GM Tektite's PFS #06-09 By Way of Bloodcove (Inactive)

Game Master Hawkwen Agricola

Observing that Velidor is distracted by Súrë amiable antics, Obyrn flashes the wayfinder to the sylph instead.

If that's permissible, that makes a 29 SoH from me and a 20 Survival from Súrë.

Though they encounter som edifficulties as Obryn conceals the wayfinder, and Sure tries to take surreptitious glances, the party manages to follow the wayfinder to a section of Bloodcove that occupies dry land. There, a fountain stands in a small plaza, and the needle points to an unoccupied storefront. There is little of interest inside the building beyond its cellar door, which is sealed with an imposing iron padlock.

"Well, is that a dead end then?" Sure asks, not catching on that imposing iron padlocks are often imposing for the reason that they have something important behind them.

"SQUAWK!" offers Ilivan.

We didn't come here to be turned away by a padlock. Which one of you has the talent of a scoundrel? Anyone? Jaysin will give way to whoever might either pick or smash the lock open.

Obyrn rolls his eyes at both the stuffy noble and the lackadaisical sylph and gets out his tools. "Just do me a favor and make sure no one is looking in the windows."

And shut up. Bloody elephants.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27

Obyrn decides that sharing this information with his companions is unnecessary. After checking the trap door for actual traps (Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26) he opens it and says quietly "I've got it open. Let's go."

Obryn opens the cellar door to reveal a small chamber containing a single, sealed scroll tube.

All that for scroll tube? Jaysin shakes his head in disbelief. Well, lets see what it says, shall we?

Opening the scroll tube reveals Malika's, the Pathfinder, report you were sent ot recover.

What now? Remember what you were tasked to do.

As I suspected. The fighter tries to look smug as the report is retrieved. Put that away before you lose it and lets continue the mission.

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 3 = 24 Obyrn tucks it away in one of his many interior pockets. "Let's close up out of here and see if that Aspis man is still hiring, perhaps?"

"Yep, one step down. Now we need to sabotage the Apsis effort and gain the Society some friends in this place. Let's do it."

"Oh boy! I love making new friends...."

"Good job.. Lets continue."

Heading back to the tavern, you find that the Bonuwat is still there, though he is in the process of leaving. When approached, he says. "Why would 'ant t' 'ire people who are late 'eh?"

"Because we are liable to be the best crew you will find out of these sorry lots," Tess says with a grin.

Bluff: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30

"Oh, we're not really late, friend--you're still here! Name's Argo, Argo Blackburn, and these are my people. We thought it'd be best to check out your operation before signing up, and mate, it looks like you'll be needing the extra help. And like Allahenna said," he waves a hand at Tessara, "we're better than anyone else you could hire."

The half-elf leans in a bit closer. "See, I'm looking to off-load some merchandise, in a discreet kind of way. I figure, we scratch your backs, you'll scratch ours, no? We're willin' to help you out pro bono for a little good favor with your higher ups."

The Bonuwat stares at Obryn for a long moment, the shakes his head. "Ha'la'lu is going to the docks, he'll take you." He says, pointing to a Bekyar man. Shaking his head again, the man heads out the door.

Following the Bekyar, the party is led to the docks. The dock is bustling with porters packing supplies into crates and building pallets to be loaded onto the boats using an overhead winch. While working alongside the dockworkers guarantees the party access to look around, opportunities to actually sabotage the operation in a meaningful way without being seen are slim. You think you'll have to wait until th end of the workday, as midday break has already passed.

I can't believe I'm actually doing the work of a laborer. For the Society and all that, eh Pathfinder? Blah blah blah! Jaysin will do enough to not cause any trouble.

Ha! Watching the prat of a noble try to maintain his dignity is ample payment for this. Obyrn likewise mostly keeps his head down throughout the afternoon, but he does make a few attempts here and there to tie shoddy knots, get food barrels wet, and perform other acts of minor sabotage without being noticed.

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

Lillian does what she can, but not being very strong tries to stick to the lesser jobs.. She's mostly there just to look at..

Tess tries her best to blend in with the other workers, drawing no attention until she might have a chance to conduct sabotage.

As the day winds down, the workers pack up and head off to home. As you linger, you note a handful of hired guards patrols the warehouse.

What are you guys going to do?

Obyrn will make small talk with the guards, trying to assess their loyalty to the Aspis as well as what they know of the mission. "Hey there! Wow, what a scorcher today? Certainly makes moving crates sweaty work. You been here long?" Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 ha

If they seem loyal, Obyrn will also use this as an opportunity to distract the guards while his comrades perform some sabotage. Bluff: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23

(If they're not loyal, he'll take a different course.)

"I think sabotaging the winch might be be the way to go to start. Maybe we could poke some holes in the barrels, too. Any other ideas?"

Sure is a bit too naive to think of sabotage on his own but he will follow the orders of others if they tell him what to do.

Jaysin will try to loosen a few lids on crates and barrels as he can safely accomplish as Obyrn keeps them busy with conversation. He'll also assist Tess with the idea of jamming the winch or some like method of sabotage.

"If we have any loud tasks, like I don't know, completely destroying the lifting winch, I can cast Silence beforehand, so that we can make as much noise as we need, and no one will know the better."

"That silence spell will come in handy indeed."

If Tessara casts her silence spell and asks Sure for help, he will help destroy the winch.

So any other concrete ideas other than destroying the winch? DM, is there some Knowledge skills that might give us some hints on simple but effective sabatoges?

Obryn tries talking to the guard, but the man frowns and threatens to run him off.

The party causes minor mischief outside, but feel more should be done.

Possible sabotage plots:
Brute Strength: The PCs might just use a weapon to stave in the boats’ hulls. Each hull has hardness 5 and 20 hit points.
Disable Device: The PCs can disable the rudders, anchors, or tools more subtly, causing the crew to perform timeconsuming repairs only after they are farther from Bloodcove.
Spoiled Supplies: Less moral PCs could decide to tamper with the expedition’s rations.
Burn the World: A flashier option involves starting a fire in the warehouse or on the dock. As such areas are vulnerable to fires, the dockworkers have protocols in place to quickly contain and fight any fire that breaks out. The PCs must use accelerants such as oil, alchemist’s fire, or a massive explosion like fireball to ensure the flames spread fast enough to ensure their effectiveness.

Going to need Stealth checks for you sabotage.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 Oh, come on...

Jaysin will tamper with the rations, perhaps leaving something unsealed so it spoils or by adding something like salt water/sewage/something.

Velidor whispers to the others "Well i am fairly stealthy and can offer a hand at disabling devices if that is the route we want to take."

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32...Disable Device: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

How many guards are there?

DM, will my silence spell help with gaining any bonuses for stealth on the sabatoges?

"You strong lot, bash in the ship's hulls. My silence spell cast on a weapon should allow you all about thirty seconds to bash away to your heart's content, and no one will hear a thing. Don't mess around....put a real hole in the hull. Use your best weapons."

Does anyone have any alchemist's fire or lantern oil? I have Burning Hands memorized, so if I could find an accelerant, we could get a nice blaze going, I bet. If we could get it going in the warehouse, I bet it would be harder to contain.

"I have three alchy fires..."

Sure offers up his four alchemist's fires and a pellet grenade if they are needed.

"Veldir, you said you are sneaky. Can you help me sneak in the warehouse? With those alchemist's fires and my spells, we could light that whole place up. Sure, could you create a distraction out here to catch the guard's attention?"

"Maybe the rest of you could bash the ship's hull in for me."

If the group agrees, she casts Silence on one of the weapons, and heads off with Velidor.

Nevermind, I'm doing this regardless of how many guards there are.

"Whoa, man! I'm just trying to be friendly here! No need to get snippy. I'm goin' I'm going. Really, you should try to relax more. I mean, look at your shoulders. All tense. Tension's a killer, man, you gotta relax. Look, I'll get out of your hair. Didn't mean to be in the way, just makin' pleasant conversation. I'm a friendly guy, it's what I do."

When the man's attention begins to turn (inevitably) towards Jaysin tinkering with the rations, he gives a shout and points out the Taldan. "LOOK OUT! There's somebody messing with our stuff!"

After that he'll scream/shout/wave his harms to cause enough of a distraction (Bluff: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (16) + 20 = 36) for the others to do the job while Jaysin runs.

You notce the groups of guards usually contain about a half-dozen men and a guard dog.

As Obryn begins berating the guard, Jaysin begins tampering with the rations, only to be called out by Obryn! The guard lets out a long whistle, then yells at the party. Moments later, a set of guards appears from around the side of the building!

Initiative:
Lillian
Obryn
Tessara
Velidor
Guard Leader
Guard Dog
Jaysin
Guards
Sure

Lillian, Obryn, Tessara, and Velidor are up!

Map

Well, I suppose this was inevitable. :P

Obyrn pulls out his longspear and stabs the guard in front of him.

Spear @ Green FF: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 3d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (6, 4, 2) = 17

"Surprise!"

He then steps five feet back.

Tess moves forward 5' and sends a lightning bolt at the congregated guard group with the dog.

Lightning Bolt Damage 5d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 5, 2, 1) = 10

Reflex DC 18 for half.

Worst. Lightning. Bolt. Ever.

What the blazes is that fool doing?!? Jaysin, obviously stunned by the recent developments, just stands there gawking at the fight breaking out. Just waiting my turn.

"Is this 'kill them' time?" Velidor asks as he aims his boomstick at one of the guards...readied action if the guards move closer to the group in a threatening manner

@Tess: Lightning Bolt is a line. Are you hitting the north, two men, or the south, man and dog.