[PFS] GM Iff's Murder's Mark (Inactive)

Game Master Iff

Good idea, Yagi. I assume I'm fully healed then

Dindal follows Yagi.

"Lets go then. To the docks."

With their wounds healed, the group of Pathfinders quickly make their way to the docks. They have no trouble finding Borvius's company, a squat warehouse of about 60 by 80 yards. A plaque above double doors note the entrance to the office, with two additional sets of double doors in the front wall for loading and unloading. The building has a single backdoor. As Sheriff Feldane said, the warehouse is right next door from Mistress Robella's Curiosity Shop, separated by a small alley. It's midmorning, the shop is open, and the windows holds a variety of knick-knacks to entice shoppers.

Map?

Yagi investigates the alley, looking for windows to peer into and anything unusual.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Shera tries to see if there is a way to get into the warehouse without being seen from the shop.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Map added

Yagi does not find anything in the alley that catches his attention. The warehouse has some windows to let light in, but all of them are too high up to allow one to look in.

Shera can see two ways into the warehouse. The front door should be reachable without being seen from the shop next door. A window next to the door shows a front office, with a single desk and several chair. One man sits behind the desk, busy with papers.

The large doors in the front wall, using for loading and unloading, are probably barred from inside, and useless for gaining entry. However, the back door is out of sight from the street and might be an easy way in. The door does appear to be locked, though.

We are investigating a murder at the behest of the Sheriff, iff. There is no reason to not use the front door, yes, ess?

"Regardless of who sent us, being safe is paramount... I'd suggest the side door."

"Ooh what kind of trinkets does Mistress Robella have? Oh yes, and back door is fine with me."

"Nothing too exciting. I think she had small non magical trinkets and soaps. We were going to look there it see of she had the scent Laurallei and I wanted later. Might be a good excuse to get into the shop if we need to after examining the warehouse. I suggest the side door. Can anyone pick locks? I can give you the Touch of Law to help with the task." she looks a little discomforted at using Touch of Law to break into a building, but shrugs. "Yagi's right we are on sheriff business so opening a door isn't unlawful."

"Oh. No scrolls or artifacts in disguise? Ah well, let's move on then"

Busy day for me today, so no real update. I'll hold until you decide how you want to open the back door, or choose another point of entry.

Shera, nice to see that you remembered already have met Robella. :)

"We go in now?" Azygg asks the others...

If anyone speaks Undercommon, I can get us in the back door, oor.

"Not Undercommon. Had you asked for Celestial I could help out."

@GM, I'm assuming that using Summon Nature's Ally I don't have enough intelligence in any creatures except Mite to follow instructions like "open the door" (from the inside). Am I correct in that assumption?

Looks like we'll either have to break it down or go in elsewhere, ere.

Yes, that's correct. Also you'd need to know how the door is locked, beforehand. If there is a key, it may not even be inside the door. Finally, how would you get the mite inside?

I was planning to use the nonexistent window nearby, naturally! So what I'm hearing is that my awesome plan was awesomely awesome and flawless in every way, mostly.

Perhaps a loud distraction out front to disguise the sound of breaking down the door, oor?

Perhaps Yiel-Dan can catch a pigeon and eat it noisily in front of the front door?

"I could loudly proclaim the teachings of Erastil in front of the building. Since I"m Varisian that should get some attention if only to be spat upon by the locals."

Shame I didn't memorize a Prestidigitation for any fancy tricks. Not that my Perform skill or Charisma is that good. Happy to assist in any way, like listening to your proclamation

Right. Here is the plan as I understand it. Shera and Dindal cause a commotion in the front street, while Yagi breaks down the back door. Azugg, Laurallei, where would you like to be/assist?

Azygg goes with Yagi, gi...

Strength check I assume, ume?

Strength: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Yiel-Dan assist: 1d20 ⇒ 10

-Posted with Wayfinder

Laurallei will be with Yagi as well.

Indeed, there will eventually be a Strength check involved. Laurallei, Azygg, feel free to roll in advance, so that I can work it into the story/encounter as needed.

STR: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

well that is no good

Shera stands at the front corner of the warehouse next to the ally to keep a quick escape at hand. She begins by raising her hands and praying to herself. My Lord help me find the words to convey a message from you, and get their attention enough to keep them from noticing the noise in back.

She raises her voice to almost a shot, and begins pacing back and forth in front of the alley. " Good people of Ilsurian. Now is the time to come together as community as family. Do not let these horrible events divide you and your brothers and sisters who are visiting your community. There have been terrible deaths. Even of one who was your cleric. You know she only wanted to help her community. She followed Erastil's tenants and was a help to all in the community. She would not want her death to cause divisions. Your reputations are on the line as a fine upstanding community. Do you want to be know as the town who won’t accept outsiders? A community who won’t allow people who are different from you to stay in your community for a time? Wait for proof I ask. Wait until your sheriff finishes her investigation before you make any decisions. There may be more than you know.”

Shera finishes her speech and waits ready to run down the alley if something happens.

Laurallei cast a spell upon each of them for guidance in opening the door.

Str: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 1 - 2 = 18

Shera's speech draws a bit of a crowd, but it's not as much op a success as she would have hoped. Her obvious Varisian background makes people wary initially, although her srevice to Erastil does some good. When Shera talks about the death of Sister Esrelda and a man is about to make an angry comment, he's quickly and discreetly poked in the ribs for his wife. "Are you daft. She's a cleric as well, can't you see?" Reminding the townsfolk that their priest would not have wanted division draws some murmers of assent, but the threat that Ilsurian's reputation is at stake does not go over well. "Yeah, we'll have it known everywhere that Ilsurian is no easy mark," an angry young man calls out. "If these outsiders are the thievin' and killin' kind, you bet we don't accept them!" He's alone in his retort, but it's obvious that Shera's words haven't quite convinced the townsfolk. That might have been expected, though. It's not easy to ask for them to wait and do nothing, while the body count rises.

--

Taking advantage of Shera's speech and the noise that this makes, three of the Pathfinders set to work in breaking down the door. This does not succeed initially, but with a couple of bashes and some magical guidance, the lock snaps open after a couple of tries. With the door slightly open, a square room is revealed, dimly lit with the light coming from outside. A cot and footlocker rest against the south wall by the eastern corner. In the opposite corner is a chair with a tray of food. The western room has a door leading further into the building.

I've placed you all on the map, putting Dindal at the corner so that he can relay information between Shera and the group at the back door.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Yagi holds up a finely feathered hand, whispering

Careful, ull. The bed has been recently used, oosed.

He moves quietly into the room and listens at the door.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Thanks GM. Standing by for passing information.

Dindal gives a thumbs up to Shera, hoping she sees him.

I'd like to know what Azygg and Laurallei would be doing, before I resolve the reaction to Yagi's post.

Laurallei moves to the doorway keeping a watch on Yagi and prepares to cast her evil eye in his defense should things go south.

Azygg walks in behind Yagi and says "I no see any ooze." responding to the last remarks of the tengu.

@Laurallei, did you want to try a Perception for that DC26 check? It's a long shot, but could be important. There may be an unseen ooze. :-)

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

"The coast is clear, Yagi... unless Azygg wants to help me look around better!" Laurallei says hopefully while eyeballing the half-orc.

Perception Aid?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

@GM, I think we're ready to find out what it was that we didn't notice.

Shera seeing the thumbs up from Dindal bows to the crowd. "Thank you for hearing me out. Blessings of Erastil on you this day." She begins to move toward the alleyway.

Yagi suddenly feels pressure at his back: A short sword, deflected off his studded leather armor. His attacker is a skulk, completely naked save a small loincloth. "You're the ones who got my brethren jailed, aren't you?" he spits at the Tengu. "You made a mistake coming here." He twirls the sword in his hand, ready for combat.

COMBAT TRACKER - Round 1 - Bold may act

1st - Laurallei, Azygg, Shera, Dindal, Yagi
2nd - Skulk

--

You will find that the mistake is yours, ours. Come quietly to jail and you will not be harmed, armed.

Yagi adjusts his position 5 ft step and strikes out to show that he's serious.

Sansetsukon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

He whistles and Yiel-Dan rushes to join him, jumping on the bed for better position.

Can't fail a DC5 Jump check.

Bite, flanking: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 2 = 18 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Azygg is startled by the sudden ambush and takes a 5 ft step to staggeringly strike at the foe...

Great Axe: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 = 20..DMG: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Laurallei spots the skulk andd casts an evil eye at the creature.

Evil Eye, -2 AC, DC15

Dindale beckons Shera and moves towards the others double move

Shera moves quickly toward the backdoor.

Double Move

The Skulk is distracted by Laurallei's hex. He's hit by both Yagi's and Yiel-Dan's attack, coughs and spits out some blood. "Nah, the Gilded Hands will take care of you, if I don't." Before he can further explain of make good on his threat, Azygg comes in and plants his axe between the skulk's shoulders. With little more than a last cough, the man falls to the ground.

COMBAT OVER

--

Yagi searches the body and the room for clues.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

He is distracted by his close call with death and spends several moments calming himself.

"Was it supposed to die?"

"evidently..."

That tends to happen, my friend, when you shove your axe through so it shows out the other side, ide, Yagi replies with a wink.