[PFS/DMK/YotS] 7-14 Faithless And Forgotten Trilogy (Inactive)

Game Master Kludde

Sensing that a confrontation is about to start, Jalthas starts growing in size!

Using 1 pt of mental focus (transmutation) to use Size Alteration (sp) and become large-sized.

Assuming it took more than a day to return and that we have renewed spells, Mogall cast Haste {link} on his companions.

Adrianna moves faster than normal thanks to Mogall's spell, traversing up the southern staircase and across the balcony to end up directly in front of the man there. Without hesitation she grabs his arm at the wrist, side-steps him while bringing the arm down and placing his elbow under her own armpit while lifting up on his wrist - it almost looks like a casual dance until he yells in pain at the wrenching in his shoulder...
Hasty Grapple: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 1 = 20
Improved Grapple: You do not provoke an attack of opportunity when performing a grapple combat maneuver.

Resist, if you may. My hellknights will take care of you. Arrest them!

Moved Adrianna back a bit

The woman at the top of the stairs moves up, and shoots down a streak of lightning, hitting Anaristiel and Jalthas.

Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 4, 3, 4) = 17 DC 17 RFX for half

The two armed men in the hall move up to Jalthas and Lance, but make a staggering display of incompetence.

Greataxe, charge, Halthas: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 = 10
Guisarme, Lance: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

The men on the balcony move closer, guarding the stairs.

Anaristiel engages a time flicker, while Mogall hastens the group. Jalthas starts increasing his bulk.

Feel free to amend your actions if you feel the situation no longer warrants it

---
Adrianna
Anaristiel
Mogall
Jalthas
Lance
---
Iluvia
Helknight
Hellknight
Guard
Guard
---

I will retcon, there's no point in being enlarged with that chokepoint.

Ref: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Stricking by an earth-shattering lightning bolt, Jalthas prefers to retreat for now.

Withdraw - only 4 hp left.

Lance takes great offence to the advancing Hellknights - "Cowards! Refused to meet me in individual glorious combat where the flower of chivalry and manhood blooms! Feel my disdain!"

Attacks the Hellknight

PA+haste
Attack 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 13
Damage 1d8 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 4 = 9

Attack 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 25
Damage 1d8 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 4 = 14

Same attack, but on the Hellknight in the doorway now. Moved Adrianna on the map...

Adrianna moves up to take Jalthas' place next to Lance, and attempts to grapple the heavier armed and armored Hellknight. She learned in her studies that without mobility these knights were pretty useless...

If the Hellknight attacks Adrianna, she will also use a ki point to add +4 dodge bonus to AC for 1 round.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Anaristiel cries out as the lightning bolt sears her flesh, but recovers quickly, swinging her glaive at the soldier engaged by Adrianna.

Full-round action: Attack soldier
Attack (+1 Glaive (2H), Haste, Power Attack): 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 - 1 = 23
Damage (+1 Glaive (2H), Power Attack): 1d10 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 3 = 16

Attack (+1 Glaive (2H), Haste, Power Attack): 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 - 1 = 21
Damage (+1 Glaive (2H), Power Attack): 1d10 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 3 = 18

Jalthas withdraws, his armor having been an excellent conductor for the woman's lightning bolt. Lance blasts the knights with infernal scorn. A first strike reverberates on the hellknight's armor, but the second blow strikes flesh, and blood turns the black armor red.

Adrianna moves on the grapple the hurt knight, grabbing a tight hold of him. Two well-aimed follow-ups by Anaristiel finish the knight off.

The guards close in, rumbling down the stair, trying to stab Lance and Adrianna, while the woman on the balcony glares evilly at Anaristiel

Guisarme, Lance: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Greataxe, Adrianna: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Guisarme, Adrianna: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

DC 16 Will save for Anaristiel to reduce hex to 1 round. Evil eye: -2 to attacks.

---
Adrianna
Anaristiel
Mogall
Jalthas
Lance
---
Iluvia
Hellknight
Guard
Guard
---

Still shocked by the surge of energy that went through his armor and body, Jalthas fumbles for a wand, then focuses his mind on its activation. Luckily, the wand humms to life and starts soothing the knight's wounds.

UMD DC 20: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Lance keeps swinging away at the Hellknight.

"No mercy then, you had your chance for gallantry, for honour"

Attacks the Hellknight some more

PA+haste
Attack 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 18
Damage 1d8 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 4 = 11

Attack 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 16
Damage 1d8 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 4 = 13

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Anaristiel is significantly distracted by the woman's glare, but still keeps her composure enough to swing her glaive successfully at the hellknight now in reach.

Full-round action: Attack hellknight
Attack (+1 Glaive (2H), Haste, Power Attack, Evil Eye): 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 - 1 - 2 = 22
Damage (+1 Glaive (2H), Power Attack): 1d10 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 3 = 13

Attack (+1 Glaive (2H), Haste, Power Attack, Evil Eye): 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 - 1 - 2 = 23
Damage (+1 Glaive (2H), Power Attack): 1d10 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 3 = 14

Mogall shifts back and invokes his toppling magic missile sending once force missile at each guard and Hellknight trying to knock them off their feet.

Magic missile {link}

Toppling metamagic {link} Toppling - If the target takes damage, fails its saving throw, or is moved by your force spell, make a trip check against the target, using your caster level plus your casting ability score bonus

1 MM damage & trip vs Hellknight: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 31d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 4 = 22
1 MM damage & trip vs guard 1: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 21d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 4 = 29
1 MM damage & trip vs guard 2: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 21d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 4 = 18

This move and attack assumes the hellknight goes down. If not, then she'll attack it instead!

With the second hellknight dropped, Adrianna moves into the room and lashes out at one of the guards. Her powerful kick snaps the man's head back, potentially stunning him!

Unarmed attack + Haste: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 = 26
Stunning Fist + damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 DC15 Fort save or target is stunned.

Jalthas patches himself up, as Lance manages to get past the hellknights defenses once more. From behind, Anaristiel brings her Glaive to bear, with two precise stabs that are enough to send the hellknight to the floor bleeding.

Mogall sends a volley of magic missiles through the room, knocking over the two guards.

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

With one guard stunned on the floor, the second guard gets up and moves backward, up the stairs.

The witch on the balcony throws another hex, this time at Adrianna.

DC 16 will save for Adrianna to get only 1 round of -2 to attack

---
Adrianna (evil eye -2 atk, x rnds),
Anaristiel (evil eye -2 atk, 6 rnds)
Mogall
Jalthas
Lance
---
Iluvia
Guard (14, prone, stunned)
Guard (2, prone)
---

Lance steps forward and strikes at the prone opponent "Worthless whelp! Yield!"

PA+haste+vs prone
Attack 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 2 + 1 + 4 = 21
Damage 1d8 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 4 = 13

Attack 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 2 + 1 + 4 = 21
Damage 1d8 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 4 = 10

Not sure whether the knight on the floor is out of combat or not. If so, Anaristiel will move up the stairs opposite the remaining soldier and make her way towards the witch.

Jalthas frantically uses his wand another time, hoping to get back in the fight. Luckily, the device activates once more, soothing some of his pains.

UMD DC 20: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Actually, I forgot Anaristiel was still fairly injured...

Standard action: Cast cure moderate wounds on herself
Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (8, 7) + 4 = 19

...and, at this point, if the knight is down, she will move up the unoccupied stairs at her full hasted speed.

DC 16 will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Adrianna is in the steel center of her fighting form, and she is able to fight off the worst of the witch's hex. She moves up the stairs and along the northern balcony, drawing a javelin as she moves. With the aid of the magical haste, she reaches the halfway point and then throws the metal shaft at the witch!
Ranged attack + haste - evil eye: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Mogall moves into the room onto the north stairs where he raises his staff of minor arcane to call forth a power volley of magic missiles at the witch.

staff MM (force) Cl:8 charges 6 of 10: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4, 4, 3) + 4 = 16

"I'll take care of these warriors, get their leader" Lance looks at the prone figures.

Hows the one he kjust hacked at looking?

Lance mercilessly hacks down one of the interfering guards, clearing the way for Anaristiel to move up.

Despite the hexes on her, Adrianna manages to land a javelin straight to the shoulder of the witch. Four more projectiles - magical this time - slam into her and knock the wind out of her.

The witch casts a hex on herself and takes to the air, while the guard remain steadfast in his defense.

Guisarme: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

---
Adrianna
Anaristiel (evil eye -2 atk, 5 rnds)
Mogall
Jalthas
Lance
---
Iluvia (20, flying)
Guard (2, prone)
---

Lance mercilessly hacks down one of the interfering guards, clearing the way for Anaristiel to move up.

Despite the hexes on her, Adrianna manages to land a javelin straight to the shoulder of the witch. Four more projectiles - magical this time - slam into her and knock the wind out of her.

The witch casts a hex on herself, while the guard remain steadfast in his defense

Guisarme: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

---
Adrianna
Anaristiel (evil eye -2 atk, 6 rnds)
Mogall
Jalthas
Lance
---
Iluvia (20, flying)
Guard (2, prone)
---

Anaristiel continues her advance, reaching the witch and swinging her glaive again.

Move action: As indicated on map (or wherever she can reach the witch, preferably preventing her from flying away without taking an AoO next round)
Standard action: Attack witch
Attack (+1 Glaive (2H), Haste, Power Attack, Evil Eye): 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 - 1 - 2 = 19
Damage (+1 Glaive (2H), Power Attack): 1d10 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 3 = 11

Jalthas enters the room with a darkwood bow now in his hand, and shoots an arrow at the flying witch.

Bow, haste: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 = 231d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Lance moves in on the guard, "You should have taken the invitation to duel like a gentleman, now die like a dog"

PA+haste+vs prone
Attack 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 8 - 2 + 1 + 4 = 29
Damage 1d8 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 4 = 15

Attack 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 2 + 1 + 4 = 21
Damage 1d8 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 4 = 12

Mogall points his staff once more at the witch invoking another volley of magic missiles at her, "Perhaps you should surrender."

staff MM (force) Cl:8 charges 8 of 10: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4, 4, 3) + 4 = 16

Anaristiel closes in on the witch, stabbing her before she can take to the air, when a shaft from Jalthas hits her in the chest, and silences her.

On the stairs, Lance skewers the last guard before he can surrender.

Combat over!

"He had his chance to embrace glory, or to throw down his blade and beg mercy - either would have been granted" Lance begins searching the place, "Where is our comrade?"

Adrianna moves to the witch and searches her for clues, keys, and treasure...

Mogall help's search the bodies, "She said her friends to the east have Zefiro.”

DMK, assuming Mogall didn't use the staff since the witch died before he acted.

The guard went down before Mogall could use his staff

A quick search of the witch's body reveals an arrest warrant (See handout). From outside, they is some hullabaloo, sounds of concern. Perhaps the fight has not escaped the attention of people on the street. Whatever investigation the adventurers want to do in this building should be done quickly....

I think the thrust is search the boss for any other key items, try work out where they might be holding Zeffro, and get out of the place - is there any other rooms? Concealed areas?

Behind the double doors, bookshelves and display cases stand in the corners of a large office. An oaken desk sits in the middle of the room with large windows set in the wall on either side of it. Doors to the south open to a raised terrace, and a large painting of Abrogail II hangs on the north wall.

You can roll a perception check if you want to search for concealed areas

Anaristiel attempts to locate anything of interest.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

and a large painting of Abrogail II hangs on the north wall.

Lance looks behind the painting It's a library with a big painting, this is basically every mystery movie ever made

He then quickly moves through looking for anything of interest.

Perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Mogall help's search the north wall.

perception aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Lance looks behind the painting and confirms what Anaristiel already spotted: a large opening behind it. Several bookshelves, a desk, and a display case crowd a cramped room. To the left stands a statue of Aroden.

Among other things, there is an early diary filled with tales of infernal war crimes committed by Thrune, an Aspis Consortium cargo manifest for a shipment from Taldor to Khari, and Zefiro’s holy Arodenite scriptures.

----

As we now now, Zefiro Balinger’s arrest and imprisonment cast a dark shadow over Cheliax’s new relationship with the Pathfinder Society, especially as the Pathfinder group had brought to light new ways in which the infernal empire hoped to reshape their national narrative by falsifying its past. It was clear that, If Taldor ever founded a colony so deep into Rahadoum, Ibhir was not it. It was under these circumstances that the Pathfinder group responsible for uncovering the truth managed to board a ship out of Corentyn before authorities were able to connect them to the museum incident.

Back in Absalom, Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus could only barely restrain his fury at Cheliax’s duplicity and use of the Society as a cat’s paw to validate Chelish lies. He would have held Ianareth Alazario, the new liaison from Cheliax, accountable, but quickly found that she has slipped away from the Grand Lodge to “attend to pressing business abroad.”

On that day, Farabellus assured that, although Cheliax may be more powerful than their organization, the Society won’t suffer this indignity with a smile. It was there that the seed for a final, daring mission was planted—one to save the Society’s ally who has paid the greatest price for Cheliax’s villainy: Zefiro Balinger.
---Pathfinder Chronicles vol. VII

Let's roll for day jobs if you haven't done so already.

Know Nob 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

"There are a number of key records here that the Society would probably like to see preserved. It's worth the effort to smuggle these out of Cheliax before the Order of the Rack discovers and destroys them."

***

"I think we need to stage a gallant rescue of Zafiro, and I know just the dashing person to do it..." Lance grins.

Perform (Stringed) 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Knowledge (nobility): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

The voice from the hollow armor yelps in excitement: "Oh look! The Society would be very happy to see these documents preserved! We might as well take them - albeit by smuggling them - before the Order of the Rack finds them and destroys these priceless documents."

Jalthas takes them with great precaution and hides them in his bag.

No day job for me. Loved the conclusion, DMK!

Last point of clarification - Lance needs to try wangle an official, diplomat etc to work with the Sov Court by making a diplo check - Lance would try either the Chelish noble, or even the Halfling dock official
Diplo 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 = pass on whoever is relevant!

No day job here, either. Thanks again, DMK!

No day job for the lay about Wayang.

Thanks for running DMK!

Mogall agrees "As Lance said, We should attempt to rescue of Zafiro!"

Profession (herbalist): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Another expedition to a foreign land complete. Another mission completed. And this time Adrianna was able to find and harvest some rather rare roots and leaves for her teas and blends...

The captain’s quarters aboard the Hornet’s Nest sits in uncomfortable silence. The normally composed Zarta Dralneen awkwardly shifts in her chair, repeatedly glancing across the room at a stocky halfling with short salt-and-pepper hair and practical black clothing. Between them stands Venture-Captain Dennel Hamshanks, the ship’s captain, who seems relieved to have other visitors.

“Welcome, agents,” Hamshanks announces. “My other guests have already skipped the social niceties, so I don’t see why we need to start now. Zefiro Balinger, a Corentyn museum curator and ally of the Society, has been abducted by agents of House Thrune on charges of ‘treasonous misinformation’—which is to say the heretical preservation of unedited Chelish histories. The Decemvirate cannot afford to lose such a valuable asset, nor can it allow these documents to be thrown onto a ‘clarity pyre,’ but Cheliax would love nothing more than to do exactly that.” Hamshanks pauses as if waiting for someone else to pick up the conversation, then clears his throat at the distracted Zarta.

Zarta snaps to attention. “Pathfinders discovered that Zefiro has been taken to Ostenso. His prison is called the Bloody Nail, a facility where political enemies disappear for interrogation and punishment. Trying to spring a captive from a high-profile prison in the heart of a major Chelish city would normally be suicide, yet that is our only remaining option.” Zarta’s expression sours slightly, and she glances at the halfling again before muttering, “Fortunately, I know someone who specializes in such suicide missions, yet curiously always seems to come back alive.”

The halfling smirks at Zarta, hopping to his feet. “Please, Zarta, the pleasure is all mine. The name’s Tamrin Credence, longtime Bellflower and master of coming back alive. The lovely paracountess laid out your situation for me. Luckily enough, liberating Chelish prisoners is a favorite hobby of mine, so it looks like we’ll be working together on this project.

Infiltrating the Bloody Nail won’t be a picnic, but it seems my luck hasn’t deserted me yet. Turns out tomorrow is Loyalty Day, a national holiday celebrating House Thrune’s oppressive regime and those who willingly agree to be oppressed by it. Citizens are required to attend the festivities, and since Ostensons aren’t exactly known for their docility, that means lots of guards in the streets keeping order. Those extra guards have to come from somewhere, meaning we’re looking at a short-staffed
prison detail stuck working a holiday.

“So here’s the plan: we march up to the Bloody Nail looking all intimidating. I’ve still got some clout with Ostenso’s guards from back when I worked for the Consortium, so I’ll convince the lead interrogator to bring some of his guards with me to deal with a Loyalty Day ‘emergency.’ Fortunately for him, I’ve brought some of my own agents that’s you—to cover for him and his soldiers while we’re away. Knowing Chelish prison administration, he’ll agree as long as one of his lackeys can supervise you. I’ll keep the interrogator distracted long enough for you to get the lay of the land, ditch your babysitter, break in, get what we came for, and get out before anyone smells a rat.

We’ll meet back at the southernmost docks of the Custodisce Break and sail for Andoran. Easy enough?

Lance smiles broadly "I like the sheer balls of it, I'm in!"

Lance is ready to go - sounds thrilling!

Jalthas's voice echoes in a chuckle, coming from inside the suit of armor.

"I like the part where we're supposed to look tough. I wonder whether that'll work though! In any case, we owe Zefiro, so count me in."

Adrianna nods, still feeling that her performance in the last mission was less than stellar and determined to prove her worth to the Society at large and this group in particular.