GM V's PFS PBP the Stolen Heir (Inactive)

Game Master Vahanian 89

"I care not how you believe the world works. I care how Lady Shelyn tells me she wishes me to make the world work. Thalia will go with you if she chooses or if I am dead, not because your honeyed tongue calls out evil."

"This is quite the pickle to find ourselves in. Either we turn Ms. Thalia over and succeed in winning forces to assist us in the Worldwound against a greater evil, or we allow the girl her freedom and fail to provide for our battle with the forces of evil. Which is the greater good? Ah, I did not think I would have to apply moral philosophy to a real world problem today!"

"Huni, Azak, Warden, what are your thoughts? I find myself currently abstaining from an opinion as I think these issues through."

"Personally, I couldn't give a rat's ass one way or the other. It seems bad to do that to a girl, though. On the other hand-"

Warden steps forward and booms, "PATHFINDER SOCIETY DIRECTIVES MUST BE OBEYED AT ALL TIMES, AS MANDATED BY YOUR CONDITIONAL PROBATION."

Azuk taps a finger on his nose and points to the lumbering automaton. "Thanks, big guy."

"Come now. There is no need for any kind of unpleasantness. No harm will come to the girl, indeed she will come to like the new situation in time." Koriana says.

"I just don't think we can leave her here with you, buddy. The society needs the resources. Decide whether you want to fight us about it or not, but she's going with us."

"And the society gets all it needs and more if you leave her with me!" She exclaims. "You seem to think that her father wants her back! He doesn't. He didn't hire you. The society sent you here to meddle in local affairs. He wants her gone, somewhere out of the public eye. He set everything up through me. He is the one who can get you the money and the men to fight. She has nothing to offer."

"Once I inherit my fathers holdings..." Thalia begins but Koriana interrupts, "If you inherit you stupid girl! You could just be left in the cold with nothing!"

Hania turns to Thalia. "The choice of what to do is yours. You can stay here and be taken somewhere else by this woman to start a new life. We can take you back to your father, but if this woman is correct, he may just have you taken away again. If you have an accusation to make against your father, I will see you safely to a person who you can make that accusation to or a friend who will keep you safe. Unfortunately, you must choose the direction for your life to take, and make your choice quickly. I will defend your right to make that choice for yourself."

Huni tries to determine Koriana's intentions. Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

"The child's place is with her father." The laconic Osirian says firmly. "Only he has the right to say what is to happen to her." He seems to have more to say (but is waiting for the results of the sense motive check.

She is telling you the absolute truth.

"If her father was exposed, then what would occur? Would Thalia gain control of his assets if he was imprisoned? This is the rare instance that my expansive knowledge has reached its limits, I have little experience with the Andoran legal system."

"Does that really matter? This young woman needs our help. We can work out the consequences after she makes her decision."

"While I do wish to help this young woman, it would be better if we can work out something is also advantageous to the Society."

"Better, yes, but not at the cost of this young woman's freedom. First we need to know what she decides, then we can talk about the best way to meet the society's goals while honoring her decision. Beauty and goodness cannot come from an evil act such as allowing a young woman to be dragged away from her home against her will. This would make us a party to kidnapping."

"She might but the Andoran courts could easily have all his estates be forfeit and take all his money. What we do for the benefit of the people some would view as treason." She says.

"Does that really matter? This young woman needs our help. We can work out the consequences after she makes her decision."

"A little girl should not be responsible for deciding important worldly matters. They are not known for being the most stable and discerning of people. However, Koriana does seem earnest in her thoughts and after our interaction with Thalian, I am inclined to believe her. That does not mean I am willing to endanger the lives of the thousands of fighting folk. You will need to give me more than what you have for me to support this."

Azuk rolls his eyes, looking quite impatient. "Oh, come on. Doesn't the Pathfinder Society have a moral code?"

After a few seconds of no one responding, the half-orc hastily adds, "Seriously, I have no idea. Is there a code or not? If so, I'll bet it pertains to this."

GM, can we get a clarification as to Thalia's age? I've been assuming she's in her late teens or early twenties. It sounds like Huni believes she's much younger.

No. That sounds about right.

"She doesn't look like a little girl to me! We've gotta let her decide!"

The four possible courses of action as far as I can tell:
1. Let this woman take Thalia where she wants
2. Return Thalia to her father, perhaps with a warning that she had better not disappear again
3. Take Thalia to an authority to denounce her father
4. Let Thalia decide, and convey her to wherever

I can find a way to make any of 2-4 acceptable in character. If I went along with 1, I think Hania probably _should_ fall, because that's just evil unless Thalia chooses it, which would actually be option 4. Option 2 or 3 would be lawful (if Thalia is of age in Andoran, so is 4), and 3 or 4 would be good. (2 is borderline good, at least if we warn her father that there must not be any more monkey business).

I should note that Hania is a paladin of a NG deity, so I tend to emphasize the G over the L.

Can I now request that everyone out of character say which of these options by number their character could live with?

We could take her back to her father, warning him and using her as leverage to get him to support the Worldwound expedition. That's not exactly lawful or good, though.

Sebastian is leaning strongly toward allowing Thalia to do whatever she wishes, although if the majority were to go the other way, he wouldn't stand in their way.

Yeah, there is the option of 2.5, which is option 2 but adding in blackmail for worldwound help. Hania would have to participate in bringing Thalia home and making sure her father won't 'hide' her again, and then walk away while others do the actual blackmail. I'm OK with that, it's the compromise that is needed to make a paladin code work with the group. I still prefer option 4.

Huni's concern is the help for the worldwound. He would be happy if they could get the help some other way. He does not care what happens to Thalia.

"Koriana, you seem earnest in your desire to help Thalia and your nation. We are just as earnest to aid our organization in the Worldwound. You seem well connected. Perhaps you can bend your will to giving us the aid in that we seek? If you can give us some assurance of aid, we can turn around and leave. Otherwise, we must return the girl to her father."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Azuk really doesn't care, but will agree with anything that fulfills whatever the Society needs. Otherwise Warden will bend him into shapes.

Shes like 30 lol and thinks herself very high and mighty but voice tone is hard to do in text. Also she less wants to help thalia then to have her somewhere out of the way and let her father continue what hes doing.

"I want no harm to come to the girl but i dont want her here where she can spoil everything. If you leave her with me, Tercio will make sure that you get all the money you need and a substantial force for your worldwound endeavor. If you bring her near her father I'm certain she will do something silly like press charges and try to ruin everything." Koriana says.

"Of course i will! What hes doing is wrong!" Thalia spits back.

So basically your choices are leave her here and head back to town or fight Koriana and her men. She doesn't want to fight but cant let Thalia go back to town as it would ruin her and Tercio. You can succeed either way depending on how things go but its totally up to you. And the society doesnt really have 1 moral code but each faction has its own. The decimverate just wants money and more power for the society really.

After the girl's outburst, "Then I withdraw my objection."

Even the biggest horse's patootie ever seen on Golarion does not deserve to be kidnapped. Kidnapping is evil, and can never be justifies by any 'greater good.' The evil is added to here because it's being done to hide a crime. If her father has the legal authority to send her away, he needed to do that without pretending she was taken. I'm sorry, I see no grey area here, to leave Thalia with this woman unless Thalia agrees would be evil.

"Sounds like we have our answer. Sorry for this, but you're not leaving us much choice."

Is the current map correct? If so:

No dogs they are dead. Updated with her and her dudes on it. If you start something hostile that starts initiative.

Round 1
Hania
Azuk
Warden
BG 1
Sebastian
Ella
BG 2
Huni

After hearing Ella's announcement, Hania walks over to the woman.

"Repent of your evil plan, and you will find redemption and mercy!"

Then she raises her longsword in both hands and swings it.

attack1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
damage1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"Make it quick," Azuk says. "We'll watch the door."

Both Azuk and Warden ready attacks for any bad guys trying to get in or out.

She steps back and throws a bomb at Hania!

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 Touch
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Round 1
Hania [-8]
Azuk
Warden
BG 1 [-11]
Sebastian
Ella
BG 2
Huni

Did Hania's attack hit?

Ella moves forward and stabs at the (red) badguy.
rapier: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
crit?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Sebastian quaffs an extract of Shield, then moves up on the counter while drawing his blade.

Climb Check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

The guy in blue moves infront of the door and attempts to grapple Ella, she stabs at him but he grabs herand moves her behind him! The shop boy runs a potion to the man in red and he drinks it then moves out infront of his boss!

Ella AoO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Grapple: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Round 1
Hania [-8]
Azuk
Warden
BG 1 [-11]
Sebastian
Ella
BG 2 [red -2]
Huni

Huni gets into position and punches at red.

Unarmed Strike: Belier's Bite
to hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 to hurt: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 bleed: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Huni lands a good punch!

Round 2
Hania [-8]
Azuk
Warden
BG 1 [-11]
Sebastian
Ella
BG 2 [red -7]
Huni

Hania swings her sword at red.

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

pthhht, never mind the damage...

Azuk glances up and down the road and, not seeing anyone approaching, heads inside to help, Warden following after.

Warden attacks using reach and Azuk uses aid another with his whip to improve his attack.

Azuk aid another: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Warden slam attack on red: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 2 = 16
Warden slam damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 = 8

Warden swings but Sebastion gets in his way and messes his aim up.

The woman steps back and throws another bomb!

Attack Sebastion: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 - 4 = 16 touch
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Need refex from warden, Azuk, Hania and Huni. DC 14 if you fail you take 4 points of damage if you make it you take 2

Round 2
Hania [-8]
Azuk
Warden
BG 1 [-11]
Sebastian
Ella
BG 2 [red -7]
Huni

Azuk Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Warden Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Hania reflex save: 1d20 ⇒ 15

"Dirty pool!" Sebastian exclaims as a bomb explodes on him. In response, he moves 5 ft along the counter and attacks the alchemist.

Elven Curved Blade + Higher Ground: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

With that blow she goes down! Seeing their employer struck down the 2 men drop their weapons.

Combat Over!

Hania immediately heals herself, because 2 HP is dangerous! She taps the back of her hand with her wand.

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

"Pardon me while I brew a restorative extract after that unfortunate experience with explosives. Could one of you relieve her guards of their weapons?"

Sebastian will take a minute to brew an extract of Cure Light Wounds.

CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"Ooh, those guys were mean! What happened to that little kid that was helping them? We should probably talk to his parents about his behavior..."

"I'm no kid! Im an apprentice!" His voice breaks as he shouts.

What now?