(PFS 09-08) GM Dinketry and the Birthright Betrayed #1 (Inactive)

Game Master dinketry

"Lead the way!" Lovissa exclaims as she follows her down the steps. Once at the bottom she looks around, checking for danger and traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 I don't have trapfinding.

The roughly carved tunnel leading to the east winds up a carved set of stone stairs to end in a heavy wooden door.

"Ah... a closed door in a smuggler's den. Nothing for it but to see what lies beyond."

Ready to move forward. If it helps to move things along and doesn't affect much, Marcus would be happy to take point and open the door. He is a Barbarian after all. Technically.

The door seems barred and unable to be opened.

"Ah, well, while I'm sure that with our strength and skill a barred door would be a mild deterrent, might I suggest investigating the other passage before attempting such potentially destructive work?"

agreed, pounding on a barred door would be a waste of time

Lady Finley nods in agreement of not banging on the door, and lets the point person head back in the other direction.

Marcus, incredibly pleased that people are agreeing with him instead of chastising him, proudly leads the way back down the steps and through the western passage.

Seeing everyone else coming back down the passage, Badriyah shrugs her shoulders and turns back to the western tunnel. Unsure exactly what transpired at the end of the tunnel, she does notice Marcus' change in attitude and stride as he passes. Her eyebrow lifting slightly she nods to the Kitsune and waits for the rest to pass her before following them into the other side passage.

Lovissa shrugs and follows the others. When we head down the other passage she checks it for traps and dangers.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

The Maiden follows along the group, keeping her weapons at the ready. With Marcus proudly leading the way, she maintains a position near the front to create a wall of warriors to protect the less combat-oriented individuals.

Lovissa and the crew make their way via the light of her wayfinder down the western (right) passage. The natural passage opens up into a small room to the north, the light revealing an embarrassment of crates and barrels stashed here. The room does not have an exit.

"Well well... a smuggler's stash perhaps? Let us take inventory of what is here, and see if we can find any clues that would tie Vernisant to this... hrmmmm... activity... myesss."

He begins to poke around in the room.
Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

"Ah, and refrain from filling our own coffers with this. No reason to implicate ourselves as a part of this disreputable profession."

With Lovissa's light, it takes Marcus less than two minutes to move aside the loose lids and determine that the crates are empty. He also tips over a barrel, noting the light weight of the object.

GM rolls: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 141d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 121d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 161d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Lovissa pokes around alongside Marcus.

"Empty... empty and... empty. Huh."

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

The maiden pauses for a moment, then drops her voice to a cold whisper. "There are sounds from the entrance. Either company, or a trick to draw us away. I will investigate."

Without hesitation she swivels around and begins working her way toward the entrance of the tunnel, shield ready.

Marcus nods towards the Gray Maiden. "You and I are not officially a part of this envoy. I'll accompany you." Still in his fox form, Marcus swiftly follows.

Marcus nods towards the Gray Maiden. "You and I are not officially a part of this envoy. I'll accompany you." Still in his fox form, Marcus swiftly follows.

Having separate identities certainly comes in handy!

The Gray Maiden, followed by Marcus (I moved your icon, Marcus) come back around the corner. Lady Finley stands in the dark, her large batrachian eyes taking in everything without difficulty. It is obvious that she hasn't heard the voices that somehow attracted the helmeted-Gray Maiden's attention, but she responds promptly as she sees the Gray Maiden heading stealthily for the tunnel entrance.

Peeking out from the ajar secret door, the Gray Maiden can see a long canal barge being tied up in the still water to the bridge supports at the southern beach. Two iron lantern posts at the centre of the bow and the stern hold two lit hooded lanterns. You see four smugglers, two tying down the barge, and the other two preparing cargo for disembarkment.

St Lymirin St Bridge, revised (and editable)

"There's four of them... two are tying down the barge, the other two are loading cargo from the ship and preparing to disembark it. We must be in their stashing place."

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

The Maiden whispers to those behind her, keeping her voice as low as possible. "They're wearing components of Imperial Navy uniforms. Perhaps part of their naval career, or freshly claimed bounty."

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Gray Maiden, sorry for the confusion. You didn’t need to make the Perception check twice. Your 21 passes both checks.

caught in the act as I predicted. We may need to keep one conscious as proof. Giovanni hustles up behind lady Finley waits for the signal to pounce.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

"Who's the Iron Gar?" Lady Finley mutters as she raises her crossbow. "We should back away and let them inside the tunnel." Lady Finley begins to back up to the others in order to let them know what is going on.

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

The Maiden listens intently, and whispers the words behind herself to the party, quoting the man. "'We steal more now from the Iron Gar than we did before that bastard got us shot off.'" She gives an approving nod. "That is a confession." The maiden looks at the returning Giovanni and down at Lady Finley. "If we're spotted by any townsfolk, allow Marcus and I to make our presence known. A diversion."

With that she gives a nod, waiting for the others to signal they're ready as well.

"We may have the advantage to whomever enters the tunnel, but if the others remain on the boat, we will struggle to reach them before they flee. It is risky for us to back ourselves into a hole."

In a panic, Marcus realizes he has no plan to speak of. "Hrmmm... so are we going to ambush them? Or merely observe and report? If we ambush them we should seek to avoid killing them. That is unless it's a proper duel. Taldane justice is... very formal."

Lovissa follows the others down the tunnel. "I don't know the local laws," she admits with a shrug. "I'll fight wherever necessary. But I warn you, I'm not a quiet combatant." She draws her sword and smiles widely, clearly proud of this fact.

Lovissa defers to the others. She's fine with an ambush in the tunnels or charging out and attack them on their boat. Either way, she's going to make a lot of noise. It's just how she rolls. Haha.

Badriyah slips back toward the tunnel with the barred door. While keeping an eye out on the entrance she is ready to cover the others with her sling, but also listens for any sign of the door being opened. Someone could come along to pick up whatever is being delivered by these other hooligans. She thinks.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

A reminder please, to move your icons on the maps. You'll also notice that on the St Lymirin St Bridge map, you are all slightly transparent, reflecting the fact that you're under the bridge - or in Badriyah's case, in the tunnels.

The smugglers have tied up the barge, and now all four of them concentrate on quietly moving crates off the side of the barge and onto the beach, not noticing your group.

"Well... the guards do know that Badriyah and Lady Finley are down here taking architectural notes. Go ask them a few questions. If they start something, then the Gray Maiden and the... erm... Firey Fox... hrmm... blech that sounds crude... stepped in to help and vanished as quickly as they came. Giovanni can stay unseen and Lovissa... hrmmm..." Marcus shrugs.

Know Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

"We should not fight them. We haven't been deputized in any way. It will be vigilante justice if we fight them."

The Maiden's grip on her sword tightens. "We need proof, our word is worthless in this city. If we won't punish their crimes, then we should allow them to deliver their goods and take the stolen goods to the magistrate." She turns and moves back into the tunnels, looking at the barrels and crates as she walks. "Hide the fact that we've tampered with their items."

She moves back down the Eastern corridor, slinging her shield onto her back and drawing a set of Thieves' Tools, attempting to unlock the door.

Disable Device: 1d20 ⇒ 17

"More the reason to keep our confrontation cordial and inquisitive. Giovanni... see if you can slip off and summon the guards. Let's give them some proverbial rope and watch them hang themselves.... myesss."

GM rolls: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 91d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 61d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 41d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Despite the ongoing discussions within the tunnel, the smugglers continue unlashing their cargo, still unaware of the supposedly-stealthy Pathfinders.

Unless you tell me that you’re whispering or moving stealthily, you aren’t.

Marcus shrugs and follows the Gray Maiden.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

The door seems barred and unable to be opened.

The Gray Maiden draws her thieves' tools but finds them useless as there's no lock to the door. As she does so (with Marcus in tow), two of the smugglers step onto the beach, carrying a large crate directly to the door that Lovissa and Giovanni currently stand behind.

Oh, the tangled web we weave...

Realizing she has no way of opening the door door, she opts to silently stand at the end of the tunnel, in hopes that they'll deposit the items with the rest of the crates and barrels.

Marcus gulps. He looks at the Gray Maiden and whispers. "This just will not do..."

Seeing the smugglers approach the door with Lovissa and Giovanni he makes a calculated call. Well... The Gray Maiden and I are not officially a part of this envoy... Giovanni and Lovissa probably have no good excuse for being down there... I guess it'll have to be me then.

He hands the Gray Maiden his sword and whispers. "Hold this..."

Marcus boldly steps forward and smiles. "Ah! Help at last! My dear friends I am so glad to see you here... I took a swim earlier and... well... wet fur smells oh so atrocious. I would have thought this passage was a stairwell back up to the top of the bridge but now I'm just dreadfully lost! You must be the city watch." He grins. "Did your time in the Taldan navy and working close to home now I see. Quite wonderful if you ask me. A credit to our country you chaps are."

Bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
GM * Reroll... I'm proud of that monologue and I wanna make it stick!: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 = 17

Marcus, you'd do well to check out the map. You and the Gray Maiden were far-removed from the door to the beach. Your 'step forward' was actually a jog back down the tunnel. And while I love your role-play, sadly, the dice don't love you.

GM roll: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 131d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18

"What in the Eye of Abendego??" One of the smugglers drops his end of the crate and backs up. The other unsheathes his rapier as he sets his end down.

"Hey Knar!" he barks over his shoulder, not breaking eye contact with Marcus. "We got ourselves some company. A swimmer, 'cept...he ain't wet. That's funny, ain't it, Dalan?"

The Gray Maiden seems to possess clairaudience within her helm, perceiving the outbreak of combat from where she waits deep within the tunnel.

Amelia, you may go!

"Oh bugger." says Badriyah as she hears the cries of the men outside the tunnel. She races back down into the central entryway and waits to see if any of the smugglers push their way past Marcus and into the tunnel.

Double move back into the central cavern area.

Aaaaand I was too slow. Haha. I just finished typing a post but it was too late! I'll put myself back in the place I was before combat started.

The maiden grunts in frustration under her helm, running out to the sounds of battle. Double Move. Can't wait to move 30ft in plate next level.

The smuggler with the rapier drawn steps up to Marcus and attempts to pull his coat down over his shoulders, entangling him in his own clothes!

Improved Dirty Trick, Coordinated Manoeuvres: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 2 = 15 FAIL!

The smuggler spouts "Ha-HA!" and then realises that Marcus isn't trapped. He follows that up with "Aw, piss."

Lovissa, Giovanni, Lady Finley may act! Badriyah double-moves into the central cavern.

"Ah, piss is RIGHT!" Lovissa taunts as she steps forward. "Perhaps next time you'll offer a lost stranger directions!"

Lovissa swings her sword at the smuggler.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7

Apologies. I have clarified the map with the walls of the entrance to the tunnel. Despite this, Lovissa still hits!

The Ulfen warrior comes around the edge of the unarmed kitsune and surprises the smuggler with a sword in his chest. The smuggler cries out in pain but doesn't seem felled.

Lady Finley takes a step to the side and fires her crossbow at the smuggler in front of Marcus.

Crossbow, PBS: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 6 - 4 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Crossbow, PBS, Confirm: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 6 - 4 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Despite the nearly-impossible shot, the grippli is able to plant a bolt into the attacking smuggler, leaving him gasping for breath but still standing.

Not a critical hit, but a solid shot.

Giovanni, it is your turn. Please note that the doorway that Marcus stands in front of is awfully crowded.

We have not had a post from Giovanni in 2 days. As such, GM-Bot will commence!

Giovanni pulls out his shortbow and attempts to plant an arrow in the smuggler with the rapier drawn on the unarmed Marcus despite the crowded environs.

GM-Bot Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 - 4 = 11d6 ⇒ 6 MISS!

His arrow fires directly into the roof of the cavern, coming back down on him, causing him to duck out of the arrow's fall. Seeing the sword slice out from the side of the kitsune, the second smuggler recovers from his shock, and as he draws his rapier, scoops up a handful of sand from the beach and tosses it around the corner at the unseen swordsman - Lovissa!

Improved Dirty Trick, Coordinated Manoeuvres, Partial Cover: 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 - 2 = 15 SUCCESS!

The smuggler succeeds in throwing a handful of sand directly in Lovissa's face, blinding the warrior!

Lovissa, you are blinded.

Marcus, it is your turn!

apologies, folks. been on some work travel the last day or so. back now.

Marcus puffs up in anger at having his clothing skewed.

"My word! You roustabouts have no respect for the Taldan traditions of proper fisticuffs do you? I should not sink to your level... but alas if you are setting the rules I shall follow. A disrobing contest it is!"

He snatches out at the thug's belt, loosening it before pulling his pants down around his ankles.

Hah! I too have improved dirty trick!

Improved Dirty Trick to Entangle: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

With that, he steps back and fails to stifle a giggle.

"Your turn sir! If you wish to yield I'll gladly accept."

For what it's worth, I do have a natural bite attack, so I do still threaten if it comes down to that.