[PFS] #51/#52: The City of Strangers (CORE) — GM Crucible (Inactive)

Game Master TomG

Open for dotting.

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a ooo ga

Dotting for fun and profit :-)

Checking in for adventure and beer

There he is! There's Taklinn!!!!! LET'S DO THIS!

It’s been nearly a month since Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng, a decrepit yet well-respected Pathfinder, instructed you to meet him dockside in Absalom. On arrival, Dreng herded you on to a Korvosa-bound merchant vessel and gave you a series of quick, stern instructions.

“One of my good friends, a merchant in the Varisian outcast’s haven known as Kaer Maga, sent me a very strange letter, which I need you to investigate. The merchant—his name is Horis Collgardie—tells me that the residents of Kaer Maga are very upset about the Society’s plan to build a lodge in their city and even further upset that the agents we sent are making trouble, stirring up the delicate balance of power that exists in the so-called City of Strangers. The trouble is, not the Decemvirate or any venture-captain I can find gave the okay to build a lodge there.

"We know it would be folly to do so—at least right now—and so this idea that Collgardie has that the Society is there and doing just that is worrisome. In a few weeks time, you’ll be in Korvosa. From there, book passage on a river ship for Harse, then travel overland to the road’s end at the cliffs below Kaer Maga—the so-called Twisted Door. There you must pay the Duskwardens to escort you through the Halflight Path to reach Kaer Maga. Once inside the city, find Collgardie and find out what he’s talking about. If there are Path nders in the city founding a lodge, tell them I order them to stop at once. If this is some kind of ruse, get to the bottom of it and do what you can to keep our Society’s good name in Kaer Maga—we may not be completely welcome there, but neither are we unwelcome. Let’s keep it that way. Any questions?”

"Can you give us a letter of introduction for Collgardie, so that he knows that we are coming on your behalf?"

Are there any appropriate Knowledge skills?

Surprisingly, no, there are no Knowledge skills listed.

However, anyone with ranks in Knowledge(local, history) or Profession(merchant) may read the following spoiler:

"I can provide you a letter of introduction, yes, but it will not mention the Society in plain terms. I ask that you be cautious about revealing your affiliation unless it will bode well for our long-term interests."

Varian nods.

"Fair enough - we need to be discrete; we don't want to damage the Society's reputation any further."

"Never been there, but I've heard that trade there is mostly about the the exotic. The city is also hard to get to, so if we need to make purchases, we best do them here and now before we leave.

Also, if we find these "Pathfinders" and they refuse your orders, what do you suggest we do?"

Doodle listens quietly. She'd never traveled to Kaer Maga, but she had heard some stories about the place. She was terribly excited to get to visit a new place. Unfortunately, her mind immediately began to wander, thinking about what neat new things might be there awaiting discovery. [b]"We will represent the Society well,"[b] she smiles.

No relevant Knowledges, sorry!

From the moment the sun rose this morning and the dizzying Twisted Door opened at the bottom of the Storval Rise, you, your companions, and a handful of traveling merchants have trudged slowly up the myriad stairs, tunnels, cli side paths, and underground ruins that make up the famous Halflight Path. On either side of you march several gruff-looking men and women wearing brown-and-gray uniforms, the right breast bearing a badge with their symbol: a golden arch on a midnight blue background. These are the Duskwardens, and it’s their duty to see you safely up the Path to Kaer Maga, hours and hours of climbing above you.

You pay the requisite fee from a small pouch provided you.

A trip up the Halflight Path takes roughly eight hours, especially with the merchants and traveling citizens that slowing the caravan down.

RP the journey and ask questions as you like. I'll pick up this evening with what you may have seen along the way.

"Boy this is certainly pretty, isn't it? I never knew there was so many tunnels and caverns under ground around here. I've never met a Duskwarden before!" Doodle was excited by the trip all right.

Mercutio asks a guard, "What dangers lie on the Halflight Path? Any suspicion that we may find trouble today? If so, I just want to be ready."

The guard smiles at Mercutio's question. "There should be no trouble at all. We provide guides to keep the caravans from getting lost in the caverns. It makes us some money, and helps the city keep the riffraff out. Easy job. What could possibly go wrong?"

"Seems like a fair arrangement. I am glad for the assistance - this does look confusing. So, while we are walking - what news is current?"

He just *had* to say it, didn't he ...

No sooner had the words left the warden's lips, when an enormous chunk of masonry, well-constructed brickwork on the west side of the passage, collapses. From behind it boil dozens of yowling, barking, and yipping creatures carrying swords and snarling viciously—goblins. In a matter of a few quick moments, the goblins were among the merchants and citizens with the Duskwardens desperately trying to fend them off.

Just as the you think to act, another chunk of masonry, this time from the ceiling, collapses and cuts you off from the rest of the traveling group. You find yourselves in a small passageway, cut off and under siege.

@Mercutio and Taklinn: Last chance! I'm running this as a Subtier 3–4, which may be a bit dangerous for you. There is still time to jump off this train.

—Surprise Round—
Three goblins charge forward and attack the nearest targets. The first charges at Renedar, but misses the flat-footed monk. The second charges at Taerel, and scores a hit.
blue, short sword CHARGE: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10
green, short sword CHARGE: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 2 = 19
dmg to Taerel: 1d4 ⇒ 4

From the other side, a goblin warrior steps up and strikes at Varian, but somehow misses the unarmored mage.
purple, short sword (5' step): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

From the northwest, the last goblin warrior looses at arrow at Renedar, piercing him in the gut.
yellow, shortbow -melee: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 5 - 4 = 19
dmg to Renedar: 1d4 ⇒ 3

A goblin in ragged red robes begins casting a spell... While she is chanting, a weasel scurries forward toward Taklinn.

—Round 1—
It sure sucks when the enemy wins initative *and* gets the surprise round!

The blue and green goblin warriors swing again. The first fares no better, but the second scores another hit on Taerel.
blue, short sword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
green, short sword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 THREAT
green, short sword CONFIRM: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 Yep, confirms versus flat-footed.
CRITICAL damage to Taerel: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

The goblin caster's spell goes off, and a cloud of sleeping magic descends over the party.
@Taklinn & Mercutio: DC 12 Will save or fall asleep for 20 rounds.

Having finished her casting, the little shaman raises her crossbow.

A small (Tiny) weasel bites at Varian, but can't penetrate his thick leather boot.
bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

—COMBAT—
Doodle
Taerel (-4+-4=-8)
* Goblins! yellow (shortbow), purple (short sword)
Taklinn (Will save needed)
Varian
Mercutio (Will save needed)
Renedar (-3)
-end round-
* Goblins! blue (short sword), green (short sword)
* Goblin caster! red (crossbow)
Those in bold may act

@Varian: Please fix your starting HP!

I'm not usually one for whining, but the previous post took nearly an hour to craft (including map preparation).

You're welcome. :^D

Varian sighs.

"Goblins. *Why* did it have to be goblins!?"

He then steps back, and casts a spell, causing an explosion of glittery particles to envelop two of the goblins.

Glitterdust, targeting blue and green. Will DC 19.

Doodle takes a 5' step to the northwest and activates her claws. She swings at pink goblin.

Claw attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Damage 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Claw 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Damage 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

I feel ya, GM! It often surprises me as GM how much time goes into starting an encounter... we do appreciate it!

Taerel, smarting from the wounds, decides the best defense here is probably a good offense. He grabs his sword in both hands, and chops down at the goblin (green).

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Then he takes a step to the side, to get out of reach from blue.

Updated my status bar - I assume I do not yet have mage armor or shield active yet.

Doodle's claws extend as her draconic heritage manifests. Both strikes miss as these goblin warriors are protected by chain shirts and light shields.

Taerel, on the other hand, leaves a wicked slice in his foe, but it remains standing! It's hurt, but still fighting!

The goblin with a yellow cap draws his shortbow and fires again at Renedar. The arrow thuds into the dirt at his feet.
yellow, shortbow -melee: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 4 = 9

A goblin with purple puss oozing from an open sore retaliates against Doodle, slashing her arm.
short sword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Taerle casts glitterdust, and shiny sparkles fill the air. Both goblins look up at the shiney, and are blinded by the flash of light.
Will, blue: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16
Will, green: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

—COMBAT—
Taklinn (Will save needed)
Varian
Mercutio (Will save needed)
Renedar (-3)
-end round-
* Goblins! blue (blind 0/3, short sword), green (-10, blind 0/3, short sword)
* Goblin caster! red (crossbow)
Doodle (-4)
Taerel (-8)
* Goblins! yellow (shortbow), purple (short sword)
Those in bold may act

DM, I forgot to add my racial +1 to attacking goblins to my prior rolls. It's probably too late, but I just wanted to point that out. Thanks.

Mercutio (the elf), immune to sleep spells, 5' steps and attacks the purple goblin with his rapier.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

GM, please see the PM I sent you. Thanks!

@All: I've received word that Taklinn is unavoidable out of town for work ... and possibly not near Internet. Let's bot him until we hear otherwise; this should be a short-term thing.

I think Mercutio should take the lead on arranging the botting, but if we're waiting on Taklinn for anything and someone wants to step in, that's fine.

Taklinn, WILL: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Taklinn shakes off the sleep spell, almost as if he were part elf. Maybe it's just his stubborn dwarfishness.

Does someone wish to bot Taklinn?

Mercutio's thrust goes wide, and the goblin cackles with glee.
"Stab your throat and twist your head,
Eat your eyes, spread brains on bread;
Kill the longshanks, do it quick
'Cause they got beat with ugly stick!"

—COMBAT—
Taklinn
Varian
Mercutio
Renedar (-3)
-end round-
* Goblins! blue (blind 0/3, short sword), green (-10, blind 0/3, short sword)
* Goblin caster! red (crossbow)
Doodle (-4)
Taerel (-8)
* Goblins! yellow (shortbow), purple (short sword)
Those in bold may act

Renedar roars in pain and tries to hit the goblin next to him in the face.
vs. blue: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Taklinn casts Touch of Good on Taerel (+1 sacred bonus on attack, skills, ability, and saving throws for 1 minute).

Renedar kicks at the goblin in the green pants. His little armored foe tries to dance out of the way, but misjudges the attack (due to being temporarily blinded), and steps right into Renedar's foot. The blow, combined with Taerel's earlier strike, is enough to fell the goblin.

Taklinn casts touch of good.

The goblin with a blue vest over the top of his armor swings his small shortsword at Renedar in retaliation, but hits only empty air.
short sword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

The goblins caster in red robes loads and raises her crossbow, firing at Varian. The bolt thuds into the cavern's ceiling.
light crossbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

The tiny weasel familiar bites at Varian. (make an AoO; because it's tiny it has to enter your square)
bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 Unless your mage armor is active—and I don't think it is—that's a hit.
dmg: 1d3 - 4 ⇒ (3) - 4 = -1 1 nonlethal + attach
The little vermin's teeth sink into Varian's leg, and attach there in what feels like a permanent grip.
You'll continue taking bite damage each round until you remove the (very small) grapple.

—COMBAT—
Doodle (-4)
Taerel (-8)
* Goblins! yellow (shortbow), purple (short sword)
Taklinn
Varian (-1 nonlethal)
Mercutio
Renedar (-3)
-end round-
* Goblins! blue (blind 1/3, short sword)
* Goblin caster! red (crossbow)
Those in bold may act.

Taerel, seeing green pants go down, steps over him and into blue's face, leading with a series of sword thrusts and parries.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Doodle keeps fighting at the pink goblin with her claws.

Claw attack 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 = 15
Damage 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Claw 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 = 21
Damage 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Varian takes a swing at the weasel as it tries to hit him.

Quarterstaff: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13, for 1d6 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3 damage.

"Ah! Get it off!"

Varian's swing at the weasel (AoO) misses the tiny creature.

Taerel displays marvelous swordsmanship, and severely wounds the blue-vested goblin.

Doodle continues her flurry of claw attacks. Her second strike hits, and scores the goblin's arm.

The goblin with the shortbow (yellow) takes aim at Renedar, again. The goblin squeals with glee as he finally hits. He breaks into a cruel goblin song.
yellow, shortbow -melee: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 5 - 4 = 15
dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 4
"Skewer orc with lotsa arrows
Turn longshanks cities into barrows!
Kill the party, eat their hearts
End their march just as it starts!"

The goblin with the purple sores slashes at Doodle in retaliation, but misses the little gnome.
"Hey shorty, pick on someone your own size!" Not quite as eloquent as his singing companion, but it's the best he can do.
short sword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

—COMBAT—
Taklinn
Varian (-1 nonlethal)
Mercutio
Renedar (-3)
* Goblins! blue (blind 1/3, short sword)
* Goblin caster! red (crossbow)
Doodle (-4)
Taerel (-8)
* Goblins! yellow (shortbow), purple (-4, short sword)
Those in bold may act.

"Get off!"

Varian frantically attempts to tear the weasel off his foot.

CMB: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12. Attempting to gain control of the grapple.

Mercutio continues his rapier attacks on the purple goblin.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Dam: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
"These things are impossible to hit!"

Taklinn draws his warhammer and moves in closer to the weasel to strike.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Dam: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Taklinn yells back to Mercutio, "Tell me about it!

Does someone want to bot Renedar?

Taklinn and Mercution both miss. Maybe the goblins have cast some sort of foul magic on their weapons.

Varien reaches down and rips the weasel free with an open hand.
Grappled, you're in control.

—COMBAT—
Renedar (-3)
* Goblins! blue (blind 1/3, short sword)
* Goblin caster! red (crossbow)
Doodle (-4)
Taerel (-8)
* Goblins! yellow (shortbow), purple (-4, short sword)
Taklinn
Varian (-1 nonlethal)
Mercutio
Those in bold may act.

Renedar tries to use his flurry of blows against the pesky goblin.

FOB 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

FOB 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Rendar's fist connects, but his follow-up kick is placed for a normal-sized person and misses the small goblin.

The blinded blue goblin feels the foot whoosh over its head, and stabs out with his short sword. The blade finds only empty air.
short sword, -blind: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 - 2 = 4

Cackling madly, the red-robed goblin on the far right reloads her crossbow and fires at Varian. The bolt pierces his shoulder. "Take your hands off of my Sausage!"
Wait, what? She named the weasel 'sausage'?!
lt crossbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
lt crossbow CONFIRM: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 6

The little weasel, being grappled by Varian, bite the transmuter in the hand, finding the soft flesh between the wizard's thumb and forefinger.
bite-grappled: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 2 = 22
dmg: 1d3 - 4 ⇒ (1) - 4 = -3 = -1 non-lethal
The weasel has reattached itself, and is considered grappling again.

—COMBAT—
Doodle (-4)
Taerel (-8)
* Goblins! yellow (shortbow), purple (-4, short sword)
Taklinn
Varian (-6, -2 nonlethal, winning grapple against weasel)
Mercutio
Renedar (-3)
* Goblins! blue (-5. blind 2/3, short sword)
* Goblin caster! red (crossbow)
Those in bold may act.

Taerel steps behind the goblin in the blue vest and continues his assault.

Attack, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Doodle keeps clawing away at the little pink goblin.

Claw attack 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5
Damage 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Claw 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6
Damage 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Taerel skewers the goblin in the blue vest, killing him.

Doodle swings her arms ineffectively. If this weren't mortal peril, it might be quite funny to watch.

The goblin with the shortbow (yellow) fires, this time at Taerel. The arrow pierces Taerel's thigh.
shortbow - melee : 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 5 - 4 = 15
dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 3

The goblin with the purple sores slashes at Doodle, opening a superficial gash on her cheek.
short sword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 1

—COMBAT—
Taklinn
Varian (-6, -2 nonlethal, winning grapple against weasel)
Mercutio
Renedar (-3)
* Goblin caster! red (crossbow)
Doodle (-5)
Taerel (-11)
* Goblins! yellow (shortbow), purple (-4, short sword)
Those in bold may act.

Cursing loudly, Varian throws a pair of force missiles at the goblin caster.

Magic Missile: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 = 9 Force damage.

"C'mere, Sausage!"

Taklinn takes another swing at the furry weasel.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Dmg: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

"Taklinn! I was wondering when you were going to wake up! Good to see you back!!"

As you can see, I neglect to bold Mercutio and Renedar in the previous combat update. My bad.

Taklinn tries to help out Varian by attacking the tiny weasel. He shears the head from the little vermin, and the red-robed goblin screams in frustration and agony.

No longer grappled, Varian easily sends two missiles of force at the red-robed goblin.

—COMBAT—
Mercutio
Renedar (-3)
* Goblin caster! red (-9, crossbow)
Doodle (-5)
Taerel (-11)
* Goblins! yellow (shortbow), purple (-4, short sword)
Taklinn
Varian (-6, -2 nonlethal, winning grapple against weasel)
Those in bold may act.

Mercutio looks at the purple gobby, directly in his beady little eyes. "Stabby, stabby, stabby!"

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Dam: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Undeterred, the little goblin sings back:
"Stabby stabby, scabby, scabby,
All you longshanks are quite flabby,
With a cleaver I'm quite handy,
Eat your guts with wine and brandy!"