[PFS CORE] GM Chadius's The Dalsine Affair 2-21 (subtier 1-2) (Inactive)

Game Master chadius

You have been summoned to the Grand Lodge in the middle of the night. There you find instructions to meet your teammates, travel to Taldor, and help a Venture-Captain there named Muesello. You are warned that Pathfinders aren't exactly welcome in Taldor, and you'll need to be careful there.

Feel free to buy equipment and memorize spells as needed. This is a scenario that will start as soon as you arrive at the lodge in Taldor.

A swift boat ride, a quick trip through Taldor’s gilded capital, and a coded knock at the front door lead to the unassuming, windowless Pathfinder Society lodge masquerading as a bait and tackle shop called Rods and Reels. The strong smell of old fish permeates the dwelling, which has somewhat of a ill cared-for, haphazard appearance. The light of a single, whale-oil lantern forms strange shadows on the floor among the nets and buckets that fill the lodge’s ground floor.

A middle aged-man runs the Taldor Pathfinder Lodge. Venture-Captain Muesello greets the party on the first floor.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice." He quickly locks the door behind you.
"You see, lately the Taldan government has been growing particularly protective of what it considers its national treasures. Grand Prince Stavian seems to have taken a personal interest in anything older than last week’s fish stew, imposing heavy tariffs on any antiquities being sent out of the country."

He lets out a deep sigh. "This is where my own idiocy comes in. I thought that I could save the Society a few pieces of gold by smuggling items out of the city, using my contacts in a secret cult of local Sarenites known as the Dawnflower Blossoms. They receive significant support from people in Qadira, and oversee regular shipments to and from Katheer."

He strokes his gray beard. "Last night, though, everything went to hell. The local Militia conducted a violent raid on one of the cult's safe houses. A man named Chalfon Dalsine, a minor noble who was himself nearly a Pathfinder in his youth, led the attack. A few members were able to escape, but the rest were either slain or captured and dragged away for interrogation. If the government tracks those packages back to me, they might formally expel all Pathfinders from the country!"

Just as he is about to continue, a loud knock is heard on the shop's front door.

Gratius is a tall half-elf, with a grim face and black hairs wearing a simple black leather, a big backpack and a symbol with winged eye around his neck.
His weapon is a massive Glaive and at his side, a morningstar, a longsword and a dagger.

What is the mission Captain ? Get the "package" safe out of the lodge ? But in this case, how could we do it without warning the authorities, if as I fear they are knocking at our door ?

Asks Gratius

The boyish-looking member of your party, still looking uncomfortably quiet while listening to everyone else in the room, finally tries to speak. I didn't realize that the Pathfinder Society would be involved in this type of activity. Seems I have much to learn. Good thing I'm among veteran agents. Stepping forward, wearing obviously newly purchased adventuring gear, he introduces himself. My name is Saldoc Tisbane. Maybe you have heard of my half-brother, Faldoc. I hope I can be of some service to you.

Vash was standing in the shadows casted by the light of the single, whale-oil lantern and was nodding his head at the comments made by Muesello when the knock at the door seemed to rang through the room. With his black cloak wrapped arouns him that seems to melt in to the shadows. His right hand slides to his short sword as he expects trouble to come through the door.

As he stands up from the ground where he sat, gripping his greatsword, Aritian growls "If we're going to be fighting to save your hide right after we meet you I'm going to be pretty angry.
He turns to the door
Regardless it sounds like we have more pressing matters.

perception check to listen for voices on the other side of the door
perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Thanks for joining, Aritian. Could you put a stat block in your profile, similar to the other PCs have? You can see a sample version in my profile, as well.

There may be 1 more person joining, but let's get moving for now.

"Open this door! This is the Porthmos Militia. Open this door in the name of the Grand Prince! Don't make us break it down!" One of the members of the militia shouts from outside and directs her four men to the entrance.

Acting quickly, Musello motions everyone to be quiet. "Hold on, I've got to find the key. I'll be right there!" He quickly knocks over some hay along the wall, revealing a trap door underneath. He opens it to reveal a ladder that leads to the basement.

"I was able to rescue 10 of the Dawnflowers. They're upstairs. Get them down this hatch and pull the lever down there to block off the passage. They know the way to their last hiding spot."

"Oh, and track down this Chalfon Dalsine, and see if you can find my parcels: two beautiful sets of armor crafted by the fey of the Verduran Forest. Last I heard, the Porthmos Militia had taken them back to Dalsine’s home. I'll hold these guards off the best I can."

There are many ways to handle this situation. Sample ideas include bluffing the guards, helping the cultists escape, barricading the door, and fighting the guards. Without your help it will take about 12 rounds for the Dawnflowers to escape.

Round 1

Vash
Militia
Dawnflowers
Aritian
Gratius
Saldoc

Vash was ready for anything, and reacts quickly before the others can.

Guards doing only their job. Let's get these people out of this mess.

Says Gratius who as a former guard in Egorian knows how being a guard is.

He moves up to the stairs to get the downflower followers downstairs.

Guys ! You must move out NOW !

Vash jumps into action and runs to the ladder. Vash calls out, " Come! Like Gratius said it time to move now. Move as quickly down the hatch!."

Vash will spend his turn to help the Dawnflower followers down the hatch. Assuming no roll is needed?

Aritian attempts to assist the cultists out the hatch.

"Unless you want some guards climbing up your rear get down that hatch"

would I be able to attempt an intimidate check to hurry them up?

There are no rolls needed to help the Dawnflowers move faster, but it only happens on your turn.

Vash's warning causes the Dawnflowers to quickly get their stuff and start to flee.

"What's going on in there! Open up!"
Captain's Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

"Ah, yes, yes! Just...finding my keys, I told ya!"
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

"Fine! Hurry up!" She yells.

Musello wipes the sweat off his brow. "Looks like I bought us a little more time..."

Round 1

Vash
Militia
Dawnflowers (10 rounds left)
Aritian
Gratius
Saldoc

Round 2
Vash

Gratius draws his sap while being ready to help the followers to go through the hatch.

Could Saldoc do something to the lock with his Disable Device skill to make it more difficult to open, should it come to that? If so, he does it. If not, he'll help usher people.

Musello has placed a magical ward on the door. You can push furniture in front of the door to barricade it, or you can help the Dawnflowers escape.

Saldoc will play the role of usher in order to aid the escape.

Vash continues to help the Dawnflowers down the hatch before the military come through the door.

Aritian continues with helping the Dawnflowers. Hurrying them down as quickly as possible.

The Pathfinders quickly escort the Dawnflowers downstairs.

"You're lying, old man! You, get the ram ready, now!"
Captain's Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

"No no, I think I found em- drat! I dropped them! Where's my light?"
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

"Liar!" The captain yells. "He's hiding something! Knock this door down now!"
Str check vs Break DC 23: 1d20 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 1 + 5 = 15

The portable ram slams against the door, but you see a magical force field hold the door steady. Musello wipes some sweat off his forehead.
"Looks like they're not listening to me anymore. I'll keep the door stable as long as I can- you guys get out of here!"

Round 3
Vash
Militia
Dawnflowers (5 rounds left)
Aritian
Gratius
Saldoc

Round 4
Vash

Gratius continues to help the dawn flower followers to get in the hatch, far from the guards.

Hurry up guys ! We need you out of here quickly !

Saldoc continues to aid the people escape.

As Gratius and Saldoc help more of the Dawnflowers downstairs, they are surprised to hear of more people coming down.

"They must have finished barricading the upper floors." Musello laughs. "Help your fellow Pathfinders out and get these Dawnflowers into the basement!"

Welcome Imoen Hart/Creat and Torrential, thanks for joining. Please post your actions for the end of Round 3.

Round 3
Vash
Militia
Dawnflowers (3 rounds left)
Aritian
Gratius
Saldoc
Torrential
Imoen Hart or Creat

Round 4
Vash

Torrential will help with getting the folks below. He is balding, slipping past middle aged, and more interested in the weather than the others on board. During the travels you have him marked as a taciturn cranky druid with their oh so typical disdain for human societies and human beings in general. He has shown absolutely no interest in the usual Pathfinder fare for discussion, keeping mostly to himself while caring for his pack goat - whom he doesn't seem to like much either oddly enough.

"If I get myself jailed on my first mission, I'll never hear the end of it. Get moving prey!"

They're like sheep. I'm tempted to take a chunk out of one of the slower tushes.

He'll give a not so gentle nudge to the slower ones, but in spite of his thoughts - no biting.

Round 3

Vash
Militia
Dawnflowers (3 rounds left)
Aritian
Gratius
Saldoc
Torrential
Imoen Hart or Creat

Or Colleen if that's okay with you. Besides, Creat is busy lallygagging elsewhere and it looked like you had caught your limit of rogues. So I brought a buckler of swash. ;)

"And what about you?" Colleen asks Musello in a tense whisper. "What happens to you when they get in?"

In the rounds since the knock came she has spread the shop's supply of tin buckets about the shadowy aisles of the shop (the one with bait in it above the front door jam).

craft (trap-making): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

"For me? They'll bring me in for, ahem. questioning." Musello gives a pair of air quotes. "I've seen the Worldwound up close. Five militia guards is nothing compared to that."

"I'll make sure they can't follow you, once you're down there." The old man holds his ground.

Torrential herds the Dawnflowers downstairs like a shepherd would guide sheep.

Round 3
Vash
Militia
Dawnflowers (2 rounds left)
Aritian
Gratius
Saldoc
Torrential
Colleen

Round 4
Vash

"I'm just saying I could make it look like a convincing burglary." She says balling up a fist.

I haven't heard from Aritian or Vash, I'll assume they help the Dawnflowers downstairs.

"You're smart, lass." Musello chuckles. "But I need you to head down and protect the Dawnflowers. Get them home, alright?"

With that, Musello ushers everyone underneath the trapdoor before closing it shut. Moments later, you hear a loud thud and the sounds of wood splintering. You hear the Militia run in and yell at Musello. All he says is "I surrender", leaving them no choice but to arrest him. Some of the Militia turn toward the trapdoor and draw their axes, preparing to cut through the hatch.

Once everyone is down safely, the party notices a lever. Pulling it triggers the stairway to collapse with a reverberating rumble, filling the chamber with dust, but sealing off the way up.

A halfling woman steps forward from the other Dawnflowers and introduces herself. "I am Piria, and we are the Dawnflower Blossoms. Sarenrae has truly blessed us with Musello's help, and you have helped save us what could have been another awful raid..."

"We must reach the Vault of Sarenrae as soon as possible- it is our last known sanctuary that has not been compromised. We can stay there while deciding our next move."

Feel free to ask Piria questions about the Dawnflowers or the raid

You can use Knowledge (History or Religion) checks to learn about how Taldor treats followers of Sarenrae.

You can use Knowledge (History or Dungeoneering) checks to learn about Oppara's vast catacombs.

Sorry about not posting. I was waiting on my initiative to come up after Vash

As they are rushing through the cavern Aritian looks down on the halfling and asks "What exactly are you cultists doing here that makes us and Musello need to risk our necks for you'

Vash with his quite style helps the Dawnflowers downstairs.

Vash also waits for the answer to Aritian and during the wait thinks back about what he knows of the Oppara's vast catacombs.

Knowledge ( Dungeoneering): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

But all Vash can remember is that they are a vast network of tunnels and natural or manmade caves that run under the city.

Our next move? What options will we have?

How many time do you think it will take to go to your Safe House ?

Asks Titus who begins to try to clear their tracks while moving.

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Sorry about not posting. I was waiting on my initiative to come up after Vash

No problem. As long as your name is bolded in the initiative feel free to post your action. Usually the exact turn order doesn't matter much in PbP.

As they are rushing through the cavern Aritian looks down on the halfling and asks "What exactly are you cultists doing here that makes us and Musello need to risk our necks for you'

"Taldor has always tolerated followers of Sarenae." Piria catches her breath. "But very recently they have reached a new level of barbarism. That murderous raid took us all by complete surprise. They burst in while we were in the middle of worship. A butcher of a man named Chalfon Dalsine—a nobleman of some sort judging by his dress—led the attack. There hasn’t been such a vicious attack on Sarenrae’s faithful in Oppara for decades. They came in and just started killing everyone. They didn’t even ask any questions."

"Our next move? What options will we have?"

"The Dawnflowers' next move is to reach the Vault of Sarenae. It’s an ancient temple dedicated to the Dawnflower we discovered here in the catacombs a few years back. Only a few of us know about it, so it’s probably the most secure location for us right now. Then again, after the attack, I’m not so sure it’s wise to trust anyone or anything."

The human woman Xene and the halfling woman Sophone step forward and indicate they know how to reach the vault.

"As for you all, you are of course welcome to stay with us until we find a way to exit the city. But I believe Musello told you to get something else?"

Yes, we must investigate this Chalfon Dalsine. But first, we need to get you to safety

Says Gratius.

Aritian responds quickly to their question.

" Musello has been smuggling antiques out of Taldor recently. He got caught and he wants us to help erase his involvement. If you have any ideas on how we can go about doing that or just some form of supplies or information to help us that would be useful."

Hmph. It would be better if we went to a cave I know of about 40 miles from here, but catacombs sound safe enough. At least they are not planning on huddling up in some death-trap of a building in the city.

"How do you suppose Dalsine found your other safe house?"

"Musello has been smuggling antiques out of Taldor recently. He got caught and he wants us to help erase his involvement. If you have any ideas on how we can go about doing that or just some form of supplies or information to help us that would be useful."

"Ah, I see... No will will implicate him without physical evidence. I guess you'll need to find where those items wound up and get them before an investigation starts."

"How do you suppose Dalsine found your other safe house?"

"That I..." Piria stammers. "I worry one of the Dawnflowers was forced to talk about it to the authorities. But they have never treated us like this before the raid. Did someone...betray-" Piria shakes her head. "No, they must have forced the information out of one of us. That poor soul."

The catacombs twist and turn, the passages ranging in width from narrow five-foot crawlspaces to massive twenty- foot avenues. The walls and floors vary in material from rough-hewn stone to cobblestone to moldering wooden boardwalks. The current stone passage spans a width of twenty- feet and features dozens of smaller, five- and ten-foot-wide, round tunnels branching o every few yards. The air is
dry and still.

The human woman Xene and the halfling woman Sophone help Piria navigate through the twisted catacombs. Sometimes they travel down dead ends, but otherwise make good time.

"This is the tunnel I remember." Xene nods. "A flower symbol should be etched in this wall- yes! We're maybe an hour away."

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Just another cave

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

"You ladies should clean more down here. There's a lot of cobwebs in here.... Anyone else notice the lack of rats?"

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Yeah, I noticed the same thing.

2nd Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 Nope. Maybe Colleen will make hers.

Perception check to notice 2nd perception check = 1 Damn!

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

"Uh guys! I think I know where the rats went!"

There is no map for this encounter, but you're in a 10ft hallway. At least there's a picture, I guess.

Colleen notices a thin trail of viscous fluid from a side hallway and sees the source: a giant spider (medium size) lies in wait, trying to ambush the party! The Dawnflowers quickly move aside.

Round 1

Aritian
Gratius
Spider, Man
Vash
Saldoc
Colleen

Thanks to Colleen's warning, Aritian and Gratius quickly spring into action.

Wait for it ! With my superior reach I will be able to strike twice before it come at us !

Says Gratius who readies an attack.

AoO: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Damages: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Ready attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Damages: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Aritian charges forward with a battlecry.
"FOR GLORY!!!!!!!"

expending a rage round

greatsword power attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
crit confirmation(if applicable): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (6, 6) + 12 = 24

Those rolls though

Hey, you're level 1. That to hit bonus is more important, anyway.

Aritian charges forward and nearly slices the thing in two. Gratius was waiting for it to come forward, but decides to simply jab it. It collapses before it can do anything. Worst. Ambush. Ever.

Combat over

With the beast slain, the Dawnflowers breathe a sigh of relief. "Wow. I'm glad you are on our side." Sophone chirps as she takes the lead.

After another hour, the party arrives at an underground temple. They notice seven worshippers surrounding a campfire, trying to stay warm. As the party approaches, they stand up and pull out simple wooden clubs. Piria yells "Well met by moonlight, sisters and brothers, but soon the dawn will come!"

After hearing the passphrase, the worshippers wipe the sweat off their brows, drop their clubs and welcome everyone to the temple. One in particular, a slim, redheaded human man with pinched features, steps up to the group.

"Welcome, Pathfinders. I am the leader of this group of Dawnflowers. They call me Akkuret. Please, stay. Eat, drink and be merry. I have heard much about this Chalfon Dalsine and I wish to share all that I know with you."

The worshippers are at the circle in the middle of the room. Feel free to rearrange yourselves.

this is my 4th session of PFS ever :P

Aritian is tired after the walk and fight. After wiping some of the cold sweat from his brow he asks"After such a long trek I need something wet. Ye wouldn't happen to have any ale would ye?"

Did you forget to roll for Torrential's init? The combat is over, but I'm going to be sad if I'm paralyzed before the battle even begins the next time :(

Vash tries to smile as Aritian asks for some ale. The shadows from the campfire seem to flicker across him as he moves closer to Akkuret. "What can you tell us about Chalfon Dalsine? Also do you know anything about Dalsine’s home?" ask Vash.