PFS BbP Gameday: 3 #17 Perils of the Pirate Pact (Inactive)

Game Master Revvy Bitterleaf

Open for introductions/dotting, but we won't start till the 1st of November

Dot

Dot for later

Dot.

But what's a Dot?

Dot.

Ready when y'all are!

1st of November..so allowed to get rolling

“I have a mission for you,” says Istivil Bosk, the Venture-Captain of Daggermark in the River Kingdoms. After receiving the assignment from Venture-Captain Adril Hestram in Absalom, traveling for weeks across the Inner Sea and up the lengthy Sellen River, and with barely an hour to adjust to Daggermark’s sights and sounds, the Venture-Captain of Daggermark now paces back and forth across cramped quarters crammed full of maps, books, and adventuring gear.

“Your timing is perfect, friends,” explains Bosk, an elderly man with graying hair and a pinched, weathered face. He waves a parchment in his hand. “I received another letter just yesterday.” He holds up another stack of letters. “It’s from the Black Marquis—I believe his real name is Bazzak—the leader of a band of brigands surreptiously known as the Pirate Pact. In all of these letters, he claims to need our help and offers us The Memoirs of the Silver Brotherhood, a rare text—maybe the rarest—in exchange. The Society tried for years to track it down and now Bazzaks claims to be ready to give it to us. I’m sending you north to Deadbridge near the Echo Wood to meet this Black Marquis and offer him your help with whatever it is he needs. I want this book, and you’ll get it for me.”

And so the mission travels north along the Sellen River, to the aptly named village of Deadbridge, a rundown hamlet partially built on wharves. It is there, in a rundown antique manor house where stands Urdul Bazzak, the Black Marquis.

“I rule the Pirate Pact and with it the stretch of the Sellen River between here and Numeria,” proudly states the portly little man. “The waterways are the lifeblood of the River Kingdoms, so you must understand that any menace to the river is a menace to the balance of power.” The Black Marquis stops and quickly looks to his left and right before leaning in and continuing in hushed tones. “Unless someone deals with this threat soon, I could lose everything. Normally I would rely on my most trusted lieutenants, but …” Bazzak sits up, regains some composure, and resumes. “The book I’m willing to trade for your service—The Memoirs of the Silver Brotherhood—contains information about an Azlanti treasure vault deep within the Echo Wood. That’s where I sent my most trusted lieutenants. Only, on their way they were waylaid by spiders and abominations and only one returned alive. Lady Riverbane sent out another ship upon her return, the Hanspur’s Luck, to search for my men. The Luck hasn’t returned either.” Bazzak points to the only other person in the room, a raven-haired beauty standing in a corner. “Lady Riverbane is my most trusted second, and she will take one of my best ships and guide you back to the Azlanti vault. Rid the river of these monstrous spiders and their abominations, find the Hanspur’s Luck, and uncover the whereabouts of my men, and the book is yours. Do it quickly, do it quietly, and do it before the rest of the Pact realize I’ve sent my best men on fools’ errands that may have killed them all.”

The dashing young woman, with the raven dark hair greets you all with a smile and introduces herself as Lady Riverbane..but you may call her Lady.

"Greetings lovely Lady, I am Molos. Very pleased to make your acquaintance. Let's get to the business of cleansing this river, so that I might succeed yet again for the Society."

Daniloth bows to the Lady Riverbane. "Greetings, Lady. I am Daniloth Winterglen, scout and bowmaster. It will be my pleasure to service one such as yourself." Standing up, Daniloth has a wry grin on his face.

Seijiro, in his human form, bows to the Lady and opens his mouth to speak, but Daniloth pipes up a moment before him and Seijiro bites his lip and blushes furiously. "Hullo, Lady, I am called Seijiro and I'm sure he didn't mean to say he'd service you... I think he meant, well, you know what I mean..." he trails off, blushing bright pink.

"Drink up me heartys, yo ho! A pirate's life for me!"

Fronar taps a short jig, ending in an elaborate bow in front of Lady Riverbane.

"I am so amazed by the places our lodge sends us. As well as the people we meet. I am a chronicler of heroic deeds. A teller of great feats of bravery. I pine for the ability to say, I was there when... I pray at our journey's end, I will share a pint will ALL of us as I recount our exploits."

Fronar turns a bit more serious and addresses Lady Riverbane, "I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your shipmates, but can you tell us what became of them? What did you see out there?"

should it be pertinent... sense motive with her responses. It seems odd that SHE is the ONLY to return alive.

sense motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Markas listens intently as the information is divulged to the group.

Glad to see Fronar, Seijiro, and Daniloth again. Our familiarity should help us again.

The young looking fighter wears a stoic look as the others ask questions. So far as a Pathfinder, Markas had been sent on a few missions and his previous inexperience was no longer an issue. He knew he had his warhammer by his side whenever it was needed and he was comforted with that thought.

"Is there anything further you can tell us about what your crew may have ran into? The better prepared we are, the more likely we return safely."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Daniloth notices Seijiro's discomfort and slaps him on the shoulder. "All is well, my friend. We are about to embark on another adventure! It has been too long. Yes, too long. I cannot wait to get outside these walls and once more into nature."

At Daniloth's remark and Seijiro's "explanation" she winks at Daniloth
"Maybe it would be my pleasure..maybe it would be yours"

Obligatory opposed roll to Fronars sense motive: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Fronar doesn't notice anything about the woman that arouses his suspicions

"They died to hideous spiders ..the horror..I..I can't talk about it.. she shudders when remembering what happened.

Unless you have some preparations you want to take before moving on you are led to the boat and introduced to the Crew: The six sailors manning the Scrag Fisher are all members of the Pirate Pact. Their names are
Andrezi, Esmerelda, Fox, Thorpe, Tormer, and Viorel.

The boat; the Scrag Fisher, a 50-foot long, single-masted vessel rigged with a lugsail.

Unless someone wants to do something before taking off they will wait for you to board and then cast off..and start sailing.

Molos sniffs as he steps onto the smelly vessel. He pulls his kerchief, holding it up to his nose and mouth. "I'm certainly not used to traveling this way," he grumbles under his breath.

"smells great to me! Like freedom." Seijiro says as he boards.

Daniloth leaps from the dock to the ship. "Hail, and well met," he says to the six sailors, before calling out to Lady Riverbane: "Lady, why don't you prove your namesake to us and show us what the Scrag Fisher can do?"

"Lady, as you have already made this trip once, are there any particular supplies that you would suggest? I'm sorry to keep having you dwell on your horrific experience, but was there anything out of the ordinary about these spiders?"

The striking young woman in the back, who has been twirling a scarf that appears to have sharp blades tied onto the end speaks up. So, I suppose this mission is to be done quiet like?

"Lady, the sooner we are fully equipped the sooner we can find your companions. As Fronar has pointed out, we don't wish to cause you any pain but anything of note you can tell us about these spiders will better prepare us. Are we talking large spiders, or swarms of smaller ones, because each one will need to be fought differently." Markas continues to walk towards Lady while on the vessel hoping for an answer to the party's questions.

"I don't want to put myself or my allies in any danger that we are not prepared for. The information you have can help us ensure success."

At your questions Lady shudders again..and wraps her arms around her body
"Both..lots and lots of small ones..swarming everywhere..and a few big ones..the size of ponies"

Yes, yes..going in quite would be best.."

Since it left Deadbridge, the Scrag Fisher has been cutting a straight furrow into the lazy waters of the Sellen River, making good speed thanks to its industrious crew actively manning the ship’s sail and ropes. Deadbridge is already far behind when an exclamation rises. “Sail Ho!” One of the robust sailors points ahead while turning toward Lady Riverbane standing at the helm. “It’s a cog, Milady. And it flies no colors—should we tender these trespassers?” Looking at the incoming vessel, Lady Riverbane answers in a stern voice: “Nay! Not today, man.We have our mission. We’ll stick to it.” Without another word, the crew gets back to working the hawser and lanyards. As the two ships draw closer, the other craft’s pitiful state becomes obvious. With planks and riggings missing in places, sailors frantically move about the deck and appear to have difficulty steering their ship. As the two ships avoid collision and pass alongside each other, a shout rises—”Now!”—followed by a volley of grappling hocks from the other vessel. The Scrag Fisher is under attack!

The other ship is the Waverender—the name barely readable on the vessel’s verdigris nameplate. A half dozen corsairs sail this worn-down craft.

Lady Riverbane immediately orders her crew to retreat below deck and “leave the fighting to the heroic Pathfinders.” while she herself gets to a position where she can join in on the fight if needed.

The fight starts with the Scrag Fisher solidly secured to the Waverender by grapnels and ropes—a five-foot gap separates the two vessels. There are a total of six grapnels holding the two ships together—anyone can take a standard action to use a bladed weapon to cut a grapnel line.

init Fronar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
init Markas: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
init Elsabeth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
init Daniloth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
init Seijiro: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
init Molos: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
init Thugs: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18

init
Daniloth, Seijiro, Molos
Pirate thugs
You guys

Seijiro cuts a rope with his dagger, hoping the others can free their boat from the cog before the boarding party arrives.

Molos follows suit, slicing away at the rope, hoping they might be able to escape if they act quickly. "Quickly, cut all the ropes!"

Daniloth responds to Molos' call and quickly jumps to cut though one of the ropes.

As Seijiro, Molos and Daniloth cut through 3 of the 6 ropes one of the pirates start to haul a rather large, but small plank over and uses it to create a bridge between the 2 ships.

Some of the pirates start to move across the bridge
acrobatics: 1d20 ⇒ 1
acrobatics: 1d20 ⇒ 20
One of them oversteps and lands next to the plank
reflex save: 1d20 ⇒ 13
and is unable to catch hold of one of the ropes hanging on the side of the ship and lands in the river..where the stream starts to carry him away.

While one tries to just jump across
Jump: 1d20 ⇒ 15
and manages to land on your side of the ship

The remaining (2) pirates pull out short bows and start to send arrows your way

to hit AC Seijiro: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
to hit AC Molos: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
but both arrows burrow themselves in the side of the ship without causing you any harm

init
You guys
Pirates

Seijiro cuts another rope! Then draws his rapier, so now he is armed with both dagger and rapier and ready for a hand to hand fight if that's what it comes down to.

"You guys keep cutting those lines, I'll start taking care of the ones already onboard!"

With that, Markas draws his weapon and takes aim at the nearby pirate.

Power Attack, Masterwork Weapon

Attack Red Pirate: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 - 1 = 13
Damage Red Pirate: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8

Daniloth cuts through another rope and then moves towards the plank to flip it over and into the river.

If Molos can reach the last rope, he moves to it and slices it away, hopefully making it very difficult for any others to board the vessel.

The young Varisian will whip her scarf around as if performing a dance and then with a flair of the whips the scarf blade whip around towards the pirates face.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 171d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Fronar takes a 5' diagonally away from the adjacent pirates. Pulls a wand from his backapack, and begins an exciting dance, that somehow fills his allies with extra confidence in their abilities. Especially exciting is how his movements enhance the pathfinder's organizational emblem emblazoned on the banner in his other hand!

Bardic performance (Inspire Courage) + Flagbearer = +2 attack, +2 damage to all

"May my presence and encouragement, aid y'all with this opportunity for greatness!"

Technically, this would happen prior to Markas and Elsabeth, if y'all would like to add the bonuses to your attacks!

Seijiro, molos and Daniloth cut through the last of the ropes

@Daniloth, no action left to actually kick the plank down

While Markas swings at one the pirates and bashes him down

Elsabeth whips her scarf around and manages to down another of the pirates

Fronar then inspires everyone to greater heights in combat

Lady Rivenbane pulls out a wand and send a small glowing orb (magic missile) at one of the downed pirates, making sure he will never get up again.

The remaining standing pirate on your boat tries to hit Daniloth with his scimitar

To hit Daniloth AC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

cutting Daniloth in the side

Damage Daniloth: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The pirates on the other boat keep firing their arrows

To hit AC Seijiro: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
To hit AC Molos: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

but both arrows land in the side of the ship again.

Swim: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
The pirate in the water manages to swim back to his ship and starts to climb back up

The boats start to slowly drift part now that they are no longer connected by grappling hooks and the plank falls in the water as the distance becomes to great

Can't adjust it on the map..but the ships are 5ft further apart

init
You guys
River Thugs

"Jiro and Daniloth focus on taking out the archers, I will take care of the last one standing here."

Markas spins from the fallen pirate at his feet and takes aim at the pirate still standing.

Power Attack, Masterwork Weapon, Inspire Courage, Flag

Attack Purple Pirate: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 - 1 + 1 + 1 = 13
Damage Purple Pirate: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 10

Molos casts Daze on the closest archer, hoping he could distract him long enough for the vessels to separate beyond range.

DC 13 Will to resist.

Seijiro puts away his melee weapons and draws out his shortbow off his back, readying an arrow...

Daniloth winces as the scimitar cuts into him. He drops to a knee and gathers his strength, watching as Markas attacks his foe. He then whips his bow around, nocks and arrow, and looses it.

Attack (Green): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Attacking the last pirate on our ship if all the other attacks still leave him standing

1d20 + 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 + 2 = 271d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10

Markas attack brings down the last pirate on your ship

Molos casts a spell trying to make one of the archers loose his focus

Will save: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4

The thugs eyes start to glace over and a drop of drool starts to formin the corner of his mouth.

Seijir puts away his weapons and draws his bow.

Daniloth takes out his bow and plants an arrow in one of the thugs shooting at you guys

Elsabeth having no targets left decides to go fully on the defense, as does Fronar

Since it's been pretty much a day..moving on

The one remaining thug still able to do anything fires his bow again
To hit AC Daniloth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
but again his arrow only manages to hit the side of the ship
The thug hanging on to the side of the ship tries to climb aboard

The ships drift even further apart (15 feet apart now)

damage Green:4

Unless you wish to counter board them, I'm willing to call the combat now and just have the ships drift apart further while the thug boat (pun intended) starts to fall behind while you move forward

I am fine with letting the boats drift apart.

"Let them go," Daniloth shouts. "We have a mission to complete." He then begins to look over his wounds.

"Amazing performance by all as the pirates are repelled. I hpe I have enough room in my journal to account for all the deeds this adventure is going to show off! Is this a normal occurrence for these waters? I mean, does anyone think there is a force plotting against us, or was this just a act of random piracy?"

"Id bet these were random pirates. Ruffians, really. A common occurrence for these waters, I'd wager. This isn't an act of a civilized lot to me."

You recover some bows, scimitars and arrows from the pirates before dumping the bodies over the side of the ship

Lady Rivenbane nods at Molos words. "Just random thugs trying to get an easy score..you sure showed them not to mess with us"

The Scrag Fisher sails on after the altercation with the river thugs and does not come across any other aggressive boats that day. The next morning, low gray clouds smear the sky, and by midday tall trees leaning over the riverbank further obstruct the pale sun. A gloomy mood falls on the pirate crew as the ship enters Echo Wood. A mere hour before dusk, the sailors’ misgivings crystallize when the expedition comes across a barge trapped in giant webs.

The wind seems to come to a dead still as the Scrag Fisher approaches the wreckage of a hulking river barge. “It’s the Hanspur’s Luck, Milady—or what’s left of it,” grumbles one of the pirates. Like a large bee stuck in a spider’s web, the partially sunken boat bulges out of a mesh of sticky tangles, its deck slightly sloping abaft. Slowly turning the wheel, Lady Riverbane orders her ship toward the ensnarled derelict, and a minute later the Scrag Fisher’s moorings are secured
to the Hanspur’s Luck. The captain turns around and says, “Here we are mates. That looks like a good place to start your investigation, wouldn’t you say?”

"Well that makes for an interesting sight to start this part of the adventure. Definitely some large spiders to be able to catch a ship in the web." Markas checks over his gear and takes up his warhammer in his right hand, then steps towards the front of the group.

"Take a good look friends. Obviously the things we are going to run into are not friendly, and based on looks, not small. Be prepared, and keep an eye out. We don't want to get ambushed by anything."

Markas begins to disembark the ship as he yells out once more. "Jiro come to the front with me please, I need your eyes to keep a watch for traps or anything suspicious. Daniloth you do the same but from the rear."

Molos waits for the others to advance before rofollowing along at the back of the party.

"Can we just burn or cut the webs and free the ship?"

Seijiro moves to the railing and keeps a sharp eye out for trouble.

perc: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

init Fronar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
init Markas: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
init Elsabeth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
init Daniloth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
init Seijiro: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
init Molos: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Spider: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Spider Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

The top deck of this bulky vessel holds nothing of interest. You must cut your way through thick webbing to reach the hatchway and staircase leading inside the ship.

The hold is dark, full of spider webs, and its aft section is partially under water (up to 3 feet at the deepest end). Mostly broken crates, bags, and barrels that litter the place.

Since you carefully made your way here Seijiro spots some spiders hiding in the web

init
Elsabeth, Daniloth, Molos
Spiders
You guys

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

when it says, "these crates explode when exposed to fire", are we talking HUGE explosion, enough to destroy this ship, a blast radius of 10-15 feet, extreme damage in same square, ect?

I'm going to post my action for after the spiders go, so if anyone wants to delay, or take into account, they can.

"A-ha! Yet another opportunity to show your worth brave adventurers!"

Fronar will start a visual performance on his turn. inspire courageIncluding waving his pathfinder embossed banner.

those up now still receive +1 attack & damage from the flag. Those up after the spiders will receive the flag AND bardic performance bonuses.

+2 attack, +2 damage to all AFTER spiders' actions