[PFS]DM Elanmorin's #9-08 BIRTHRIGHT BETRAYED (4-5) (Inactive)

Game Master Rogar Valertis

Q'lack fires another pair of arrows at the green pirate.

"I suspect this noise will bring the authorities." he croaks.

attack,RS,PBS: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 20
attack,RS,PBS: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Will Save (Hippo): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Zomo's spell affects the hippo which prepares to attack the nearest pirate. Nei-lung tries to punch the aquatic animal but his weak attempt fails to cause any damage against its thick skin.
Slade tries to attack the pirate in black garb but since he's down 10 feet from the bridge this proves impossible for the fighter.
Q'lack on the other hand hits and wound the pirate with the green scarf on his face.

Round 02 - Bold may act

Zomo
Q'lack
Henry
Nei-lung

Canal pirate (blue)
Canal pirate (black)
Canal pirate (green) -7hp
Hippo

Myrd

Gayleigh Knar

Slade

Henry is now in good position to do his duty.

In honor to the Grand Prince, surrender!

He then strikes the bandit that he's flanking with Nei-Lung black

Rapier: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 2 = 21
Damages: 1d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 3 = 12

After his attack, he's ready to stop the one from a pirate.

Remember that you all have haste! Also Myrd should be in the same initiative position as Slade as I readied for him to move within range

oops, forgot oO Thanks Myrd!

Being faster than he remembers, Henry strikes a second time!

Rapier (haste): 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 23
Damages: 1d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 3 = 12

Henry's blade pierces twice the pirate's defenses. The man stumbles, bleeding heavily... and immediately counterattacks by throwing his own blood into Henry's eyes!

Improved Dirty Trick: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 = 15

Unfortunately for him, Henry was expecting this kind of undehanded tactics and strikes him down before he can complete his attack.

Stabilization check (black): 1d20 + 3 - 6 ⇒ (4) + 3 - 6 = 1

His friend nearby, loos appalled at the sudden turn of events and reacts attacking the former taldan soldier.

Attack roll (blue vs Henry): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

He misses as well, yet his green clad companion decides to follow suit shooting at Henry!

Attack roll (green vs Henry): 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 4 = 3 -> Damage roll: 1d8 ⇒ 1

He has no better luck than his friends, his bolt missing by a mile. And then the hippo... being magically compelled by Zomo, tries to bite down on the pirate in front of it!

Attack roll (hippo vs blue): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 -> Damage roll: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

And the hippo's bite does not forgive!

Round 02 - Bold may act

Zomo
Q'lack
Henry
Nei-lung

Canal pirate (blue) -11hp
Canal pirate (black) -37hp, dying
Canal pirate (green) -7hp
Hippo

Myrd

Gayleigh Knar

Slade

oopse, forgot the haste

An extra arrow twags from Q'lack's bow
attack,haste: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Q'lack second arrow hits the crossbow wielding pirate as well.
Myrd studies the situation.
The pirate woman in the barge's back shoots again, this time aiming for Q'lack.

Attack roll 01: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 2 = 18 -> Damage roll: 1d8 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 2 + (4) = 9

Attack roll 02: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 - 2 = 14 -> Damage roll: 1d8 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 2 + (6) = 15

This time her arrows sparkle... and actually discharge electricity... as the grippli finds out the painful way!

Round 02/03 - Bold may act

Zomo
Q'lack -9hp
Henry
Nei-lung

Canal pirate (blue) -11hp
Canal pirate (black) -37hp, dying
Canal pirate (green) -13hp
Hippo

Myrd delay

Gayleigh Knar

Slade

"Ouch! croaks Q'lack. He directs his arrows at the other archer.

The volley of arrows appears on target... but surely the agile archer will dodge a couple of them..

Slae steps forward and slashes at the pirate twice.

Haste, Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Power Attack: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Haste, Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Power Attack: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Sensing the creature in front of him has a thicker hide than he originally thought, Nei-lung sheathes his body in acidic energy Elemental Assault, swift action. Steeling himself for another round with the behemoth, he unleashes a flurry of blows against the hippo. His body goes into a graceful spin to the left, his right fist swinging for the hippo’s snout. His momentum carries him through the spin, as he strikes again with his left elbow.
Unarmed Strike (fist)+Haste: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 1 = 23
Damage+acid: 1d8 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + (6) = 15
Unarmed Strike (elbow)+Haste: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 1 = 15
Damage=acid: 1d8 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (6) = 11

Realizing Myrd’s magic has enhanced his speed, he tries to connect one more time, this time with a upward knee to the jaw, attempting to keep the beast from being able to bite him.

Unarmed Strike(knee)+Haste: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 1 = 27
Damage+acid: 1d8 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 4 + (3) = 15

supposing that blue is down

Henry moves to engage the crossbowman.

Acrobatic if needed: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14 AC21

Last chance to surrender! In the Grand Prince's Name!

Rapier: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 1 = 16
Damages: 1d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 3 = 13

Seeing Nei-lung unleach on the hippo, Zomo turns his attention to the pirate and attempts to force their fury and jealousy to the forefront of their mind.

Zomo casts metamagic reach Murderous Command. DC 18 will save or attack their nearest ally with a melee or ranged weapon.

As Q'lack predicted only one of his shafts manages to wound the pirate woman.

Slade's acrobatics check DC10: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Slade jumps onto one of the crates and from there he slashes once at the pirate in blue, wounding him despite the warrior's precarious position.
It's Henry who finishes the job by slashing the man's down.

Stabilization check (blue): 1d20 + 3 - 9 ⇒ (20) + 3 - 9 = 14

As this happens, Nei-lung smashes his fists into the Hippo, summoning magic to augment his deadliness. It seems to work as the beast looks clearly injured after receiving his attacks.

Will Save (green): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The other pirate prepares to shoot at his captain

But the pirate woman decides enough is enough. She hides behind the crate and shouts:"Parley my lords! We'd like to discuss this matter on more civilized terms! Are you amenable to keep the Grand Prince's peace?"

Combat halted. Green shoots at the woman but fails to hit due to cover, the Hippo snorts and jumps into the water. You can Roleplay the rest unless you want to keep fighting

"Lay down your weapons and surrender, your cooperation may earn leniency from the law... And from us." Zomo speaks from atop the bridge.

I agree with my comrade, we are ready to discuss this matter less lethally if your lay down your weapons.

Henry, waits to see the woman's actions.

Realizing she has no other real options, the woman nods and throws her rapier on the barge's floor in front of her, followed by her bow before telling her underling to do the same:"Robin! Drop that crossbow! Can't you see we are going to discuss this like civilized people, you lout?". Shaking his hhead the other pirate does as ordered. Seems like they surrendered.

After this brief exchange the pirate captain eyes her two fallen companions as well:"Excellencies... far from me to ask for a boon so early in this new relationship of ours but may I suggest you prevent my sailors from drowning in their own blood? Their hides may be worth more with their inhabitants alive rather than dead..."

What do you do?

"A dead man may have an interesting story to tell, but no one may be able to tell it as well." Nei-lung takes out his Wand of Infernal Healing and taps the two unconscious pirates with it.

You quickly disarm the 4 pirates and notice their captain wears a strange helmet bearing the symbol of Aroden’s eye.

Aside from the strange item you find out these pirates were unusually well armed for people of their station and "occupation"...

As 4 of you keep the prisoners under watch, the rest of your party checks on the pirates’ barge and the smuggler’s tunnel you found nearby. Both are loaded with casks of salt pork. Each barrel bears a scratched-out maker’s mark, it seems...

Once everyone is back to the barge, the woman, whose name you learn is Gayleigh Knar, asks nervously:"Pray tell, your excellencies... is there any way for us lowborn louts to earn some leniency with the law? We did nothing so bad after all, just a little mischief..."

Q'lack ensures the healing pirates are quickly tied on.

"That arrow hurt." he says, "Would you be so kind as to tap me with that stick too?"

He eyes the woman's bow with open envy.

int: 1d20 ⇒ 19
perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

He quickly removes the womans helmet. "I think this was reported missing from the museum. Perhaps we might start our conversation with how you came upon it?" he suggests.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

"See these barrels? The maker's mark is familiar." Slade states pointing it out.

Int: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Yes, you're right Slade, I recognize the mark as the one of Count Zespire!

Turning to Q'lack he adds Are you sure ? then to the woman he says How do you have obtain this helmet? Who gave it to you? Tell us everything and be ready to make a signed testimony and may be the Law could be light on you.

"Was it? I cannot say, all I know is that it was left in the tunnel down there 2 weeks ago with the rest of our payment for the cargo we delievered..." Gayleigh answers Q'lack and Henry about the helmet.

"Where do you want me to start? We began robbing Count Zespire’s shipments as revenge for dismissing us from the navy. Then we were contacted by a fence who introduced us to a contact in Ridonport on a need-to-know basis. Our contractor arranged to use these tunnels as a dead drop location. Our friendly fence has since disappeared, yet the payments for good have kept appearing, even becoming more generous, including arms and armor instead of just coinage. As I said, that's how I got the helmet" Gayleigh states before concluding:"I must admit we haven’t heard from their fence directly. We've never met the man, or woman, but we have continued robbing Zespire’s barges, since the deal had become so sweet... until this night, that is"

Are there other questions you have for them?

sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

With a sigh, perhaps the first ever heard from a Grippli.

"I believe you. But why did Count Zespire dismiss you from the navy? His is a landlocked barony is it not?" asks Q'lack.

"How did you meet this friendly fence? Did they have a name?"

"How often does the drop get picked up? Is there a sign to let the fence know there is a shipment. We are more concerned with who is paying you than you, if you understand"

diplomacy; improve attitude: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31

"Did the Count dismiss you himself? Or did someone else tell you that?"

Walking over to Q'lack, Nei-lung taps him with the wand. "You will detect as evil for a short while, friend, but you will feel much better in a moment." Q'lack regains 10 hp after one minute.

Q'lack bobs his head in appreciation.
"I have little worry about how others see me. " he says without concern.

Turning to the prisoners he suggests "I think in many ways it may be best to release them. Not that they should not pay for their crimes. But by keeping them we will tip the hand of those in the city. We should finish unloading the cargo and then lay in wait for those who will remove it. "

He slowly adds

"If they are brought to the magistrate, well, they will attract attention."

"We never met the fence... we met a contact he, or she, provided. And before you ask, no, we did not exchange names. In this line of work that is not something you need to know and it's considered amateurish to ask. As for Zespire.... Carlo, Dalan and Robin here... they were dismissed for petty theft, right, boys? And no, it was not done by the esteemed count himself, just a minor officer, I'd be surprised if Zespire knew they even existed. My story is similar, although my last tour of duty brought me to Osirion, where I picked up my dear Hypatria, which you had the honour of meeting before. Let's just say I was left with little money and a ruined career... so I decided to make a new one for myself... you can't blame a girl for making her way in the world, can't you?"

The man named Carlo interjects:"Well cap'tain, you didn't explain about Count Zespire's interest in the navy. As the story goes, long time agon the man led a pirate-hunting unit along the Jagged Saw, and then all the way up to the River Kingdoms. He showed such tenacity that he was given his nickname... “the Iron Gar”. That's how the story goes, at least. Anyway, that's how he's kept a position into the navy despite his holdings being sealed from the sea".
Carlo continues, answering Zomo's question:"Aaaahhhh... you are after our "employer", eh? As the Cap'tain said, we don't know the name... yet it you don't need to be Arnisant reborn to connect the dots. My second cousin in Oppara used to be a senatorial aide, and she knew everything there was to know about these noble types. Earl Varnisant is well known for his ties to the Brotherhood of Silence. Some even go as far as to link him to the Masked Marquis himself... so yeah... I bet the Earl was the one footing our bill from the very beginning... Maybe you ought to release us, after all, eh? Better not to offend such an esteemed personage!"

After processing all of this new information Q'lack suggests his plan. The pirates seem excited about the prospect of being freed and nod sagely at the grippli's words:"A wise frog you are indeed, my lord!" Carlo states, trying to sound wise himself...

Do you want to try what Q'lack suggests? If so I need to know how you plan to do it. Also roll the appropriate checks (like stealth for example)

"Who is the Brotherhood of Silence? And this Masked Marquis? I have never met or heard of him.." says Q'lack, someone embarrassed by his lack of knowledge.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Henry is not keen to let the pirate go free. He adds You understand that we will confiscate all your belonging but, what we can offer is an new carrier opportunity. Lets go see the magistrate and work with him, as "little bird".

Henry tries to remembre from his old days who are the Brotherhood of silence of who is the Masked Marquis.
Know. (local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

As for Q'lack's plan, Henry says I like the way you think Q'lack. I think it's a great idea. May be those at the hand have more knowledge of what's going on exactly

"Not surprising. Zespire probably doesn't even know that 'he' fired them. The plan sounds solid enough."

Zomo nods along with Henry's suggestions, more concerned about the success of their mission than any justice for the petty criminals.

So, if I understand correctly, you want to go back to Joleana's inform her about your plan and ask the pirates to work as moles to uncover the one paying them for their "services"? Am I right?

Knowledge local; take ten: 10 + 17 = 27

"The brotherhood sounds like some sort of Norgorber cult, I don't know."

Speak with Joleana first, get testimonies. Then use the crew or put them in 'protective custody' if they don't fit in the plan. Use them as moles or try to ambush their contact at the dead drop? Not sure what makes the most sense in character.

Anyone else?

Q'lack sighs "I suspect bringing pirates to the magistrates attention will tie her hands. We may be better off keeping them concealed until we find their financer. Then if they cooperate with us, we will have mitigation in their favor when we talk with her..."

"Your plan is solid. But where are we going to keep them concealed?"

"How about in the pirate hide?" croaks Q'lack.

"It is safe and secure. And we can just bring down some food and water, keep an eye on them and an eye out for the fence."

"Alright. As long as you have the details figured out."

Ok. I need a plan then. Who stays with the captives? How will they be secured? Where are you hiding? Keep in mind that the smuggler's tunnel is 5-foot-wide and it departs to the north and south before veering west toward various parts of greater Ridonport, so it's not like you can seal the pirates inside and be done with them, they'll just escape into the tunnels. Also, it's night, you'll need to sleep and keep in mind the place where you stand is 45 minutes away from Rindonport on foot.

Drat, I thought it was a bit of a dead end system that just was under the bridge. It sounds like the fence might be coming into the area from the other side. Rats.

"On second thoughts, perhaps we should escort our prisoners out of the town. They don't know the fence and can't warn him. And in fact it would be against their interests to do so." suggests Q'lack.

"I'd prefer not to just slit their throats, but the magistrate's presence with them would complicate things greatly."

He looks hard at the pirates. "Unless any of you have a better suggestion for ensuring your cooperation? Maybe we should ask you each individually and the one with the best idea is given their freedom?"

”I am sorry,” Nei-lung admits. “I am not knowledgeable enough in such things to know what to do. My first thought would be to take these smugglers back to Ridonport. We have, after all, been deputized, and as such should be strict upholders of the law. I do not believe we should let any of them go free. They must answer for their crimes, whatever their reasons for them. However, I believe your idea has merits, Q’lack. An opportunity to catch the other end of this nefarious scheme is almost too good to pass up. How to execute the plan, though…” His voice trails off. Subterfuge and deception is not this monk’s strong point.

"I agree Nei-lung. We should take these culprits back to the magistrate. She can them place in the jail"

Myrd hesitates for a second and then continues "If it turns out that these pirates are free on the morrow we know where her allegiances lie. Let's get some sleep afterwards."

So: Q'lack wants to use the pirates to try baiting luring their mysterious employer into the open. Slade seems ok with that. Nei-Lung would like to bring the priosoners back to the magistrate although he thinks Q'lack's plan to be well thought. Myrd wants to bring the prisoners back to Joleana. We need Zomo to decide on the matter it seems.

[shrug]Well, if in doubt. Pick a plan and commit to it until it succeeds or fails.

"We want to prevent word of our actions from getting to the wrong ears, that means keeping the pirates captive or imprisoning them and trusting the discretion of the magistrate. Let's bring them to the magistrate quietly under the cover of darkness. That way we can still get some sleep tonight. Tomorrow we will return and explore these tunnels."

"But we still had a plan to find the contact. Let's deliver this cargo to the drop point." Zomo picks a barrel out of the cargo and with help scratches a unique mark on the bottom '3827'. "If we can track this barrel we can prove it was smuggled. And I may be able to magicly locate it later." The barrel is now unique and clearly visualized for the locate object spell.

[ooc]Were they really just smuggling salted pork? That is all we found here? I assume this tunnel is their drop point?

If we follow through on this plan. Zomo will attempt to cast locate object tonight before they rest, remembering it tomorrow and forgetting blindness/deafness.

In this case, may be it will be better to mark several object, right ?
Lord Zomo, could you cast alarm? Some magician I know cast this spell to protect their belonging, but in this case it could help us know when the culprit take the stuff.

Zomo nods to Henry and marks the bottoms of a few barrels with sequential numbers. "I'd like to alarm the cave but I'll need a rest before that is possible..."

I can attempt to fill an amnesia slot with a new spell once an hour. Since I used this ability during the fight, it will be an hour before I can attempt again. I decided it wasn't worth waiting an hour if we are returning to town (alarm has a one mile range so from the 45 minute walk description, we will be out of range when we rest).

A Shame, in this case, lets go back to the magistrate.

Q'lack nods. "She might not like being woken this time of night. I'm not sure how she would manage to keep the presence of three pirates secret. And I suspect this town leaks secrets worse than its sewers leak... well, anyway. Still, if that is the consensus, I shall go along with it."