[PFS] #7-10 The Consortium Compact (1–2) — GM Crucible, Table D (Inactive)

Game Master TomG

The pies are fine, miss, the pies are fine. I do not know what all the fuss was about, Radu says to Vag.

To the guards , he adds, Of course, my friends, we will come answer your questions. That would be lovely. We do not want to cause you any difficulties.

@Enora ... not sure what you're getting at. "Master" was just a term of address from a subservient tavern owner to anyone with a money pouch.

@GM Crucible: indeed, I really thought the term "Master", in that situation, could mean something beyond subservience, as the assistant bothered to go only at their table, as the situation was troubled throughout the tavern. Sorry for the mistake, Sabi. :)

"Anyone have a complaint about my pies now the guard is here?"

"Let me see...", answered her, while takes a piece of the sylph's pie and eat it.

"Mmmm! This is so delicious! Is this a family recipe?", she asks excited.

"Unless that make an excellent pie is a crime in this city, you have no reason to arrest her, gentlemen", Enora smiles to the guards, while eats another piece of the pie.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Enora tries to sweet-talk the guards, but it's hard to understand her with her mouth full. She trails crumbs as she walks.

RP and Diplomacy is really your only option here to stay out of jail. ... '8' is not a good start ... The DC is higher this time around, so I suggest you pick someone to face and have everyone aid.

Radu has diplomacy +8. Should I take lead? I haven't been rolling well.

Yes! We need a bit of help here I think. Vag will try to aid him

Radu says to the guards, My friends, we do not want any trouble. The truth is, we are new here, we do not know the customs. We are sorry for any disturbance we caused, Please, if you could find it in your hearts to leave us be, we will be on our way.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Diplomacy aid another: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

"Yes, we're sorry for the trouble. Too much ale, you know?" Huron says, grinning at the guards.

diplomacy aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

"I just wanted somewhere to make pies. To make empty stomachs full. To bring happiness to the masses."

Maybe she is laying it on a bit thick, but the pie does smell good.

"To provide a roof over my head."

Can we switch the Radu's roll for the Huron's? :P

Mildret tries to understand if the guards have much temper left.
sense motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

-Would you take a fresh baked pie as an excuse for all this ruckus? Also I am ready to cover the cost of the door repair.

diplomacy, aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7

The dice! They be hating.

Blaster, who has been mostly out of this fiasco, stands up and addresses the guards.

"Sorry, good sirs, but perhaps I can help? I saw most of what has happened here, and I think there was just some misunderstanding. The cultural and language differences have caused some heated language, but it seems no one is hurt, and no one wants to press charges, right? Right? I think, if everyone shakes hands and apologizes to each other, we can all make nice and avoid any continued disturbances. Right?"

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

BYW - I am back from travelling, so will be more in the fiasco from here on out! :)

Let's see... that's 14, +2 aid from Huron, another +2 from Blaster ... -10 because the RNG gods hate Mildret ...

The guards sigh and look at each other. "It'll just be more paperwork," says one.

The other rolls his eyes and nods. "Off with ye. Don't be causin' no trouble, or you won't get to see my nice side any more."

The first one snorts. "You don' have a nice side, sarge. That's why you be the sarge."

It seems you're free to go.

Radu smiles broadly at he guards.

Thank you, Sergeant! Than you gentlemen! We'll be on our way now. No more trouble! Have a good day!

Radu takes his leave of the inn, hoping the others will follow his lead and meet up in the street.

As soon as the guards leave the place, Enora spits out the piece of pie that was in her mouth, "by the gods, what a horrible thing!", she tells to Vagantem.

"So what's next?", asked the Arcanist to others.

Huron lets out a huge sigh of relief and nods to each of his companions. "I suggest we move on to our next task as soon as possible."

"Well, it weren't pretty, but I think it was effective. So, what did we decide to do second? I say we hit the sewers and look for the rat, because if we get busted stealing documents after the guard just let us go, we are not going to be happy..."

Vagm almost shaking with rage thinks about asking for her wages for the morning, but then just settles for leaving the inn.

"How insulting. You are quite right Enora, let us not head back there again."

When Blaster mentions sewers Vag screws up her nose.

"Why sewers? I seem to spend more time in them since becoming a pathfinder than the sewer workers do. Still, if that is where we must go, then lead on Blaster. How do we find where this alchemist lurks?"

I agree with Blaster. The sewers are not likely somewhere the guard patrols, and I would prefer not to run into them again

I know I said I was leaving the inn, but when I noticed no one was following me, I stopped at the door and turned around.

To find your way to the sewers, you refer back to Delroya's note for enough information to have a general idea of where to go. After a bit of searching (and threatening/diplomancing winos, whores and addicts), you are pointed to a particular sewer entrance.

The directions lead to an isolated alley in the Bristles, and then down into the sewers beneath Diobel. The stench of sewage mixes with the sharper odors of chemical fumes and decay and permeates the damp tunnels. Note: Stepping in the sewage is a Bad Idea™. You can jump across without difficulty, should you need to.

Does anyone have light or darkvision? There is light in the distance (east), but not where you're at.

From this intersection, tunnels lead west and south into the darkness. A third tunnel heading east is filled with detritus, filthy beddings, food scraps, broken glass, and rotting furniture. An alcove lies beyond a collapsed portion of the tunnel’s southern wall, and further east, a statue of a giant rat rests in the dead-end passage. Countless empty flasks and discarded alchemical ingredients lie on the floor around the statue. On a nearby workbench sit several organized but empty flasks and jars.

Dark shapes move slowly between you and the light at the end of the tunnel. A silhouetted figure works with some vials at the far east end of the sewer.

Map posted.

Radu has the oracle's curse "clouded vision", which gives him darkvision 30' at first level.

Vag has darkvision

She walks quietly through the sewers, approaching the man at the light and bypassing wino's.

"Dude, you have stuf... whip.. for us?"

Feel free to move me back if you want, she'll be as quiet as she can until he realises she is nearby
stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

She has her two bladed sword out, but not in a threatening position.

"How dark is here! Let me see..."

Enora searches something in her pouch and finds a dissected firefly, then she puffs it in the Huron's greatsword, that starts to shining.

"Right! Now it's better. Let's continue..."

She stays close to the fighter and paying attention in everything around.

Enora casts Light on Huron's greatsword.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

The light makes it easier to see that the shapes moving between you and the end of the eastern tunnel are humans. Sickly, scrawny humans that hide their sunken eyes from the light. They moan, as if in paid. Occasionally one shakes, as if with a seizure, then falls still.

The figure at the end of the tunnel has not yet noticed you, seemingly.

Check if these "humans" are alive...

Heal: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

Vag walks up to him, and says, louder this time.

"Are you the one who makes Whip? Can you sell it?"

The decrepit figures laying across the sewer walls are alive, but in a bad way. Upon further inspection, Enora believes they are addicts of some very pernicious drug. A few are sleeping off their high, while the others appear to be in some stage of withdrawal. Several moan with pain that is as much psychological as physical.

The figure at the end of the tunnel, likely Laszo, turns as Vagantem calls out. "Maybe. Whatcha want?" he says, cautiously.

"Was wondering if you were the man, and if so, how much it cost." asks Vagantem.

She gestures to the addicts around "Of course these guys don't exactly make for a good advertisement."

"Wholesale only. I can possibly arrange large quantities." Laszo gestures to the druggies. "And these addicts got the test versions. The product is much refined from its earlier stages, and undergoing constant improvement."

- Aaand... If I we have really good coin, maybe you could give us the good stuff? Not the watered down shit, this fellas get. No chilly p, if you get me, Heisenberg.

Mildret tries some of that street lingo, he picked up in the 2cp booklets he has been reading.

"How much do you have? And how do I know you are really the maker, not just a middleman who cuts the real stuff with crap?"

She nods at the wholesale comment.

"Do I really look like I Use the stuff?"

Huron tries to mask his uneasiness at the situation by leaning on the wall and trying to look like he's just hired muscle.

Blaster keeps his musket down, to be non-threatening, but his finger is getting twitchy.

"Can we sit and work out a deal, rather than shouting over these junkies?"

"Indeed, I think he is bluffing. He doesn't have anything more refined than this. And I say more: he can't do anything better than this. We are wasting our time here, let's get back to the other supplier", Enora says in a challenging tone.

"My secrets are my own, but as you've made it this far you clearly know what's going on down here. I'm refining my formula. Aspis started distribution before it was ready. I can meet your order size, but if it isn't big, it isn't worth my time. Five hundred unit minimum. Half down, the rest on delivery."

"And if you're not here for business, bugger off." Laszo's voice is confident. He's clearly smart, and used to being obeyed.

He waits, impatiently for your response, clearly eager to get back to his work.

"Is it ready to distribute now? We don't want it if you are still experimenting. 750 units to start, with more on a weekly delivery if we like the profits, eh? Come, let's sit and hash out the details."

Bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

"So you are still changing it? It isn't really ready yet?" scowls Vagantem.

She gestures toward the junkies in the dark.

"If it does this to everyone, it won't be good for return customers. I'm not sure this is worth our time."

Laszo watches you warily, considering. A few beakers bubble on burners behind him. A small book is open on the edge of the table, with an ink bottle and quill pen recently used nearby.
@Vagantem: This is his lab. And his test area.

The alchemist nods, finally, and motions Blaster forward. "Come, let us speak. Just one of you. For my safety, of course. You understand." He mostly ignores Vagantem, but finally concedes, "These were some of the first subjects. Still useful for testing. The product is much better now; it must be, or you wouldn't be here."

As (whoever) moves forward, you see other creatures moving back and to the right. Beetles of some kind. They glow softly, shielded behind the wall, you couldn't have seen them earlier.

Vag was already up next to him (I moved her on the map some time ago

With a sigh she suddenly strikes him with her weapon.
"Scum."
Not sure if you want to allow that as a surprise attack and then do initiative, or if he was already wary and you want to do initiative. I did say earlier that her weapon was out but not being used in a threatening manner.

Radu moves further down the tunnel, so as to be better able to watch over his companions.

Radu moves down the tunnel, just past the first wretched addict.

When Vagantem strikes the alchemist, Mildret's eyes widen. That was very sudden.
- Do not kill him!

He unsheathes his lucern hammer and makes a careful, calculated swing.
initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
attack,-4 for unlethal: 1d20 ⇒ 2

move action - draw weapon, standart - take a swing, move action to get closer if needed.

Vagantem slices out in a surprise attack. Her blade slices through the surprised alchemist. He's bleeding, shock registering on his face, but still standing.

—COMBAT—
Blaster
Vagantem
Radu (move?)
* beetle (delay)
* Laszo
Enora
Huron
Mildret (attacking)
Those in bold may act.

"So we are done with the talking now, eh?"

Blaster pulls his musket off his shoulder as he steps to the side for a clearer shot, and aims at the drug maker.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Damage: 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

With a shrug Vag agrees "Okay, but why you want to keep him alive is beyond me."

TWF, No lethal: 1d20 + 6 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 2 - 4 = 15
TWF, No lethal: 1d20 + 6 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 6 - 2 - 4 = 17
NL damage1: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
NL damage2: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"He has ruined many lives and shows no remorse."

Radu, taken a little off guard by the sudden violence, decides to see how the situation develops before acting.

Delay action until someone needs healing. The fighters seem to have this well in hand, for the moment.

More beetles scurry out of the drainage area and attack you. Glands at the sides of their oddly-shaped heads glow with a soft light.

@Mildret: I'm backing you up for a couple of reasons: 1) I'll roll init; 2) you *really* don't want to end your movement in the muck of the sewers. Unless you do. If you do, I'll make some additional rolls. ... 3) Now that the beetles are here, maybe you want to do something else? I'll assume you have your hammer out, however, so you can make AoO:1 vs beetle; three more if you have Combat Reflexes.

Vagantem may make AoO vs red beetle; and if combat reflexes, against orange beetle.

A beetle glowing with red light bites at Mildret, missing in its haste. One with a yellow glow bites at Vagantem, but she deflects the bite with her armor. The third beetle bites at M, V: 1d2 ⇒ 2 Vagantem as well, and is easily deflected by the fighter.
red,bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
orange,bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
yellow,bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Laszo cowers, and drinks a vial he's just drawn from a pocket.
@Vag, if you *still* have AoO left after the first two opportunities, make another AoO.

Blaster fires his pistol. The shot is harder than it looks, (partial cover, opponent in melee), but it pierces the alchemist's thigh, and he screams in pain.

—COMBAT—
Enora
Huron
Mildret (restate)
Blaster (Above attack)
Vagantem
Radu
* beetles
* Laszo
Those in bold may act.

Laszo is breathing heavily, and clutching at his wounds. He will likely fall soon.

Huron draws his greatsword and advances, charging the nearest beetle.

Greatsword attack on orange: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Greatsword damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 5) + 6 = 16

As the first beetle crawls past her, Vagantem strikes out at it.
AOO: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
No Combat reflexes

With the alchemist now on his guard, Vag stops trying to play nicely.

Only one blow goes in though.

TWF: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
TWF2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
damage2: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Allright, thank you. I repositioned Mildret on the other side of the sewer. I am taking an AoO against the povoking beatle. And then I will poke the red beatle with my armor spikes.

- Bugs! Why did it have to be bugs! Eeck!
Despite his visible disgust, Mildret's moves remained precise and methodical. Heavy swing with the hammer, short quick thrust with the spikes. The sure trained them well at the Citadel.

AoO, lucerne hammer, reach: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 191d12 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Attack,armor spikes: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 191d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Huron swings at a beetle, but his blow bounces off of carapace.

Vagantem has similarly ill luck with the beetle, but manages to land a soft blow against the alchemist. He staggers, and is not doing well.

Mildret downs the first beetle out of the pipe. (Red, via AoO). He swings his hammer again at the next beetle, splattering its guts across the alchemist's face.
dmg: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
As the next one is 10' away, I applied your to hit roll to the hammer instead of spikes, and re-rolled your damage...

—COMBAT—
Enora
Huron
Mildret
Blaster
Vagantem
Radu
* beetles (red dead, yellow dead)
* Laszo
Those in bold may act.