[PFC] Granta's Consortium Compact #1 (Inactive)

Game Master Granta

"Maybe we can funnel them through the stairs and around the corner, so they don't know what to expect," Pavo suggests. "Maybe put the cage somewhere where someone--like Kirrote--can bull rush someone into it."

I'll mark out the suggested arrangement in green.

Kane is a bit crestfallen when he realizes the rest of the team is going about the task the Aspis agent assigned; but decides he should make the best of it. He accepts the wand from Anastasia and gives it a once over.

Perhaps we can fix up that broken lift and make it into a trap of some kind?

@Kane: It would take 2 hours and a Craft (trapmaking) check to rig the platform to collapse when somebody steps on it.

Are we running with Pavo's suggestions? Anything else you wish to do? If you are finished, please place your token where you want it, and post that you are good to go.

I am great with that suggestion. Highshanks will help. I have placed him where I want him, and I'm good to go.

"If I stand over here I should be able to fire down into the dock and still have cover. That should encourage them up the stairs, yes?"

I am fine with the layout, except we should still put the bear trap somewhere and find a spot for the cage. I am in position unless someone thinks my plan is bad, or I can not fire down into the dock from there.

Oops! Sorry for the delay.

"We still need to figure out how to drive off the Kortos agents without hurting--or at least not killing--them," Pavo worries. "I could try putting some of them to sleep. Then we could cram them in the cage. If the enchantment takes hold."

"Pavo, I like your suggesting. But I don't know about pushing someone into a cage. Maybe it would work. Let's get started."

Kirrote starts pushing crates.

Before he joins the others with moving the crates, Pavo jams the lock on the door leading to the ladder. He heads out onto the dock and pulls the ladder away, dragging it into the warehouse. Then he goes to join the others.

After the crates have been moved around, Pavo places the bear trap around the corner at the top of the stairs. He hides it under his blanket.

"I'm going to hide outside so that we know when they're coming," Pavo says. "I'll come back in through that hidden entrance there. Maybe I'll even be able to lock the Kortos agents in the office."

"This invisibility. Very nice! Who want sneak around?" Anastasia identifies the potion.

She joins the team in pushing the crates. "So heavy. Books much lighter", she complains, panting.

I'll give another day for players to move their tokens, but then assume that they are where you want them to be, and push forward.

@Pavo: I wouldn't count laying a blanket over the bear trap as hiding it very effectively. It is obviously out of place in the warehouse and not flat--NPCs will know something is underneath it, just not what.

The hiding was more for placing it where they won't see it before they turn the corner and step on it. I also had a more careless, ruffled toss of an appeance for the blanket in mind than laying it flat and tight. But that's actually the back-up plan.

"I could use the potion for what I have in mind, but Highshanks may have a more devious use for it," Pavo says.

He takes two of the smoke sticks before heading outside to wait.

"Naw, use that potion if ye need it."

Highshanks stands near a known doorway hidden from sight of the doorway.

Several hours later, four Kortos agents enter through the loading bay. The one in pink-trimmed robes looks around and shouts, "Everyone front and center! What's this I hear about trouble with our tenants' shipment?"

If you wish to avoid combat, start with a Bluff check to show you belong here.

Kirrote starts as he hears the newcomer shout from across the warehouse. He looks at Kane and smiles a grim smile. "Looks like things are starting now."

"Which team?" Anastasia tries to silently ask Highshanks, using just facial expressions.

OK, my English is failing here. How would you state if you just do the mouth movements but don't actually produce a sound?

We use the word "mouth" as a verb. That is, "Anastasia mouths the words to Highshanks, 'Which team?'"

Pavo stands watch for the Kortos agents' arrival, hidden in the alley. He faces the wall, ready to clown as though he had just relieved himself.

"I wish I was back in the books, counting agent payments," Pavo thinks to himself as the time creeps along.

Zyrethian shifts away from his post and mouths to Highshanks, "Kortos," and motions for Highshanks to go down there.

When no one speaks up right away Kane, ever the businessmen rushes forward.

Trouble with the shipment, not that I know of. The only trouble is this lift is broken, so we are having to haul the crates down manually. Just taking a little extra time to move things around. He gives them a confused look. Anyone know how to fix this damn thing? He says earnestly.

Now he didn't actually lie -- but I'll roll bluff anyway.

"Ye, it's a bit o' mess here right now. We be fixin' it the best we can, but it will take a bit o' time.'

When Kane speaks of the lift. "Ye, I can try o' fix it."

"I see," says the leader, "Well, just continue with your work. I am going to post a few guards, and wait for the Aspis agents to show up, so I can figure out what's going on."

He motions two of his men to spread out, then tells the third to follow him to the office.

Diplomacy to convince them to leave before any Aspis get here.

And remember the handout that Delorya gave you. You may or may not want to use it, there are pros and cons both ways.

Anastasia pulls out a paper and goes to the lift. She starts drawing a diagram from the lift mechanism, mumbling to herself. "That there, no, need new, what if bend, no, how done? Maybe?"

The orange robed monk moves up to the stairs, then immediately comes back and whispers to the leader who spoke a minute ago. They both look at you for a second, then the leader says, "We'll be back in a few minutes. Move those boxes before we return, or it's your jobs."

All four men turn and leave the way they came.

What do you do?

From across the warehouse floor Kirrote tries to follow what the others are saying. He can't hear much but he is unwilling to leave his post near the door. He maintains his readiness and watch.

Highshanks heads back to his spot and waits, stealthing.

Pavo bends down to pet a stray cat, then tries to shoo it away.

"I'm sure you're a perfectly fine cat, but I'm trying to be clandestine here."

Regrettably painted myself into a corner hiding out here...

Kane gives a feeble effort at showing confidence.

Oh we have it under control here. Well have it all sorted by morning, no need for you to waste your evening. We know exactly what we need to do.

Zyrethian realizing that Pavo has not entered the converstion decides to take a chance as the Kortos people leave the warehouse. He runs out the secret door and to Pavo, as he gets close to Pavo he starts yelling hoping the Kortos agents hear, " What the hell Pavo! You were supposed to keep watch so that the boss men wouldn't catch us goofing off! Now we are all likely to lose our jobs!"

”What? How’d they get past me?” Pavo says in legitimate surprise. He makes his way back into the warehouse.

”What’s the problem?” he asks the wizard.

Before Pavo can head back into the warehouse, Zyrethian catches his arm and whispers to him, "Kortos agents, they think we work here, we need them to go away and stay away, hopefully you can talk them out of coming back. Also not actually mad"

Zyrethian goes back to trying to look angry.

Anastasia points to Pavo as he arrives. "He in charge. Manage. I just fix things, think, know", she tries to explain to the Kortos.

Pavo winds his way through the crates to make his way to the stairs. "I go to take a piss and what happens? We're getting fired? You can't be serious."

Once he makes it to the top of the stairs, he looks down. "Anyone still there?"

@Zyrethian: Good looking out, you probably just saved Pavo's life.

Maps

Round 1
Effects none
Terrain none

• Zyrethian -
  
• Charming -
  
• Pavo - 1 damage
  
• Anastasia -
  
• Kirrote -
  
• Shorty -
  
• Red -
  
• Orange -
  
• Blue -
  
• Pink -
  
• Kane -

After a moment talking to an empty room, everyone realizes that something must be up, just not what. The what becomes suddenly apparent though, when a minute later three of the men rush in through the secret door by Kirrote, two with weapons in hand.

Everybody except Kane is up.

@Pavo: DC 5 Climb check to move through the crates. So easy check, but 1/4 speed.

Guess these are the Aspis agents?

Shorty decides to take advantage of the opportunity regardless. He heads up to them and tries to hit one.

The door cracks open and four agents move quickly into the warehouse but Kirrote was ready. Finally! A chance to bash in some heads! Kirrote waits for the four of them to stream in then he swings his axe at the lead agent.

Sensing that he might become surrounded if he doesn't move, Kirrote steps away from the door.

"Don't kill them," Pavo shouts as he scrambles over the crates. "But let me tell you a story about when two allied armies mistook each other for the enemy in the dark..."

"Too far, even if run! Wait, prepare, then!" Anastasia says, then snaps a scroll from her belt and reads it. A mystical force surrounds her.

"Fiffif", comes a sound from Anastasia's pocket.

Zyrethian bow in hand is startled when the attackers burst into the room. I knew we should have blocked that door

He rushes to get a clearer shot and fires at one of the assailants.

@Zyrethian: You were trying to bluff your way out of combat, so the bow could not have been in hand.

@Anastasia: Crates are a hard corner.

Maps

Round 1-2
Effects inspire courage +1
Terrain none

• Kane -
  
• -----Round 2-----
  
• Zyrethian -
  
• Charming -
  
• Pavo -
  
• Anastasia -
  
• Kirrote - 8 damage
  
• Shorty - fear?
  
• Red -
  
• Orange - 2 damage
  
• Blue -
  
• Pink -

Zyrethian runs forward clumsily, having to stop moving in order to draw his longbow. Pavo stumbles over some crates and begins one of his usual, funny stories to keep up his allies' spirits, while Anastasia summons protective energy around herself, and Kirrote makes a weak, slow swing at the armored man in the blue surcoat. Thankfully, Shorty manages a glancing hit against the orange-robed Kortos agent.

The three armed agents surround Kirrote, but he manages to dodge half of the attacks. The unarmed one draws some sort of complex design in air with his hands, whispers a hissing sentence, then points at Shorty.

Everybody is up.

@Shorty: DC 14 Will vs. fear, mind-affecting or be frightened. If you succeed, you are shaken instead.

Kirrote roars in anger as the invaders hit him. He reacts by swinging his axe at one of the men, the one he is flanking with Shorty. After his swing he steps back.

"Waaaaah!" Shorty yells. He does his best to resist the spell but succumbs to it. He Withdraws in fear. Withdrawing so it should not provoke.

I figured enough time had passed that I was back to waiting with bow in hand, but no problem. Sucks that I wasted that nat 20.

Zyrethian lines up a shot now that his sight line is clear and fires an arrow. Then he slips behind the cover of the crates trying to be out of sight while he drops his bow and draws his wand of burning hands.

Shorty: Your reroll made it. Inspire Courage also adds +1 vs. Charm and Fear.

Kane advances and calls upon Abadar to bless there efforts.

Nice! Didn't notice it was on, apologies.

Short snaps out of the spell at the last second thanks to inspiring words, and is able to act.

"Stop messing with me head!"

He steps to the South and attacks the man in the flanked position.

"Too far, closer", Anastasia says and runs around the boxes.

"Clear aim, closest, yes!

@Zyrethian: If that was your intention, then the bow should have been drawn in this post. I am a stickler for action economy, as small differences can have a large effect. I once showed a GM how he increased an NPC's damage output for the combat 50% simply by giving it an additional 5 ft. of movement on round 1.

@Shorty: You were still shaken even on the success, though it fades away by your next turn.

Maps

Round 1-2
Effects bless, inspire courage +1
Terrain none

• Kane -
  
• -----Round 2-----
  
• Zyrethian -
  
• Charming -
  
• Pavo -
  
• Anastasia -
  
• Kirrote - 8 damage
  
• Shorty - shaken
  
• Red -
  
• Blue -
  
• Pink -

Kane moves up behind his allies and calls up Abadar's blessing for them, while Zyrethian rushes off a bow shot. Anastasia runs up closer, and then Kirrote spills the monk's intestines all over his allies and the warehouse floor. Scared by the magician, Shorty swings his sword hastily at the warrior in front of him.

Somebody please bot Pavo, if he hasn't posted within 12 hours.

Pavo draws his whip and moves around the large pile of crates.

"Cayden's hangover!" he remarks as he turns the corner and sees a portion of the remains. "So much for taking them alive."

He steels himself and continues to provide encouraging commentary. "It's alright. We can still minimize the damage just like..."