[PFS/DMK] 5-04 The Stolen Heir (Inactive)

Game Master Kludde

Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

"Do you just commonly follow orders without knowing who gives them? Who was the Taldan who gave you this note? I doubt it was any of my people!"

The Galtan proceeds to give a complete description of the man he dealt with. As he finishes, Thalia adds Probably just a disguise in a haughty tone would you show your true identity? and adds I would rather not return home before we have cleared up who this mystery man is, if you understand.

A Shel inspects the paper, the smudges look less like ink smears, but more like small spatters and drops of spilled alchemical components.

Shel points out what she can tell about the note to the others. "An alchemical component? What does this mean, I wonder?"

"Possibly that the person is an alchemist? Thalia, do you know of any alchemists who would want to do this to you?"

Maldoc notices that a request was not answered. You, Enderos is it? She asked you to tell us who she really is? Well, who is she then? Maldoc then asks the woman, There are those that seek to see your safe return as soon as possible! Why would you delay that process? What is really going on here?

While the interrogations are finishing up, Fizzbeard scours the rest of the building for any more information.

Alchemist? I know of Koriana, an alchemist that my father sometimes corresponds with. I'm not sure where she lives, though Thalia notes upon the mentioning of alchemy.

Kno(local) or - once you would start gathering info - Diplo checks to find out more about Koriana

The Galtan, upon Maldoc's question, frowns why do you mock me? Eez it not obvious sat we 'ave been misled and 'ave taken ze wrong woman? If ze right woman even exists? Zis letter says it all, we were supposed to 'ave taken ze noblewoman from ze Anderian 'one, and keep 'er 'ere until furzer notice. We did not suspect zis treachery.

Fizzbeard looks around and finds the entrance to the cellar of the building.

Know Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

"Don't know about this alchemist person, this... Korean... person. But if it means going into town to pick up a few potions, I'm all for finding them."

Know local 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Shel remembers something from the conversation with Demrick. From the many bits and pieces the halfling threw their way, one mentioned 'an alchemists shop just outside of town'. She even remembers the name of the area the shop was in: 'Deadeye's cross'.

"I think heading to Deadeye's Cross should be our next move. There's an alchemist out there that might be able to shed some light on this note, and hopefully this whole mixed up situation."

"Ho!" Fizzbeard's voice calls out from the other room. "There's a cellar down here, folks!"

T20 checking it for traps while the others make their way towards me. I'm sure someone else can do a better job once they get here.

Shel follows Fizzle's voice, and adds her two cents to his search.

Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Disable Device 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

With a glare to the men, Rikas follows to the cellar.

Although Fizzbeard finds no traps as such, he concludes it is a good thing nobody stepped on the sinkhole that Shel and Rikas identified just outside of the building, for the cellar roof surely would have caved in and caused a mess. As Shel moves down, she spot an area on the wall where the packed earth does not quite match the surrounding structure. A quick investigation reveals a leather bag containing an iron box with a rusty lock.

Shel takes her time, knowing they had plenty of it, for a total of 32 on the Disable Device check.

Rikas was going to have a look at the lock, but steps back when he sees how deftly Shel gets it open. "You're gonna have to teach me your little trick."
Only +9 to that, but I do skip out on Trapsmithing.

"A good magician never gives away all her secrets," Shel smiles sweetly at the tiefling, as she works.

Rikas grumbles, "Must be the tiny fingers..."

Indeed, quite handy. Maldoc will interject. So, what's in the box? Anything useful?

Shel's lock 'handling' skills make picking a lock seem like child's play. The box opens to reveal several silver and gold bars stamped with the insignia of a Chelish noble house. Three carefully folded pieces of parchment are below the bars: two scrolls and a contract written on brittle paper, promising aid from house Morilla of Taldor to the Sauer family, in return for favours in the future.

"Interesting. That's been there for a while. I don't know much about the Morilla's but their family was very powerful. Can anyone read the scrolls?

Maldoc will step forward and cast Read Magic on the scrolls, if necessary.

Spellcraft, if needed: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Once finished with examining the cellar Maldoc will ask, So, what is our next step?

"Next stop is to the alchemist's like I said. Deadeye's Cross might hold the answers to the strange note."

Ah yes, of course. We should be on our way then so that we can get all of this mess sorted out.

If passing some shops on the way to the alchemist, Rikas will pause to grab a wand of Cure Light Wounds using his reputation within his faction to cash in a favour. He'll then ask someone who knows of these devices to use it on him.

2 PP purchase for the wand

Maldoc inspects the scroll, and find they are one of blood biography and one of seek thoughts.

Are you taking Thalia along? She doesn't refuse as long as you don't bring her to Sauerton (Deadeye's cross is outside). Which brings us to the wand purchase: you'd have to do it in Sauerton, and deadeye's cross is just outside of that place. Thalia doesn't want to go to Sauerton, though.

Of course we're bringing Thalia along! The damsel in distress! Fizzbeard will stand for no less!

Shel agrees with Fizzy. "I'm not sure exactly what's going on, but I'm not certain she's in the clear yet, either," she whispers to the others as they decide to take Thalia with them.

Radagash watches all the searches and interrogations, adding his magic to guide them with his Oracle powers as they go. "To an Alchemist's shop? With the bubbling and the potions and the icky things in JARS!" he says as they depart.

... I'm a alchemist and I'm ok, I sleep all night and I work all day

Broad country roads lead in four directions away from a crossroad. To the north, the road to the Sauer Vineyard cuts among golden fields and lush vineyards. To the south, the road into Sauerton is flanked by sparse and apparently abandoned houses. To the west, the road to the Andares manor winds through a grove of apple trees whose leaves have begun to yellow. To the east, fields stretch among rolling hills as far as the eye can see, with long autumn wheat lolling in the wind. On the southeast corner, an empty shop sits boarded up with broken windows. On the southwest corner, a sign advertises Koriana’s Exotic Tonics and Remedies and boasts of “long- forgotten delights from all across the Inner Sea.”

An elderly farmer is leading a cow on the deserted crossroads. As the adventurers approach, four stray dogs jump out from the bushes and start attacking the farmer and his cow.

Help me! Help! the farmer shouts out.

---
Rikas
Ragadash
Maldoc
Fizzbeard
---
Dogs
---
Shel
---

Rikas will move to 30 feet from the wolves and throw a dagger at the nearest one.

Dagger: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 5 - 4 = 15 Flatfooted AC
Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 1d8 ⇒ (2) + 1 + (3) = 6

Maldoc fires an arrow at one of the dogs! No map yet?

Bow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Arrow: 1d8 ⇒ 1

I don't see the map yet either. If I can reach one of the wolves with my 20' of movement, I'll move and hit. If I have to move 40' I'll charge. If they are more than 40' I'll just double move as close as I can.

"Ah! A helpless citizen! Onwards, to his rescue, my friends!" Fizzbeard draws his greatsword and heads in to the fray!

Masterwork Greatsword, Power Attack, Furious Focus
attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

The panicked farmer gets great relief as daggers and arrows whizz past and take out one of the dogs in a great yelping. Fizzbeard charges up, and in a blur of metal and red hair slices another dog to pieces.

And quickly put up a map too ;-)

---
Rikas - Kills a dog
Ragadash
Maldoc - Hurts a dog
Fizzbeard - Slices a dog
---
Dog - Dead
Dog - Dead
Dog (1)
Dog

---
Shel
---

"A-hey! Look out for the dogs! With the biting and the growling!" Radagash squeaks, but it comes out like "Whirrsh-ah! Gawrrl ruh issh ah hurr! Ishe shworl hurrshh isshh!"

He reaches over and mutters something in a language you don't recognize, touching Shel on the arm.

Cast Guidance on Shel

Unfazed by the death of two of their pack, the first of the snarling dogs starts snapping at the cow, who responds with an unsettled moooooh! and runs for it, with the farmer barely keeping up

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 121d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
AoO on Cow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The other dog turns to Fizzbeard and growl, then viciously and suddenly snaps at the Red-bearded gnome.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 91d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

---
Rikas - Kills a dog
Ragadash - Guidance on Shel
Maldoc - Hurts a dog
Fizzbeard - Slices a dog
---
Dog - Dead
Dog - Dead
Dog (1) - Attacks cow
Dog - Attacks Fizzbeard
Cow - Run away
Farmer - Run away
---
Shel
Rikas
Ragadahs
Maldoc
Fizzbeard
---

"Foul wild beast of untamed origins! Harass this farmer and his bovine no longer!" the gnome shouts dramatically as he swings his sword down on the wolf near him.

Masterwork Greatsword, Power Attack, Furious Focus
attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Shel moves to the last wolf/dog, and slashes away with her sharp Kukri.

Attack with Guidance 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 1 = 28

Damage 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Possible crit 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 = 10

Damage 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

WHAAAM!. The greatsword comes down with a singing sound and severes the snout of the shaggy creature. Not a yelp is left in the dog, and a final frothing unfriendly remains.

Ninja'd

Shel hopes to duplicate the act, and slashes her sharp blade down the shanks of wild creature. A trickle of blood drips forth.

---
Shel
Rikas
Ragadash
Maldoc
Fizzbeard
---
Dog - Dead
Dog (4)
---

If Rikas has a clear lane to the dog, he will charge it, ending 10 feet from it before letting loose a dagger.

Not counting cover or into melee if applicable
Charging throw: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Rikas runs down the path and a single blade flashes in the afternoon sun, hitting the dog straight between the eyes. The wild creature sags onto the ground.

The farmer, unhurt, starts a rant on the policies of Tercio Andares, apparently unaware that Thalia is his daughter pff, this Tercio. Ever since he became mayor he has been unconcerned about the wild creatures roaming about. Look at this, almost got me Betsy...

Shortly after, a man emerges from the roadside shop are, are you ok? If you're hurt, we have healing potions...

Rikas recovers his daggers from the crazed canines' carcasses. At the mention of potions, his ears perk up. "Now that's what I'm talkin' about." He waits for the party to be ready before heading to the shop.

"Are you the alchemist? We need to discuss some matters with you, if so," Shel asks, as she waves the note in question at what she hoped was her target."[/b]

Now that was an impressive display. Seems you can do more than talk. Maldoc will follow the others into the shop.

Fizzbeard snaps his fingers and instantly cleans the gore from his blade.

"Glad to see you are alright, Sir!" Fizzbeard replies to the farmer. He keeps his cool when the farmer insults Thalia's father, "Yes, yes, we had heard that there were wild creatures about. Be careful getting home, Sir!"

Turning to the alchemist, "Ah, yes, my good man! Perhaps we will come inside to talk more comfortably."

Oh, I'm just Barnabas, the aide of Koriana. But come inside, and we'll get you something winking at Rikas. Seems we're the only ones profiting from these wild creatures about, eh?

Once inside, Barnabas fetches a middle half-elf woman, with platinum-blond hair, gray-green robes and large protective goggles. She steps behind the counter, and gives each of the adventures a long look, not skipping Thalia. She then says Good afternoon, my name is Koriana and welcome to my shop. What remedy or tonic may you be looking for?

"We need you to tell us what you might know about this document we found. It has all sort of strange alchemical stuff on it. I can't figure anyone else around town that would know as much as you do, Ma'am."

Fizzbeard will let Shel take the lead on this one.

"Also maybe a healing draught?"