[PFS]DM Elanmorin's #5-02 Wardstone Patrol

Game Master Rogar Valertis

Enjoying the beer at the pub, listening and observing to all that is going on, not saying much, observing.

long weekend with the family, apologies to all for lack of posting

I'd like to see Vrothum's reaction to the events that just transpired before continuing. Do you wish to search for Ekira after this interlude?

She's our best lead, at this point. I'm not sure if we can calm her down, but maybe someone can see if she's corrupt or simply blinded by her hatred of Pathfinders.

Idril, relaxing at the inn with his companion drinks a bit of wine, mulling his own challenges in the town. At Vrothum's words, he looks sharply in his direction, hand darting to th ehilt of Ankar.

Vrothum darts up from his chair, and he reaches to his coin pouch and checks his dagger.
He glances around the room a bit. Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11. Not noticing anything but the fact that he’s causing a scene , he calmly says: I felt like I just needed to say this town has been very welcoming to us, and the people have been wonderful and for that, A round for every body on me! He sits back down and after a moment says to the group, in a hushed tone, I felt a tug on my belt near my dagger, now the testimony of the pathfinders in jail was that she was certain she had her dagger on her before bed. We are being watched, and I believe that was an attempt to get another murder weapon. Be on your guard, finish up, and I think we need to be on our way...

I have your back friend. They will not use your weapon today.

"A round for everyone! Yes!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Sheela is quite excited by this prospect and begins getting orders. She wasn't paying attention to whether it was simply a cover story. She'll never pass another opportunity for wine!

Aye, best be on our way and see if we can catch that thief. Keep your hands on your gear, especially the unique stuff... As the drinks start to get passed out, I discreetly make my way to the door/exit, waiting on the others...and looking for anything suspicious.

What sort of precautions are you taking in order to avoid one of your weapons being stolen?

After you leave the pub, it doesn't take long for you to track down the inquisitor of Iomedae, Ekira. A woman with short cut blond hair, clad in chainmail, armed with a longsword and a shortbow, keeping the symbol of Iomedae prominently displayed.

As she notices you, the inquisitor studies your group with care, trying to decide what to make of you:"So? Why do you stand there? Do you need to ask me sometyhing or you just like to go around staring at people?"

Sheela gets a length of rope and ties her weapons together.

"Ah, greetings... Ekira, correct?" Sheela proposes. "We're from out of town, and we heard terrible things going on. A murder? By some Pathfinders? It's odd, I have heard so many good things about them. What do you know of the Pathfinder Society and their efforts here?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 2

If I can butter her up, maybe she'll spill the beans!

Sheela, you might want to throw in a bluff check as well...

Bluff: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Inspired Trait: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 Woo!

"Do you really think those naughty Pathfinders are behind all of this?"

Azrael eyes Ekira cautiously before deciding his stance on the inquisitor.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25 Any hidden motives?

Rogar will keep an eye out and attack anyone trying to steal our weapons

NO PA
attack when needed: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Dmg: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 6) + 7 = 14

Perception to spot: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

DC31 Sense Motive check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

The inquisitor casts a a dubious glance at Sheela but in the end she doesn't seem to realize the woman and her friends are indeed the pathfinders she seems to loathe so much.

"Good things about them? You are deeply misinformed then. Alas the Pathfinders are skilled liars and know how to spread such misinformation. In truth they are despicable meddlers, more likely than not to be in league with the forces of the Abyss!" Ekira proclaims with deep convinction, eyes ablaze with zeal. After a dramatic pause she continues:"I know of this because the “Voice of Iomedae” has told me! The Pathfinders in town and the entire Pathfinder Society are engaged in villainy, believe me! Kenabres fell because of betrayal and internal strife, the very same stuff the Pathfinder Society is made of! Luckily enough the miscreants infesting this town were catched. They had already killed 2 people in grisly fashion, but at least they were stopped before they could do more harm, and soon they will pay for their crimes!"

You need a DC22 Diplomacy check in order to shift Ekira's attitude

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

"Oh my. And you have proof of this? Are you certain the demons aren't tricking you now?" Sheela blurts, kinda paying attention but not really.

lol, due to my faction goal I'm guaranteed at least a DC 12 Diplomacy check. Good luck guys!

"Maybe it's the warrior in me ma'am, but I believe Kenabres fell because the townspeople were complacent in their tiny happy lives, they were not prepared to fight against the legions of the Abyss. I have said this before, and I have to insist, Queen Galfrey should enlist every single farmer from Bedis, they sure know how to wield a scythe, if it weren't for the will of the gods, them possessed farmers would've slashed my eyes straight out.

"There's no amount of bickering and in-fighting between humans able to save Mendev from the demons, you mendevians need to start accepting some outside assistance against the demonic horde."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Why does the dice roller hate Val so much?

Azrael speaks up after assessing the situation. "Your trust in the voice is admirable. Where does one find the voice of Iomedae and speak to it himself?" The human enquires, but doesn't pause before continuing his next thought."However, are you true to your cause? Should not these men be trialled and tested to the word of the law before condemned?" He enunciates his words in a manner that questions Ekira's judgement.

I will offer up my reroll (3 stars) for Sheela and/or Valentynne if they want to make a diplomacy post Azrael's musings. And Azrael will aid in whoever makes the next primary roll.

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10

Can GM rerolls be shared? I never knew that. Well, if they can be...

Seems like for some reason Ekira took a liking to your group and accepts to answer Sheela's question.

"As I told you Iomedae herself talks to me. Her words are all I need to determine right from wrong. But in the case of the Pathfinder's guilt I also had mundane proof to back my accusations. A pious soul sent me a letter in which this concerned but frightened citizen identified the Pathfinders as the murderers. We have ample proof, and soon their wicked souls will be judged by the gods, and then without doubt, burn in the 9 Hells!"

There's not much more you can do with Ekira. DO you want to do anything else? If not choose a location to visit for the evening"

"That makes sense... A good day to you." Sheela bids her goodbye to the annoying zealot.

Once she's out of earshot, she speaks to the party. "She's so quick to believe the Pathfinders' guilt. I wonder if it's really the goddess, or a demon who knows how gullible she is. These types of suitors always annoyed me."

"Does anyone else have a suggestion on where to go next? Did we visit all the major locations?"

Idril, quiet not wanting to bumble the meeting with Erika. He contemplates the next move.

"She mentioned a letter, I would love to inspect it for myself. Where do we suspect it is being kept?"

Yeesh, that Erika needs a few drinks and boyfriend....or girlfriend. I agree with Idril, lets look for that gory damn letter before that Erika makes me think about converting from being a worshipper of Iomeade!

Azrael will ask Ekira if she knows who the letter was written by or who the witness is. We (Vorthum and Azrael) have studied the letter already as well.

"If you would so kindly tell, do you know the writer of the letter or the said witness?"

@Titus & Idril: Vrothum had access to that same letter thanks to the sheriff. You already know what it says

After your encounter with Ekira you wander the town aimlessly and gain very little information you didn't know already. As you get back to your sleeping accomodations in the Tent City a man with long, greasy hair wearing farmer clothes approaches you:"Well met friends. I was asked to deliver this to you" so saying the man hands you a letter...

Check handouts and roll linguistics or perception

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Idril quirks a brow and eyes the courier.

"Why thank you, kind sir."

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 17

"Oh no! We have to save him! Or her! Plus we can find out who is setting the Pathfinders up! Sheela is very concerned...

"Let's go as quick as we can, but be aware, this new letter itself could be a trap."

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Aye, I got a hunch there is a set up here, but it also might be what we need to exonerate those we feel are falsely accused

Azrael nods as he withdraws his blade and shield. "Let us go."

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Sheela applies a bit of Mage Armor to herself. "I'd expect some conflict no matter what. Maybe we can capture the killer and save someone in one fell swoop." Sheela is extremely anxious.

Yeah that would nice, but don't get your hopes ups....let's just hope we can stop a few fellow comrades from unjustly swinging from the gallows pole.

After reading the missive Idril and Azrael both determine that the handwriting is identical to that on the letter sent to the Pathfinder Society warning of the imminent executions, as well as that of the written testimony that Sheriff Luin received.

Thanks to the directions provided by the letter you easily find the place where your mysterious writer is supposedly held hostage. The house is two stories tall with part of its ground floor’s space dedicated to cottage industries.

Map updated. You can perceive nothing unusual from the outside

Idril draws his dark blade and stands at the ready. "I cannot help but suspect a trap here, but what choice do we have? Shall we?" Idril prepares to enter the house.

Sheela nods. "I'll let you scouty types go ahead first. If you need a pony or a horse I can summon one in a bit."

Azrael moves around and checks through all the windows, and then approaches the front door.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Checking from the outside, Azrael is convinced the first floor of the house to be deserted.

On mobile, so can't update map.. but Azrael will move in to explore the first floor thoroughly.

Azrael gives the green light to the group to enter to investigate.

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

With the okay, Sheela moves right in and casts Detect Magic, scanning the first floor.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Vrothum stays rather quiet considering the recent events they’ve uncovered, and attempts to put all the pieces together as they approach their next invitation. He then takes in to consideration the thoughts of the others and agrees. Though it’s probably a set up for an ambush of some sort, at Azraels signal Vrothum enters with the others. Vrothum checks for anything suspicious or out of place. Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

I walk into the house with Shield raised up and my blade in the ready first postion, the edge parallel to the ground the tapered tip resting on the edge of the brass edging of the shield.

Val is thinking as he moves behind his allies. Why isn't anyone talking, this is far more tense than I'm used to.

Tower shield on his left arm and the smaller one on his right.

The first floor of the house appears to be empty and Sheela's magic reveals no noticeable magical auras here.

Where to?

Sheela shrugs, and then points upstairs, keeping her Detect Magic active.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Idril draws Ankar and nods. "Upstairs. But be ready."

The man wrapped in iron follows.

Azrael seeks the stairs and leads the group upwards, holding his shield high and his kukri held behind his shield as usual.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

ok we are in.....anyone watching outside? Counting heads, I notice that nobody appears to be pulling rear security....I step outside...cautiously, looking to the left and right...if nothing.....i stay on the edge of the house and look around the left and right corners....

You climb the stairs to the second floor and find your surroundings to be in increasingly bad conditions, while the place is obviously badly lit.

Azrael opens the door to the central room but can't see anything out of place here...

Move yourselves on the map please

Sheela moves to another bedroom to inspect it.