[PFS] GM Derek W's The Cyphermage Dilemma #4-15 (Inactive)

Game Master Derek Weil

Leaning over to Ibid, Cyrus whispers, What are you doing up here old man? You aren't here to check on me are you? ... wait... It sounds like they just heard us...

Claire probably convinced him to climb up here hoping he would fall and break his neck... He is as much of a sucker as I am...

Cyrus looks all over the building for some sort of entrance.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

If there is an entrance up here, I would like to suggest the party on the ground break in through the door while Ibid and I go through the roof. If not, Ibid and I will need to climb down...

Cyrus leans over the edge of the building to signal his companions. In hushed tones, he relays the information he has gathered.

3 to 5 bad guys inside, they know we are here. We're going to find a way in from the top. If we can, we will signal you to bust through the door the same time we drop in from the ceiling...

"I think Clair fooled me," the old bard admits in an embarrased whisper. "Because now that I'm up here, I couldn't tell you why I am."

Ibid creeps along the rooftop, while Cyrus begins speaking to the others in the street below. While cautiously stepping, the bard keeps a sharp eye for an entry point through which he and Cyrus can slip inside. With each step, Ibid slowly pulls the longbow from where it rests, slung over his shoulder.

stealth(to move across the roof): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

perception(looking for a window/skylight/door/access point to look through and enter through): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Arion also climbs onto the roof and begins scouting out entrances and looking to see how many guards occupy the warehouse. When Cyril mentions a simultaneous assault, Arion pulls out his whistle and indicates to the party that he will blow it when the ground-level party should burst through the doors.

Sun turns to Claire.

"Well it looks like just you, Jacob, and myself for the ground assault team." Sun whispers to Claire and Jacob, pulling out his scimitar and readying his shield. Taking a deep breath, he readies himself to be brave.

I am getting too old for this nonsense. Now how did that dumb spell start? Oh yes... Sun thinks to himself as he casts resistance on himself. Hurray level 0 spells!

Ok, so the roof scouting thing is not in the written scenario. I'll try to a-lib as fairly as I can. The solution is too cool to waste!

The team on the roof locates a trap door near the center. The roof is in poor repair, and in the dim light through a single crack, the team identifies there are three armed men waiting at the bottom of the 8-foot drop.

They heard you, and are waiting. Others could be present as well. It's your move. Anyone who wants to hop down through the trap door can do so with a rolled acrobatics check. The base DC for a vertical jump is 4 times the height. Or you can climb down the ladder you'll find inside. With armed foes below, be aware that they could be holding readied actions.

Well, since your up here Arion, might as well signal the group below.

Cyrus stands above the trap door, sickle in hand. He looks up at Ibid, legs coiled and ready to spring.

You ready for this old man? Try not to break your hip! he quips with a snarky smile on his face.

Cyrus will ready an action to dive into the room as soon as he hears the ground crew bust through the door, I will roll my acrobatics check now for reference

Acrobatics check for leaping into the room, preferably not in the middle of two bad guys: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Cyrus waits to hear the door burst open and jumps down, catching his foot on the lip of the rickety trap door as he enters...

Clair touches the arms of Sun and Jacob, casting guidance on them. She then casts guidance on herself, and moves over to the front door.

There we go!

She pulls the door open and throws her scythe into the building, aiming for the nearest enemy.

Scythe, Hand of the Acolyte: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3) + 3 = 9

The spinning scythe misses Clair's target, circles around the man, and returns to Clair's hands as if it's a boomerang. "Drat..."

Before entering the building Jacob draws his shortbow and walks behind Clair. When she opens the door, he expends some of his arcane power onto his shortbow, draws an arrow and shoots it at the nearest enemy as well.
Shortbow attack with enhancement and guidance: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 191d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

If there is an enemy without cover when Arion's turn rolls around...

Arion draws and throws a Javelin through the hatch at one of the occupants of the warehouse.

Otherwise...

Arion draws a Javelin and begin shouting advice to his companions.

Ok, so I probably should have set things a bit more clearly. For clarity, I'm going to treat your actions in opening the doors as a surprise round. The enemy are not flat-footed once the regular round starts, regardless of init order. This may not be strictly RAW per the Core book, so please excuse me. I am exercising my GM "artistic license". I will not alter the enemy's stats or numbers, and will follow their tactics as closely as may be. I'm not out to get you by any means.

Clair kicks open the wharfside door, and sends her scythe careening towards one of the two armed men inside! It sails past his ear, returning to her hand!

Jacob's arrow is better placed, and *thunks* into the torso of a guard.

Meanwhile, on the roof, Cyrus throws open the trapdoor. The commotion at the front distracts the three armed men, who look away as the Flea trips over the edge and lands on his backside We'll roll a d8 for landing spot, and you are prone, mechanics-wise.

1d8 ⇒ 4

Arion's javelin catches a distracted guard unawares, and leave a deep wound in the man's chest.

OK, so I'll get a map link at the top of the thread. Please note that Arion and Ibid are still on the roof.

Ibid and Sun may each take one standard or move action.

After that, Round 1 will be:

enemies
Arion
Jacob
Sun
Ibid
Cyrus
Clair

in the surprise round

Ibid, already standing at the edge of trapdoor, fires his longbow at the same target as Arion the moment the door opens.

attack(longbow): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
damage(=2 str comp. longbow): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Once the door bangs open from Claire, Sun sees the two guards directly inside. Seeing one of them get hit by Jacob's well placed arrow, lightning begins traveling down Sun's Scimitar. Raising it up, Sun lets the arc zap the same guard, using the effects of the Guidance spell help aim his sword.

Lightning Arc attack (ranged touch): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6
Lightning Arc damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Ibid and Sun try to land attacks, but both miss!

One thug races around to the front door!

The two at the door step forward and aim for Clair and Sun.

Cutlass v. Clair: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Cutlass v. Sun: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Neither can land a blow!

The goon wounded by Arion throws down his spear and offers to surrender.

The other tries to cut the fallen Cyrus!

Cutlass v. prone: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Apparently the men are allergic to their blades, and no Pathfinders are hit!

The party is up! You may post in any order. I'll try to sort things into rough initiative order after you've all gone. Green thug surrendered. Orange is wounded but fighting.

Frustrated that he can't swing a blade, Jacob nocks another arrow and tries to shoot the goon he wounded already while being careful not to harm Sun or Clair.
Shortbow into melee with enhancement: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 3 - 4 = 191d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Crit confirmation?: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 3 - 4 = 1

Sun will attack with his scimitar the guard directly in-front of him.

Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12
Scimitar damage: 1d6 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1

Cyrus spins on his back, and flips up on his feet in a flash once he regains his bearings from the fall, and subsequently dodging the attack from the thug next to him.

Acrobatics to avoid AoO while standing up: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

As soon as he gains his feet, He sweeps his shiny sickle at the thug's feet.

Trip attempt against CMD: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Stand down brigand! Drop your weapon and I won't hurt you any more, cooperate and you might just walk out of here with a little extra change in your pocket...

Dipolomacy to convince him to surrender: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Arion lowers himself down through the trapdoor and grabs a beam of the roof, using it to swing himself at the thug that refuses to surrender and kick him in the face, landing on the other side of him.

Ibid, still standing on the roof, knocks another arrow and aims through the trapdoor. As best he can, the old bard visually sorts through the chaos below and takes aim at the target Arion is also engaging.

With concentrated effort, Ibid focuses his thoughts, tuning out the surrounding world and din of chaotic battle. Releasing the bowstring moment later.

attack(longbow): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
damage(+2 str comp. longbow with point blank & archaeologist's luck): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Clair uses the guidance spell she cast on herself earlier, and swing her scythe at the wounded goon.

"Please stand still. I'd like to make a clean cut. It'll make sowing your head back on your neck easier when you're dead."

Scythe: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 = 14 Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2) + 4 = 8

Arion hops down, but completely misjudges the distance and falls down.

Jacob puts another arrow in the wounded man and he drops, unconscious.

Sun swings and misses.

Ibid wounds the thug near Cyrus.

Cyrus kips up, and sends the guard to the floor! He immediately calls out his surrender.

Clair can't quite connect with her scythe.

The two standing guards fight on.

One attacks Sun, the other steps over his comrade to strike at Clair.

V. Sun: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Dmg?: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

V Clair: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Dmg?: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

You guys are up!

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Sorry Sun, these are cutlasses and threaten on an 18 that hits...

Confirm v. Sun?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Extra Dmg?: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

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Which guards have surrendered and which have not?

After seeing Sun fall, Jacob drops his shortbow, draws his scimitar, steps forward and strikes out at the goon that dropped Sun.
Scimitar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 161d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

From Ibid's vantage, it appears the two thugs currently engaged with Cyrus and Arion are quickly on their way to giving up and surrendering. The old man does not wait to see if the second thug does in fact surrender, knowing the Cyrus and Arion can handle themselves if the fight were to continue. Quickly scurrying across the roof, Ibid moves to the opposite side of the trapdoor on the ceiling, attempting to see the two thugs guarding the front door from his current vantage.

Move action: Moving to the opposite side of the trap door

perception(not sure if this is needed, it was to check if Ibid can see the thug attacking Sun): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

If Ibid can in fact see the two thugs guarding the front door, he will attempt to shoot the thug standing in front of the fallen Sun. Shooting his arrow through the trap door, and down the length of the building.

attack(longbow, against the thug standing over Sun): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
damage(+2 str comp. longbow with archaeologist's luck): 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Alternatively, if Ibid cannot see the thugs at the front door through the trapdoor on the roof, due to the angle, objects in the way, etc.. He will instead attempt to climb down through the trapdoor and then drop to the floor from a safe height.

climb(down through the trapdoor): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
acrobatics(to avoid some of the fall damage, if needed): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"Ow!" Clair doesn't look like she's very happy with her wound, and speaks with clenched teeth: "I. Told. You. to. stand. Still."

A black aura becomes visible around Clair's body. The aura moves from her body to the blade of her scythe, which she swings at the man who hurt her.

Scythe, Channel Smite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4) + 4 = 12 Smite damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Will DC 14 for half smite damage.

Con check to stabilize, dc10: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (2) - 4 = -2

Sun crumbles to the ground, unconscious and bleeding out from the cutlass.

Man, my character did not even make any undead jokes to Claire either!

The Pathfinders work quickly. While the two men near Cyrus drop their weapons, Ibid climbs down the ladder and joins them, seeing boxes and crates stacked in the way of his bow shot.

Clair unleashes a furious swing that drops a man in one massive cut!

Jacob slashes the last man's side with a solid blow.

Seeing all his friends dying or surrendered, this one allows his blade to slip from his grasp:

"Mercy! I surrender too! Please, spare me pals and I'll help however I can!"

End Combat!

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Wow, the way Clair got upset there right before she cut that thug down... I'm not sure if I am terrified, or excited... or both...

Someone get Sun back on his feet! Cyrus says with some urgency in his voice.

No raising pathfinders as undead Clair! Take one of the thugs instead he says with a nervous smile, not completely sure she wouldn't take the opportunity to make Sun her new pal.

He also makes it a point to say the last line while looking the brigand he tripped up squarely in the eyes.

Well, you better start yapping, I'm not sure how long I can hold back our cleric with an unhealthy obsession with raising undead as her minions.

Who's running this place, and what are you stealing, for starters...

Arion moves to Sun's side and attempts to help him stabilize, but can't seem to get anywhere. If any of you are a hand at healing, you might aid Master Desin? He is bleeding out and I cannot staunch the flow.

"Don't worry, Cyrus, it is not Sun's time yet," Clair says as she bends over and touches Sun. "Though I'd gladly add him to my collection when the time comes."

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Clair's hand glows, and the wounds on Sun's body fully close. It's as if he was never wounded in this battle.

She stands up again and glares at the guard that's still standing. "You will give me all of your possessions, safe for your underwear. You angered the wrong person, and you will feel the shame from the consequences."

Once the guards are wearing only their underwear Clair ties them up with their own belts. The dead ones are tied up as well, next to their living comrades. She also takes a moment to cast guidance on herself, and search the guards' possessions for anything useful.

"I'll pick the dead ones up after the mission," Clair informs her comrades. "I want to bury these before I resurrect them."

I really can't wait till Clair learns to actually raise dead and control them! :)

"Now answer my comrades' questions, or I will gut you," Clair tells the guards that are still alive. She holds her scythe in a way that suggests she's about to start the gutting.

Intimidate + guidance: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 = 15

Once you answer my questions about who is running this place and what you are stealing, you are going to tell me everything you know about Alejia, her crew, and her ship. I'd threaten to bury you alive, but the charming Clair here needs you to be dead first before she can have her fun. Burying you would alive would force her to wait for you to die, and it's just not polite to keep a lady waiting...

Intimidate, aid another (piggy back on Clair's threats): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Eh.. that didn't come out awkward! I think...

Not knowing of the previous interactions, the thugs are clueless to the fact that the widening grin on Cyrus' face has nothing to do with his threat.

In any event, the men are thoroughly shaken and share what they know:

"Alejia hired us to haul off some lady. We tipped the dock hands to turn their backs. She came off a ship, one that Alejia hit out at sea. She's a tricky one. She can disguise herself with magic. But the trick is after she hijacks a ship, her own craft, the Lionfish, comes back to port here. We can describe the ship and tell you where to find it. Shouldn't be more than a handful of guards. Most crew would be with the mistress. Don't know who she's after or why. But her right hand guy Mumbuckle might. Could be he's on board the Lionfish"

They are not lying or hiding anything. Each man wears masterwork studded leather and Carries an ordinary cutlass as well as a smokestick and a tanglefoot bag. The group easily finds the injured woman, who corroborates the thugs' story. She also confirms that your target was on the ship that was attacked. You also uncover three acid flasks and a masterwork longsword.

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Cyrus winks at Ibid, pulling out his notebook to take a few notes from the frightened thugs comments.

Lionfish
Right hand - Mumbuckle
Magic disguise
Hijacks ships and sails them herself

After looking the thugs up and down, he finds one of them who is pretty close to his own size and body dimensions.

You, Off with your armor. I hope you took a bath this morning...

After donning the well crafted armor, Cyrus grabs one of the flasks of Acid and puts it carefully in his pack.

Does anyone else want to carry one of these? Could come in handy later... Knowing what we know now, we should head straight to the Lionfish. At the very least we can prevent the next attack by disabling her ship, and if we are lucky, we can find her and put an end to her.

Something tells me Claire would probably enjoy a box of chocolates and a dead body more than candy and flowers... Cyrus shudders at his internal thoughts, still not sure whether to be excited or terrified.

I bet I could find out if I brought her a dead pirate...

Dangit! Why does that always come out loud instead of in my head!?

Cyrus blushes and moves quickly ahead to avoid any further awkward conversation.

I'll check things out in front of us, make sure we aren't walking into an ambush...

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Arion takes a flask of acid, a tanglefoot bag, and a smokestick. Who are you? Why did these pirates capture you? He asks the injured woman.

Clair blinks and stares at Cyrus. "Huh, what?"

She takes the last flask of acid, and puts it inside her backpack.

I'd prefer to not use this, because it may burn away at someone's body, but it may come in handy.

Sorry for the delayed post, went to help chop down trees at the folks house then to perform in a concert this weekend.

Sun, stiring from the healing, stays for an extra couple moments on the ground finding it oddly comfortable.

"Thanks Clarie, you are not as bad as everybody says you are." Sun says to Claire with a quick smile before finally getting slowly to his feet. "How long was I out?" Sun looks around and sees all the guards tied up, some without clothes.

"Guess I was out quite a while." Sun will grab a tanglefoot bag, a smoke stick, and a acid flask unless someone objects.

"I don't need a flask of acid since I already have one. But I will take a smokestick and a tanglefoot bag. If no one wants the masterwork longsword I'll take it. So let's be on our way to the Lionfish."

The woman talks to Arion:

"My name is raid, Iatha Oedricius a theologian specializing in the study of ancient Thassilonian religions. I'm well known in certain circles, and the Order of Cyphers called on me to aid in the ongoing research of the Cyphergate. I'm not exactly sure why we were targeted, perhaps for ransom. Probably the same thing she hope to get for that other scholar."

The party makes their way to the Docks and the Lionfish. On the way, Cyrus notices a couple of half-orc thugs tailing the group.

Jacob, Clair, and Arion notice the thugs as they rush forward with a savage-looking dog to attack!

OK, so this is a surprise round. Jacob, Cyrus, Clair, and Arion all get one standard or move action. But only Jacob acts before the bad guys. Working on map right now.

Surprise Round:

Jacob <<
bad guys
Cyrus
Clair
Arion

Map is up! Red dots are half orcs, brown is the dog.

With the masterwork longsword drawn, Jacob steps forward and slashes at the half-orc to the south.
Mwk Longsword: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 231d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Confirm Crit?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 111d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Jacob's sword slashes the tough across the chest, leaving a thin wound.

The burly half-orc responds with a heavy-handed swing of his sap!

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

The agile magus is able to avoid the blow!

The second thug goes for Cyrus!

Attack (sap also): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Nonlethal Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Cyrus feels the heavy little weapon slap the side of his head!

The dog moves in for a bite at Clair!

Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

The beast cannot land a blow!

Surprise Round:

Cyrus <<
Clair <<
Arion <<

You three may go. Remember, one standard or move action only, but you may also 5' step.

Arion steps towards Jacob, then begins giving advice. They're big, so hit them fast and low -- we outnumber them, if we flank we'll gain an advantage -- etc.

Sun, looking forward the whole time towards the boat, definitely does not notice the thugs trailing the group until the shouts of attack startle him into looking back. Hurray for rolling a 1!

Cyrus steps forward, still seeing stars from the sap to the side of the head. He grits his teeth, fighting through the woozy-headed feeling washing over him from the strike to the head.

Keep your grubby paws off me pirate!

Trip Attempt with sickle: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

**Edit - purposely did not add in Arion's bonuses because I go before him in the initiative order...

@Sun: Clair took the last Acid Flask, but you can have it instead. I forgot I have 5 flasks of Alchemist's Fire, in case I want to throw splash things.

Clair stares down at the dog and tightens her grip on her scythe. "Bad doggy."

Scythe: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 = 11

She then swings her scythe, aiming to cut its head off.

@GM: Didn't apply Inspire Courage either, but please do so if it's allowed.

Dang. Clair means business with those rolls!

Clair slices the savage mutt, ending its mortal existence.

Cyrus trips a thug to the street

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Sorry, clicked too soon!

Arion advises the team.

Round 1, as normal.

Jacob
Sun
Ibid

You three are up! Next time, if you want a regular buffer to get you first, you can ready an action to trigger after the buff. We may need to do more of a block unit in later combats anyway. That may be first to post is first to go.

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I figured we were doing block initiative anyways.

Thanks Claire, I missed the last part. I apologize.

Sun will pull out his trusty sling and launch a rock at the thug who hit Cyrus.

sling attack: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 4 = 7
sling damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Might as well. Block init it is! Cyrus and Claire both succeeded in either iteration.

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Jacob takes a step south and slices at the half-orc again.
Mwk Longsword with advice: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 111d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12