Ongoing PFS campaign. (Inactive)

Game Master Chyrone

@ Suusmaar.
"Given it has been days, i haven't the slightest where he is. The lad doesn’t have much of a head on his shoulders for the wilderness, and is far more likely lost somewhere. Which has me slightly worried."

@ Lukaas,
"He went by foot, all eager. Even with bandits as his target of defeating, i have my doubts he'd even find them, due to formentioned lack of a head for the wilderness."
"If he’s lucky, he’s lost out in the countryside somewhere, playing the hero. If he’s unlucky, he’s encountered some of the nastier critters
that live in the back country."

People, can i get a sense motive check?

sense motive : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Sense Motive 1d20 ⇒ 1

sM: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Just wondering, are we only three to play, Molos, Sussmar and me?

Not to my knowledge? :o

Earlier

Ella caught up with the other Pathfinders outside of the Lebeda estate. She wears a good deal of powder and paint, an affectation to conceal scars from both blade practice and childhood disease. She hasn't been fighting yet today, so it's yet to speckle the doublet of her impeccably fashionable outfit, which otherwise fits snugly to avoid hindering her graceful movements.

"Sorry about that everyone. Auntie Sarrona and I aren't particularly close- bit of a disagreement about politics -and I figured that the briefing might go more smoothly without me there. Plenty of time to return as the triumphant hero though, eh?"

***
At the forge, where she's clearly been with you the whole time.

"Even aside from following in Aldor's fine example, you could even say that as the heir to house Lebeda it's his duty to go out and rid the wastelands of bandits and rebels, eh?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 And adding a little extra potential provocation ;-)

@ Ella,

"I would say it is everyone's best interest to remove risky elements from your lands. That is not to say 'everyone' should attempt it."

Unfortunately no successes. Close calls though.

"He would have to have taken the southwestern road out of town, to go where he believes he will find bandits. That's as much as i can help you with, i'm afraid."

When you take your leave (unless you wish to purchase a mundane or mwk metal weapon from him first), you take to the road southwest.

It takes you a good 50 miles, with barely a soul seen, to arrive near a particular fork in the road.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Survival: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1

"Ah, well this is familiar."

Ella holds up a hand as she gingerly steps off the path, carefully watching for muddy patches.

She quickly unties a small cloth from where its fastened to a tree branch.

"A handkerchief, with the sigil of our house upon it.

"Possibly here to mark his trail for his return?"

Is it towards any particular branch of the fork?

Not of significance. Label me curious but, why would you be a relative to these people? :)

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Survival, untrained: 1d20 ⇒ 15

I hope to find a trail or something.. maybe someone better used to the outdoors than me could help?

'Cause when I created Ella Quickblade -aka Eleanor Lebeda, elegantly learned noble duelist- I flipped through the wiki for noble houses of Brevoy and House Lebeda's motto was "Success Through Grace".

I figure she's from a lower branch on the family tree :-p

Survival 1d20 ⇒ 7

Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Suussmaar suddenly halts.

"Look everyone! The occasional clear bootprints, that we have seen from time to time in the more soft parts of the road, suddenly make a turn off the path, in a direction of trees. Let us move in that direction!" he says and draws his bow.

He follows the footsteps.

The footsteps also led to the tree, and further from there.

=====================================
About 2 miles away from the road,
=====================================

The deer trail winds past a large pond fed by a spring. Reeds and sedges grow around the pond, and piping birds are audible over the gurgling of running water. The pond drains from a stream flowing southwards.
A section of grasses has been cleared away near the north edge of the pond, revealing a small fire pit caked with ashes.
1 No 2 Yes: 1d2 ⇒ 1

During the walk, one of you brushes against a weakened branch, and it snaps off. As you arrive around the bend, things look serene. But that lasted not too long, as two arrows flew towards the group.

Brigand arrow vs ff Suussmaar, FE: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7 Sting, SA, FE: 1d8 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + (2) + 2 = 8
Wicent arrow vs ff Ella, FE: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 2 = 19 Sting, SA, FE: 1d8 + 3 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + (5, 3) + 2 = 17

Suussmaar sees a poorly aimed arrow fly by him and Lukaas. Ella is less fortunate, as an arrow sticks painfully in her abdomen. The figures of two dastardly men appear from the reeds.

The one to the east, a thin man with a greasy mustache grins.
"Whoo-hee, what do we have here. This must be my lucky day. I bring you in, more favor for us."
-----------------------------------

The watering hole, round 1

Baddies got high init, sorry. :/

Mr. Stache Wicent aims another arrow, but at the yet uninjured Suussmaar.
Arrow vs ff Suussmaar, FE humans: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 = 15 Sting, SA, FE: 1d8 + 1 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (5, 4) + 2 = 13, and Suussmaar finds an arrow sticking out of his shoulder. Wicent moves along the pond's shore to the east.

The brigand on the other side of the pond fires off an arrow at an uninjured target, Molos.
Arrow vs ff, soft cover: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 - 2 = 12 Dmg: 1d8 ⇒ 3
Molos finds a mild inconvenience in his right leg, while the brigand movest to the east as well.

Lukaas & Molos (will happen first)

Ella & Suussmaar

Suussmaar cries out in pain.

He aims at the person that shot him!

MW Longbow +6/+6 : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 221d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
MW Longbow +6/+6 : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 181d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Molos casts Mirror Image and 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 additional images of the tiefling appear on the scene.

Ella snatches up a vial from her belt and swigs it down, dashing forward into the heavy brush.

Can't edit the map right now, so I'll have to check back in for Ella's move in detail... I assume the tall grass gives concealment since it's what they were using to stealth?
Either way, shield extract, then move, drawing her rapier. Ideally into concealment.

Lukaas, seeing its not time for peaceful talkings, cast a spell at the main antagonist, trying to submit his will

Cast Charm Person on 'Stache, DC 15

The high grass provides concealment when crouching/prone. While upright you're a clear target.

Update in lunchbreak.

As he move action, let Molos crouch in the tall grass then, please, GM.

It would seem i had the rights on view only. Should be fixed.
No wonder Ella and Lukaas were still at the starting position.

In anticipation, Molos casts mirror image, and now there is a Molos triplet where he is at, who quickly hide in the high grass nearby.
Lukaas moves forwards, weaving a few words in a savvy way.

Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Wicent slightly lowers his bow, "Nice accent pal, you'd knock folks out with that on stage."

This friendly attitude is cut short, as the man receives two arrows from Suussmaar.

"Agh! Curse you, shooting when i lower my weapon?!"
Ella advances, chugging an unknown beverage.

I had heard about crouching some time ago. Half-way on ranged AC bonuses and melee defense penalty. Getting up from it was a move action, i think, similar to prone and getting up.
==================================

The watering hole, round 2

Wicent (-8) drops his bow, and draws two maces as he advances upon Ella.
"Did you know, i used to be quite good in athletics, back in training?"

As he advances, he attempts a short upwards leap for height advantage on his swing.
Acro, ACP: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 10 - 2 = 17
Mace, Favored enemy, height if acro works: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 2 = 27 Thump, NL: 1d8 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 = 15
His jump fails, but his mace nonetheless hits Ella in her solar plexus, which turns into a knockout, her passing out in the soft grass.

The evil 'stache chuckles.
"Hehehe, i will rise in favor, oh yes."

The brigand on the other side calls out to Wicent.
"On my way boss!", and he double moves towards the action.

Lukaas & Molos

Ella is passed out.
Suussmaar

Molos uses a point from his arcane pool and fires off a missile of ice at the man who just knocked out his friend.

RTA 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Cold Damage 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 1 = 7

Possible critical RTA hit 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Cold damage 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 1 = 7

Target is staggered one round unless it makes a DC 11 Fort save)

"You deserved this you ambusher!"

Suussmaar shouts, then 5 ft steps and aims at the person that shot him!

MW Longbow +6/+6 : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 141d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
MW Longbow +6/+6 : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 231d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

That's no way to treat a lady… En guarde, monsieur!

Lukaas, rapier in hand, attacks Pornstache

+1 Rapier: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Molos fires off a dead-on accurate ray of frost, causing a clearly visible patch of frost on the man's chest. Lukaas follows this up, jabbing Wicent in his left arm.

Suussmaar lets two arrows fly, one going past Wicent, the other amply aimed enough to hit his leg.

"Curses, these are more trouble than i reckoned them for."
========================================

The watering hole, round 3

Wicent (-32) swings his two maces at Lukaas in return.
Mace, FE: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 = 28 Dmg, FE: 1d8 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12
Light mace, FE: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 2 = 16 Dmg, FE: 1d6 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 = 11
Lukaas receives two vicious blows, one a thrust on the chest, followed by one to the shoulder, as Lukaas bends slightly after the first.

The brigand moves around into a flank with Wicent.
Lukaas can take an aoo.

Molos & Lukaas
Suussmaar

"Just stop taking and die!!"

Suussmaar 5 ft steps and aims at Wicent!

MW Longbow +6/+6 : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 221d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
MW Longbow +6/+6 : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 241d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Molos casts a magic Missile, blasting the enemy yet again.

Damage 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 = 8

Molos pelts Wicent with another magic missile.
The man wheezes, and drops his maces, hands at shoulder height.

"I yield! Spare me, and i will talk!"

The other guy looks with uncertainty at his superior surrendering and, for his own health, lets his arms hang.

"He's the leader, you want him.", the man now nervous as Wicent puts himself at your mercy.

Do Lukaas and Suussmaar still want to proceed with killing?

Suussmaar stops his attack and readies an action to shoot if any of them become hostile!

”Speak up! Who are you? What are you doing here? Why did you guys attack me? If your answer does not satisfy me you’re dead!“ he shouts with anger.

if you would be so kind to excuse me while my partners interrogate you.I have a lady to tend to.

Lukaas goes to the young woman and starts humming. Silvery notes floats into the air and melts on her skin, easing her wounds

Cast Cure Moderate wounds for CMW: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (1, 8) + 5 = 14

He then repeats the process on himself, on a minor tune
Cast Cure Light wounds for CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

He offers his hand to miss Quickblade, to help her on her feet. When she's standing up, he doesn't release her hand before delivering a light kiss on it

Rise and shine, my dear…I'm afraid you missed the party

If you frisk your hostages for useful items, you find..

If you want to sort through their combat gear,

Both holding hands on shoulder height, Wicent does the talking.
"Much obliged. My name is Wicent. We were refilling our water supplies."

"Attack you....only you?", the man hints at the arrow still sticking out of Ella's abdomen, which gets carefully pried out by her.

*clears throat in confident fashion*
"Hostages, sir, ransom. Unlike more savage folk in other parts of the world, i actually take care about hostages being delivered unconscious instead of heavily injured, and all bloodied."

"We are proud members of Aldona, the Mistress of the Moon's gang. Her hold over the region shall grow."
He slowly strips up one of his short sleeves, revealing scars.

The other guy seemingly grins. "Just one more clear moon, and the gang's power will be booming."

Wicent nods with a confident grin. "Silverhall will be under her sway."

Suussmaar takes the loot.

heal : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

”I sincerely have no idea what you guys are talking about but these are wolf or dog bite scars! I do not know this area and I do not know anything about your boss! What I know is that you attacked us and I will confiscate everything you have because of that and you will tell us if you know a certain noble man ... “ and he describes the noble they are looking for.

”Is it possible that you have attacked this man as well and that you are keeping him as a hostage? If yes then please tell us where he is or I have to pierce you with a couple of arrows! And please to not see this as a threat but as an attempt to negotiate with you!“

diplomacy : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

"Sir, what do you take me for?
I know full well that is a threat. And you'd be murdering an unarmed and defenseless hostage."

The other guy nods. "A weak lordling did challenge Wicent here, and lost the duel. He's being held elsewhere."

Wicent: "But that location could easily have been moved by now. So no use in telling you."

sense motive : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

”Ha ha, good. At least you are completely honest!! Good, then we have to continue our search!“ he says with a victorious smile.

He then heals his wounds.

CLW wand : 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2, 6) + 3 = 14

He looks at his companions.

”So do we kill them so they cannot ambush other people or what’d be appropriate?!“

He starts searching the area for tracks.

survival : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Heal 1d20 ⇒ 9

”I’d prefer handing this lot off to proper authorities, assuming we were able to find any.

Ella gives Lukaas a grateful smile, fussing with her blade once she's standing to keep from sheathing it while all dewy.

"Anyone else concerned about the combination of 'dog bites' and a 'Mistress of the Moon?'"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Probable expression.

^^

Do you imply some lycanthropic cult, Miss Quickblade? That would be worrying.

Heal, untrained: 1d20 ⇒ 17 Soooooo close..

Ella gives Lukaas a grateful smile, fussing with her blade once she's standing to keep from sheathing it while all dewy.

"Anyone else concerned about the combination of 'dog bites' and a 'Mistress of the Moon?'"

[dice=Sense Motive]d20+10

”I really have no idea what to be concerned about!?“ he says and shrugs.

What will be the plan for the hostages?
Executing them is not exactly a light side act, imo, having surrendered and being completely unarmed.

Heal 1d20

”I’d prefer handing this lot off to proper authorities, assuming we were able to find any.

“Okay! I don’t care. Let’s get them back to town then!“

May i propose securing/tying them to something?
I read the average person (in just clothing), walks little over 3mph, and you walked 52 miles to this point. Given no time pressure on the way here, we could assume you walked 2 days, as i've read the average walking speed for a human(oid) is 3.1 mph.

"Well, here's the rub. You're bandits, waylaying all you find and such. I'm not particularly inclined to have you running all over Lebeda lands. Still, coward's blood rusts a blade like nothing else, so I'm not planning to slit any throats. I figure we can bring you with, make certain that you meet the same justice as your crew, basically just drag you along, not quite hogtied. Or, if we were convinced of your sincere desire to reform by say, telling us everything about your Mistress of the Moon, and what the different camps you cycle between might be- I'm assuming you were ever planning on rejoining them? -then we might just leave you tied up here. The knots probably wouldn't be as tight either."

If overland speed is relevant.

Sussmaar agrees.

Ella, can i get a social roll for that please.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 10 + (6) = 23 Burning an Inspiration

As Lukaas auto-passes his aid other on diplomacy,

Wicent seems to think over your suggestion.
"She has been our leader for quite some time. A motivated and headstrong woman, for sure. Not very forgiving on traitors. She wants to put the region under her control, that is her goal. Take over during instability, i would say. Sends out a pigeon with a tiny letter from time to time. Doesn't share the contents, though.

What will be the verdict of proceeding? You will find their camp, obviously. Nice roll for tracking btw.

To keep things going, i will assume you tie them to a tree, on account of having spilled on his mistress' ambitious goal. If you had chosen to take them along instead, let me know.

After some 3 miles tracking the brigands' footsteps from the pond,

You come upon a clearing in the forested area. Half a dozen tents stand in semi circle around a campfire. The smell of roasting meat enters your noses. There is some laughter as some folk stand at the campfire.

You notice an athletic looking wolf also near the campfire. As the two men at the campfire stand with eyes towards the south, they notice you, both grabbing for their weapons, caution in their body language.

"Hey, who are you? Why are you here?"