[PFS_CORE_Aerondor] 04-Special Race for the Runecarved Key (Inactive)

Game Master Aerondor

You know, you could try smiting him =)

It takes a while but eventually Seiran manages to down the guard in non lethal fighting.

The leader, who is now visible sighs.

"You have asked me to risk my life in crossing the consortium. Can I at least know who you are and why you ask this? However a deal is a deal, and we will vanish from Varisa."

"Well, at least you can hold your tongues." he sighs.

"I will do more or less as you suggest. However I will not steal from the consortium."

He steeples his hands as he thinks. "As a result of a chance encounter in which half my guards have been beaten unconscious I have preserved the Consortium's treasures and will take an alternate route which will delay my arrival by some days but prove safer."

He says "I hope that is sufficient?"

Gadget quietly cheers to herself at the apparent victory for everyone.

"That will put you after the auction?" Won't it?

Yes, the auction is tomorrow

"Yes." says the man. "Now if you would be so kind as to leave us in peace, rather that pieces..."

"I would Second that since I'm feeling the pieces that your man, good fighter that he is dealt to me." Seiran replies more then willing to let things be as it is.

"By the Dawnflower, this is a splendid resolution."

She is still suspicious the Aspis will keep his word. That is not exactly a skill they practice overly much.

Sense Motive : 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

***
Once they are away she will talk to the others

"Do we need to watch or follow them for a bit to ensure they keep their bargain? ."

Lasaraleen has no inkling that the man would try to deceive the group. Though that is somewhat modus operandi for the Aspis. This one seemed genuine in his weighing of losing the gold (and maybe his life), vs a small delay in its delivery, and opted on the side of caution.

***OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT***

A white raven begins circling overhead. The bird is Sheila Heidmarch’s signal that you should wrap things up and head back to Heidmarch Manor with or without the Aspis Consortium’s gold.

"Let us be done with this business, then." Jayori says, glancing up at the bird overhead with a slight frown.

Seeing the bird, the pathfinder team bids farewell to the Aspis caravan, hoping the master was a man of his word.

And you get a good nights sleep. Any preparations you want to make, stuff to buy etc, you can do before the auction tomorrow. But a good idea to get the posts in now.

Gadget is good for the next day.

Liminy never cast a spell so no extra preperation here.

Seiran looks to his companions for some healing.........

it was non-lethal... you recover 5 of those an hour. You'll be fine, wuss! =)

Still ow ow ow ow ow ow

Lasaraleen will heal any in the party before resting and regaining spells at dawn.

"I wonder what prayers would be most useful during the auction. So if the Aspis keep their word who does that leave we will need to address?"

"We report back to our Venture Captain Shelia." snorts Seiran, not particularly very happy with her at the moment.

***OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT***

Two hours before the auction is slated to begin, Sheila Heidmarch calls everyone back to the theater for another emergency briefing. She appears greatly agitated and her tenor is one of immediacy.

“My friends, we have little time and much work to do, so I’m going to make this simple. While you were dealing with the Aspis Consortium, my informants in the city investigated the individuals you reported on from last night’s gala. It seems a number of them have sufficient funds to jeopardize our efforts. In what little time remains, I need you to prevent as many of them from participating in the auction as possible. My agents will provide each of your groups with a mission brief. Once you complete the task, return here to inform us of the results, and we shall quickly set you upon another mission. Again, we need you to complete as many missions as you can before the auction starts. But remember to keep your efforts clandestine and try not to kill anyone important. We’re still trying to win the auction somewhat legally.”

She looks over the group. "I can see some of you have sensitive sensibilities. I can either pick missions for you that I think are suited to your talents, or give you a list of missions to pick from. Which would you prefer?"

"So killing people is alright but not the important people. Please provide your definition of important. And if you have any missions where we don't have to pick who we murder that would be swell."

"It's disappointing that the tasks set forward for us all tend to fall into the gutter in terms of Morality. Surely our Society can aim to be higher then those of our rivals?" Seiran backs Liminy up in this.

"Please do give us a list of the missions then. It maybe better for us to pick them unless you know which are the more legal ones first."

Jayori almost frowns.

"My dear Mrs Heidmarch, by your own words, you are attempting to curry the favor of the local government, and improve the image of the society in Magnimar, through legitimate dealings." He says.

"Irori teaches us to always attempt to better ourselves. So I would normally applaud your effort" He adds. "But the important word is try. Claiming to be trying, but really just attempting to be sneakier about it, is not the same thing. Your every task aims for the opposite, as you attempt to subvert the event through underhanded and dishonest means."

"And then to imply it is our flaws making things difficult?" He shakes his head in disappointment.

Gadget both cringes and frowns. "We... we just wanted to be nice people."

Gadget doesn't mind if we pick or she picks.

Heh, ya, anything works =)

"I have other teams available you know, and only limited time" says the VC.

"My staff have put a brief title on each, but I don't have time to go into the details of all of them."

"They are: The Curse, The Debtor, The Scandal, Underbridge Exports, The Good Doctor, Glow of the Rushlights, Dead Womans Debts, and Hydra Bait."

She sighs. "The society can't always afford your morals, however in this case, the last couple are most suited to your situation, and the first three probably the least. "

The more of these you get through, the better. Time is of the essence here, so I'll go with the first one any of you selects.

"Hail Hydra. That sounds like a simple combat mission. Details?"

Hydra bait sounds fun =)

"A good choice" nods the captain.

"We’re still a little short on funds and we need to make some quick coin! If you’re daring enough, head over to the Alabaster District and enter a hydra baiting competition at the Serpent’s Run coliseum. The Master of Games, Axetongue Droaeb, has offered a decent sized purse to adventurers willing to get in the ring with one of his ferocious multi-headed beasts. As always, this event draws a tremendous crowd, one whose coin will more than double the purse he pays to contest participants. “

Making your way across town to the arena you meet with the fight master.

"Right, You get paid for fighting for six rounds. And for every round after that, I give you a bonus. Any questions?"

And to keep things moving, I've updated the map. You are up, I've put you at one entrance and the creature at the other. Knowledge(arcana) would be the check to know about this creature. You have the initiative.

Status, bold may post:
Liminy
Seiran
Radagast
Gadget
Joyori
Lasaraleen
Creature

So our goal is to draw the fight out, as long as we can?

"It would appear we are to put on a show." Jayori says, thoughtfully.

Knowledge (arcana) re: hydras!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

"Be the best at what you do." He quotes. "I will attempt to get its attention."

Double move, drawing his trident as he goes.

I presume we have a moment for Mage Armor or other buffs.

kn Arcane: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
In order - defenses, lowest save, special qualities.

Our most noble option is fighting dumb animals for the amusement of others. Who wrote this thing? I'll act after I see the results of the knowledge.

Edit: "No clue what that is. Presumably a hydra of some sort. That many heads means lots of eyes to blind."

Liminy will move up and Glitterdust it. DC 21 Will save.

Yes, to get your funds you must last at least six rounds. Dropping it into a pit may not be considered a fight though :-)

And yes, you can prebuff, but that in your first post

Liminy is struck my a mental block. Lots of heads, surely he has heard of one of these, but this one is slightly unusual... hmmm.

will saves for each head: 5d20 ⇒ (4, 14, 17, 17, 18) = 70

Two of the hydra's heads thrash around, blind, the others seem unaffected by the glitter.

Jayori knows a bit about these things. It is a Cyrohyrda. As such it is immune to cold but takes extra damage from fire. Each head can breathe a short range cone of cold. To kill it you can sever all its head, but they typically regrow - in additional numbers, shortly after being severed. To stop them regrowing you need to apply fire or acid. If you want to attack a head you must attempt a sunder manoeuvre with a slashing weapon
In addition, hydra's have supernatural vitality and heal incredibly fast.

Status, bold may post
Radagast
Gadget
Seiran
Lasaraleen
Creature - 2 heads blinded with glitterdust (DC21)
Liminy
Joyori

I'm assuming 5 heads ,based on the number of rolls you made? Don't think it was said explicitly

"Not just a hydra, but a cryohydra!" Jayori exclaims. "Ware the heads, each can breath a blast of cold that will freeze you solid!"

Oops, guess I should pull a slashing weapon instead of the trident then! Though the 'trident and shield' look in an arena seemed classic!
Ok, he will have his kukri out instead.

"We can sever the heads to reduce that threat... but will need someone to apply enough fire to the stump to cauterize it quickly if we do, or else two more will grow back in its place!"

Do not attack the body guys, or it will die rather quickly, I suspect.

The crowd love the "Trident and Shield" look and roar their approval.

Gadget would re-use her Wand of Mage Armor.

Oh my, it has to last 6 rounds? That usually doesn't mix well with archers. Will have to get creative.

"Stop heads regrowing heads with fire? I got that part!"

Gadget heads to the side of the arena, hoping the valiant paladin will distract the beast. Her plan is to start searing the Cryohydra with burning hands once heads start coming off.

Prebuffs the party with Prayer +1

By the Dawnflower, I do not like the looks of this dreadful creature with the five heads it has. We need not provoke it to grow more.

She casts a 'flame blade' for herself and a gout of flame springs from her hands ready to strike.

Flame is also something I can provide.

She moves to the other side, opposite of Gadget.

"Acid should work as well." Jayori adds over his shoulder, as he focuses on the hydra.

Seiran prebuffs with his favorite defence spells. Having Mage armor and shield on himself, he hums a tune as he wades into battle with his fellow companion.

Knowledge (Arcana) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

"I can throw acid." he offers as he makes sure to stay out of its way.

"Let's give them a real show. Give it an extra head or two, Spread out to avoid the breath, and I'll summon something to keep it distracted."

"Sounds good to me." Seiran offers as he begins to eye the dangerous creature.

Luke hasn't posted in 5 days. I would just set him on delay.

The Hydra charges forward, but the pathfinders are too far away for it to reach them.
wills: 2d20 ⇒ (13, 9) = 22

Status, bold may post . Round 2.
Radagast
Gadget
Seiran
Lasaraleen
Liminy
Joyori
Hydra - 2 heads blinded with glitterdust (DC21)
Round 3 starts

Phew... was a little worried it would have all its heads breathing on me! =)

"Let's add to the party."

Liminy takes a 5ft step and begins casting summon monster II.

Radagast cautiously moves forward.

Double move.

Double Move
Gadget heads to the other side to get more advantageous positioning on the creature.

Hmm.. is this like a performance combat? Seems like it, from the crowd reactions. Sadly, I don't think talking is the right kind of performance! =) Still we can try.

Jayori slams the point of his trident down into the sand, in a defiant gesture, like he's declaring a point the hydra can not move past.

"Let us show them how little we fear this mighty beast!" He shouts, as he moves forward, right into range of all the snapping heads. trusting his armor to do its job. As he goes, he pulls a wickedly curved dagger off of his belt, eyeing the movement of the heads as he approaches.

"So many heads, just provides more targets!" He adds, with a grin.

Perform to incite the crowd: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

move 10' drawing kukri as he goes, this will provoke an AoO

Once in close, he waits patiently for an opening, then, as one of the many heads come too near, he suddenly ducks and lashes out with his blade!

Ok, lets give it a try!
This will also provoke an AoO, as he does not have Improved Sunder.. 8(

Sunder!: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 = 24, 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7 slashing damage.

Jayori advances and slashes out at the Hydra. As he does so, two heads lean forward to bite him. One gets a mouthful of paladin, but finds it fell into his trap as its neck is quickly severed. Horrifingly the stump starts to sprout almost immediately, splitting in two as it starts to rapidly grow back a pair of heads where before there was only one.

Limney starts a spell. Gadget and Radagast run forward.

Status, bold may post. Round 2.
Seiran
Lasaraleen
Hydra - 5 damage; 2 heads blinded with glitterdust (DC21). 4 heads up;(severed in round 2; two back in round 7); 2 AOO made;
Round 3 starts
Joyori - 13 damage
Liminy - summoning
Radagast
Gadget

Dang, should a put in a lay on hands option if I got bit!

I guess a little blood is good for the show! =)

You can have a lay on hands if you want.