[Outpost][PFS] 01-56 The Jester's Fraud by DM DoctorEvil (Inactive)

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

"Telling truth always good! Lying is bad. Me thinking talking to guys in there sound like good idea." Stugbu agrees.

"If your using words, your already in trouble." Touchy replies, though whatever his train of thought was, it quickly gets derailed and goes no further.

Hey, no fair! =)

As the group approaches the broken-down gates of Rhoetius, the bandits in the tower calls a challenge. "Hail, friends! There are a few empty buildings remaining for your faction to claim if you like. Mainly, to your left as you enter." The helpful sentry points to a series of rundown and partially collapsed buildings in the ghost town. To the right, as you enter, at least two of the buildings are already occupied, with the sigils of 2 groups flying there. The nearest building has the standard bearing a lion and a flaming sword. The second, farther inside the village is red with a large black fist painted in the center. The other building showing signs of occupancy is the old citadel. The manor house of Rhoetius in better days. No flag flies there, but a pair of armed guards wait out front, watching the place.

As if on second though, the sentry calls down to you again. "You are here for the Jester's auction, right?" You are close enough to see a total of 4 sentries manning the gate. They have no sigils on whatsoever.

If you tell a story here, please make a Bluff check.

"Why else would someone hike way out here?!" Touchy calls back quickly, as if the answer to such questions was obvious.

Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

"You heard him, on the left." He adds, giving Sindelle a wink.

"Of course, Master...I'll get my dancer's outfit ready in case you want me to entertain any of these hard working guards or other functionaries."

Aid another bluff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Val shakes his head and follows the others in.

"Which other factions are already here?" he asks.
"And what can you tell us about them?"

"Yeah, we here to find a dark horse!" Stugbu adds helpfully. "We the good guys!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

As the heroes shuffle into the ruined town, the bandit sentry tells them a few things. "Of course the Jester is here. He and his men are staying in the citadel there. They plan to auction the items tomorrow."

"Nearest you, are the Lionbanes, centaurs from the Verduran Forest. The other group is the Blackfist's. They hunt, trap, and train wild beasts lead by their cruel master Gaunt Blackfist."
As if to punctuate that point, you hear the coughing roar of a male lion from the direction of the Blackfist camp.

Up to you now if you want to pay a call on these other factions, wait and buy the artifacts, or go take them by force.

Once alone and out of earshot, Sindelle will smile and put a hand gently on Stugbu's arm. "Dear, announcing that we're the good guys sometimes gives the bad guys more time to set traps and such...does that make sense?"

She'll look to the others. "So, how should we handle this? One piece at a time, all together, or try stealt...or any other ideas?" that last as her eyes look over their half orc companion.

"Well, going about unnoticed has always suited me best - I'm rather useless with my words."

Once the team is in a quiet room by themselves, Valandil turns to the group.

"I'm wondering if we can engender some mistrust between these other groups. In particular the Centaurs "lionbanes" might be able to be put against that other group who have a captive lion.

"[b]Maybe one of the stealthy folk could explore a little more and see if you can pick up any undercurrents?"

"They all here for that urn, it would seem." Touchy adds, with a shrug. "So none of them are going to be too helpful if they know we're trying to urn-block them."

He chuckles. "And once word gets out, they're probably all jumping down our knickers to get it back, and maybe not have to pay for it."

He taps the side of his head with one finger. "The unscrupulous mindset, and all that."

I think only Wit is particularly stealthy

You have heard of neither of the groups before. Only what the bandits at the gate mentioned to you.

As I see it, you really have 3 choices here. You can a) attack the jester in his citadel and see what happens, OR b) meet the other two factions here and see if an opportunity arises, or c) use the money you found from Wager to buy the Urn at auction and take your chances thereafter. Which do you choose?

I'm thinking we should try talking with the other two factions first. If we need to fight or buy we can later on, but lets see if there is another options first.

I agree with talking to the two other factions, in no particular order. Perhaps Lionbanes because they're closest.

"If you think it wise, I am happy to try to sneak around the other faction's camp to hear something that may help us. However, we may not need it - out group seems rather persuasive."

Sindelle takes all of this in and then gets an idea. She goes out alone (but makes 100% sure to always be able to see the rest of the pathfinder team) just for a little stroll hoping to get a glimpse of the other groups...enough to maybe get an impression of them? then comes right back.

If you'll let me GM I'd like to try and see if sense motive can maybe help us figure out if any other groups here might be open to talking rather than fighting?

Sense motive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 (whatever group she sees 1st?)
Sense motive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 (2nd?)

"The less talking we do, the better." Touchy replies. "Asking questions just raises more."

"Lord Touchy is a man of action!" He adds with a grin.

The Lionbanes have two human guards at the entrance to their quarters. The leader of the troop, a stately female centaur, is out exercising in the yard with javelin and bow when Sindelle walks by. Rather than a warlike challenge, the centaur gives Sindelle a friendly wave.

The other occupied building is the Blackfist camp. As Sindelle watches a group of heavily armed men departs the ruined city. Listening it appears they are off to capture more wildlife, something about a wolf pack nearby. The departure of the squad leaves 4 armed guards and one muscled black-armored figure who stomps about the place, shouting orders. He carries a jeweled heavy mace at this side and sneers at Sindelle as she strolls along. "Get out of here before I turn my beast on you." he shouts severely.

A single guard stands outside the citadel where the jester has his headquarters, but the iron door is meant to withstand siege and it looks like the most solid building left standing in the ruined village.

The aasimar waves back to the centaur as she completes her stroll and decides not to make the obvious lewd invitation regarding the man's beast(s) as she passes by. Sindelle returns and shares what she saw. "The Lionbanes seem friendly and the Blackfists seem hostile plus they have that mace that Bourtze told us about. so maybe we could start there? The enemy of my enemy is my friend?"

Then with a grin "or I could maybe try to work my wiles on the guard at the jester's tower and then you get the door open while it's not being watched?"

Valandil wracks his brain, trying to remember the mace. "What did Bourtze tell us about it?" he finally concedes.

"Lets try to make friends with the centaurs. Stugbu, can you, subtly, try to see if any of them or the blackfists are evil?"

"Something about driving the person holding it to murdering madness?"

"Sut-lee? What that mean?" Stugbu wrinkles his brow. "That mean not hitting...yeah, Stugbu prefer talking first." The half-orc wanders outside, close enough to cast the Detect Evil from his Wayfinder. He sits down on a crate or treetrunk to start cleaning his weapons, shining his Shining Wayfinder as well, while casually activating the spell.

The paladin waves over at the centaur. "Hello! Me Stugbu! What your name?" He takes a quick glance at the creature's horselike rear parts. "It not Dark Horse, is it?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Detect Evil

Neither the guards nor the centaur herself detect as evil. The lady centaur trots up to Stugbu, eager to have a conversation. "Hello Stugbu. My name is Gywndryda, leader of the Lionblades. Are you here for the auction tomorrow? What item is of interest to you?"

"Perhaps," she continues. "If our interests are aligned, we could work together tomorrow to frustrate those of the Blackfist. What say you?"

"Ahhh, what item?" Stugbu scratches his head. "Me not sure. What item you want? Stugbu check with friends...but work together sound good. You seem like nice lady. Oh, and Blackfists are bad?"

Valandil puts a hand on the paladin's shoulder, then smiles at the centaur. It is perhaps not the most reassuring smile.

"Which items in particular were you interested in? I'm not sure about everything the jester is offering.." he admits.

Gwyndryda smiles. "Oh yes, the Blackfists are most assuredly bad. My group seeks the Alabaster Urn. I am performing penance for some unfortunate deeds in our past. The druids of my wood seek this artifact and I have been tasked with returning it. As far as I know, that and the necklace will be out for bid tomorrow. The Blackfists already bought the mace yesterday, but there were no other bidders for it."

It seems the lady centaur is after the same item you are tasked with retrieving. Also, according to her, the Blackfists are after the same item for more...notorious reasons.

"Are you seeking items from teh jester as well? What do you seek and whom do you serve?"

Any other questions for the Lionbanes? If you choose to misrepresent your interests, a Bluff will be required, If you do come froward, you may want to try Diplomacy to see if you can secure her aid or not.

Sindelle ponders this for a moment after approaching then decides that maybe being honest might be better?

"The urn, necklace, and mace are all under powerful curses and all were stolen by this jester from their rightful owner. We are Pathfinders, and originally came to taldor looking to purchase the urn and other items to place them in our archives under the leadership of Zarta Dralneen for safe keeping and do not wish to see any more of the evil they contain unleashed on the world." She looks over Wit and Stugbu for a moment "Just a pair of creatures released from the urn almost killed two of my companions here...and the rest of us and possibly the whole town we were in might have been next!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

"I see," says the centaur gravely. "It seems the urn may be more than I thought, and perhaps it is safer in the Society's hands than in my wood, where this evil can spread."

She ponders a moment, brows knitted together in thuoght, before clapping her hands. "It;s decided then! We will help you! But how? Do you want to just buy the urn at auction? You take the chance that Blackfist outbids you or cheats in some way. Or you take it by force or treachery? My Lionbanes would love to get into a scrap with the Blackfist thugs, so if you need us to create a diversion or keep the a*%&+%#%s tied up, just say the word."

Have any kind of plan on what to do next?

"Any help would be appreciated. I think perhaps our best tactic would be to either buy them, and then have the blackfist try to take them from us... giving us the chance to get the evil mace back... or to let them get them and then ambush them. That has the disadvantage of them possibly having the use of the cursed items for the battle though.."

He thinks

"The third option would be your people picking a fight with the Blackfist, and we use the chance to sneak in and have a quiet word with the jester."

Listening carefully, Wit speaks up.

"It seems like trying to buy the items first and fending off an attack is optimal - we can make sure we're prepared for them and force them to fight on our turf. Though, the idea of sneaking to have a word with the jester does sound appealing..."

"I ain't one for waiting." Touchy grumbles.

"Who knows if we even have enough. An early private negotiation seems the way to go!" He chortles slightly. "Security will be less then too... as many a fine lass' can attest!"

He frowns slightly, glancing across the ruins towards where the Blackfist camp is. "Though we should probably knock that suitor out of the running first. While his men are off lookin' for tail."

Again a smile. "Dunno what that fancy stick of his does, but rather not have it coming up behind me! That's my job!"

Trying to 'buy' it at auction time seems the worst option. Jump him early! =)
And if the Blackfist camp is far enough away, get them first with the centaur lady's assistance.

Whatever the case, lets to it! Outpost ends on Monday!

"A quiet chat with the jester then. And see if he is willing to return the items nicely. I do wonder at how long this took to arrange though. It must have been planned quite some time in advance."

He asks the Centuar "When did you find out about the auction?"

"Ok, we talk to Jester first then talk to bad guys?" Stugbu agrees with the plan. "Maybe Blackfists will want to be good if we ask them nice?"

Sindelle recalls what she told the others of what she saw on her stroll, "The Blackfists sent several of their number out hunting. If we wait to deal with them, they will be more difficult to face later rather than sooner."

"Ok, we go talk to Blackfist now then?" Stugbu seems happy to talk to anyone at this stage, as soon as someone makes up their mind.

Stugbu's preference would be to go to the Blackfist's first, but happy to go either way. I think we've got a majority to go visit the Blackfirsts first by my count.

I see Stugbu, Sindelle, and Touchy advocating for an attack on the Blackfists. Valandil suggests talking to the jester. Wit suggests buying the items. Because we don't have time to work out a different plan, will go with majority rules.

What was once a domed structure of red stone has been reduced to roofless wreckage. Columns of polished marble lie scattered like children's blocks. In front of the structure, a carelessly-built pen holds the torn remains of several dogs and other animals.

As you approach, a muscled figure in rusty black armor stomps towards the entrance. He has a mace at his hip, and carries an iron chain, linked to a male lion which stalks at this side.

"Arrived to do some negotiations early eh?" says the man with a sneer. "Saved me the trouble of hunting you down. Don't need another rival for the urn. I'll just kill you now!" He releases the lion chain, and it bounds into action, starting a fight.

Blackfist Camp - Round 1

21 Lion
18 Gaunt
15 Wit
11 Touchy
11 Valandil
11 Stugbu
7 Sindelle

Gaunt unlatches the lion's chain and the beast bursts through the narrow opening, bounding across the lawn, and pouncing on the closest PC - Stugbu. The bite catches the flat-footed paladin, but his armor protects him from the claws and he is solid enough to keep from being grabbed.

Gaunt draws out his mace on his turn, the jewels sparkling in the sunlight. He tells the two guards to stand down. "I will kill them myself. Do not attack." And the guards look quite thankful to be ordered out of the melee.

Stugbu is hit for 10 dmg, All the party is up.

Valandil cast a quick incantation, and two large spears of ice errupt from the ground. One under the lion, and one under Gaunt.

damage: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 1, 2) = 12 Technically half is cold and half is piercing
Ref DC 21 for half and to avoid the trip
trip vs Lion: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31
trip vs Gaunt: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

He looks around to see if the Centaurs are going to join in.

Stugbu is instantly reminded of his days as a gladiator back in Katapesh as the lion lunges towards him. "Why you such coward?" he calls out to Gaunt. "Come fight like man. Me not want to fight cat!"

Despite his reluctance, the paladin knows that to defend himself and his friends, he has little choice but to attack the big feline, swinging his large sword down towards it.

Falchion Power Attack: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 12 - 2 = 11 Damage: 2d4 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 8 + 6 = 17

Blackfist Camp - Round 1 - continued

Valandil is able to finish his incantation, and the ice spears hit both the lion and the man in black armor, knocking both of their feet as well as drawing blood.

Stugbu attacks the lion which was knocked off its feet by the ice attack. His blow cuts a huge gouge in the flank of the great beast, which screams in pain and rage.

Waiting for the others, it has been more than 24 hours, please get a post up as quick as you can. I will bot tomorrow if no change. PS -
no one asked the Lionbanes to join in any definite way, so they are not participating in the attack at this point.

Making sure to stay in good defensive position, Wit runs alongside the buildings and down toward Gaunt. When he reaches the man, he spin-kicks his leg, trying to trip him.

Swift Action: Spend 1 Ki point to increase AC to 27 (and 31 vs. AoOs)
Move Action: Move into melee with Gaunt, avoiding AoOs (Acrobatics below if I can't avoid them all)
Standard Action: Trip attempt on Gaunt

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Trip: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Am assuming we get at least 10 minutes of warning here?

Touchy steps away from the large lion with a frown, and calls across to the big man in the doorway. "How about you drop that rod there, and maybe I'll let you play with mine!"

Avoiding the obvious kitty joke, and casting Command on the big guy, trying to get him to DROP his weapon.
If it is the 'cursed' one we're looking for, probably best he not be using it on Wit. DC 15 will negates.

Hey Wit, see the post above. Valandil's Ice Spears tripped both the lion and Gaunt. No AoO's as you move, but you can't trip him again, unless you want to ready if he stands.

Blackfist Camp - Round 1 - continued

Touchy calls to Gaunt in most serious voice (not that serious) ordering him to drop his weapon. But the prone knight laughs. "Your feeble charms won't work on me, dwarf. Come nearer and you can see my mace up close!"

Sindelle moves to the non-lion side of Stugbu and touches him with a spell that heals the lion-bite. Cast Cure Light Wounds or suitable alternative

Running Sindelle since no response so far. Waiting for Wit's action before closing the round.

Sorry, super busy weekend and when I didn't see my name in bold the last time I looked I just assumed I wasn't up yet, I had forgotten that you don't do that like other gms, my fault!

Stugbu will be at full hp since Sindelle's life link is still up and she's down 5hp from it.

Ahh sorry, I saw that the lion had been tripped but not Gaunt. I'll ready the action to trip him if he tries to stand though.

Blackfist Camp - Round 1 - concluded

Seeing the Blackfist champion already on the ground, Wit stands by ready to knock the man down again, should he attempt to rise.

End of Round 1

Blackfist Camp - Round 2

21 Lion (29hp dmg, prone)
18 Gaunt (12hp dmg, prone)
15 Wit
11 Touchy
11 Valandil
11 Stugbu
7 Sindelle (5hp dmg)

The wounded lion attempts to rise, provking AoO from Stugbu.

Gaunt also tries to rise, and just as he regains his feet, Wit sweeps his legs out from under him again, and he falls prone once more.

We will see what happens with Stubu's AoO, and the rest of the lion's turn before continuing.

Ooh pretty art you picked!