we have not revived Cael, only stopped his bleeding. Ralph would not have let him be revived.

"Geatan, we do not want that mob in here before we retrieve what we need. Furthremore, if that is indeed Red Raven down there, this Aric of Halvon, then much as I would think little of his ironic death at the hands of a Galtan mob, since he dislikes us and is oh-so very-arrogant, having him in the debt of the Society and us personally would be much more satisfying. The combination of his pride and dislike of us will cause such a debt to chafe worse than an undersized suit of full plate armor."

"Not to mention Scotty's principles may compel him to intervene anyway."

I was talking to Ralph as he would have impersonnate Cale.

Géatan looks at the other for answer.

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I will confirm that the armor looks like the Red Raven's.

So I will point out that I can't really do anything until you guys come up with a plan.

That being said, I think I've got contact info for Scotty's player IIRC, so I'll try giving him a poke.

I have a plan, but I would like to hear what Scotty and Koraq think of the situation first.

How high is the rampart relative to the floor where Red Rooster and Blondie are?

The rampart is only 1-2 feet off the ground - for tactical matters, no difference.

What is a shrine to Abadar doing in this lawless country?

How are the citizens crowding around the guillotine clothed? Are they dressed similarly to the man with the scroll or are they in commoner's clothing? Is there someone posted up ready to activate the guillotine?

"I have two plans. The first is to turn the crowd against the man reading the scroll. Failing that, I would turn the crowd against me. We have the password to the estate, do we not? We will tell them that if they kill the Red Raven then we will inherit the keep and none but the Red Raven have the power to stop us."

Hurrah. Welcome back, Scotty.

"If our priority is to rescue the Red Raven and his blond friend, I can simply fly invisbly to them and instantly transport them here. It has been a long day, but I can still muster that power."

"We will likely still need to deal with that fop, however. If you are able to turn the mob against him, that might give us an edge. Alternatively, if you can get the mob to leave, I will have more freedom as to where I can throw my fireballs. "

"How 'bout you disguise me as an angel then and give me some invisibility so I take care of foppy and tell them that they are being naughty."

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"I like Ralph's invisibility/teleport idea as a contingency. I agree that we should try to disperse the mob if we plan to attack. Killing innocent people could cause a diplomatic incident, though I am not above beating some law and order into them should the need arise.

"As for disguising Koraq as an angel; I can heal wounds, smite the wicked, and raise the dead but some miracles are beyond my power."

"Koraq, perhaps we should leave it to Scotty to convince them that they are being naughty. But if I make you invisible, you should be able to use the Red Raven's cloak to transport yourself to the parapet and move along it to get to the fop whilst I wait by Red Raven and blondie. Whatever comes of Scotty's plan, I will be ready to evacuate Raven and Goldilocks and you will be in position to take down foppy."

GM, am I correct that the 'rough red cloak' hanging in the chapel is the same one that we returned to Red Raven when we set him free?