[PBP GameDay IV] Silbeg's 6-97 Siege of Serpents (sub-tier 3-4) (Inactive)

Game Master Silbeg

Oops, that's a mistake in my character sheet. I actually have 1 rank in every knowledge skill, but it seems like I forgot History in typing them all out.
Also, it seems I would have succeeded even with just +1 from Int and +2 from Bardic Knowledge.

The dwarf, SHorvan Anvilhapper grumbles, "Freaking history nerds. Always have to pull the 'there is precedence card'. FINE! We will freaking escort Mr Freaking Blakros Fancy-pants to the gate. But if we all die, LET IT BE ON YOUR HEAD!"

Nigel Aldain looks a little... shocked... at the outburst, giving you all a look.

Next: Center House, Repository, or Front Gates?

"it's agents like those that give us a bad name. No initiative! No honor. No self-motivation. Should have escorted them all out the door."
yes.. in that order..

Just outside of the Center House you see the group of Pathfinders that has been assigned to go in. They are all sitting down by the door, and are apparently being led by a Pathfinder you know as Jayson Rhees, a half-elf trap specialist. "I don't know," he can be heard to say as you approach. "Maybe we should just run... leave the Society. Just hasn't seemed worth it since Ustalav." The others nod as he says this.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 waste of a crit!

Remembering back to the days sparring with Finarin, whacking him harder then he should have, more often than was necessary, the joy of beating an elf down was the driving force for Durothil. Was he a bully? Maybe. But there was no denying that he made others stronger. He knew in order to pick yourself up, you needed to be knocked down first.

He looked at these scared Pathfinder. He knew that his normal encouragement would only break them down more. Maybe break them past the point of usefulness.

This is what separated him from the evil of the Aspis. He knew there was a line, and he didn't cross it. At least, very often.

"Thank Gorum we found you. Listen, we need you and we need you right now. There are few around that can pick a lock, or disable a trap like you Jayson. Come man, fall in with us and let's get the job done so we can dive into those untapped kegs. We can be the stuff of legend. The rest of you, fall in too. There is strength in numbers. Better stay with us so we can tackle this mess together." He slaps the man on the back and offers a welcoming grin.

"Maybe you should ask someone with more experience? Or maybe it doesn’t need to be guarded? It is haunted, isn’t it?” Rhees asks. He looks afraid for his life...
diplomacy check, Durothil. Think you need to meet Thorval Thorvalson... You and the Ulfen think a lot a like.

"Murderhobos. Rravn comments when the dwarf leaves, finally, and follows BroKhan.

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13
Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Rravn comes over to Jayson and looks at him for a while, before his eyes turn into a golden color. "But fear not, my valiant friend!" Rravn says with a booming voice, "you are a trap specialist, one destined to tackle the obstacles laid about by others, to provide a safe passage for pilgrims and pathfinders alike! Nay, thy past experiences make you stronger, ever more vigilant! Remain confident, trust in thyself and thy fellow pathfinders, as a group you will work miracles!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

To boost the scared pathfinder's morale, Rravn casts a simple spell to alleviate Jayson's fears.

Sense motive: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (14) + 21 = 35
"Now, now, mister Aldain. You are perfectly safe with these Pathfinders. Master Anvilhapper is just slightly upset with all that is going on right now, but he will do his duty." The last words are accompanied by an icy stare towards the dwarf.

Sense motive: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (5) + 21 = 26
"Jayson Rhees, isn't it?" Drusilla looks at the half-elf, and follows Durothil in his soft approach. "Every assignment is about conquering one's fears, and this one is no different. We are being tested right now, and that is why every man is needed. Listen to the elf, listen to the tengu - together we will be victorious."
Diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Sense motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

"You'll do fine, Jayson. Your team needs you," says Pip, giving him an encouraging clap on the shoulder and hoisting his team mates to their feet.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

-Posted with Wayfinder

Perfect move, Rravn! That spell is actually called out! You get a +5 circumstance bonus on your check!

"Very well, you are right. We'll guard the building properly... it was just... well... things didn't go so well for us in Ustalav. Several of us, myself included, were infected with ghoul fever, and we thought we, and our immortal souls, were done for. But, you are right. We have to buck up, and do our part."

success #2

The team then makes their way to Repository, you find a team appropriate to guard this asset. However, their leader, a female aasimar sorcerer by the name of Dara Immlin says, “Why don’t you guard the stone building with no doors and windows? We’ll capture that giant two-headed vulture!”

kn:nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

"two headed vulture?! I gotta see that."

"Two-headed vulture? Must be quite a sight. But pray tell me, were you assigned to capture it? Or were you perhaps assigned to guard the Repository?" Drusilla asks coldly, inspecting the Aasimar and her group.

Not having a very good way with words, Dekion follows the others, keeping his eyes open for any intruders. At the aasimar's mention of a two-headed vulture, he quickly looks around trying to find it. He lets his more eloquent companions do the talking.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Well done, Rravn!

Pip regards the aasimar woman, trying to get a feel for what drives her. Sure, they all want glory. They don't realizes how lucky they are to be here, not having to make the hard choices.

"Look," she says. "I know it just seems like a stone building with no doors and windows. But it's the Repository, and you must know how important it is, a building with no obvious entrances." She pauses to let the point sink in.

"But you'll be damned sure that such a nuisance won't stop the Aspis. We can't let them get in here, so the building needs a guard detail." Pip sighs. "I know it's not the most glorious job you could have hoped for, but your time will come. Get the Society through this day, keep the Repository safe and the time to prove yourself will come. Trust me."

Drusilla aid: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Lady BroKhan negative aid? ;)
Pip Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

"Sure, we were told to come here and guard... but there are so many opportunities for glory!"

At this point an IMMENSE shadow crosses over the two teams. The pathfinders all look up to see a two-headed vulture the size of a cottage diving down on a team of experienced pathfinder agents. One is apparently Gunari himself, who perhaps unwisely allows himself to be picked up by one of the creature's head. An older man is firing arrows at the bird, while an elf who looks remarkably like Durothil flies up and swings his scimitar at the creature. A bright flash is seen as he hits, and a moment later you can all see a heavily armored form falling out of the belly of the beast, apparently having just cut his way out.

"Ok, maybe guarding the Repository is a good idea!" says Dara.

success!

The team then hurries to the front gate (making them wonder why indeed they just didn't escort Nigel Aldain themselves) to see a group of Pathfinders trying to hold off the city guard from entering the Grand Lodge. They look as if they are either going to break or perhaps fight.

Lady BroKhan, hammer stowed away, walks through the mass of pathfinders to confront both sides.

"What on Galorion is going on here? She is pretty hyped after seeing the Rukh... she directs her attention to the lead pathfinder "what are these guards doing here? Why haven't they been sent on their way?"

Glad I took Remove Fear as one of the oracle's known spells.

"No entrance. Secrets. Important. Must protect." Rravn squawks with his blue and orange eyes, turning to look around to see a two-headed vulture, "two heads. Ettin. No. Cossacks." After that he begins to apparently hallucinate and speak something totally incomprehensible. Seems like Rravn is seeing some other reality.

He snaps out of it quickly, eyes turning into a greenish color. His voice becomes soft, feminine, and follows a gentle singing rhythm.

"But why oh why would one build a block of rock /
an indestructible fortress of stone /
to unveil its contents would be quite a shock /
perhaps a pile of dragon bone."

"To keep it within and out of sight /
hide the horrors from known world /
guard and protect with all our might /
and nations will not get swirled."

...damn.

----

Rravn looks at the guards with a peculiar, amused expression. He looks at his colleagues—with blue and orange eyes—with interest. "Guards. Incompetent. Death wish. No entrance." With that Rravn comes closer to the gate.

"Guards. Pathfinders. Problem? We solve. Keep watch. Save civilians," he says bluntly and points at the crowds behind the gate, "under control. Always."

Knowledge local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

"Guards, please. I know you are trying to help, but this is Pathfinder business. We have everything under control." I hope...

It always feels odd, Taking 10 on Knowledge checks. Especially on PbP, when you know the target number. Am I overthinking it?

if you would like to take 10 as your standard, that's fine. I threw this one out like this so that you knew it was an option. I can do it without a spoiler next time... such as telling you all to consider making a knowledge XXX roll.

The lead, a female halfling you all know as Meesha Tenpenny asks, "What if the guard won’t take no for an answer? Can I be arrested? Will someone post my bail? Maybe a venture-captain should be doing this?"

Fair enough, I'll retcon my roll. I can see a clear advantage of doing of your original way, though: we can immediately read the spoiler if we roll high, and act accordingly.

Knowledge Local, Take 10: 10 + 7 = 17

"You know, I actually read a bit about the founding of the Great Lodge, and some of the politics." She motions Meesha over, lowering herself a bit to talk to the halfling privately. "You don't have to worry. We're in the Foreign Quarter, and the guards don't actually have any say here. If they keep giving you a hard time, tell them they'll need a signed writ from Lord Gyr. Nothing else will allow them on the ground unless you say so, and they know it." She gives the halfling an encouraging smile and a gentle nod back towards the guards.

Diplomacy, Take 10: 10 + 9 = 19

was more talking future. Once you have rolled, you have rolled.,. Won't matter, though, with your diplo.... Will post a more compete finish in an hour

OK. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Kn. local: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

"Unless those guards have a signed writ from Lord Gyr, they have no business here. Our Grand Lodge has privileges similar to a foreign embassy, and Absalom guards have no power here. So ask them for that writ, and should they fail to present it, you can tell them to kindly sod off. And they sure can't arrest you for that, dear"

diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

Inspired by the Pathfinders, Meesha and her team talk the guards down. Perhaps they will be getting their writ, perhaps not, but that is not a concern for our Pathfinders, at least not now.

Success. You going NW or South now?

I think we had agreed on the NW.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Found the direction in discussion

It takes about twenty minutes to make your way to your next disturbance in the northwest sector. Responding to a call that someone has taken over Starhall, you make your way there. See slide 6.

The outside of this large keep was designed with Azlanti architecture in mind. Two wings extend from the center structure, with a domed tower at the end of the east wing a smaller patinated bronze dome over the center hall. Starhall serves as an observatory, library, and museum for otherworldly and extraplanar objects and lore.

Inside the main entrance is a library with several display cases of objects recovered from Numeria, as well as a curator’s desk and a staircase to the eastern tower.

As you enter from the southern door, you see a pair of dragon-like humanoids (see slide 7) in the room. They seem to be searching the stacks for something. When you enter, they take an aggressive stance but have not yet attacked.

Knowledge Arcana to determine what they are

Lady BroKahn takes an equally aggressive stance, and steps in front of Durothil.

"Who are you?! You do not belong here!"

"Aspis? Leave. Immediately."

Rravn readies his buckler and draws his falcata in advance. Seeing that no one makes anything else hostile, he remains where he is.

Kn. arcana, monster lore: 1d20 + 12 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 12 + 6 = 36

"Looking for something?"

Never carrying any weapons, Drusilla can stay as unaggressive-looking as ever. Are these creatures with Aspis? Why they do not attack?

One of the wyvaran (blue) says, "Yes. What are you doing here?"

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Pip has her sword drawn, keeping its point on the floor for the moment. "Well, we could ask the same of you. As you may have noticed, the Lodge is under attack. You're looking awfully suspicious, rummaging around here, so you'd better start explaining yourselves fast."

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Bird, we are not Aspis. They promised us treasure. We look for treasure maps."

***********************
Overseer Announcement
***********************

Durothil has seen this scene played out time and time again. Young recruits, veterans, men, women, everyone. War was awful. War was terrible. War was loud, and smelly, and frightening.

Around the bar, pint in hand, everyone was brave. Nestled by the warmth of the fire, everyone was brave. Writing your name on the role, ready to serve, did not guarantee success.

Durothil looked around. The motivations of the assembled mirrored their diverse race and role. Yet this was war. War he knew.

Moving into the room, he took a more direct approach with the humanoids, stepping out of Lady BroKhan's shadow. "We have no time to mince words. Pathfinders are spilling their blood all over the campus, and every second we spend with you is one less our brothers and sisters have without us. Out with it. On who's authority are your here?"

Best ninja (Cyrus) ever. Lol.

"thieves!"

Lady BroKhan swings for the near one.

Hammertime: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
damage: 1d12 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Lady BroKhan yells, and steps up to attack. (initiative before the attack happens, they are not surprised, and were already in a very hostile poise.)

Lady BroKhan swings her earhbreaker, hitting the blue wyvaran soundly.

Drusilla, Rravn, Dekion, and Pip are up.

Rravn casts a protective spell and moves forward. "Rash. Brash. Orcs advance. We protect. You dismantle. Erase."

AC 25 from now on, lasts 5 minutes.

"That... was very sudden. Lady BroKhan, I advice you to mind your temper in future. But damage is already done, so just ... swing your swords and deal with the thieves."

Drusilla trusts her allies will deal with the enemy, especially with her bolstering words. But she takes her combat stance, just in case. This stance, however, is completely indistinguishable form her normal posture.

Snake style, Advice, studied combat on red enemy

Advice: Inspire courage +1 atk/dmg

Pip sighs, hefting her sword. "Colluding with the Aspis? That's enough for me. Nin zar kubok qaldırmaq edək..."

Pip squeezes past Lady Drusilla, putting herself toe to toe with the draconic creature and taking a powerful swing. Her right hand she keeps for defense, raising her buckler for the inevitable retaliation.

Activate Archeologist's Luck as swift action, move, Attack with Power Attack.

Attack -PA +luck +advice: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 27
Damage +PA +luck +advice: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 13

Active conditions: Acheologist's Luck

Dekion stands ready with his sword drawn as the group exchanges words with the creatures. Noticing their wings, he knows they must be engaged quickly before they take flight. When the half-orcs attack, he hustles over to the far creature but is unable to attack.

you guys are rolling really well!

The blue wyvarin snarls, "Tricked by the Aspis. Lied to by the Aspis. Attacked by the Pathfinders!" He then attacks.
Mwk Falchion PA vs Pip: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 2 = 18

The other one then attacks Dekion.
Mwk Falchion PA vs Dekion: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 2 = 16

And I am not rolling well.

Party is up!

"Well, I'm glad we got that out of the way. I might even believe that you're duped into being here. Vile Aspis."

Riding her bout of luck, Pip strikes again, this time with the flat of her blade. She then takes a step back. Too much killing already, today.

Attack -nonlethal +luck +advice: 1d20 + 8 - 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 - 4 + 2 + 1 = 13
Damage +luck +advice: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 13

Active conditions: Acheologist's Luck. 1 round left after this one, from Lingering Performance feat.

Could someone move Pip a 5 ft step to the right?

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Good the talkie talkie is over. Time to do what I do best."

Moving into a better position, Durothil rises his bardiche over his head. With a chopping motion, he brings it down on the blue thing

"You should not have talked back. Now we need to teach you manners. And should you live a solid vocation other than theft."

Bardiche vs Blue: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 Ooof. Horrible rolls since my Will save earlier. Only 1 over 10 all day. I blame you Jack
Bardiche: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Durothil trips momentarily as he passes a fallen timber, causing his swing to sail well wide.

"Just try to take off, I'll get you yet."

Blocking the creature's weapon with his shield, Dekion swings his longsword at its midsection but is unable to connect.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

I'm glad everyone else is rolling well. I don't think I have a good roll yet.

"Retreat. Always possible. Leave! Immediately."

Rravn moves over to the red dragon-like creature and slashes it with his falcata.

+1 falcata + advice: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 = 28
Damage (slashing, magic): 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6
Critical confirmation: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 1 = 16 Awww...
Additional damage (slashing, magic): 2d8 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (6, 7) + 8 + 2 = 23

-Posted with Wayfinder

Done. Waiting on Drusilla, and then I will bot BroKhan.

"Then this fight is quite unnecessary, You should turn your blades towards the Aspis. We have no quarrel with you, we merely wish to protect our property."

Once the blades have been drawn, it might be difficult to stop the fighting with words. But the opposition can be subdued without bloodshed, so Drusilla moves towards to the blue wyvarin, and plans to take him down. While she doesn't have much strength in her arms, her grip is surprisingly fierce. She grabs the wyvarin by the arm, and bends it behind the creature, making it impossible for it to swing the two-handed sword.

Grapple, advice: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 1 = 30

"Give up, and continue the fight against your true enemy, the Aspis."

Advice still on

After Lady Drusilla grapples with the Wyvaran, Lady BroKhan moves to the back of the room, trying to end this fight cleanly as well. With her hammer, she strikes at the weapon of the wyvaran.
sunder PA: 1d20 + 15 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 15 - 1 = 20
Surprisingly, she misses!

The blue wyvaran tries to get out of the grapple, and fails.
CMB: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Then, the red wyvaran attacks Rravn. The blade cuts deep into the bird-man's shoulder, just missing his neck.
Falchion: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 2 = 25Falchion (confirm): 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 2 = 9
slashing damage: 2d4 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 4 + 6 = 17

Party is up!