PFS First Steps by Xzaral (Inactive)

Game Master Xzaral

"You mortals can't be trusted! What sort of guarantee do you offer? You keep that accursed dagger, and you bring him in here." As you watch, the box is lifted in the air again and beat against the back wall, landing in it's spot again. "I can't even break it open!"

Jiece can't help but laugh out loud. "I'm a damned scoundrel. This dagger ain't for keeping. It's for gold. As for him, he brought himself and I'm not much for telling a holy man what he can and can't do - especially with how proficient he is with that weapon of his. As for a guarantee, best I can give you is that I'll slit the throat of any Chelaxian - dame or otherwise - that tries to enslave you again. I'm not a freedom fighter by a long shot, but we're not getting anywhere without tolerating each other. I'm not saying to trust me because I sure as hell wouldn't trust me. In the end, I got the dagger and you got my box. I'd rather just cooperate, but one way or another, I'm waltzing out of here with it because it's my paycheck. I'm rather fond of you, so I'd like to keep this mutually beneficial. We're currently at a stalemate when it comes to words. This lot would sooner kill you, but they answer to me because they know if they don't, they won't wake up tomorrow morning. I don't want to say last chance, but these quarters are bothersome and I'd like to get going. Recommendations on how you want to end this?"

"Fine, you open box, give me stuff, and you can have it. But the rest stay by the door, only you come over. And leave the dagger there too! But remember, I'm watching you."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Daniel feels angry at Jiece, and at having to bargain with a devil, but tries to suppress it.
"It is bad enough one of your kind came into this world, I swear I'll do all I can not to let more of you here. What are you going to do with the contents though? Try to hide it from the Paracountess in her own home? You think you know it better than she does, or that she can't summon a greater devil to punish you and make you confess? Better give it to us whole and I'll put every effort to have the contents destroyed."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

"You be quiet, holy man! I'll figure something out! You just stay there and let him try to open it." The creature seems uncertain in it's speech, despite the strength of it's words.

Jiece looks back at his companions. "Stay here, kids. Daddy's got to go to work." Jieve strides over to the imp as he tosses the dagger back to Gerald. "I trust you more than the paladin." Jiece grabs the box from midair the next time it tries to fling it against the wall and plops himself down on the bed, making himself comfortable as he pulls his kit out. Working quickly, Jiece appears completely unfocused and undisciplined. For Jiece, that's merely one of his many tricks of the trade - misdirection.

Jiece sits down to work on the box, seeing the box up close realizes it has 7 locks on the box. Poking and prodding at the box, he displays great skill at the art. But alas, his skill is not up to this task. Failing to precisely move the tumblers, arcane energy suddenly shoots up through him causing great pain. The lock does not come open.

You take one point of damage from the failed check. You are able to now ascertain the Disable Device check is a DC40, and each failed save on a lock will result in more of the same.

Looking at the box then up at his allies, Jiece scowls. "This ain't happening, half-pint. Whoever fixed this box fixed it good. Now I've got the resources to open it AND dispose of the items inside, but it means taking the box out of here." Jiece slips the box under his arm as he rises from the bed. "You're gonna have to trust me on this. These locks are made of Chelaxian steel and the box itself has been enchanted with an old Thassilonian death curse. Best be glad you didn't open it. Probably wouldn't've been anything left of you or us to dispose of. It would've just gone back to her possession and been the bane of some other poor fiend." Jiece moves to the door and pushes through it, giving the Paracountess a nod as he passes. "Comfy bed, Countess. Gonna have to come back sometime and see what it's all about."

The creature squeals in rage as Jiece leaves with the box, throwing out curses in what must be Infernal. As the others leave the room, it can be heard quieting down.

"You have done well, and it sounds like my servant is calming down." She winks at Jiece's words. "You can keep the letter opener to remember me by, so you don't forget."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Having completed the last task on the list, our group begins to head back to the Grand Lodge. A throng of people blocks the street ahead. A performance art group commandeers the street, drawing graffiti to create a jolly hellscape complete with illusory devils comically dancing around in circles. A few citizens avoiding the crowd slip off-street through a nearby alley, the only egress past the gathering.

Following several others through the alleyway, suddenly a cloud of mist appears, causing the normal citizenry to panic and run. As the mist clears, you find a group of thugs, one of which Daniel recognizes from earlier having seen before following you.

The first is a human woman, young and lithe, with red hair hanging in ringlets thatjust brush her shoulders, she wears a long skirt, embroidered with silver and black thread and a high-necked woolen blouse, its stout fabric concealing her chain shirt. D on the map

The second, another human woman, has full golden blonde hair framing her healthy, smiling face, punctuated with steely blue eyes and thick red lips. She wears a well-made, green silk dress in the most current fashion with a shimmering black scarf draped across her shoulders, and fidgets as the moves. H on the map

Third we have a male human, Galtan by appearance. With a face you could easily forget or miss in a crowd—short-cropped light brown
hair, light complexion, and forgettable brown eyes — he wears rumpled worker’s clothing with a heavy coat over his chain shirt. L on the map

The final member is a male halfling, with his comical handlebar moustache, he is an easy face to remember, but when madness fills his eyes, he’s a sight one soon wants to put as far from memory as possible. W on the map

As the mist clears, the read-headed woman orders the thugs to, "Attack!"

Before resolving round 1, just want to make sure everyone is fine with placement. It's in those four squares (and the 2 squares west), but rearrange if you feel necessary.

Initiative
Male Human
Jiece
Jericho
Gerald
Blond woman
Red Headed Woman
Male Halfling
Daniel

Map

Jiece tries to get a good peek through the still clearing mist at the red-headed woman who ordered their attack. Unfortunately, his positioning behind his allies prevents him from getting a good look. It has, however, granted him one thing - cover. Looking to Gerald for assistance, Jiece takes a quick one-two step and flings himself up and over the cavalier, using the man's body momentarily to gain momentum up the side of the building wall in front of them.

(Essentially, Jiece is going for the higher ground.)

Jiece, W technically goes before you, but it doesn't change much mechanically.

The human man rushes towards Daniel, rapier in hand. His blow lands, dealing a small cut to the paladin. Daniel, 4 points of damage from his sneak attack.

Jericho and Gerald are up.

Jericho, with precise, practised movements, mixes a few chemicals into a small flask and hurls the result at the ordinary looking male. It breaks on impact and the ordinary looking man and the two next to him are engulfed for a moment by a ball of fire.

Jericho throws a bomb at the ordinary-looking man (L on the map).
Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9.
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8.
Splash Damage (to all within five feet of the man, and to him should Jericho miss): 6.

I forgot to mention they can make a DC 15 Reflex save for half damage.

Since Bombs' have a 20' range, and L is 35' away, that's second range increment for a -2 to hit. Also apparently I mixed up L and W (their names both start with L), so L was actually the halfling. I switched them up to match what I typed above in the post. I apologize for any confusion.

Jericho's bomb misses the halfling, striking the corner of the building. The halfling takes the full brunt of the attack, but the blond woman is able to step back from the errant strike.

Since Bombs' have a 20' range, and L is 35' away, that's second range increment for a -2 to hit. Also apparently I mixed up L and W (their names both start with L), so L was actually the halfling. I switched them up to match what I typed above in the post. I apologize for any confusion.

Jericho's bomb misses the halfling, striking the corner of the building. The halfling takes the full brunt of the attack, but the blond woman is able to step back from the errant strike.

I also miscounted distance, so damage and attack will be one lower due to the fact that point blank shot is 30 feet. Apologies. Since no one else has yet gone, may I use my move to step behind the corner of a building, where Jiece was standing?

Just a reminder, we're waiting on Gerald.

Initiative
Male Human
Jiece
Jericho
Gerald
Blond woman
Red Headed Woman
Male Halfling
Daniel

Map

Just sent Gerald a PM. If I dont' hear from him in 24 hours from this post, I'll move us along.

Moving it along

The blond woman moves forward and attempts to strike against Jiece with an acidic ray. The ray goes wide, missing the rogue.

The red headed woman casts a spell, moving forwar as best able.

The halfling spends the round attempting to climb the building to meet Jiece head on.

Daniel is up

Initiative
Male Human
Jiece
Jericho
Gerald
Blond woman
Red Headed Woman
Male Halfling
Daniel

Map

HP 7/12
Daniel calls out to the red-headed woman: You'll have to deal with me first, thug!
Swift action - Bastion of Good against the woman. Her attacks now deal half damage vs. allies within 10 ft. of Daniel, and Daniel gets +2 deflection AC against her.
He then turns his attention to the thug who attacked him, and begins his own assault with his sword, opening up with a series of quick blows.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

HP 8/8
After the Male Human's turn

Surmising that it's probably better to stay hidden than stay in sight for a scenario such as this, he slides to the shadows as quickly as possible, attempting to hide from any prying eyes (or better yet, hostile ones). Noting that the small halfling has charged Jiece as his target, Jiece smirks as he grips his rapier tightly, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

Daniel's attack misses the Man, who in turn strikes back at Daniel, missing entirely.

Jiece readies to attack from the shadows of the rooftop.

Jericho and Gerald are up.

Jericho quickly pulls out another small vial and pours a counted measure of another chemical into it. He then tosses it up and over the heads of Daniel and the Man he is facing, to shatter behind the man. A brief ball of fire washes over the man and the blonde woman. (blond woman is D, yes?)

Ranged touch to hit specified square: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23.
"L" and "D" take 6 damage each.
Reflex save DC 15 for half.

D is the Red Head. H is the Blond

Both fail to avoid the explosive force of Jericho's bomb, taking the full blast in the face.

Gerald is up, giving 24 hours again, will PM now.

Moving along.

The blond woman, unable to see Jiece, changes gears and attacks Daniel with another Acidic Ray, striking the side of the building. She laughs with glee as the wood begins to bubble from the acid.

The red headed woman casts a spell of healing on herself, calling out, "Pull back to us!"

The halfling charges forward, attempting to find Jiece, only to find his rapier inserted into his organs. Even in his enraged state, he falls down atop the roof.

Initiative
Male Human
Jiece
Jericho
Gerald
Blond woman
Red Headed Woman
Male Halfling
Daniel

Daniel is up

Daniel continues to push through with his assault, eager to dispatch the human quickly and reach the red-headed woman before she flees.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

OMFG

The man strikes forward with his rapier before attempting to tumble away from Daniel. He fails, opening himself up to the Paladin. Daniel can make an AoO on the human.

Jiece, Jericho and Gerald up. PSTing Gerald now.

Initiative
Male Human
Jiece
Jericho
Gerald
Blond woman
Red Headed Woman
Male Halfling
Daniel

Map

Moving forward to the edge of the roof, Jiece leaps from it towards the blond woman, hoping to catch her off-guard and strike precisely while he brings his rapier to bear down on her.

A well time strike from Jiece drops the blond woman, leaving only two left standing.

D is the Red Head. H is the Blond

I thought H was the Blonde, is she not? Or is Jiece in the wrong spot and the wrong enemy dead?

Oops, I removed the wrong one. H is gone, need to move niece. Unless niece was going after the red head. His attack would've done either in.

Jiece, not niece. iPad auto correct, sorry.

I will wait for jiece to respond, as my actions will be different depending on who is still alive.

Blond at the far end of the map.

Fixed map. Blond's dead, Red head is up.

Jericho will swiftly mix another vial and lob it up over then heads of the man and Daniel to break between the woman and the man. The edges of the resulting ball of fire lick across them both.

Ranged touch on the square directly behind "L": 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14.
"L" and "D" both take 6 points of damage. Reflex DC 15 for half.

Both take a blast of flame, though they are able to deflect some of the damage away in the process.

Giving Gerald until tomorrow mornign to post.

Daniel, frustrated at his sudden clumsiness, thrusts his blade far forward in a desperate attempt to get the escaping foe.
AOO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Dmg: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

I roll better in other threads, honestly

Seeing Jiece, the Red Head steps forward, a double of herself appearing next to her. Between the two they strike at Jiece, though failing to connect.

Initiative
Male Human
Jiece
Jericho
Gerald
Blond woman - Dying
Red Headed Woman
Male Halfling - Dying
Daniel

Map

Scowling at the near miss, Jiece retaliates all the same with his own rapier, surmising to cut the redhead down. If he had to revive her afterwards for questioning, he would, but he'd let his allies decide that much.

At present it's Daniel's action (the previous was an AoO). Then I'll resolve the human, and then your action Jiece.

So the man's failed Acrobatics attempt means he couldn't move in his action?
Using the man's lost balance to his advantage, Daniel strikes again.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Correct, a failed acrobatics check means no movement.

The man in front of Daniel throws down his rapier, surrounded on both sides, and offers to surrender to Daniel. The woman curses the coward and threatens to strike him down next when he finishes off Jiece.

Jiece then moves in and attacks the woman, dealing a viscious wound. While not dropping her, she is staggered.

Jericho is up.

Jericho pulls out a javelin, readies it to throw, and shouts to the woman, Surrender or die!

Readied action to throw the javelin.
Ranged attack: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 - 4 = 20. (wooo!)
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3.
Critical confirmation: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 - 4 = 12.
Critical damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3.

On her action, the woman, seeing Jericho's readied action, makes her final stand by charging towards the alchemist, heedless of it's results. "Die, worm!" Jericho's javelin comes sailing towards her, striking true, dropping the woman before she takes more than a couple steps.

All that's left standing is the lone human male, who has dropped to his knees, hands behind his head.

I was a very valuable party member in this fight, lol.
Daniel keeps the mace over the man's head. "Anyone's got a rope? Jiece?"

Assuming that we are off initiative order...

Check the other two, see if they yet live; answers would be useful.Jericho will move to the Red Haired woman and check for any sign of life. If there is he will bandage her wounds and try to keep her from dying until she can be questioned.

Heal (to find life signs): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12.
Heal (to stabilize): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25.

If no one has done it before he finishes, Jericho will move and repeat his actions with the other fallen enemies.

The man speaks up. "I'll tell ya everything. We've been following the lot of you all day. Thought we got caught when he saw me watching him. Decided we'd make a quick score off you, Deandre's idea. I ain't gonna get killed for no score, turn me in and I'll turn over a new leaf."

"Tell us who gave Deandre her orders to follow us, and we will make your fate easier."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Sense Motive vs reply: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Listening to the man's story as he kneels to relieve the woman with the javelin through her abdomen of her money pouch, Jiece can't help but laugh. "Because breaking away from your enemy mid-battle makes so much sense. The javelin is well-deserved." Jiece empties the pouch into his own before moving to his pack for the rope. Setting it aside, he waits for Jericho before removing the javelin and assisting the chiurgeon with bandaging their foes up.

"Orders? You assume too much. We weren't 'ordered' to follow you, unless you count Deandre. No, we just saw a group of well equipped novice pathfinders that looked like an easy mark. Boy, were we wrong."

Neither of you think he's lying.