GM Tektite's PFS #14 The Many Fortunes of Grandmaster Torch (Inactive)

Game Master Hawkwen Agricola

Is that all you can tell us? I´m sure you know more!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

At Koemi's urging, Torch tells the party a little about each of the buyers-

Nasir Tandir: “Nasir Tandir is a jowly fellow who runs a warehouse in the Overmarket near Candlewood and Zephyr.”
Viraj Arpani: “Viraj Arpani tends to hang around the Overmarket too—he’s new in town, but he’s unmistakeable. He’s Vudran and covered with little bells.”
Buri Buri-Ban: “Buri Buri-Ban’s a Garundi fellow—pretty beefy. His favorite café fronts on Sengali square.”
Saldin Marafi: “Saldin Marafi has a shop in the Secure Market. It’s toward the back in one of the more secure nooks. Good luck getting in there.”

This information was under the spoiler. Just reposting for ease.

Torch smiles thinly. Anymore questions?

I don't think I sent out Faction Missions. Technically we started this in Season Four, but it's up to you guys if you want to do the missions or not. Just let me know.

A Vudran covered with little bells? What foul magic does he wield? And what is a secure market? Everyone knows the pickpockets gather at alle the markets!

True enough. So you want to go there first?

"I thought our mission was to find out the names of the buyers. We just did that. We should return to the Venture-Captain and find out whether she wants us to purchase the statues from them."

I'm interested in seeing faction missions and then deciding if they are worth bothering with.

Hmm, guess your right. Alright, but lets hurry. I'd hate for the statues to change hands yet again and have to track them down once more.

Either way is OK with me.

Actually you need to go retrieve the statues. Looking over the intro, I see that it wasn't clear. So where are you headed first?

"I say we should visit the Overmarket first, since half of the people we need to question are there."

Then plese lead the way, Brother Stonewall. But not so hasty please. This Armor is quite heavy and i´m not as fast as you anyway.

Torch quickly answers Koemi's question about the Secure Market. The Secure Market? It’s a market for the paranoid—no weapons allowed in, anti-magic field, thewhole works. I guess the sort of people who set up shop there would be buying so many guards and security measures that the license seems cheap in comparison. Of course, they tend to keep guards around anyway—big bruisers who don’t need weapons.

Delightful

An antimagic field? You telling me my magic won´t work there? Which dismal evil spirit has thought out that?

Looking around between the other team members she judges the girth of your muscles.

Well i won´t be of much use there, if i´m even without my crossbow. Don´t like violance that much anyway. Can try some talking, but the rest will probably your job, whatever it needs.

To Torch again:

Those other guys, something similar tricky about them to know too? Better tell us fast!

No weapons? Hmph. Sittng ducks is what we'll be.

I don't know as much of anything else about the other three. I do know that Arpani fellow is some sort of eastern mystic—he’s got bells all over his robes. Maybe it’s a religious thing.

Would you know how these people set up a stall in such a place, who they would talk to? It could be an interesting lead.

Diplomacy 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

At that comment from Arryn Koemi wide-eyed chimes in:
Definately an interesting topic. You say it´s totaly prevented from magic by this antimagic field and there are guards and then still private guards. Is there someone private running this place? Or is it something official? They surely have something like an administration! What it would cost to have a stall there i wonder....

Diplomacy Aid another: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

I imagine you'd have to know the right person, or at least grease the right palms. Can't be that difficult, can it?

Aid Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

Torch shakes his head sadly. The licenses are extremely expensive and most pass down through families. Obtaining one is well nigh impossible.

Where to first?

"I say we should visit the Secure Market last, that way we can buy supplies at our other stops that might be useful for... unexpected happenings there."

Let us head there immediately

So what is the consensus on where you are going first?

Koemi votes to see the Vudran guy firs. She is very curious about the bells on his cloak, but very reluctant to go to the secure market and his magic free zone. A habitat where she would not feel comfortable.

Faldoc doesn't like the sound of the Secure Market either. Sounded like some wanted to go there in the beginning but I think we are being swayed toward going there last. I'll put my vote with Koemi's choice.

Investigator Stonewall concurs with Koemi that they should hunt up Viraj Arpani first, though for more logical reasons (he'll be keeping an eye out for Nasir Tandir and useful supplies at the Overmarket while hunting for Viraj Arpani).

Arryn reluctantly agrees to the gnomes proposal of finding Viraj Arpani first.

Vahn shrugs uncarring to the specifics and fine with following the gnomes suggestions.

After wandering around the Overmarket looking for a Vudrani covered with little bells, your party practically runs right into him. What Torch said was true—he is unmistakable. Sitting on the rim of a fountain, the man appears to be contemplating the contents of a small intricately carved wooden box. The many pouches of his flowing, bell-covered robes bulge with various small items, and wands and rods stick out from odd folds. Under his arm he casually carries an item wrapped in shipping linens but by its shape it is almost surely a statue.

Koemi freely approaches him.
Look at all those bells! How interesting! What are they for? They suit you very well. She tries to sweettalk him.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

My companion has excellent taste and perception - you are clearly a man who understands much and thinks deeply. Would you have a few minutes for her?

Aid Another 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Faldoc will scan the local area for any hired muscle that the man may have with him.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Vahn stays back letting the more charismatic members of the group do the talking. Also keeping an eye out for any additional threats.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Ah knowing there are some responsible members of my team watching my back is a good feeling! I´m so curious about those bells! Hopefully i can get that guy talking.

As Koemi begins to speak to the Vudrani, his eyes grow wide as he see the group of Pathfinders. He pulls out a wand and points it at the group saying, "Leave me be! I am a powerful wizard, not to be trifled with! Arpani chants and moves his fingers in intricate arcane patterns. His form loses substance and turns to a wispy cloud, but as it does, the bundle under his arm begins to vibrate, crackle, and grow. His eyes widen as his body resolidifies and the statue bursts out of its wrappings, seemingly absorbing the arcane energy from Viraj’s failed spell. Linen, strings, and little bells skitter across the pavingstones. On the ground now, the statue continues to grow, taking on the form of writhing, giant centipedes.

Initiative:
Faldoc
Morgrim
Centipedes
Arpani
Koemi
Vahn
Arryn

Faldoc and Morgrim are up!

MAP

OK, I wasn't expecting that!

I don't think I said but I'm assuming I have my bow at the ready. I will fire at the one in front of the party, then move back behind the party.

Bow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Having failed to identify the spell that the 'powerful wizard' failed to cast, Stonewall draws his battleaxe and moves to intercept the nearest centipede.
My shield isn't out, so I'm at AC 18.

What sort of knowledge check is it to know things about these creatures?

Knowledge (nature)

Faldoc fires a shot at the centipede, but misses.

Morgrim draws his axe and moves to take on the nearest bug.

Two of the centipedes attack Morgrim

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

One of the giant bugs, manages to bite Morgrim, but does not break the skin, only bruising the dwarf.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

The third bug attack Arpani, but misses as well.

Arpani withdraws, clambering over the fountain to get away.

Initiative:
Faldoc
Morgrim
Centipedes
Arpani
Koemi
Vahn
Arryn

Party up!

MAP

Arryn moves past the dwarf, risks an attack of opportunity from the centipede and then grapples the caster in a tackle.

Grapple 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Having another round of crappy rolls across my several PbP games it seems

How can they be faster than me? Better not let my friends eat a rainbow!

Koemi steps out of the line behind a chair, fires her crossbow at one of the too big insects and reloads.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 61d6 ⇒ 1

Unfortunately now the chair she hides behind is in the way and her shot fails.

Vahn steps up and waits for the centipede in the back to move up before he tosses a bomb, his hands anxiously holding onto one of his many vials.

Ready action to toss bomb if centipede moves into one of the spots marked with a red X.

Damn it! Try to keep that bug in one place, will ya?

Bow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Wheeee! We are quite skilled at the fighting stuff, huh?

Morgrim puts a shield between him and the centipede, much as he is now serving as a shield for three of his fellow Pathfinders. AC 19

He tries, at the same time, to get back at the centipede that bruised him.
Atk, Damg: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 111d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

It isn't likely to matter, but he has taken 1 point of nonlethal.

Minimum Damage: If penalties reduce the damage result to less than 1, a hit still deals 1 point of nonlethal damage.

Arryn tries to tackle the Vudrani, but misses.

Koemi attacks, but misses as well.

Faldoc fires an arrow, but it goes wide!

Vahn readies an attack.

Morgrim swing, but has the same luck as his party, missing.

The rear centipede moves up and Vahn launches his bomb, smashing it into the giant bug and injuring it.

W: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
E: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

The fiery mixture splashes onto the other two centipedes, injuring them as well.

The Vudrani withdraws even further, trying to get away from Arryn and the bugs.

The bugs attack!

Attack vs Arryn: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

Attack vs Morgrim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Attack vs Morgrim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

One of the bugs hits Morgrim again, but again, does not break the skin.

Party up!

MAP

Koemi beginns to fuddle with the scroll case at her waist, tying to pull out a scroll which seems to actively evade her grip. When she finaly succeeds she waddles around the chairs and tables.

Bow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Faldoc tries, yet again, to shoot the centipede in his sights with an arrow, this time finally connecting. About time you guys kept still long enough for me to get a clean shot! Faldoc exclaims, trying as he might to cover up his recent ineptitude.

Koemi digs around for stuff.

Faldoc fires an arrow. It hits the eastern centipede, bringing it down.

Vahn, Arryn, and Morgrim!

Arryn runs after and attempts to tackle the fleeing wizard.

Grapple 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Cannot.catch.a.break

Vahn pulls out his crossbow and takes a shot at the centipede in front of Morgrim.

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

Morgrim's battleaxe cleaves the air, but, unfortunately, not the centipede.
Atk, Damg: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 61d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

AC 19, 2 points of nonlethal

Arryn, Vahn, and Morgrim all try to attack their foes, but alas, all miss.

Arpani withdraws even faster, evading Arryn, the Vudrani disappears in the crowd.

The remaining two centipedes attack Morgrim.

Attack vs Morgrim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Attack vs Morgrim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Fort Save Morgrim vs DC13: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

One of the centipedes manages to bite through Morgrim's thick skin. The inquisitor feels the wound begin to burn, but the feeling passes just as quickly.

Party up!

MAP