Female Human Female Human |Brawler 1 |HP: 13/13 | AC16 T 12 FF 14 | F+5 R+4 W+1 | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +1 | CMB +4 | CMD ~16 | Speed 30
diplomacy:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17LOL!
"Well, while you guys were sitting around oggling the scenery, I asked around a little. The name Ezmerlilly Vanderpoof came up a few times. He's a gnome that should be very interested in what we have."
If no one else has diplomacy, then that is about all we can do. There is at 25+ spoiler under the 15, but we cannot get there unless someone is diplo heavy
"I was an animal companion to one of the pathfinder's seekers. He polymorphed me into a human and gave me full sentience. This body is very new to me. But hey how many new pathfinders have freed gods and uncovered conspiracies within the ten..."
"Forget that last part. I don't know if I am supposed to talk about that."
The trail to Ezmerilly Vanderpoof leads you to a small, non-descript residence in Daggermark. There you are greeted by a female gnome wearing tattered clothing and rags, who quickly ushers inside. Without introducing herself, she quickly surveys the freshly harvested adhesive and silk glands that you produce, the woman’s eyes seem to light up for a moment, before her look becomes more stern.
“If these are genuine, then I am willing to pay quite handsomely for them. A haul like this is will fetch you nearly two hundred gold pieces in the present market. I could go up to two hundred in gold coins. In addition, I could offer you two flasks of alchemist’s fire and three potions of cure light wounds.” Ezmerilly notes.
“But the sudden appearance of outsiders like you, offering precisely what I need at this time… it just all seems to be too convenient. I’m afraid that I am going to have to ask you to leave.” she says.
Sense Motive (DC 15+):
You sense Ezmerlilly is paranoid that she’ll be swindled. Diplomatic efforts placating her will likely work well, whereas her suspicion likely makes her hard to bluff.
Female Human Female Human |Brawler 1 |HP: 13/13 | AC16 T 12 FF 14 | F+5 R+4 W+1 | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +1 | CMB +4 | CMD ~16 | Speed 30
sense motive:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
LOL! paranoid!
Sensing a kindrid spirt, Bressa easily understands where this woman is coming from. But since she lacks any real diplomacy skills, she responds the only way she knows how, with blatant truth. "Yeah, I know right? And I don't blame you for being skeptical; I'd be thinking the same thing. So let me try and ease your fears. We are Pathfinders who are trying to track down a person named Ulisha. We've been following notes she left in this journal, hoping that it would lead us to Ulisha." She lays the journal on the table and opens it to the page talking about this area and the silks. "That is why we are here right now. We followed his notes, killed some spiders, and are now trying to sell it. As you can see right here, he no longer trusts his usual contact and considered finding another. That is why we asked around and were eventually lead to you."
She pauses a second to catch her breath and give the gal time to digest the facts. "You see. We think alike. To avoid being swindled by his usual contact, we sought someone else." She stops and frowns thoughtfully, "But that doesn't explain why you happen to need exactly what we have. Can you tell us more about that? If there is foul play afoot, perhaps it can explain what happened to Ulisha."
“A fair trade’s a fair trade." Ezmerilly Vanderpoof
notes, as she provides the promised payment.
As you prepare to leave, the gnome adds, "By they way, there was a half-orc blathering about some important blade or sword or something she found. Moonsilver, Sliverhex, or somesuch. Kept going on about its history to any who would listen.”[b]
The merchant leans in conspiratorially. [b]“Well I have it from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, that she won’t be needin’ that sword where she’s headed.”
The gnome draws a hand across her neck, making an unpleasant sound. “The Vessels Between will have that one soon enough. You just need to go out there and grab that sword once they’re through, and I happen to know where they found her little camp.”
Female Human Female Human |Brawler 1 |HP: 13/13 | AC16 T 12 FF 14 | F+5 R+4 W+1 | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +1 | CMB +4 | CMD ~16 | Speed 30
"You don't say?" she whispers conspiratorially back while thinking Shazbot! This is gonna get ugly!. "This sounds interesting. So where is this camp? Though I sure wish I knew what exactly is happening there?"
If Ezmerilly is looking for a bribe/payment, Bressa is willing to fork over the coin.
"This sounds interesting. So where is this camp? Though I sure wish I knew what exactly is happening there?"
"What's happening?" Ezmerlilly repeats. "What's happening? I'll tell you what's happening. Seems this man, Anwald Greenfelt, a venerable Taldan and former manservant to the Tullivor family. It was he who whipped up the Revolution’s fury against Ulisha, whom he perceives as the cause of his former masters’ untimely demise. It was Anwald who hired assassins with funds raised by the Revolution. Seems he blames Ulisha for ruining his employment with the Tullivor's. And for what he calls 'a stupid cup'."
"Now, old Ulisha's a few hours up the Dagger River." the gnome continues, committing some scratches and symbols to blank parchment until they begin to resemble a crude map. "She never was good at hiding places, and she liked to brag too much about where she’d been and what she’d found. Bragged too much." The gnome's voice trails off, then she says, “Hells, just take this here map.”
The merchant gladly hands over her quickly sketched map for the party to follow. With the information in hand, the gnome makes it clear that if the party is to save Ulisha, that it must depart quickly to arrive before her assailants do.
The party may be able to learn some information about the Vessels Between.
Diplomacy (gather Information) or Knowledge (local)(DC 15+):
The assassins of Daggermark are more affordable than other hired killers. They refer to themselves as the Vessels Between, as they take targets from life to death.
If the result of your check was 20+, then you also know the information under the following spoiler.
Spoiler:
The more one is willing to pay, the more highly trained the assassin he can hire. The guild doubles as a school for assassins in training, and even these neophytes are available for hire.
If the result of your check was 25+, then you further know the information under the following spoiler.
Spoiler:
Assassins sent on missions outside of the city often work in pairs so as to better protect one another.
Following the map provided by the merchant, you come across the hill marked on the map as containing Ulisha’s hiding place. The hill ahead is not much to look at. It gently slopes away from the river. A shallow cave is near its top, smoke from a campfire curling upward in the gentle breeze. The grass wafts slowly along a gently curving path up the southern face of the hill, ending in a few switchbacks as the hill grows steep near the top.
Female Human Female Human |Brawler 1 |HP: 13/13 | AC16 T 12 FF 14 | F+5 R+4 W+1 | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +1 | CMB +4 | CMD ~16 | Speed 30
"Good, we are in time. Let's hurry up and get him out of there before anyone shows up!" She urges the other to make haste as she rushes toward the cave. (Please tell me the way isn't trapped!)
Female Human Female Human |Brawler 1 |HP: 13/13 | AC16 T 12 FF 14 | F+5 R+4 W+1 | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +1 | CMB +4 | CMD ~16 | Speed 30
"Oh, you're right. Assassins. They could already be here and we might never see them. We could walk into an ambush meant for her. Better us than her, but yes, we should be cautious so we are not too surprised."
Loaded crossbow in hand (why do I even bother with that thing?), Bressa moves with the party, paying careful attention to where we are going.
As you approach, you are somewhat taken by surprise as an armed half-orc appears from behind a rocky outcropping. Grasped within her hand is a razor-sharp sickle, its silvery sheen glistens in the sunlight. You recognize this individual immediately as the curious and capable half-orc explorer named, Ulisha. There is a look of surprise on her face.
"When I heard someone approaching, I didn't expect it to be the lot of you." she says with a smile and sigh of relief. Noting the book in your hand, she says, "I suppose that I shouldn't be completely surprised to see you. But, I'm still curious. Just how did you find me, anyway? And why are all of you here?"
Female Human Female Human |Brawler 1 |HP: 13/13 | AC16 T 12 FF 14 | F+5 R+4 W+1 | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +1 | CMB +4 | CMD ~16 | Speed 30
"The Vessels Between are on their way. Anwald Greenfelt has hired them to kill you. We've been following your journal for some time, but we only just learned about your location and Greenfelt's plans. Granted, they were rumors, but they lead us directly to you. You must leave immediately. Or we at least need to prepare for their arrival."
"The Vessels Between are on their way. Anwald Greenfelt has hired them to kill you. We've been following your journal for some time, but we only just learned about your location and Greenfelt's plans. Granted, they were rumors, but they lead us directly to you. You must leave immediately. Or we at least need to prepare for their arrival."
"Anwald? That sniveling, little..." Ulisha's voice trails off as her lip forms a sneer. She shakes her head, then turns to you with some urgency. "Very well. It no doubt won't be long before the Vessels Between. From what I know of those cut-throats, they'll be eager to prove themselves and will not give up. If they know we've spoken, then they may well be looking to take you down too, especially if they think they can make off with your treasure. Unless any of you has a better idea, I suggest that we set up an ambush."
A toothy grin forms across the half-orcs face as she holds fast to her silvery blade. "What do you say? Are you ready to break a few Vessels?"
Map of Ulisha's hideout is now revealed on Maps (Q6-Silverhex).
HP 48/48 NL 10 | Burn 2/6 | AC 23 t17 f18 CMD 17 | DR 3/adamantine | F+9, R+11, W+3 | Init +5, Perc +9 | Halfling Geokineticist 5 |
Teke grins and surveys the surrounding area, thinking of likely approaches. "So do we think our assassins will cooperate with a casual stroll up these switchbacks?"
Female Human Female Human |Brawler 1 |HP: 13/13 | AC16 T 12 FF 14 | F+5 R+4 W+1 | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +1 | CMB +4 | CMD ~16 | Speed 30
"They're assassins, not mountain goats, right?" She replies to Teke with a little bit of sas. She looks at the switchback and then over her shoulder at other avenues a little nervously. "You had to say that, didn't you? I sure hope they take the straightforward approach."
She walks a little way down the path, "How about Omero and I wait boldly on the path, right here, while the rest of you take up sniping positions on the ledges?" She looks up at the honor-bound, armored, holy-warrior, "Whaddyathink, big boy? You and I give them a fighting chance?"
"Very bold of you, but why don't you come back a bit so some of us who will also be fighting up close can stay concealed by the boulder. Someone with some ranged ability could stay that the entrance in case they do manage to get past us. Finally, I would be traveling in disguise so someone good at detecting lies and seeing true identity should be up front."
Female Human Female Human |Brawler 1 |HP: 13/13 | AC16 T 12 FF 14 | F+5 R+4 W+1 | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +1 | CMB +4 | CMD ~16 | Speed 30
"That is sad," she sighs, "that lies and deceit are so abundant in our society that even someone who was just an animal until recently is familiar enough with them to suggest protecting ourselves from them."
"It sounds like you are putting a sound plan in place." Ulisha notes. "Sounds like Delance will take on a disguise and serve as a lookout along the base of the hill. A few of you will take up sniping positions around the cave while those who fight in close combat stay behind the large boulder."
The half-orc ponders for a moment, then concludes, "If we are to pull off a ruse, I suppose I should remain in the cave out of sight. If it comes to blows, I can offer inspiration to bolster your courage, at least as long as you remain within earshot. The mouth of the cave should sufficiently amplify my voice to allow you to hear me anywhere upon the hill."
Please place your PC's token into "starting position" for the ambush and then roll me Initiative, along with any skill checks for preparation (Disguise, Stealth, etc.). Let me know if a PC is taking 10 on a check.
Male Human (Chelaxian) Paladin (Temple Champion) of Iomedae 2 | 21/22 HP | AC 17, T 12, FF 16 | Fort +6, Ref +2, Will +2 | CMD 17 | Init: +1 | Perc: -2 | SM: -2 | Smite: 1/1 | LoH: 1/2 | Active Condition(s): Unconscious
Omero nods and takes up a position smack dab in the center of the pathway. "Let them come. They shall turn tail and run or face the full fury of the law."
Female Human Female Human |Brawler 1 |HP: 13/13 | AC16 T 12 FF 14 | F+5 R+4 W+1 | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +1 | CMB +4 | CMD ~16 | Speed 30
Bressa stands behind the paladin as he makes his speech, mimicking him. She makes no move to hide it when the hairs on his neck stand up and he turns around. "Oh, get over it. You always say the same thing." she says while giving him a friendly poke with the butt of her long spear. "Also, despite your valiant, hard-nose-ed-ness" she stumbles on that word, trying to put it together, "a bunch of assassins is not going to believe a lone figure would try to stop them by himself." She pauses, tilting her head with a grin, "Unless they happen to be close friends of yours." Her face grows serious again, "No, they'll be more like Delance points out. Since they are already planning an ambush, bait is probably the first thing that'll pop into their heads when they see you. Don't worry though, I'll stand with you. Hopefully that will make us a bit more believable."
Something odd comes over her. Her eyes drop to the ground and she drags her left foot in the dirt, making a quarter circle. "Not that you neeeed backup or anything. They're just too dumb to know that." She stops there, looks up in surprise (as if from a dream), grunts in frustration, and then stalks down to the road.
Male Human (Chelaxian) Paladin (Temple Champion) of Iomedae 2 | 21/22 HP | AC 17, T 12, FF 16 | Fort +6, Ref +2, Will +2 | CMD 17 | Init: +1 | Perc: -2 | SM: -2 | Smite: 1/1 | LoH: 1/2 | Active Condition(s): Unconscious
"Assassin's bleed just as well as anything else. Besides, just perhaps they will get a bit overconfident seeing only a lone obstacle in their path to victory and miss the trap laid for them." Omero lats a cheeky grin cross his face. "Beyond that my height, stature, and general clankiness doesn't do hiding well." Omero gives Bressa a pat on her head with his gauntleted hand.
"One should never turn down backup when it is offered unless that backup will either turn on them, cause them harm, or make what needs doing twice as difficult as it should be." Omero says as he allows his thoughts to roll out. "Granted I can probably handle one or two at a time but more than that and it might get a bit tricky."
"I have travelled with several paladins. They stand in the worst position, utilizing the worst strategy, but they're good at not dying. The rest of us don't have that luxury."
As the party keeps watch for the approaching assassins, an arrow flies toward Omero...
Ranged (Shortbow, mw):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 Damage (P):1d4 ⇒ 1
...and pierces the paladin's armor!
The halfling and the nagaji spot the source of the attack, a halfling armed with a shortbow--undoubtedly one of the Vessels In Between!
Vessel placed on Map!
Combat Surprise Round PCs in bold may take a move or standard action
Male Human (Chelaxian) Paladin (Temple Champion) of Iomedae 2 | 21/22 HP | AC 17, T 12, FF 16 | Fort +6, Ref +2, Will +2 | CMD 17 | Init: +1 | Perc: -2 | SM: -2 | Smite: 1/1 | LoH: 1/2 | Active Condition(s): Unconscious
Omero looks down at the haft of the arrow sticking out from a weak spot in his armor and grimaces. He grips his halberd and takes off at the steady trot towards the archer.
Female Human Female Human |Brawler 1 |HP: 13/13 | AC16 T 12 FF 14 | F+5 R+4 W+1 | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +1 | CMB +4 | CMD ~16 | Speed 30
"Cowards!" Bressa shouts in exasperation. "There are probably more down there, Omero! Keep 'em busy while we put this one out of its misery!" She drops her useless crossbow and double moves toward the red [blood] Vessel, pulling out her long spear. She is in threat range for when he fires again.
Welcome all. The key factor in dividing up tables was by character class. Then, I tried as best as possible to keep folks with the same, general posting times at the same table.
In an effort to make it easier to post and keep track of where PCs are, I have cropped the tactical map to expand its size. I also moved the map of Gralton to the slides with Ulisha's Excerpts (along with the maps of other areas for future quests).
Please make sure that your PC is in the current and correct spot.
Male Human (Chelaxian) Paladin (Temple Champion) of Iomedae 2 | 21/22 HP | AC 17, T 12, FF 16 | Fort +6, Ref +2, Will +2 | CMD 17 | Init: +1 | Perc: -2 | SM: -2 | Smite: 1/1 | LoH: 1/2 | Active Condition(s): Unconscious
Hey everyone, I just want to let you know I will be attending Gen Con this year, once again as a volunteer GM for PFS events. I will be gone from July 31st - Aug 6th, 2018. I may be able to post a few times while there but it will not be consistent. Feel free to BOT me as needed.
With Gameday rapidly approaching and the current quest about to come to a close, I plan to put the remaining 4 on hold.
If any PC needs a completed Chronicle for the first two quests prior to Gameday, please let me know as soon as possible. Please note that anyone who intends to play the current PC between now and the end of Gameday should request a Chronicle. Otherwise, while I will report the quests, I plan to hold off on issuing Chronicles, since they will have be altered anyways as additional quests are completed.
Please also note that your current PC can continue to play the remaining quests as long as it has not been played in any other scenarios in between. If you play the current PC in another scenario between now and when I resume running the remaining quests (I had planned to do so post Gameday in November, but my "back half" of Gameday looks pretty light at present so I may be convinced to move it up if there is consensus). All players are welcome to play in the remaining quests, but those quests will have to be played/assigned to a separate character.
I will try to get a Chronicles to Nyshka as soon as we finish, though even if we were to finish today, it may be Monday before I have the Chronicle available to downlaod.
Please note - Yesterday, I learned that I was mistaken about reporting requirements for these quests. Apparently, 4 quests have to be completed before the game can be reported. I have been in contact with Venture Agent Redelia, who confirmed that I can issue paper (pdf) chronicles to those who have asked for them and that those chronicles are official, valid, and controlling even though the playing of these quests may not be reported for sometime. She is looking into the matter and I will pass along what I learn.
I believe that I can put this Campaign on inactive and then make it active again (re-active?) shortly before we resume play, so once I get Nyshka's chronicle up (later this week, I hope) and she has confirmed receiving it, that is what I intend to do. This should clear some space on folks' active campaign list (which you may need for Gameday).
It is always difficult to gage pacing on a PbP. I apologize if I am moving things along too quickly. However, I would like to get as much of the quests completed as possible prior to the upcoming holidays and know that my schedule will get heavier between now and the new year.
If you prefer a slower (or faster for that matter), please let me know. I want to keep things fun and keep players engaged.
Female Human Female Human |Brawler 1 |HP: 13/13 | AC16 T 12 FF 14 | F+5 R+4 W+1 | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +1 | CMB +4 | CMD ~16 | Speed 30
I'm good with everything from glacial up to 1 post a day. I'm willing to stay in a faster game as long as the GM is happy to bot me frequently. (I have a weird complex where I hate being in the way and/or having people waiting on me).
My posting the next 10 days will likely be limited, but I decided not to stop completely as I think we had a good momentum going and I didn't want to break it completely.
Even with limited posting for a week or so, I suspect we will be completed before mid-January.
Been a busy couple of days. Will try to get an update up over the weekend. If you want to make plans to ambush assassins, go ahead and plan. Map is up and you can place PCs where you want them.
Female Human Female Human |Brawler 1 |HP: 13/13 | AC16 T 12 FF 14 | F+5 R+4 W+1 | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +1 | CMB +4 | CMD ~16 | Speed 30
Hey, for Liberty's Edge faction cards (season 9), does defeating the priest with the compulsion staff meet this requirement:
Defeat a known slaver whose Challenge Rating is at least equal to your character level. For the purposes of this goal, a slaver is a creature that owns at least five slaves, is maintaining a compulsion spell or effect to control a creature for at least 1 day, or is explicitly cited as trafficking slaves.
Hey, for Liberty's Edge faction cards (season 9), does defeating the priest with the compulsion staff meet this requirement:
Defeat a known slaver whose Challenge Rating is at least equal to your character level. For the purposes of this goal, a slaver is a creature that owns at least five slaves, is maintaining a compulsion spell or effect to control a creature for at least 1 day, or is explicitly cited as trafficking slaves.
In short, yes. Slightly longer answer sent via PM.
Will be setting this campaign to inactive tomorrow unless someone raises a reason not to. Happy gaming all!
