GMTrex's PFS [Normal Mode] 05-21 The Merchant's Wake (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Trexler

The onslaught of undead rush through the manor. On the stairs Meredith snaps her fingers and a 15 foot vine springs from her hand. She uses this to quickly trip the zombies and knock them away.

Meredith's normal CMB is 2. Her Verdant Bloodline power lets her use a 15 foot whip to make trip attempts with a CMB of 4. She can use it 6 times per day.

CMB: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 +2 if using Tanglevine

Then they block the hall. Meredith grabs her sickle and hacks away at them.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Moving ahead, Meredith barely notices the trap, but leaps out of the way.

Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Upon reaching the door, Meredith begins prying away the barricade in front of it.

Strength Check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Dieb follows Torsk as they bob and weave through the undead onslaught

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Deib conjures ephemeral ichor and launches a fusillade of Disrupt Undead at the wall of flesh in the hall.

Ranged Touchy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Dieb leaps deftly over the trap with an agility the belies his frame.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Dieb keenly discerns the door, and using his vast array of knowledge from many different disciplines keenly discerns that it is, indeed, a door!

Knowledge Engineering: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Polo uses his height as an advantage to knock into the zombies at their knees, putting them off balance to fall down the stairs.
CMB: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

He eagerly pierces straight through the wall of zombies blocking the hall, clearing a line for his companions to follow. He seems almost like a comet ripping through space with his red dyed, flame emblazoned armor and unwavering strength.
MW Lance: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

His mind still distracted on the fun of running through a wall of flesh, he barely has time to react as soon as he notices the trap.
Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Polo doesn't hesitate as he reaches the barred door, continuing his rush. He slightly lowers his body and rams headfirst into it as if he were a petite rhinoceros.
Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

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Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Petrus easily leaps down the stairs

Greatsword: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
But comes down slightly off balance and makes a clumsy swing with his sword

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
And then stumbles straight into the waiting trap

Strength: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Then finally joins Polo in attempting to bag the door in

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Polo drew my post. http://i.imgur.com/rvsq80yl.jpg

Petrus leaps gracefully down the stairs, lands off balance, stumbles through a gaggle of zombies straight into a trap that flings him into the door Dieb is attempting to dismantle, before Polo charges straight into it.

I thought you all needed to see this.

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Haha, hilarious!

Zombies on the Stairs!
Acrobatics (DC 20): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

They're Blocking the Hall!
Attack! (AC 20): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

What's This Trap Doing Here?
Reflex Save (DC 15): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Barricaded Door
STR roll (DC 17): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Ummm...1 out of 4?

Better than me, lol. Meredith gently brushed everything with vines and flowers before getting slammed into a door by the trap.

Alright, let's see what happens here.

Dieb and Petrus leap the banister, crashing through the mass of zombies below and clearing the way for their party-mates. Polo takes on the ones in the hall, spearing a half dozen along his sharp lance, with Petrus and Torsk cutting down those off to the side and Dieb making sure they stay down. Meredith nearly gets a new haircut as the trap's blades lash out at her, but quick-thinking Cesare manages to snatch her out of the way just in time. Dieb starts tinkering with the door just as the rest of the party catches up and just barrels through it.

Story time: when I played this, the GM didn't notice that the last challenge said "Swim Check" on the tile, leading to the hilarious mental image of the party attempting to 'swim' through a door. It makes sense... if you don't think too hard! :)

Inside Temel's apartment, furniture is strewn everywhere and several vases lie smashed on the floor. A light breeze and dying light creep in through the open window, bathing the room in long shadows. Temel stands in an austere, if defensive, posture, facing off against man robed from head to toe in white with a headwrap obstructing his face. Temel's own gold-and-white robes have taken on a shade of red around a dart buried in his ribs.

Just as you spring into action, the remaining windows smash and two zombies climb through!

Initiative Round I - bold may act!
1. Torsk
2. Assassin
3. Cesare (1 nonlethal), Dieb, Temel (4 dmg), Polo
4. Zombies
5. Petrus, Meredith

Torsk, sees the assassin on Temel decides that know is his chance to severely hinder the enemy, while he is hopefully caught off guard.

He moves forward, drawing his katana on the way and infusing with with arcane energy, as well as crackling lighting. He steps up, and takes a swing, hoping to deliver a solid blow.

+1 katana, spellstrike shocking grasp, - power attack, flat footed?: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 - 1 = 21 +3 bonus on attack rolls if the opponent is wearing metal armor (or is carrying a metal weapon or is made of metal)

katana: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12
shock grasp: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7

Well that makes things a little anti-climactic. :)
Not flat-footed (you've entered in the middle of the combat) but it's plenty good enough anyway.

Torsk lands a heavy blow, electricity lighting up the assassin's frame. Nearly finished, all he can do is step out of the way and draw a potion.

Temel retreats away from the assassin and the zombies and readies to defend himself.

Round I - bold may act!
1. Torsk
2. Assassin (19 dmg)
3. Cesare (1 nonlethal), Dieb, Temel (4 dmg), Polo
4. Zombies
5. Petrus, Meredith

Cesare enters the room and begins exhorting his fellows to their best efforts. "Come on, Pathfinders! Swords up and into the fray! There's plenty of glory for all, but not if Torsk beats them all first! Go, go, go!"

Inspire Courage. Everyone gets +1 to hit, +1 damage.

Sweet, sweet Magus burst damage

Just trying to make everyone life easier is all :)

Polo eyes the zombies, but realizes they are too far away for his Halfling legs to take him to in time to accomplish anything. Not without Eclipse, anyhow. Seeing the would-be murderer draw the potion, Polo charges to finish him of before he gets the chance to use it, drawing his greatsword on the way. SW, 2S

Greatsword: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 20
Damage: 1d10 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

AC currently at 18 for no shield and charge penalty

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Enhanced by Cesare's encouraging shouts, Polo's weapon punches through the assassin's studded leather and comes out through his spine. The blow leaves him all but lifeless on the floor in a growing pool of blood.

Round I - bold may act!
1. Torsk
2. Assassin (28dmg, bleeding out) 1d20 ⇒ 5
3. Cesare (1 nonlethal), Dieb, Temel (4 dmg), Polo
4. Zombies
5. Petrus, Meredith

Seeing the assassin fall, Dieb calls upon his simple spell and hurls it at the undead attackers.

Disrupt Undead ranged touchy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Assuming you step into the room to get line of sight for that.

Dieb sends a ray of positive energy at the nearest zombie, flaying its undead flesh!

The zombies mindlessly move to attack the nearest standing creatures: Torsk and Polo. Both get through the Pathfinders' defenses!

Slam @ Torsk: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 HIT Dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Slam @ Polo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 HIT Dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Round II - bold may act!
1. Torsk (12/17hp)
2. Assassin (28dmg, bleeding out)
3. Cesare (1 nonlethal), Dieb, Temel (4 dmg), Polo (14/22hp)
4. Zombies (R@4dmg)
5. Petrus, Meredith

Meredith goes for a slightly more defensive option this time. Still with her sickle out from the zombie hoard, Meredith conjures a shield of arcane energy before her. Her skin hardens briefly, like the bark of a tree.

Casting Shield, moving into almost flanking position with Polo.

+4 AC shield bonus.

+1 Natural Armor for 1d4 ⇒ 1 round. Her AC is now 16

Petrus moves to flank the zombie on the right with Meredith, and swings with his greatsword.

Greatsword: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 21 Damage: 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4, 4) + 3 + 1 = 12

He turns to Torsk who is facing down the final zombie and shouts

"Finish this!"

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The priest of Gorum's blade slices the zombie in half!

Round II - bold may act!
1. Torsk (12/17hp)
2. Assassin (28dmg, bleeding out)
3. Cesare (1 nonlethal), Dieb, Temel (4 dmg), Polo (14/22hp)
4. Zombie
5. Petrus, Meredith

2-h: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 151d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

1d20 ⇒ 6

Torsk lands another substantial blow, but fails to fully incapacitate the zombie. Meanwhile, the last light of life fades from the assassin. Temel watches with a distant stare.

Round II - bold may act!
1. Torsk (12/17hp)
2. Assassin (dead)
3. Cesare (1 nonlethal), Dieb, Temel (4 dmg), Polo (14/22hp)
4. Zombie (8 dmg)
5. Petrus, Meredith

Polo charges at the final foe! SW,W

Greatsword: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 14
Damage: 1d10 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10

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Can't charge through allies and must move in a straight line (which passes through Petrus in this case) but the thing has a whopping AC of 12, so with Cesare's help you hit!

Polo runs the last enemy through! Out of initiative!

The sounds of combat elsewhere in the manor have died down, a few screams pierce the air here and there, but mostly it's crying and terrified/desperate/confused chatter.

My bad. I thought since I was east of Petrus that moving SW was ok.

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Petrus searches the body of the assassin, and retrieves the potion the it had drawn but never had time to drink.

Perception : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

If it's a light blue potion, as I suspect...

He moves to Temel and offers it to him.

"Drink this my friend, it'll set you to rights."

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Combat dies down, and Meredith relaxes as her skin returns to normal and the arcane shield dissipates.

"Assassins...Temel?" She turns to Temel to see if he has suffered any significant injury. She seems anxious to check on the other guests, though.

No worries!

Temel ignores his wound and comes over to watch the search of the body. Petrus finds a fair amount of stuff, including a potion he identifies as cure light wounds, another potion he doesn't identify, a smokestick, and tanglefoot bag, some mundane weapons and armor, antitoxin, several poisons, caltrops, a dried sunflower, a grappling hook, some silk rope, and--sewn into a fold of his belt--a holy symbol of Sarenrae.

You also find a bag with 51 gold pieces minted in the Five Kings Mountains, at the sight of which Temel offers a curt thanks (so as to not seem too indebted) and storms from the room. "...so, this is how it is."

From the hallway you hear the voices of Temel and Metella shouting at each other, with Aaqir trying to calm them down.

"You send an ASSASSIN to off me at a FUNERAL?"
"Listen you lily-livered Druman, explain THESE coins bearing the mark of Kalistrade! Like as not you sent an assassin after yourself as cover, or because you're just stupid!"
"DWARF, I WILL--"
"Merchants, please! I expect there is some reasonable explanation! Calm down, calm down, please!"

Knowledge Religion w/ Guidance : 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 = 18

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Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Petrus moves to the corpses of the zombies and inspects them for any clues while saying to his companions:

"This symbol marks the assassin as an adherent of The Cult of the Dawnflower. I've never met one of theirs before, and know little of them aside from that they're a small offshoot of the faith of Sarenrae. And apparently that their services are for sale if you're in the market for a dead merchant.

And..."

Petrus lowers his voice

"It does not escape notice that Jakti attempted to persuade us to remain by his side while two of his competitors were targeted. Hardly enough to prove anything, but it raises my suspicions against him yet further."

Petrus glances down at the other potion as he speaks and then unstoppers it and tastes a drop in an attempt to discern its contents.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

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"Nobles. Smiles in one hand, daggers in the other." Meredith mumbles as she notes the coins, then hears Temel and Metella shouting. "Let's calm them down."

"The most plausible explanation is that someone is trying to rile you two up. Assassins were most likely paid by the same person with obvious clues to implicate the both of you." Meredith raises her voice, hoping to get their attention. "We need to keep a cool head and think this through carefully. Once this is all settled, you can continue fighting over your trade routes."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

The zombies are covered in dirt as though recently dug up from a graveyard. The potion is a potion of invisibility.

The merchants eye each other somethin' fierce but shut up for the time being. Aaqir pulls you aside:

"This is all so bizarre! First Zarmina, now... zombies! Assassins! Some power must be at work here. I must say, I am concerned for the safety of Umut--the zombies seem to have come from the direction of the graveyard and she has not returned from her preparations in the crypt. She should have been back long ago. Please, go to the graveyard and make sure she is safe! I will stay here to tend to the guests and guard against any further attacks."

Torsk simply listens to the merchants accuse one another and lets out a exasperated sigh. He is concerns about the growing zombie horde, and nods to Aaqir, when directed towards the graveyard.

I will do my best to aid in finding her.

He awaits for the rest of his party, wondering how much he has left in the tank.

"Aye, as Meridith says. How foolish would they be to pay an assassin with such a giveaway as that? It's a false clue intended to rial you up. "

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

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That was supposed to post over an hour ago ><

"Perhaps there we can cut off these abominations at the source."

He turns to Petrus. "We should finally have our companions back once we are out of this mansion."

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"Yes, let's find out who is desecrating those bodies." Meredith heads off toward the graveyard, but then stops herself and turns to Polo and Petrus. "Let's get your companions first, though!"

She almost cracks a smile at the thought of those cute wolves...

Bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Oh, her face is beaming!

Petrus listens to Aaqir's request ands nods.

"We will do as you ask. Before we go though, you should know, the assassin who attacked Temel bore this holy symbol marking them as a member of the Cult of the Dawnflower. I suspect the one who went after Metella is another such one. Might you know anything about this group, and its members, means or motivations? And what of al'Awar? Was he hurt in the attack?"

Petrus notices Meredith fail to suppress a grin at the thought of the two wolves waiting outside.

"I'm certain they will be glad to see you as well." He says pleasantly and follows his compatriots outside.

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She almost cracks a smile at the thought of those cute wolves... Bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Oh, her face is beaming!

lol

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She almost cracks a smile at the thought of those cute wolves...

Bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Oh, her face is beaming!

Ha, I like that.

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Lol, that reminds me of this post from John Compton a while back that cracked me up for a seriously unreasonable amount of time. :)

"Oh, Jakti's fine. He and his guards were actually quite helpful in repelling the horde; he's down the hall tending to some of the wounded. I wondered what compelled him to bring guards in the first place? Anyway. Hmmm, Cult of the Dawnflower you say? Odd that they'd target Temel and Metella. We've dealt with them before, very secretive. They're a little radical, dedicated to destroying evil wherever they find it. In fact, there was this one time in Oppara..." Aaqir collects himself. "But now's no time for stories! We must see to the safety of Umut! Hurry!"

You can bring your wolves for this one. Please add them to the map.

The graveyard used by the Bahjari family is one they share with several other wealthy families in Katheer. Small crypts and mausoleums containing the matriarchs and patriarchs dot the fenced-in burial ground, and freestanding gravestones mark where less influential family members are interred. Many graves have been disturbed, and the doors of several mausoleums hang open. To the south lies the Bahjari family mausoleum. A woman clad in black robes lies prone near its door.

Upon closer inspection, you find an unconscious Umut face-down in the mud, covered in bruises and cuts and torn robes. The door to the Bahjari mausoleum is shut, but looks recently disturbed and is not locked or trapped.

Petrus whistles shrilly on exiting the manor, and Tipple bounds to his side. He reaches down to scratch the beast behind the ears and smiles.

"Who's a good boy? You are."

On entering the graveyard:

"Well this certainly bodes poorly..." Says Petrus as he kneels to inspect the unconscious priest.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Unconscious but alive. Injuries look to be zombie-inflicted.

Eclipse darts to Polo and lays down to allow him an easy mount. Once in the saddle, Polo sheaths his greatsword and equips his scizore on his left hand. He brings out his Lance on his right, eager to skewer more undead on its point.

"Is she stable?" Polo asks Petrus as he inspects the body.

"Whatever did that to her is probably not far off...and Eclipse has yet to have any fun today. Looks like you still have time to join in the fun, old friend." The wolf's tag starts to wag as Polo pats his scruff.

"Is she stable?" Polo asks Petrus as he inspects the body."[/b]

"Looks like she got a taste of the same thing we were served back at the manor, but she'll live, with a little help."

Petrus takes out the potion Temel refused to take earlier, and pours it down the priest's throat.

If that fails to revive her, he'll use his wand of CLW

When the priest wakes, Petrus says
"Easy does it. You came pretty close to needing the services of one of your fellow Pharasman priests just now. What happened here?"

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

The priest sputters a bit as the potion is poured down her throat. Coughing and sitting up, she looks around at the gathered Pathfinders. "Agh! Oh. Uh. I came her to put the gifts in the crypt, and when I set them down one of them sent out a massive burst of necromantic energy! I barely had time to get out before the dead within rose from their graves, and I only met more of them when I got out here. I managed to shut the crypt's door and battled the rest out here as best I could, but... well, you can see how that turned out." Standing up straight, she points toward's the stone door. "Please! I need your help to finish off the risen Bahjari! You go in first, I'll stay in the back and make sure to keep you alive!"

Meredith asks "...do you remember which gift released this energy?" before following her companions into the crypt.

Polo leers at the priest, but isn't one to turn down leading a charge.

Growing up away from people certainly can be a handicap when it comes to reading them at times...

Petrus listens to the priest's account of events and tries to determine if she's entirely trustworthy.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

"Do you know which gift it was?"