[PFS] GM Brew's First Steps Part 1: In Service to Lore (Inactive)

Game Master Wicked Brew

what skills are checked for using rope and piloting a boat? Not sure what task, if any, Tarek is equipped to handle. If nothing more, he can add his strength to pulling on ropes.

Should we inform Eloriand of what we are about to attempt? Perhaps he possesses some skills that may help.

The party formulates a plan to rescue the three raven crate from its apparent perilous position. Havelock decides to attempt to drag the crate from its resting place by lassoing or somehow securing the crate with rope and pulling it into the boat which is to be brought over. The party finds all necessary materials for their plan in the various boxes in the warehouse. As the plan forms, the party members await their assignments. The crane runs the length of the ceiling and hangs 5 feet below the high ceiling and can slide out to extend past the loading doors along the west wall.

Looks like you folks are formulating a plan of attack. I just need everyone to indicate what they are doing and where they are in the warehouse when th eplan is executed. Tarek, to answer your questions, the items piled in the north end of the warehouse are indeed coffins and piloting the boat in the manner in which Havelock suggests requires no special skill. As for the rope, it depends on what action is being taken with it.

Kat can't help but give a wicked grin at Havelockk's comment but says nothing.

If no measurable skill is needed to pilot the boat, then Tarek could do that task if Havelock feels his skills are better suited for using rope. If Tarek does pilot the boat then I just need to know if he is only going to the docking doors where the crane extends or is he trying to pilot the boat under the warehouse and position it under the crate? If Tarek is on the boat then he will drag his armor on board in case the group plans on leaving in the boat.

I just want it to be known that I am OK with Havelock stating how he sees Tarek's skills being best put to use in this situation. If Tarek does operate the boat he will then inform Eloriand of the situation. I guess the questions to be answered is how many people will it take to operate the boat, how many pulling on the ropes to do the task as described and who is doing each task?

OK Havelock, I am ready to go. What do you need me to do?

I'm still by the door keeping watch
This ought to be interesting. Tarek, from priest to sailor, you're a difficult guy to pin down. To Eloriand he says. If you think you can help I'll staay on the door

Isador scans the room one more time before turning to Havelock.

So... what do you need me to do?

Kat, please secure the crate with the rope....the crane looks simple enough, but I think it best we maneuver the boat underneath...Izzy, Caoilte, Tarek....please operate the crane....and perhas one of you can see if Eloriand can maneuver the boat underneath...if not....then we accept risk and see if we cant lasso and hook up the crate and haul it back a good ways from where it is sitting...

How is Kat securing the crate with the rope?

I am guessing the crane is a set of pulleys and ropes with rollers that allows it to roll along the central beam.

Tarek grabs the ropes on the crane and gives it a few light tugs to test the strength of the beam. He tests it in the northern area of the warehouse and if it seems safe then he rolls it down near the crate.

You know we could try a few dry runs on one of these empty crates just to refine our technique?

Sylorin, did I hear you chanting something earlier? I could not make out what you were saying from where I was standing. Were you bestowing a blessing?

You know, that just got me thinking As Tarek passes Kat, he lays a hand on her shoulder and speaks softly. He is giving her guidance I think we all may need a little luck on making this work He smiles and goes back to the task of working the crane.

Tarek casted Guidance

Tarek,i was casting Detect Magic around the place to see if anything showed up like an item or trap.

Tarek responds to Sylorin. Good thinking. Let us know if you find anything. It is hard to believe there is anything of value in this place. It would be like storing your gold in the pockets of the homeless beggar outside the Paunch. You can do it, but it may not be there tomorrow. he chuckles and goes back to manipulating the crane and trying to make it look like he knows what he is doing

The red eyes the crane then the box and the rotting wood that seems to surround both. So what exactly do you want me to do? Because right now what I'm hearing is basically Do the stuff with the things in that one spot that is not the other place...

She sighs. A dry run with the crane would be a good idea. Not only will we be working out the fine tuning, but we can find out if it can even support my weight, let alone the box we need to get.

Kat tilts her head slightly as she regards Havelockk, You seem to have an idea on how best to get this done. So tell me exactly what you want me to do and I'll either do it or tell you if it is impossible.

Caoilte relays the message to Eloriand and begins to strip his armor. Ok, hold on. It’ll take me a minute to shed this armor. I am not screwing around this shack over water while kitted up like a metal lobster. Caoilte proceeds with dropping his banded mail while taking in the crane, ropes and pulleys.

I look at them and smile before casting my gaze back to the simple "A" frame crane.

I nod to Caoilte and I shirk off my mail hamata/shirt, but leaving the padded subarmalis still on...I readjust the belts and baldric for my weapons and walk over to the crane...

I make sure that the rope to the crane main lift pull is secured and I walk over to Kat with the looped end.

Kat, I just need you you to get to the crate and secure it with this lasso end here...if you find a better way to secure it I am game...really....now if we had a day...or about a third of a day...I could easily study a few of my more basic spells and I could push and even levitate that crate...but since nobody wants to wait and I don't think we have the time I think this is the best option...gents the crane works on a simple lever....the rope reel there...the arming lever and the other two wooden arms there will allow you to pull up the rope and the crate...once Kat secures it...reel the rope tight...then with the arming lever, pull back, that will lift the crate and then we just swivel and pull it in..

ok guys....its a little hard for me to completely articulate on how to make this all happen...I am making the assumption that the crane here works like some of the more simple Iron Age ones that the Greeks and Romans used, that in my happy geek Roman hobby I have actually used and operated and I can supply pictures of what these machines looked like....Brew if I am way off the mark like Sid Barret let me know.

When Caoilte pokes his head through the doorway to give Eloriand instructions, Eloriand asks him to get someone from inside to help him manage the boat. It is a little big for a single person to keep steady and steer and row, etc.

Hmmm.....well then...need two to go help with the boat...volunteers...or do we voluntell somebody?

A half dressed Caoilte responds I’ll go down to the boat. I’ve got a little practice and I’m a good swimmer. I just need to get out of this. Oh and Kat, don’t forget to breathe. Anyone need to do laundry? Caoilte laughs and points to his stomach.

Eloriand will make his way down to the boat along with his first mate.

Caoilte, a generous offer for you to do my laundry, but I like to be able to do it myself...it keeps me grounded that I am still but a mortal man..

She grins and gives a saucy wolf-whistle.

Isador moves closer to the crate and tires to test the strength of the remaining boards.

He glances over to Havelock, who is now on the opposite side of the hole, and asks.

How far down do you think it is to the water?

Isador will not venture out onto the thin pathway connecting the crate's bottom to the rest of the warehouse floor but he will see if any floor beams are visible under the remaining boards.

How long do you think it will take to get that boat positioned under here? I would like to secure this item and get moving.

Well truthfully...should not take long..the drop to the water I estimate to be about 5 to 10 feet...I am all for snatching it with the crane and getting the heck out of this place...the boat's only 2 purposes are in case the boards break and it tumbles down..the boat can catch it...and...to be a means of escape if we really have been followed and we need to get out of here rapidly...I am for making this happen now...

I feel my lips seal tight....conscious of the time that this is taking on something that I feel is relatively straightforward...I stomp a foot down on the ground....

I am very conscious of the time....and certainly every heartbeat feels like minute...so gents and lady....its simple...lets secure the crate...how you do it...I don't really give half a pound of cack...lets winch it taught with the crane.....and then we can safely push it over...

Tarek starts twirling the rope in his hands and eyes the crate. While we wait for the sailors to get into position, any bets on how many tries it will take for me to get the rope around the crate?

Tarek does his best to make a lasso with the rope attached to the crane. He checks his knots to be sure they are tight but allow the rope to slide freely through the loop. He tests it a few times before making his toss.

How funny would be if we retrieve the items before they get the boat into place. I can just imagine Caoilte's colorful response

He smiles and then regains his focus on twirling the rope and concentrating on the crate. Tarek seems to be oblivious to the fact that he starts mumbling something while getting ready to toss the rope.

If anyone does not want Tarek to throw the rope, they can say so in response to his initial question and his action will be nullified

Sounds like a plan, go for it.

After some discussion, the party formulates a plan and begins to execute. Kat, relying on her instincts, decides that the best course of action to secure the crate would be to be lowered to it by use of the crane. Before she can get into position, Tarek casually tosses a rope to the crate securing it in a lasso. Kat can swear the rope, once it reached the crate, moved of its own accord around the crate. Kat shrugs and holds pat, but hears the distinct sound of laughter coming from the coffins. Sylorin hears a smilar sound and turns to look north in reaction.

The sailors begin to get the boat into position, successfully boarding the ship and unmooring it from the dock. Not natural sailors, the unlikely Captain and First Mate nearly tip themselves over as they climb into the small rowboat. After a few tense seconds, they are able to stabilize and make their way under the warehouse.

Havelockk and Isador get into position near the crate. As both men near the hole in the floor, they step on a rotted piece of wood. Both men are able to react quickly before they caused more damage to the ruined floor, though they are fairly certain the floor and area here is extremely unstable. As Havelock freezes his action at the edge of the hole, he hears the scraping and scratching of tiny claws which suddenly becomes louder. Suddenly, he is surrounded by rats the size of dogs that dart out from between the crates and ferociously attack the unarmored Havelock! caught flat footed, the lead rat sinks its dirty teeth into Havelock's shin, causing a shooting pain to run up his leg, drawing a thin line of blood. Lock takes 4 points damage.

The party sees Havelock attacked and spring into action!

Initiative Order:

• Isador
• Rat2
• Kat
• Eloriand
• Sylorin
• Caoilte
• Havelock
• Tarek
• Rat1
• Rat3

Kat's face screws up in annoyance as the rats make their dramatic entrance. Murmuring a thanks for the gift of enough foresight to go ahead and bring her bow, she tries to find a place that gives her a height advance in addition to her longbow's range.

Mostly comfortable that the crates close to her should be stable enough to support her weight she attempts to climb up before drawing a bead on the vermin she has the cleanest shot for. Anyone else catch the laughter before the party started? We may have more than just rats to play with so watch the flank.

Tarek lifts his hammer from his belt and strikes at the closest rat

If the closest rat is dead then Tarek will take a 5 foot step to close in on the next rat

You’ve got to be kidding me. I need to get up there and help. Let’s get this rig back to the dock.
Brew, I’m assuming the floor is too high for me to get into the warehouse from the boat and that we need to park the boat, get on the dock and come through the front door. How long would that take to do if I grabbed my shield and axe on the way.

What the....I here the scurry of tiny feat to then open my eyes at the largest rats I have ever seen...to then feel the searing pain as one sinks its teeth into me..

Son of a.. insert highly colorful Orc descriptive language of your choice...that HURTS!!

I pull my spatha out of the scabbard... and gripping it with both hands I let my arcane pooled energy surge forth...and swing back

I think I can still attack..if not...its my intent on the next round to do so

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 5

Accustomed still to the gladius...I miss my mark easily....but with flair and style i do my best in my two handed grip to imitate one of the great stylized gladiators of Cheliax hoping that my fearful display of martial prowess makes the rat run away scared.

Isador smirks as the floor gives under his feet but his emotions change upon seeing the rats swarm Havelock.

By Desna! we can't even catch a break with something easy.

He quickly draws his shortbow at takes a shot at the hugh rat that just bit Havelock.

After the initial shock of seeing the swarm of rats,Sylorin gathers himself mentally and grips his Morningstar and strikes at the nearest rat.Keeping in mind that he heard Havelokk being injured and to make my way to him,leaving a trail of rat corpses

Listening to the commotion above and the instruction of of Caoilte, Eloriand assists in getting the boat back to a point where Caoilte can debark.

The party quickly responds to the vermin onslaught!

Isador snaps off a quick shot, but misses the surprisingly nimble dog sized rat, thocking an arrow into the wooden warehouse floor.

The rat directly to the north of Havelock continues its vicious attack. The creature is able to sink its teeth into Havelock's legging but manages to do little else other than tear a hole in one of the leg hose.

Kat nimbly flips herself onto a nearby crate and is able to get a bird's eye view of the attacking rats. She deadeyes one and is able to skewer it to the floor of the warhouse, sending a gush of rat blood and bowel leaving a reeking mess at Havelock's feet.

Eloriand and Caoilte begin to maneuver their small craft back to the dock, they are able to secure it to the dock and prepare to disembark.

Sylorin, rather casually, steps up to the nearest rat and smashes it with little more effort that swatting an annoying fly. He splatters the large critter like a melon, sending more rat gore splashing over both he and Havelock.

Havelock draws his shiny new blade from its sheath, infusing it with arcane power as he draws it forth. The blade slides from its scabbard bathed in a blue white flickering light. Havelock holds the blade high, bringing it about in a circle leaving a streaming blue white light as a wake in the air before bringing the blade to bear upon his meager foe. He misses the rat by a country mile, slamming the magically infused blade into a stacked crate directly behind his rat attacker. The side of the crate splatters into a hundred shimmering white and wood pieces causing that section of the warehouse to look like it is being invaded by fireflies. The rat, never before witness to such a dazzling yet ineffective display of martial and magical might, turns tail and retreats back into the shadows of the stacked crates.

Tarek draws his hammer as Havelock puts on a light show. The hammer seems to leab from its stored position, almost as if it moved of its own accord. It is all Tarek can manage but to grad hold of the weapon's shaft before it sailed away from him.

End of Combat.

During the fray, Kat and Isador agree that the edge of the whole, as well as the surrounding structure including the resting plank of the raven crate, is highly unstable and would likely collapse with a sneeze.

Almost forgot, Havelock needs to make a FORT save.

Eying the mess with a small grimace she asks, ...Are we going to need to stop by a bathhouse on the way or should we just drop Havelockk down the hole and let the swim back to dock clean that off...

My eyes grow wide in appreciation of the power of the blade and the absolute power it can wreck~on a crate. I grow in bigger waves of confidence as I see the dog size vermin flee before me....It crosses my mind that these dirty creatures might posses something a bit unhealthy in their blood and bite...let alone their nasty bowels that lie splattered on my leather hobbed nail boots...

Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

I look for the next rat....prepared to attack

Tarek sighs with a bit of relief now that the rats are gone. That was a bit of a surprise. I have never seen rats the size of a dog before. Hopefully, that was a first and last time. Havelock, are you OK? It looked as if one of those beasts got a hold on your leg.

I agree with Kat. You may want to clean off your boots before we meet annyone else today.

Tarek relaxes for just a moment before spinning on his heel and making his way to the north side of the warehouse.

Kat, keep your bow trained on those coffins. I heard a voice or noise coming from that location before those rats attacked.

Sylorin checks to see if Havelokk is ok,he says:
I don't believe your in any immediate danger of dying from this wound,something tells me we are not done with this engagement so i will hold off from any arcane healing at this time.
Sylorin also spins around to try and pinpoint where the laughter came from.Looking down at the splatter,he realizes he has a lot of armor cleaning to do later...great.

Kat can't help but laugh. Looks like you got baptized already, that was quick.

yes looks like I got a. It of night soil on my boots or whatever else was in the bowels of that creature. Perhaps this is way to keep my boot laces. Radek and Sylorin thank you both for your concern and if we are hearing voices in coffins perhaps it's best we stay on track and get that crate, the goods and get out of here.

I’m almost #$%^%$# there. Keep the fight up until I get there. Caoilte yells from outside the warehouse.

Sylorin grins at Kats statement saying:
No it didn't take long,at least it wasn't pieces of me on my armor

Steady and sure like a ox pulling a cart....don't hurt yourself Caoilte. Sylorin....a fast baptism ...lets hope that last rites is a long long way off....now back to that crate....I think we need to snag it and fast....if we can lasso the crate and pull it to us....maybe we could hoist it up.....is there anything on it that might allow us to hook and snatch it up...or hoist one of us to do that?

The party recovers from their brush with vermin fury and again focus on the plan to remove the crate from its precarious position nested atop the nearly disintegrated floor of the warehouse. Tarek had successfully lassoed the crate with rope available from the various crates and stores of the warehouse. Eloriand and Caoilte reposition the boat and are able to successfully maneuver it under the warehouse in a position to receive the crate once it is knocked from its position.

Havelock counts to three then gives the rope a tug, dislodging the crate, but not giving it enough oomf. The crate bounces once off the rotting floor, collapsing more of the floor into the drink. The crate careens off the boat, tipping the boat though not enough to capsize it. caoilte and Eloriand struggle to maintain their hold on the crate but cannot and the crate topples over the edge of the boat into the water. Thankfully, Caoilte, aided by Eloriand, is able to to pull the heavy crate out of the water after two tries and before any significant water seeped into the box.

The rescued crate holds a smaller mahogany box inside, which contains five books and a few loose sheets of paper in a leather folder. The titles and subjects seem completely unrelated to each other: Practical Thaumaturgy In Accordance with Creation, Geographic Anomalies of the Inner Sea, Under Kaer Maga: A Trial and Travel, Physiology of Dragons: An Illustrated Reference, Lost Sarusan.

The crate also contains 10 sets of masterwork thieves’ tools, three flasks of alchemist’s fire, a flask of acid, a dozen jars of various inks, a footprint book, adamantine weapon blanch, three bags of powder, a deck of marked cards, and two sets of average loaded dice.

Well that was almost ugly..but still effective...best we stash these items on on our bodies and make haste from here...that adamantine....might make for a great weapon...now I wonder what titles these books are all really about....

With great care I look at each of the books...checking to see if they hold any hidden arcane properties...

Thank the gods that we did not lose that crate. That could have gone much better but the end result is the same. We have what we came for.

How many groups should we split into? Two? Maybe three?

Tarek looks over the other items. Looks like the starter kit for a con artist. I have no interest in anything but those items we came for

Eloriand makes it clear he doesn't want any of the additional items either.