GM Tektite's PFS #03 Murder on the Silken Caravan (Inactive)

Game Master Hawkwen Agricola

Linnea tries to lash the prone leper, but he rolls out of the way.

Orryn rushes up to Ben-Garri and stabilizes him with a spell.

The lone leper sneers at the party and stands. (provoking from Vasilios, Henry, and Linnea)

He throws a punch at Henry.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Party up!

MAP

AOO trip attempt 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

My turn attack doing non-lethal damage 1d20 + 5 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 4 - 4 = 25
-4 do non-lethal with attack
+4 target is prone

Confirming the non-lethal damage crit
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Assuming that does it...
critical hit non-lethal damage: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (4, 1) + 8 = 13

Vasilios trips the leper on his attempt to stand. Need something that rhymes with lepers, peppers... That's about it huh?

He chuckles to himself and brings around the flat end of the spear head on the prone leper trying to knock him unconscious. But be it he used too much force or the leper had a brittle skull copious amounts of blood begin to pool on the floor. Vasilios stops chuckling.
Oooh, Oooh. No longer funny.

Vasilios trips and then knocks unconscious the final leper, though he appears to have stopped breathing as well as having blood run out of his ears.

Out of Combat!

Not that it matters now but I don't think you can trip as an AoO because the attack goes off while they're still prone-not sure where that it is in The Encyclopedia but that's the way we've always done it.

"What? What? Who? What is this trouble? Is Min-Katheer's body safe?" Henry hands his sword back to the young boy and begins stomping about the house.

Take care with those bodies, friends! Leprosy is a contact disease, so try to be cautious. If anyone was struck by them, you'll need to find out whether you'll need a remove disease casting.

Orryn takes his lance and tries to remove the caster's mask.

Orryn knocks the mask off the unconscious priest, revealing another leperous face.

Note: Henry is correct on the trip from an AoO, didn't think about it.

"Ho! Let's be careful when we tie this one up then. We'll need to locate the body posthaste!" the halfling commands with authority. "Ho, there! Vasilios! Do you know how to heal people up? Might be this one here knows where the body is. We don't want to miss our appointment with the caravan."

1d20 ⇒ 3

Henry searches the premises and finds Targo's body in the the backroom, behind the curtain.

"Hrrmm, the question is what was this madman doing in here in the first place? "

Fendahl sheathes his blade and looks around for clues on the activities. Also, was there a cart waiting outside or do we need to get the body to the caravan without a coffin?

Doesn't really say. We'll just say he is on a litter for transport.

stuck at work for awhile more, can you roll my bardic knowledge for any information about the leper cleric, dress, and of ritual he was trying.

Yanos, hating unnecessary death, will channel haling energy into the room, hoping to keep the afflicted men from passing on if possible.

Afterwards, I'll go past the curtain they defended so much.

Linnea looks around. When Henry finds Targo's body, she can't help but t
She'd a tear. "What could they have had planned for poor Torag? I shudder to think..."

She gives the body a quick search, trying to note if anything had been done to it.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

As Linnea searches the body, she finds nothing of note, though she does notice a forgotten oil of bless weapon lying in a corner of the room. Searching for clues, the party can only deduce that Ben-Garri was trying to abscond with the body out of hatred of the Pathfinder Society.

There really is much more with this scene. @ Yanos, the two lepers are only unconscious and Orryn stabilized Ben-Garri, so you can save your channel.

The party secures Targos' body, preparing it for travel, and leaves the hut. After a short time asking around, you discover that the Society has made arrangements for a number of domesticated dromedary (one-humped) camels to serve as their mounts as they cross the high desert and make for Katheer. One camel is provided for each party member, including sufficient supplies and waterskins to make the trip, and another camel is granted to bear the shrouded body of the deceased venture-captain during the journey.

Still needing a guide through the desert, the party asks around and is pointed to a caravan preparing to depart. The caravan in question is run by a Qadiri noblewoman of the deep desert tribes named Jamila al-Shafah. She is a dark-skinned beauty with henna-streaked hair and green eyes highlighted with kohl. She dresses in traditional desert rider garb, although the luxurious fabrics and cosmopolitan cuts display her wealth and success as a trader of silks and precious stones of the desert. She is found at a caravanserai at the edge of Lopul where she is taking on the final few travelers to join her caravan.

The party finds Jamila seated at a table with a large Taldan man in battered but serviceable half-plate armor, a shorter Qadiri man in a city-dweller’s vest and fez, and an Osirian trader in white robes with an elaborate gemstudded pectoral. These individuals are introduced as the final travelers to sign on with the caravan.

Gaspar du Mer: An aged Taldan knight and veteran of unofficial raids decades ago against Qadira as reprisal for the ancient invasion of his homeland. He always wears his dented and tarnished armor, even in the greatest heat, and is prone to stroking his long handlebar moustache and chin beard when in conversation or thought.

Mahmoud: Mahmoud hails from the souks of Katheer, as can be recognized by his typical clothing for a souk merchant of that city. He is Gaspar’s partner in the weapons trade and maintains their primary contacts within central Kelesh.

Hokama Pashket: Hokama is a successful water merchant from the ancient kingdom of Osirion. He is primarily on this trip to establish contacts and new markets, so he travels with only three camels heavily laden with full waterskins and dowsing rods of questionable reliability, as well as his slave-boy.

As the party introduces themselves and ask to join the caravan, Jamila shakes her head. Unfortunately these are the final travelers. We do not have room for more. Any more would slow us down.

Diplomacy anyone?

"Hrrmm, Linnea you may be better suited to convince her. I feel the less I say, the better. "

assist diplo : 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6 as predicted .

diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

Well good day to you also, it is bad business to welcome customers with such bad news. I am sure taking on the lot of us would not slow down your caravan, we are already outfitted camels packed and waiting to go. Could you not reconsider?

Linnea pipes up at Vasilios' suggestion, "Yes, we've got our own camels and provisions. Plus we could act as security should the caravan run into any problems."

Diplomacy Assist: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Tossing the man a platinum piece, "Especially when there is much wealth to share with a great host and his close community. Wasnt there a religious parable that started along these lines. . ."

Ill use my hat of disguisw to try to appeare in the garb of the priest we just faught, but not the unholy symbol or attitude.

Ill aid too. Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Disguise: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

-Posted with Wayfinder

Surely you can make an exception in this case....?
Orryn Diplo aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

After some negotiating from Vasilios and the rest of the party, Jamila finally relents, allowing the party to join up with the caravan. Meet here before the morning sun rises and be prepared for the heat. The Silken Way in not easy. She glances at the party members wearing armor. Good luck with that. She says snidely.

The route of the Silken Way takes caravans across the corner of the great western erg, or sand desert, of the Keleshite Empire. This desolate waste of wind and sand crosses vast stretches of dunes and salt flats. It reaches temperatures of 130 degrees (54 C) during the day and 40 degrees (4 C) at night. As a result, most travel is done during the morning and evening hours when the average temperature hovers around 95 degrees.

The caravan gathers in the cold hour before dawn and sets out northwest just as the first bit of pink touches the eastern horizon. The PCs are given the ignominious rearmost position in the camel train eating the trail dust of the others since they were the last to sign up. Directly in front of them are the camels of Hokama Pashket tended by him, his slave Atmar, and a pair of drovers.

Let me know what preparations you are making and whether or not your wearing any armor.

Orryn will use hus wand of endure elements on himself and on Stellah, offering it to anyone who wants it. He'll then take up the aerial caravan guard position, circling front to back aboard his beloved roc.

If I can, I'll spend 2 PP to purchase a wand of Endure Elements. if not, I can prep 4 Endure Elements if Orryn can prep 2, which should cover the party minus animal companions. I'd also like to change out 2 spells and use them. Lessr Angelic Aspect -> Gentle Repose and also Communal Resist Energy -> Remove Disease. I'd also like to use my Gloves of Recon to try to take a pea through his wrappings and make sure everything seems ok without unwrapping him.

Other than that, I'll try to walk near our honored cargo, spear at the ready, and I'll have Drop simply ride there with him.

Fendahl can prep endure elements for himself and Kirrah as well, but if scrolls of endure elements can be purchased he will buy 4.

Linnea wraps her scarf around her face to keep from breathing in the dust and sand. She will take Orryn's offer of the wand.

She will wear her mithral chain shirt.

After the arrangements are made Vasilios will head to a public area and look for members of other caravans or the caravan he will be in. He will question the experienced caravan riders of what to expect and listen to their stories of the Silken Way. He will make note of any knowledge gained for bard reasons and take the advice he has been given also sharing it with the party.

Barring no advice is given Vasilios will also take the offer of endure elements, and Linnea's idea of the scarf if it seems to be dusty.

Henry will accept an endure elements for himself and Indiana if someone offers it. Otherwise he will buy four scrolls (two days worth for himself and the wolf).

Henry will ride Indiana and let Waman ride the camel. He will keep his armor on and keep the armor on Indiana.

Yes you can purchase scrolls or wands. I doubt Lopul is very big, but if there is any sort of supplies, I think E.E. would be one of them.

Fendahl and lion will wear their respective armor for at least the first day, with the hope that the spell will prevent any major issues. If they are suffering any ill effects they will stow the armor.

Ill go ahead and buy a wand and use it on everyone, so save your money and spells.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Linnea adapts an unfamiliar, yet genteel accent, "I have always depended upon the kindness of strangers. Thank you kindly to your offers of help dealing with this oppressive heat." She gives a wink to Yanos and Fendahl.

"It's my pleasure, little one. We are all in this together, yes."

Ill go ahead and buy a wand and use it on everyone, so save your money and spells.

Fair enough. Three for Yanos, four (including Stellah) for Orryn. :-)

" I wonder if those lepers were duped into working for the mad priest or if the authorities here in town took custody or care of them. We may encounter more of them on the caravan if they were trying to steal the body. We best be alert."

"I had wondered that as well. Heaven's wrath only afflicts those with dark hearts. Petty revenge on a pathfinder seems like a weak motivation to desecrate his body, and I feel there may be more to it. Then again, are we even certain we have the right body? We should have asked for a description or even a picture before we left."

That's 9 chargers, correct?

@DM, did anything odd happen with the Gentle Repose or Remove Disease? Any magic detected?

Sorry glossed over that Yanos. You were casting Gentle Repose on Ben-Garri or Targos? Remove Disease on?

Before leaving, Yanos casts a spell to preserve the body of Min-Katheer. While examining the body, he finds it disease free.

The first day and a half of travel passes by uneventfully. The caravan lumbers along resting during the hottest and coldest part of the day, while traveling when the temperatures are bearable.

During the midday break on the second day, the party begins to notice that the wind is picking up. Shortly after this, a sudden wind blows in off the erg carrying a wall of dust and grit—a sandstorm is coming! The party continues on trying to keep Hokama's camels in sight. At first Orryn is able to follow from the sky, but as the wind and sand pick up, the halfling and his roc are forced to stay near the ground in order to keep their own party in sight. At least three times during the afternoon, the party loses sight of the caravan, only to regain sight of Hokoma again, just as fear is starting to set in.

The party is able to draw nearer to the water seller’s camels during a slight lull in the storm. A cry from the merchant’s young slave rings out as he points into the blowing sand where several humanoid creatures approach, most smaller than humans and all muffled in heavy robes. Each stranger’s head has a great helm wrapped in keffiyehs, and each faceplate has only a small eye slit to keep out the fury of the storm. Each holds a curved sword, and it is clear they are converging on your position.

Initiative:
Yanos
Goblins 2
Hobgoblins
Goblins 3
Vasilios
Fendahl/Kirrah
Goblins 1
Orryn/Stellah
Linnea
Henry/Indiana

Yanos is up!

Due to the blowing sand, there is a -2 prnalty for melee attacks and a -4 penalty for ranged attacks, unless you have equipment to aid you, such as the slitted helmets of the mooks.

MAP

It is a move action to get off the camel, unless you want to make a Ride check and fight on it. The camels are considered difficult terrain to cross over them and they provide cover/concealment.

"What! Ho! Look alive everyone! Waman, my lance!" the halfling shouts as he tightens the grip of his thighs on Indiana.

I'll jump from my camel, and shout Ambush!!!". move action, then grab my spear and call on a blessing from above. cast Bless +1 Att and save vs Fear.

In case any of them come at me, I have Reach and take an AoO.
AoO 1: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 - 2 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

AoO 2: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 2 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

AoO 3: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 2 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

AoO 4: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 - 2 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

I've included the -2. I am wearing basically full body rags, and only my eyes are really displayed, but I wasn't sure if that would count, since I didn't actually buy any gear, and I didn't mention earlier I was taking special precautions.

What is the native language here. Also can I do a knowledge local check to know they are goblins/hobgoblins?

knowledge local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

ROUND ONE!

Yanos alerts the others to the oncoming horde while he blesses the party.

Vasilios identifies the horde as being composed of goblins with hobgoblin commanders.

The first group of goblins charge Hokama and the drovers with one peeling off and attacking Linnea.

Attack vs Linnea FF: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

The goblin's swing goes wide as the startled camel bucks from being climbed on.

The hobgoblins move closer and begin firing shortbows.

Hobgoblin Attack vs Fendahl FF: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Hobgoblin Attack vs Fendahl FF: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Hobgoblin Attack vs Yanos: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Hobgoblin Attack vs Orryn FF: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Hobgoblin Attack vs Henry FF: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Hobgoblin Attack vs Vasilios FF: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

All but one arrow misses it's mark, as one lodges in Vasilio's leg.

The southern group of goblins charges the party.

Goblin Attack vs Linnea FF: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Goblin Attack vs Fendahl FF: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Goblin Attack vs Fendahl FF: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Goblin Attack vs Yanos: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Goblin Attack vs Yanos: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Goblin Attack vs Yanos: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

The second goblin charging party proves ineffectual.

Initiative:
Yanos
Goblins 2
Hobgoblins
Goblins 3
Vasilios
Fendahl/Kirrah
Goblins 1
Orryn/Stellah
Linnea
Henry/Indiana

Vasilios, Fendahl/Kirrah are up!

MAP

If I understand this correctly, some goblins are climbing onto the same camels we are riding?

Fendahl lets out a battle call, directs Kirrah to attack the goblins while he draws his katana and swings the blade at the goblin trying to board his camel.

"Rrrrraaarr! "

ride : 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

katana, bless, dust: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 15 damage : 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Lion moves to a goblin and bites.

bite, bless, dust: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 15 damage : 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

If I understand this correctly, some goblins are climbing onto the same camels we are riding?

The scenario assumes the camels are kneeling/sitting on the ground. (which is why they are considered difficult terrain) Going back over the section, I apparently imagined the Ride check, but I find the image, of Fendahl standing his camel back up while goblins try to hang on, compelling, so we'll just roll with unless people don't want to.

I pictured us standing atop a camel knocking goblins off...'king of the mountain' style lol

Oh, and find poor Kirrah a nice goblin to eat...she has 40' move but with sleeping camels, I could not tell where she could go. I would not want her to climb camels.

Acro vs DC 15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Acro vs DC 15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Ref vs DC 15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Fendahl kicks his heels into his camel, causing it to rise. Both goblins grab the camel's hide and cling on, rising with the beast. Fendahl slices down with his katana and takes the head off of one of the goblins, while Kirrah sinks her teeth into the other, causing it to lose it's grip on the camel.

Has the map been updated since the goblin attacks? Or is it as is?

Vasilios will take a 5 foot step if needed and cast grease in the biggest patch of goblins hobgoblins he can get. Reflex DC 14

It's been updated.

It's been updated.

Sorry read it quick thought they charged in, missed the whole firing bows part.